South Kitsap has sole top-10 placer among six teams

Between its boys and girls cross-country teams, South Kitsap only had one top-10 finisher Tuesday. But Wolves coach Paul Zimmer isn’t concerned.

Even though the six-team meet at Lakewood’s Fort Steilacoom Park is viewed as a preview of next week’s Narrows League Championships at the same location, Zimmer noted that a few of the school’s top runners, including senior Jon Phillips, elected to focus on time trials instead.

Without Phillips, the Wolves’ No. 1 boys runner, they finished fifth with 141 points behind Gig Harbor (26), Central Kitsap (54), Olympia (71) and Bellarmine Prep (91).

Andrew Vargas, who finished 18th in 17 minutes, 23.07 seconds, was the Wolves’ top finisher on the boys side. Central’s Shane Moskowitz won the race in 15:58.98. It was a personal best for Vargas, a senior.

“It felt fantastic,” Vargas said. “I loved the race. If I can do this well, I can do even better in the league.”

In addition to Phillips, Andrew Crock and Dan Nadeau also competed in the time trials. Zimmer said their absence hurt the Wolves’ depth as the next-highest finisher was Cody Pace, who placed 32nd at 17:51.94.

But he was happy with Vargas’ performance.

“He ran pretty well,” he said. “That’s a big confidence booster for him going into the league meet.”

Junior Erika Copeland was the top finisher for South’s girls in ninth place at 20:01.74.

Gig Harbor’s Alyssa Andrews won the event in 18:01.4, nearly 40 seconds better than second-place finisher Shannon Markowitz (18:41.24) from Central.

“I think the hills were really smooth,” said Copeland, adding that she wants to break 20 minutes. “It went better than I expected.”

Neither Copeland nor freshman Amanda Wilson, who placed 13th at 20:20.06, ran for the Wolves’ cross-country team before this year.

“The girls are coming around,” Zimmer said. “Erika Copeland and Amanda Wilson have really stepped up here near the end.”

South’s girls team finished fifth with 130 points behind Gig Harbor (28), Central (81), Bellarmine Prep (83) and Olympia (88).

Unlike the boys team, South had its top girls available. But Zimmer said he wasn’t concerned about the team’s performance.

“A lot of our girls have only trained since August and don’t really know what to expect,” he said.

Vargas said that is one reason he enjoys this meet as preparation for Wednesday’s Narrows championships.

“I like being able to run it and see what I can do before league,” he said.

Zimmer said he doesn’t dislike the preview meet, but he isn’t necessarily in favor of it.

“I think maybe next year we’ll change it up a bit,” he said. “It kind of disrupts practice and focus the week before league.”

Boys results

Team scores: Gig Harbor 26, Central Kitsap 54, Olympia 71, Bellarmine Prep 91, South Kitsap 141, Shelton 171.

Individual results (Top 10 and all SK placers): 1, Shane Moskowitz (CK) 15:58.98; 2, Nate Brennand (O) 16:39.81; 3, Robby Ubben (GH) 16:44.78; 4, Spencer Payne (GH) 16:49.31; 5, Joe Gagliano (GH) 16:51.23; 6, Casey Kalbrener (GH) 16:52.08; 7, Zackery Weber (CK) 16:56.23; 8, Chris Adgar-Beal (GH) 16:58.97; 9, Nathan Page (GH) 16:59.52; 10, Alex Sundell (GH) 17:01.2; 18, Andrew Vargas (SK) 17:23.07; 32, Cody Pace (SK) 17:51.94; 34, Donny Boe (SK) 17:55.88; 44, Jake Allen (SK) 18:05.49; 64, Raleigh Davis (SK) 19:15.54; 76, Terrill Wilson (SK) 19:57.17; 78, Austin Fritz (SK) 20:13.73; 105, Ryan Kennedy (SK) 21:51.66.

Girls results

Team scores: Gig Harbor 28, Central Kitsap 81, Bellarmine Prep 83, Olympia 88, South Kitsap 130, Shelton 131.

Individual results (Top 10 and all SK placers): 1, Alyssa Andrews (GH) 18:01.4; 2, Shannon Moskowitz (CK) 18:41.24; 3, Clare Kane (O) 19:26.09; 4, Cara Saxon (GH) 19:28.4; 5, Julia Freeburg (BP) 19:45.53; 6, Claire Betterbed (GH) 19:51.69; 7, Kelly Williams (GH) 19:52.34; 8, Tori Johansen (CK) 19:54.69; 9, Erika Copeland (SK) 20:01.74; 10, Erin Hull (GH) 20:03.24; 13, Amanda Wilson (SK) 20:20.06; 53, Ashley Novak (SK) 23:03.58; 54, Chelsea Brown (SK) 23:04.35; 58, Kathryn Hartwig (SK) 23:20.13; 70, Emma Fritz (SK) 24:17.26; 72, Charity Molesh (SK) 24:25.99; 79, Jessica Duckworth (SK) 25:09.47; 80, Michelle Ta (SK) 25:11.1; 83, Taryn Donovan (SK) 27:01.41; 84, Nicole Lee (SK) 27:02.56.