Six members of the Whidbey Island Running Club have qualified to compete in the Middle School Mile at the University of Oregon’s Twilight Meet May 6 in Eugene.
John Rodeheffer, Laura Rodeheffer, Dakota Powers, Logan Clark, Kaitlyn Chelberg and Carolynn Wicker earned spots in the Middle School Mile, which will be an exhibition event at the meet which will draw some of the country’s top club and Division I track talent.
The meet is at Hayward Field, home of the Olympic trials.
The Whidbey Island Running Club recently competed in the Eagle Mile April 30 at Oak Harbor’s Windjammer Park.
Twelve-year-old Laura Rodeheffer was the top female finisher (ninth overall) in the 5K race of 174 and John Rodeheffer, 14, finished third overall.
Chelberg was third among the females, while Powers and Clark placed fourth and fifth overall.
WIRC’s Miguel Guzman (6:04) won the one-mile race, and teammates Rachel Crowther and Nikki Blanchard followed in second and third.
Other WIRC 5K results:
Tyler Grehan, 13th overall; Ryan Vasileff, 17th; Caleb Thompson, 20th; Jonalynn Horn, 22nd; Breanna Grehan, 29th; Wicker, 31st; Caylie Etherington, 37th; Carly Crowther, 38th; Wyatt Paul, 40th; Evan Smith, 41st; Andrew Franssen, 47th; Sam Peek, 56th; Riley Williamson, 63rd; Jaida Mason, 94th; Garrett Dutcher, 109th; Skyler Hovey, 111th.
Mason and Peek are just seven years old.
Other WIRC one mile results:
Nathanael Thompson, 7:08; Jacob Thompson, 7:14; Micah Thompson, 7:15; Catherine Wicker, 7:32; Elias Thompson, 7:33; Michael Fisken, 7:38; Harrison Keating, 7:47; Kenyon Sirak, 8:06; Grace Pauley, 8:07; Kendall Sirak, 8:10; Sierra Dubuque, 8:15; Emily Lamb, 8:18; Sadie Harbaugh, 8:36; Kadee Sirak, 10:17; Jordyn Lovett, 12:13.
In an interesting side note, Vasileff, 10, was tripped a half mile into the 5K race. With blooded knees and nasty road rash on his arm and shoulder, he finished the race in 17th place not knowing at the time that he also broke his arm in the fall.
WIRC coach Catie Rodeheffer said the club is still looking for more athletes. Practices are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 4:15 p.m. at North Whidbey Middle School.
Middle school and high school athletes are welcome to join after the completion of their school seasons.
Contact Rodeheffer at 360-279-2196 or catie@rodeheffer.net for more information.
