For a number of parents of student-athletes, the phrase “Hole in the Wall” returns them to their youth and the days of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” For a number of student-athletes, the phrase probably reminds them of the “hit” television show that premiered on Fox a month ago.
But say the phrase Hole in the Wall around the Arlington-Lakewood area and it takes on a whole new meaning.
Saturday marks the 25th running of the Hole-in-the-Wall Invitational at Lakewood High School in what has become the hallmark event of the season for a Cougars squad that is consistently among the best in the state among Class 2A teams.
“We always look forward to it,” Lakewood co-head coach Jeff Sowards said. “We get great competition and a ton of support from the school district, administration and parents. It’s the event of the week.”
Sowards said the original Hole in the Wall was an opening in a cyclone fence erected by the school district when Lakewood High School first opened in the early 1980s.
“I dont know if it was a challenge to the kids or what, but they opened up a piece of the fence. When they finished opening it up, it was part of the course,” Sowards said. “Mike (Evans, former coach who started the Lakewood cross country program) and I said Hole in the Wall enough that it became the title of the meet.”
The Lakewood boys, ranked No. 6 among Class 2A schools in the state coaches’ poll, are led by junior Taylor Guske and senior Nick Devier. The duo will headline a Lakewood team that hopes to improve on last season’s third-place finish.
“The competition is stiff,” Sowards said. “Issaquah is coming and they are a very dynamic team this year.”
The Eagles, ranked No. 9 among Class 4A high schools, are led by juniors Chris Brasino, Jon Wallis and Kevin Lemond. The trio have recorded three of the top-five 5-kilometer race times posted by all of the runners competing Saturday.
Other ranked teams on the boys side include Peninsula (No. 8 3A), Capital (No. 9 3A), Sehome (No. 1 2A), Bellevue Christian (No. 9 1A) and Mount Rainier Lutheran (No. 2 2B/1B).
On the girls side, senior Lacey Nation and sophomore Chelsea Stokes lead a Lakewood squad ranked No. 7 among 2A schools.
“The girls are expecting to finish near the front of the field and use it as a stepping stone for the postseason,” Sowards said.
South Whidbey sophomore Emily Martin and Lynnwood junior Mawa Ali also figure to be among the local girls to watch.
Top-ranked and defending 2A state champion Sehome will compete, as will South Whidbey (No. 10 2A) and Bush (No. 6 1A).
This year’s meet will feature 40 high school teams, 10 middle school teams and about 1,400 athletes competing in eight races beginning at 9 a.m. An awards ceremony follows at 2 p.m.
Other local teams competing include Archbishop Murphy, Granite Falls, Sultan, Everett, Arlington and Bothell.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
