Meridian Trojans defend girls cross country state crown

Meridian's girls cross country team repeated as 1A state champions on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.

The Trojans secured the title with 89 points, finishing ahead of Vashon Island, which scored 131. Layne Dickson led the Meridian squad with a fourth-place finish in 19:20.40. Ridley Strotz and Airi Thompson ran back-to-back in 17th and 18th place with times of 19:50.70 and 19:51.70 respectively. Adalyn Noste placed 21st and Kasia Kmiecik finished 42nd to complete the scoring lineup.

In the boys 1A race, Meridian took second place. Reuben TeVelde placed second for the Trojans with a time of 15:40.40. Judah TeVelde finished fifth in 15:47.20, and Colton Valentine placed 16th. Titus Belleme and Denali Frierott rounded out the Meridian scoring in 43rd and 48th place.

Lynden Christian's Larkyn McConnell placed sixth in the girls race, recording a time of 19:27.20. Her performance was more than a minute faster than her district qualifying time of 20:32.60. William Sherfy led Lynden Christian in the boys race with a 19th-place finish, while Colby Honcoop placed 46th.

Lynden sent two runners to the boys 2A state championship. Luke Schouten placed third with a time of 15:47.20. Braxton Stacey finished 15th in 16:22.80.