Prep notebook: Washington boys dominate Oregon in Nike BorderClash
Published 11:46 pm Monday, November 24, 2008
The Washington boys team — featuring several local runners — prevailed Sunday at the 2008 Nike BorderClash in Beaverton, Ore.
Washington scored 45 points, earning a dominant victory over Oregon (144 points) in the annual all-star cross country event. The top 14 finishers on the 4,400-meter course were from Washington.
The highest-placing competitor from an area school was Scott Larson of Lake Stevens. Larson took 17th, finishing in 14 minutes, 39.61 seconds.
Other local runners who placed in the top 40 were Jackson’s Ben Lance (24th, 14:47.63) and Oak Harbor’s Tyler King (31st, 14:53.48).
The race winner was North Central of Spokane’s Andrew Kimpel (14:07.3).
In the girls BorderClash event, Oregon beat Washington 73-98. Stanwood’s Natasha Verma placed 20th, completing the course in 17:19.11. Other top local girls were Monroe’s Suzanna Ohlsen (28th, 17:27.89), Lake Stevens’ Lacey Wagner (32nd, 17:29.93) and Olivia Thomas of King’s (34th, 17:33.16).
More NLI signings
In addition to our previous reports, several other local student-athletes signed an NCAA National Letter of Intent during the early signing period, which ended Nov. 19. Mountlake Terrace catcher Paul Clingan and Cedarcrest pitcher Travis Cook signed with the Washington State University baseball team. This past spring Clingan helped lead Mountlake Terrace to a Class 4A District 1 championship. Cook was a Washington State Baseball Coaches Association all-state honorable mention for Cedacrest, which placed third in 2A. Also, Arlington basketball guard Kyra Prause signed with Utah Valley University.
All aboard the Fan Van
A large cluster of Everett High students sprinted onto the Harry Lang Stadium field Saturday night to celebrate after the Seagulls girls soccer team won the 3A state title. Among the rooters were a loyal group of guys, all juniors, known for traveling to games in a vehicle called the Fan Van, said Everett forward Annie Sittauer. “We’ve had really good support this year,” Sittauer said. “We’ve had people at every game and that’s the first year that’s happened.”
Don’t drink the water
Former Jackson High soccer standout Laura Hernandez was in town last week after playing for the U-17 Colombian women’s team. Hernandez was an All-Wesco first team performer at Jackson, but she wasn’t always graceful off the field, said Timberwolves junior Simone Sterling. “I’m not going to lie. She’s the team klutz,” said Sterling, one of Hernandez’s close friends. “I think she choked on water at least 12 times last year, in the middle of a meeting (or) on the sidelines. She’s funny.”
Mike Cane, Herald Writer
