t Sixth-place finish just enough on a day with few memorable individual performances.
It’s rare that a program can deem a meet where neither its boys or girls teams had a top-10 finisher successful, but that’s the case for South Kitsap.
That’s because both squads placed in the top six to qualify for districts at Wednesday’s 5-kilometer Narrows League cross-country championships at Lakewood’s Fort Steilacoom Park.
Junior Erika Copeland, who finished 11th in 19 minutes, 58.97 seconds, was the Wolves’ top placer.
“I was very mentally ready to go,” Copeland said. “I got off to a pretty good start.”
Her performance helped the Wolves finish sixth with 158 points behind Gig Harbor (39), Olympia (78), Bellarmine Prep (79), Central Kitsap (93) and Stadium (119). The top six teams qualified for districts Nov. 1 at American Lake Veterans Golf Course in Lakewood. South’s girls team didn’t qualify for districts last year.
“I thought our girls were super,” South coach Paul Zimmer said. “I’m really proud of them. It’s a big step forward for us.”
In addition to Copeland, freshman Amanda Wilson (20:29.64, 14th place) qualified for districts. The top 30 individuals made the cut. Olympia junior Clare Kane won the race in 18:32.95.
Kane was emphatic that she never felt she would win the race, but a teammate said that it was open because Gig Harbor’s Alyssa Andrews wasn’t participating. It didn’t turn out that way, though, as Kane said she finished the first mile 25 seconds better than any race she’s run this season.
“I just got a really good start, probably the best start I’ve had all season,” she said. “I ran strong for the first mile and I just thought, ‚ÄòDo this for your team.’ ”
She easily outlasted Central Kitsap junior Shannon Moskowitz (18:47.13), who finished second, followed by teammate Annie Dear (19:06.67).
The Wolves’ boys team also qualified for districts. South finished sixth with 138 points behind Gig Harbor (37), Central Kitsap (64), Olympia (67), Bellarmine Prep (94) and Stadium (114).
Senior Jon Phillips, who didn’t compete in last week’s meet at Fort Steilacoom with Bellarmine Prep, Central Kitsap, Olympia and Shelton because of a cold, returned but said he still isn’t feeling well. He finished 14th in 17:09.31. Classmate Andrew Vargas (17:31.52, 26th) was the Wolves’ other qualifier.
“He (Phillips) toughed it out and put us in a good position,” said Zimmer, adding that Phillips wasn’t able to practice Tuesday.
Central Kitsap’s Shane Moskowitz won the boys race in 15:25.54. He was followed by Gig Harbor’s Conner Peloquin (15:36.36), Wilson’s Kevin Rosaaen (15:38.98) and Olympia’s Nate Brennand (16:37.18).
“I was debating on staying with Kevin because he always goes out really hard,” Moskowitz said. “Conner went with Kevin, so I decided to go with him.”
Girls
• Team scores (top six to districts): Gig Harbor 39, Olympia 78, Bellarmine Prep 79, Central Kitsap 93, Stadium 119, South Kitsap 158, Shelton 172, Wilson 183.
• Individual results (top 30 to districts): 1, Clare Kane (O) 18:32.95; 2, Shannon Markowitz (CK) 18:47.13; 3, Annie Dear (O) 19:06.67; 4, Julia Freeburg (BP) 19:14.28; 5, Cara Saxon (GH) 19:38.13; 6, Claire Betterbed (GH) 19:48.83; 7, Danie Moon (GH) 19:50.94; 8, Tori Johansen (CK) 19:51.51; 9, Erin Hull (GH) 19:52.73; 10, Sarah Johnson (Sh) 19:53.37; 11, Erika Copeland (SK) 19:58.97; 12, Kelly Williams (GH) 20:06.41; 13, Mackenzie Vaughn (BP) 20:22.89; 14, Amanda Wilson (SK) 20:29.64; 15, Eline Cove (St) 20:37.06; 16, Gee Mi Jorde (CK) 20:40.31; 17, Brittany Kealy (GH) 20:40.56; 18, Lauren Hilger 20:41.36; 19, Kathleen Hoza (O) 20:43.29; 20, Loreal McGee (W) 20:43.99; 21, Annie Tollefson (BP) 20:45.45; 22, Megan Tracy (St) 20:49.57; 23, Alyssa Zuehlsdorff (BP) 20:49.81; 24, Elena Wimberger (St) 20:52.48; 25, Caroline Yearian (BP) 20:53.26; 26, Emily Coic (St) 20:53.9; 27, Emily McHugh (O) 20:54.49; 28, Marissa Ang (O) 20:55.88; 29, Heather Willis (W) 20:57.88; 30, Christy Sipes (GH) 21:06.4.
Boys
Team scores (top six to districts): Gig Harbor 37, Central Kitsap 64, Olympia 67, Bellarmine Prep 94, Stadium 114, South Kitsap 138, Wilson 183, Shelton 231, Mount Tahoma 267, Foss 309, Lincoln 344.
Individual results (top 30 to districts): 1, Shane Markowitz (CK) 15:25.54; 2, Conner Peloquin (GH) 15:36.36; 3, Kevin Rosaaen (W) 15:38.98; 4, Nate Brennand (O) 16:37.18; 5, Spencer Payne (GH) 16:38.28; 6, Robby Ubben (GH) 16:43.71; 7, Zackery Weber (CK) 16:46.97; 8, Mark Coic (CK) 16:48.58; 9, Matt Baer (BP) 16:57.24; 10, Michael Thorsen (CK) 16:59.24; 11, Casey Cabernet (CK) 17:03.71; 12, Ryan Lawrence (O) 17:06.26; 13, Joe Galliano (GH) 17:06.94; 14, Jon Phillips (SK) 17:09.31; 15, Mac Wing (St) 17:13.84; 16, Ted Knudsen (O) 17:15.21; 17, Jared Shorten (O) 17:18.91; 18, Sam Fleckenstein (O) 17:19.15; 19, Brent Felnagle (BP) 17:21.47; 20, Scott Hanson (BP) 17:21.47; 21, John Markova (CK) 17:22.44; 22, Elliott Johnson (BP) 17:22.44; 23, Sam Hales (O) 17:23.08; 24, Eric Schacht (BP) 17:23.36; 25, Mark Zylstra (CK) 17:30.78; 26, Andrew Vargas (SK) 17:31.52; 27, Andrew Hass (BP) 17:39.15; 28, Andrew Lynch (St) 17:42.0; 29, Caleb Howard (Sh) 17:45.07; 30, Robert Cove (St) 17:49.41.
