Kitsap County Cross Country
Boys and girls
(All league meets 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
Bainbridge
Coach: Anne Howard Lindquist
Key returners: Seniors Ella Harrington, Elise Gonzales, Bodie Storm, Laird Ferrel, juniors Mairin O’Brien and Roan Brandwell, and sophomores Sabine Hartenstine and Ben Crandall
Outlook: The Spartan girls finished top-10 with a younger squad while the boys finished 18th. The girls will have a great chance to repeat their success for a couple more years while the boys need to push for a top finish this season.
Schedule: Sept. 9, Tahoma Coed Relays; Sept. 20, Olympic League meet at Sequim; Sept. 23, The Mook XC Invite; Sept. 27, Olympic League meet at Bremerton; Oct. 4, Olympic League meet at Battle Point Park; Oct. 11, Olympic League Meet at North Mason; Oct. 19, Olympic League Championships at Port Angeles; TBD, Westside Classic District XC Championships; Nov. 3, WIAA 3A State XC Championships
North Kitsap
Coach: Richard Christopher
Key returners: Seniors Salix Wartes-Kahl, Kendall Becker, Quinny Stewart
Outlook: Wartes-Kahl will be one of the top runners in the county this season. In addition, the girls top runners are all seniors, making them destined for a strong final push.
Schedule: Sept. 13, Olympic League Meet at Olympic; Sept. 16, 45th Salt Creek Invitational; Sept. 20, Olympic League Meet at Sequim; Sept. 27, Olympic League Meet at Bremerton; Sept. 30, John Payne XC Invitational; Oct. 4, Olympic League Meet at Bainbridge; Oct. 7, Nike Hole in the Wall Invitational; Oct. 11, Olympic League Meet at North Mason; Oct. 19, Olympic League Championships; Oct. 28, Westside Classic
Kingston
Coach: Spencer Hunt
Key returners: Seniors Alice Moe, Lucas Lenz and Emmanuel Moes, and juniors Biyanca Paker-Henson and Luke Whalen
Outlook: Kingston had its most successful season in program history. Luckily, most of the Bucs top runners return, including Lenz who finished sixth in state. They should shine this season too.
Schedule: Sept. 2, Ultimook Race; Sept. 13, Olympic League Meet at Olympic; Sept. 16, Fort Steilacoom Invitational; Sept. 20, Olympic League Meet at Sequim; Sept. 27, Olympic League Meet at Bremerton; Sept. 30, Nike Twilight Invitational; Oct. 4, Olympic League Meet at Bainbridge; Oct. 7, Nike Hole in the Wall Invitational; Oct. 11, Olympic League Meet at North Mason; Oct. 19, Olympic League Championships; Oct. 28, Westside Classic
Olympic
Coach: Chad Rehahn
Key returners: Juniors Sophia MacDonald and Samuel Bonsell
Outlook: Olympic’s boys cross team saw improvement last season by finishing fourth in the Olympic League. Unfortunately, three of the Trojans top six runners graduated. On the other hand, the girls team fell last in the league. On the bright side, all of their runners return for two or more seasons.
Schedule: Sept. 13, Olympic League Meet; Sept. 16, 45th Salt Creek Invitational; Sept. 20, Olympic League Meet at Sequim; Sept. 27, Olympic League Meet at Bremerton; Sept. 30, John Payne Invitational; Oct. 4, Olympic League Meet at Bainbridge; Oct. 11, Olympic League Meet at North Mason; Oct. 19, Olympic League Championships; Oct. 28, Westside Classic District XC Championships
Bremerton
Coach: Scotty Renner
Key returners- Senior Salleen Mattivi and juniors Ruby Hyde, Dallin Anderson, and sophomore Joshua Lueders
Outlook: Bremerton boys finished 16th in state but return around half of its state runners. If the Knights can fill the other runners’ shoes, they should find themselves in the Top 10. As for the girls, Mattivi has one final shot to reach the podium.
Schedule: Sept. 16, Fort Steilacoom Invitational; Sept. 20, Olympic League Meet at Sequim; Sept. 27, Olympic League Meet; Sept. 30, John Payne Invitational; Oct. 4, Olympic League Meet at Bainbridge; Oct. 7, Nike Hole in the Wall XC Invitational; Oct. 11, Olympic League Meet at North Mason; Oct. 19, Olympic League Championships; Oct. 28, Westside Classic District XC Championships
Central Kitsap
Coach: Jeremy Duplissey
Key returners: Seniors Camryn Bishoff, Blake Reynolds and Aidan Hermida, juniors Clare Herring, Taylor Palmer and Michael Vlach, and sophomore Audra Palmer
Outlook: Central Kitsap’s girls return four of its top five runners from its state championship squad. The Cougars will be favorites to repeat in the 3A division. As for the boys, most of their runners return and can easily push for a Top 5 finish in state.
Schedule: Sept. 13, Sehmel 4K; Sept. 16, Fort Steilacoom Invitational; Sept. 30, Nike Portland; Oct. 5, South Sound Conference Meet; Oct. 11, The Hawk’s Nest; Oct. 19, South Sound Conference Championships; Oct. 28, Westside Classic; Nov. 4, WIAA State Championships
South Kitsap
Coach: Ed Santos
Key returners: Juniors Jefferson Smith, Lauren Laws, and Emma Schmutz
Outlook: Although the teams did not place high at districts or state, the top runners continued to showcase their skills until the season ended. Laws and Smith return as upperclassmen and will look to lead the Wolves to a high individual and team finish this season.
Schedule: Sept. 5, SPSL Jamboree; Sept. 9, Olympia Invite; Sept. 16, Fort Steilacoom Invitational; Sept. 22, SPSL 5K; Sept. 30, John Payne Invitational; Oct. 11, The Hawk’s Nest; Oct. 19, SPSL 4A XC Championships; Oct. 28, Westside Classic District XC Championships
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(All league meets 4:45 unless otherwise posted)
Klahowya
Coaches: James Felty, Mart Kraftcik
Key players: Senior Alison Fletcher, juniors Natalie Oathout and Ella Salo, and sophomores Carson Wintch and Elijah Boddy
Outlook: Oathout and the Eagles will look to make the girls team a strong competitor for a podium finish at state. Since most of their runners return, it is possible. The boys are still a younger team with upside as well.
Schedule: Sept. 9, 24th Bellarmine Invite, Nisqually League Meet; Sept. 16, 45th Salt Creek Invitational; Sept. 26, Nisqually League Meet at Vashon; Sept. 30, John Payne Invitational; Oct. 7, Nike Hole in the Wall XC Invitational; Oct. 28, Westside Classic District XC Championships
