Seven local runners qualified for the national Junior Olympic Association cross country meet with their strong showing at the regional championship at Plantes Ferry State Park in Spokane Nov. 21.
Runners from Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Eastern Idaho took part in the regional meet on a cold, windy day. The top 20 individuals and the top three teams qualified for the national meet Dec. 12 in Reno.
Adrianna Royal (20:02) and Allison Duvenez finished two-three in the intermediate girls (ages 15-16) 5,000 meter race to help lead their team, the Federal Way Track Club, to the team title.
Royal and Duvenez earned their third trip to the national meet. Last year Royal received all-American recognition by finishing in the top 25.
The other five national qualifiers run for the Whidbey Island Running Club, a North Whidbey Parks and Recreation program. Royal and Duvenez run for FWTC because they starting competing before the WIRC was formed.
Laura Rodeheffer, Kaitlynn Chelberg, Dakota Powers, Olivia Meyer and John Rodeheffer each grabbed a ticket to national. This will be the third national meet for the Rodeheffers, second for Powers, and first for Meyer and Chelberg.
WIRC sent 19 individuals and one team to the regional meet.
The bantam (10 and under) girls’ team finished fifth in its 3,000 meter race. Laura Rodeheffer (10), finished fourth, 12:16; Chelberg (10), 12th, 12:47 (a 22-second PR, personal record); Carolynn Wicker (10), 29th, 13:36; Caitlyn Maronde (10), 44th, 15:10; Megan Keating (9), 45th, 15:12 (31-second PR); and Catherine Wicker (7), 56th, 16:24 (41-second PR).
Bantam boys: Ryan Vasileff (9), 29th, 12:56 (45-second PR).
Midget girls (11-12, 3,000 meters): Jonalyn Horn (12), 48th, 13:14 (13-second PR); Marisa Sligh (12), 55th, 13:33.
Midget boys: Powers (12), third, 10:47; Gunnar Melnick (12), 35th, 12:19 (six-second PR); Miguel Guzman (11), 47th, 13:10 (56-second PR).
Youth girls (13-14, 4,175 meters): Meyer (14), ninth, 16:20; Christina Wicker (14), 40th, 17:40; Hannah Kagey (13) 60th, 19:25; Megan Morande (13), 66th, 21:51 (1:19 PR).
Youth boys: John Rodeheffer (13), third, 14:14; Stephen Miller (13), 39th, 15:56; Nathanael Stanford (13), 50th, 16:12.
