Oak Harbor High School produced the champion of both the boys and girls races at the Wesco North 3A divisional cross country meet Saturday, Oct. 25, at Lakewood High School in Arlington.

Senior John Rodeheffer defended his crown in the boys race while senior Jonalynn Horn captured first among the girls.

As at team, the Wildcats placed second to Arlington in both races.

Arlington captured the next five spots behind Rodeheffer to easily win the boys title with 20 points. Oak Harbor (55), Everett (74) and Stanwood (94) followed.

Arlington edged the Oak Harbor girls 38-46. Stanwood nipped Everett for third, 69-72.

Marysville-Pilchuck and Marysville Getchell did not compete because of the shooting at M-P the previous day.

The Oak Harbor runners and many others ran with red “MPs” inked on their cheeks or shoulders in support.

The Cascade Conference and the Wesco 4A schools also ran in Lakewood Saturday. In all 10 races took place, tearing up an already rain-soaked, muddy course.

Rodeheffer won the 5,000-meter race by 11 seconds in 16:03.46. Sebastian Ceaser was ninth (17:38.45) and Miguel Guzman 12th (17:59.47).

Horn won by more than a minute, clocking 19:33.4. Laura Rodeheffer placed sixth (21:12.7) and Olivia Flack 10th (21:32.3).

Oak Harbor will join 13 other 3A schools at the district meet at South Whidbey High School Saturday, Nov. 1.

The girls compete at 11 a.m. and the boys at 12:10 p.m.

The top three teams and the top 15 individuals will qualify for the state meet.

The Oak Harbor girls qualified for state the past five years; the boys earned a berth in three of the last four seasons.

Oak Harbor results at the Wesco 3A North meet:

Varsity 3A boys (40 runners): 1, John Rodeheffer, 16:03.46; 9, Sebastian Ceaser, 17:38.45; 12, Miguel Guzman, 17:59.47; 20, Logan Clark, 18:20.1; 22, Jake Hucko, 18:24.5; 26, Matthew Nortier, 18:34.85; 28, Wyatt Pauley, 18:35.8; 29, Joe Gorman, 18:36.57; 33, Michael Lym, 18:59.35; 39, Tyler Grehan, 19:32.99.

Varsity 3A girls (33): 1, Jonalynn Horn, 19:33.4; 6, Laura Rodeheffer, 21:12.7; 10, Olivia Flack, 21:32.3; 13, Carolynn Wicker, 21:58.2; 16, Emma Lerch, 22:18.2; 22, Megan Keating, 22:55.6; 26, Tamia Rios, 23:45; 28, Elyssa Nortier, 24:43.8; 29, Jessica Hollins, 25:06.4.

JV boys, 3A/4A combined (292): 16, Caleb Peek, 18:58.79; 21, Benjamin Gasper, 19:18.8; 34, Ryan Vasileff, 19:44.86; 61, Cooper Treadwell, 20:18.95; 76, Scot Erickson, 20:33.96; 116, Ryan Rebalkin, 21:16.24; 199, William Nicholson, 23:97.69; 206, Thomas O’Brien, 23:13.93; 211, Kurt Huscer, 23:18.64; 224, Ben Bozeman, 23:52.85; 239, Alex Berry, 24:32.08; 248, Lucas Nicholson, 24:57.43; 258, Casey Towsley, 25:25.92; 263, Travis Wagnar, 25:37.23; 279, 27:04.17; 281, Daniel Gibson, 27:06.83.

JV girls, 3A/4A combined (125): 17, Meredith Bain, 24:24.2; 31, Alisa Meany, 25:02.1; 67, Emma Wezeman, 26:54.6; 73, Carly Crowther, 27:22.6; 88, Alana Austin, 28:30.8; 109, Megan Peek, 30:05.4.

(John Rodeheffer pulls away to win the Wesco North boys race. Photo by Jim Waller.)