Runners continue to improve

In the girl’s varsity race, Valley’s Jessica Cook broke out of a pack of runners and started a long pursuit of the top three. Cook finished fourth in a season-best 22:09.  “It was good to see Jessica make that break; she is ready to peak at the end of the season,” said Willapa Harbor Tri-District Cross Country Coach Brad Donovan. 

Valley’s Dominique Kudasik turned in a sixth-place effort with a time of 22:34.  South Bend’s Traci Hoffman finished 14^th (24:20) in her season debut. Teammate Savannah Burbank finished 16^th in 24:42.

“Yessenia Perez of South Bend keeps getting stronger and faster breaking into the top 20 finishing 19^th in 25:55,” noted Donovan.

Raymond’s Iris Heckman, teammate Rachel Jackson and Valley’s Mariah Silvera raced in a three-pack duel for the last 800 meters. Heckman was 22^nd in 26:23, Silvera was 23^rd in 26:28 and Jackson was the 24^th runner in 26:29. Right behind the three was Valley senior Denise McDonald, who was chasing down Jordine Lawrence from Mossyrock. 

“With a tremendous surge of sheer will, McDonald finished in 25^th by six-tenths of a second finishing in 26:57.3,” Donovan reported.

 Katie Daniel of Valley took 30^th in 29:55, followed by South Bend’s Tessa Wilson finishing 31^st in 31:10. Willapa Valley’s Miriam Naranjo took 33^rd in 31:55. 

In the boys race, the local contingent was led by South Bend’s Jose Buccio finishing 24^th in 21:11. Viking senior and team captain Dominic DeLong had a great run finishing 27^th in 21:49, followed closely by Raymond’s Ben Mead, who finished 28^th in 21:51. Koda Boothe of South Bend crossed the stripe in 22:01 good for 30^th.  Aaron deMontigney pushed through a sore calf to take 35^th in 22:38. 

“It has been a tough six days, but local runners are amazingly strong and ready,” Donovan said.

This Thursday is the league meet, hosted by Ocosta High School in Westport. 

Hoquiam Invitational

The runners competed at the Hoquiam Cross Country Invitational October 23 on the Sea Breeze Oval.

In the boys’ varsity race, Shelton’s Cody Williamson took the ribbon in 16:19 just off the course record. Willapa Harbor runners were led by Jose Buccio finishing 54^th in 20:52. Valley’s Dominic DeLong took 46^th in 21:46 in a great effort. Aaron deMontigny of Raymond found himself in a three-way race with runners from North Beach and Hoquiam. deMontigny finished 66^th in 22:06. Koda Boothe of South Bend took 68^th in 22:20. 

In the girl’s varsity race, 18 schools were represented from 4A to B classifications.  The overall winner was Gabby Rudolph of Montesano, covering the 3.1-mile course in 19:46, beating Monte teammate Andrea Ostwald, who finished 2^nd in 20:03. Shelton and Montesano tied for the women’s team title with 65 points, but Shelton got the nod based on a 6^th place finish. 

Jessica Cook of Valley continues to improve finishing 19^th in a time of 22:27.  “Dominique Kudasik of Valley also shows why she is one of the top runners in the area, finishing 26^th in 22:55,” Donovan said.

Savannah Burbank of South Bend set a personal record for herself finishing 40^th in 23:45. South Bend teammate Yessinia Perez took 60^th in 25:49, as she continues to improve. Iris Heckman of Raymond finished 65^th in in 27:21. Katie Daniel of Valley set a new course PR for herself in 28:48, followed by Miriam Naranjo, also of Valley, in 34:04.

In the junior high race, Ryon Ashley and Hunter Daniel were the only local runners. Girl speedster Avrey Strozyk is out with a concussion. North Beach Mariah Vogler won the girl’s race in 11:54.

In the boy’s race, Phillip Gittings of Ilwaco crossed the line first in 11:12, followed by Carlos Juarez of Hoquiam (11:15). Ryon Ashley of Valley, who had been moving steadily through the pack, was closing on the leaders when he finished 3^rd in 11:20. Hunter Daniel of Valley continues to improve finishing 18^th in 16:17.

“It was a brutal week for the runners,” Donovan said October 12th. “On Monday they ran five miles. Tuesday they ran seven, 1,000-meter repeats. Wednesday they ran hills, and on Thursday they had a meet that featured a hill ½-mile long. They are strong, fast and tired at this point, but we are getting better every day. The runners are entering the critical part of the season.  The 24^th is league and then the all-important District Race November 2^nd. The season is drawing to its crescendo and every runner in the state is fine tuning for that moment.”