PHS boys place 10th at state

Seahawks’ times improve, but so does entire state

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

PASCO ­— The pack got faster, but so did the Peninsula boys cross country team.

After wrapping up last year’s Class 3A state championship meet in 10th place, the Peninsula boys took the same double-digit finish last Saturday at Sun Willows Golf Course with 263 points.

The North Central Indians of Spokane won the team title with 24 points and had all five of their runners finish in the top 10.

According to their finish, the Seahawks didn’t gain ground on their finish last year, but their times have significantly improved. The top three Peninsula runners from 2007 bettered their state times by a combined three minutes, 14 seconds. They also scored nine more points than last year.

Likewise, the individual winner of the 3A competition — Mount Rainier’s Michael Miller — beat the time of last year’s individual winner by 43 seconds.

“The field got faster,” said Peninsula senior Ian Hash, who finished 65th in 16:56. “We got faster, but so did the rest of the state.”

Seahawks junior David Lee performed the best, taking 25th overall in 16:20. He finished more than a minute faster than last season.

“Almost everybody PR’d on this course,” Lee said. “It (competition) was a lot tougher, but it helped pull us along.”

Although the Seahawks couldn’t break into single digits as a team, Lee said he focuses more on times, because the pack can be faster one year and slower the next.

“The course gets easier every time you race it,” he said. “This year, it felt a lot better.”

The Peninsula boys — similar to the Seahawks’ girls team — will return the bulk of their varsity runners, with Hash being the only one who will graduate.

Junior Chris Borg (34th, 16:25) finished 55th last year, saying he went out too fast. This time, however, he slowed it down and remained with the pack.

“We need to keep our momentum going and swing it into next year,” he said. “I was feeling pretty tight, but I did the best I could.”

Wingard said that, despite the same finish, the team is gradually getting better. He said the upside for next year is strong.

“The kids gained a large measure of respect,” Wingard said. “We probably have to upgrade the level of competition at invitationals we compete in next year.”

Reach sports reporter Marques Hunter at 253-853-9246 or by e-mail at marques.hunter@gateline.com.