PASCO – The Snohomish High School girls cross country team huddled near the awards stand, bracing for the imminent news, good or bad.
One of the exhausted Panthers nervously shuffled her legs up and down. Others held hands, while another kept her clenched fists by her mouth, as if to stop her from saying what she feared might be true.
But when the news finally came it signaled an abrupt end to the Panthers’ dream. Despite battling perpetually high expectations and a key injury, Snohomish put itself in position for a third consecutive Class 4A state championship. It just wasn’t quite enough.
Snohomish scored 90 points to finish third behind Gig Harbor and Bellarmine Prep on Saturday at Sun Willows Golf Course. Bellarmine and Gig Harbor both scored 84 points, but Bellarmine won because its sixth runner finished higher.
Snohomish set a state record for fewest points last year when it torched the field with 31, but this time dominant senior Brie Felnagle and her Bellarmine teammates were too much. Felnagle finished the 3.1-mile course in 17 minutes, 53 seconds for a 34-second victory and her second consecutive state title, and two other Bellarmine runners broke the top 10.
“You can’t be Number 1 all the time,” Snohomish coach Dan Parker said. “They’re disappointed, but they gave it everything they had.”
Snohomish regularly finishes in the top five at state, but this is the team’s first third-place trophy, Parker said. “It was a good year. Not a bad way to go out.”
“I’m still really proud of us anyway,” said Alyssa Modrell, Snohomish’s lone senior, who placed 14th in 19:12.
Junior Amanda Stopa (sixth, 18:49) and sophomore Kara Sporrong (seventh, 18:54) led the Panthers. Freshmen Ellie Bonner (47th, 19:43) and Corey Doran (68th, 20:05) were the team’s other scoring runners.
Bonner said the race was the most difficult of her life. She tore her left calf muscle last weekend at the District 1 meet and the injury left her in tears after Saturday’s race. Bonner needed therapy all week and was able to run only once. Still, she wasn’t about to let her teammates down Saturday.
“It was really hard because I didn’t want (the injury) to get worse,” Bonner said. “But I knew our team needed me. It was hard but it was worth it.”
Parker hugged Bonner and encouraged her after the race. “Her stepping up like that is huge,” he said.
Stopa, who hung with the lead pack through the first 1.5 miles, was one of a few teary-eyed Panthers who were disappointed after the award ceremony. Still, there’s plenty to look forward to, she said earlier. She’s excited about the group Snohomish has coming back. The three-peat wasn’t meant to be, but count on the Panthers to try to start a new streak next year.
Stanwood finished eighth with 207 points. Sophomore Alyson Piccolo (15th, 19:12) and senior Stacy Holtmann (16th, 19:13) spurred the Spartans.
Shorewood was 11th as junior Hannah Vietmeier crossed in 19:34, good for 37th.
Other top local 4A individuals were: sophomore Kate Southcote-Want (22nd, 19:19) and freshman Jordan Huegli (25th, 19:23), both of Edmonds-Woodway; Lake Stevens sophomore Bailey Granstrom (31st, 19:28); and Meadowdale freshman Eryn Jones (38th, 19:34).
CLASS 3A
When Caitlin Ramirez realizes how good she can be, watch out. Ramirez, a freshman at Cedarcrest, predicted she might finish among the top 20 last week at the District 1 meet. She won. Before Saturday’s state 3A girls race she said a top-40 finish might be possible. Ramirez once again demolished her goal, placing sixth (18:58).
“I feel great,” she said. “I was just surprised by every race, every meet.”
Ramirez will only get better with experience, according to Cedarcrest coach Bruce McDowell. “She doesn’t have an idea yet. As a freshman, she’s just trying to learn (opponents’) names and schools.
“She’s a great kid, very humble,” McDowell added. “She’s a great team leader.”
West Valley (Yakima) junior Michelle Schubert won the 3A race in 18:39. Squalicum snared the team title with 106 points, narrowly overcoming Newport of Bellevue (109).
South Whidbey finished fifth with 157 points. Junior Mary Bakeman (20th, 19:41) and senior Nancy Godsey (27th, 19:56) were the team leaders.
CLASS A/B
Cedar Park Christian junior Jane Larson won in 19:01. Her team scored 147 points to place second behind Zillah, which won with 58.
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