Running on its home course, the Oak Harbor High School boys cross country team captured first and the Wildcat girls second in a three-team meet Thursday, Sept. 20, at Windjammer Park.
Paced by John Rodeheffer, the Oak Harbor boys placed 1-2-3 on the way to scoring 20 points to 45 for Monroe and 69 for Everett.
Oak Harbor’s Alex Laiblin finished first in the girls race, but Monroe nabbed the next five slots to win 20-37-70 over the ‘Cats and Everett.
Rodeheffer covered the 4K course in 15:42, followed by Jason Salas (15:56) and Clay Richardson (16:01).
Four other Wildcats finished in the top 10: Patrick Mayer (sixth, 16:20), Caley Powers (eighth, 16:40), Alexander Krantz (ninth, 16:47) and Isaac Matthews (10th, 16:52).
Laiblin clocked an 18:40, then after the Monroe rush, five Oak Harbor runners took the next six spots: Christina Wicker (seventh, 20:03), Ashley Everett (ninth, 20:30), Marisa Sligh (10th, 20:44), Mackenzie Jackson (11th, 21:21), Caitlyn Dodge (12th, 21:55) and Carlie Ann Kenny (13th, 22:04).
In the JV boys race, Oak Harbor, led by Stephen Miller (17:16), recorded a perfect score of 15 by grabbing the first sixth places. There was no JV girls race.
Coach Eric Peterson said the boys, who are ranked in the top 10 in the 3A state poll, had a “great day.” He added, “They had a couple of key workouts this week, and to perform at this level today, I am really pleased.”
Assistant coach Andy Wesley, who guides the girls, said, “They ran really, really well. We have a lot of girls out (on the team). They are a great bunch personality wise; they work hard and love to be out there.”
The Wildcats will take their annual trek to Seaside, Ore., this weekend for the Three Course Challenge, which features teams from several states competing on several unique courses.
Other Oak Harbor varsity boys results: 14, Gavin Stewart, 17:09; 15, Logan Clark, 17:29; 16, Nathan Wagner, 17:34; 17, Dakota Powers, 17:42.
Varsity girls: 17, Nikki Blanchard, 22:35; 18, Mizaki Suga, 22:36; 19, Carly Crowther, 22:52; 20, Faith Callies, 23:02; 25, Sydney Erickson, 23:17; 27, Alisa Meany, 23:40; 28, Jonalynn Horn, 23:52; 32, Rae Wynne, 25:03; 33, Mara Powers, 25:04; 34, Margaret Dailey, 25:05; 35, Eri Horikana, 25:05; 36, Jackie DeJesus, 25:20; 37, Lydia Dailey, 27:03.
JV boys: 2, Gunnar Melnick, 17:19; 3, Brendan Bristow, 17:25; 4, Caleb Peek, 17:33; 5, Nathaniel Richardson, 17:39; 6, Tristin Mirabel, 17:57; 8, John Dix, 18:28; 9, Haruka Earney, 18:38; 10, Dustin Mirabal, 18:40; 11, Joe Gorman, 18:44; 12, Steven Horn, 18:48; 14, Nathan Larson, 18:54; 15, Daniel Ross, 19:00; 19, Stephen Ross, 19:28; 22, Alex Berry, 23:18; 23, Thomas O’Brien, 23:24.
