Knox, a senior, won the Western Conference North Division cross country meet on Saturday.
His time of 16 minutes, 7 seconds on the 3.1-mile course at Lakewood’s Dick Cardinal Stadium was 10 seconds faster than Kamiak’s Kelly Spady.
It was the latest accomplishment for Knox, who has emerged as one of the state’s top runners this season.
“He trained a lot harder during the summer to prepare for his senior year,” Jackson coach Eric Hruschka said. “He’s a lot more focused. He knows it’s his senior year.”
Knox’s time was 32 seconds faster than any runner in the North Division. He pulled away from Spady, who finished 12th at the 2002 Class 4A state meet, with 300 yards to go. Knox, the 32nd-place finisher at state last year, has been pushed hard by sophomore teammate Jeff Helmer, who placed fourth on Saturday.
“They’ve been back and forth (as the team’s top runner) the entire year,” Hruschka said. “It’s kind of whoever’s on that given day. They are almost dead even right now.”
Other top boys cross country performers: Dan Weiser, Marysville-Pilchuck; James Sundquist, South Whidbey.
Martens qualified for the Class 4A state meet by winning Saturday’s district competition. She compiled 366.5 points to edge Marysville-Pilchuck’s Brittany Berg, who also qualified for state with 357.8 points. Both received All-American consideration for their performances at the state-qualifying meet. Martens and Berg also surpassed the 325 points necessary to automatically qualify for the state meet.
Other top girls swimming and diving performers: Brittany Berg, Marysville-Pilchuck; Rikka Brunner, Kamiak; Kirsten Behla, Snohomish; Kelsey Randolf, Snohomish; Ashley Best, Kamiak; Debra Shawback, Snohomish; Missy McIntyre, Oak Harbor; Sarah Spillman, Edmonds-Woodway; Liz Shdo, Shorecrest; Lisa Keane, Meadowdale; Jackie Benson, Shorewood.
Football player of the week: Michael Lodell, South Whidbey.
Other top football performers: Johnie Kirton, Kamiak; Bart Ward, Bothell; Blake Ward, Oak Harbor; Josh Roberts, Snohomish; Casey Fortin, Snohomish; Jake Linton, Meadowdale; Tony Gardiner, Bothell; Gary Rogers, Kamiak; Tony Virata, Kamiak; Sean Tracey, Shorewood; David Repnik, Sultan; Cliff French, Sultan; Brad Sears, Lakewood; Ken Kam, Marysville-Pilchuck; D.J. Chamberlain, Granite Falls; Chris Faidley, King’s; Ace Younggren, Snohomish; Kevin Rodland, Snohomish; Craig Duncan, Archbishop Murphy.
Girls soccer player of the week: Leah Wymer, Bothell.
Other top girls soccer performers: Kat Taylor, Archbishop Murphy; Jessica Fahrney, Arlington; Jesse Heath, Arlington; Alex Kirk, Edmonds-Woodway; Tara Bauer, Granite Falls; Lindsey Kihm, Snohomish; Dani Oster, Jackson; Jessica Duty, Meadowdale; Claudia Gil-Osorio, South Whidbey; Taylor Thomas, Monroe; Katie Brown, Sultan; Kahlena Kessler, Kamiak; Michelle Neff, Kamiak; Jessica Hughes, Cascade; Soley Griesbach, Cascade; Brittany Gegax, Cascade.
Boys soccer player of the week: Luke Hagel, Archbishop Murphy
Other top boys soccer performers: Andy Hewitt, Archbishop Murphy; Luke Danford, Archbishop Murphy; Garth Brandal, Shoreline Christian, Grant Brandal, Shoreline Christian.
Volleyball player of the week: Courtney Schneider, Snohomish
Other top volleyball performers: Natalie Soules, Shorewood; Becky Sherer, Shorecrest; Nikole Thompson, Marysville-Pilchuck; Micaela Parker, Marysville-Pilchuck; Korissa Clevish, Marysville-Pilchuck; Heidi McNeill, Oak Harbor; Melissa Vanderwell, Lakewood.
Girls cross country athlete of the week: Amber Nickelson, Lake Stevens
Boys tennis players of the week: Mike Reading, Jackson and Scott Donnell, Oak Harbor
Other top boys tennis performers: Zach Gordon, Snohomish; Tyler Stocker, Snohomish; Scott Bourne, Shorewood; Steve McCall, Shorewood; Jonathan Tat, Shorecrest.
Aaron Coe, Herald Writer
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