By CHRIS PIERLE
Herald Writer
BELLINGHAM – Celia Maclean was finally able to defeat Marysville-Pilchuck’s Camille Connelly.
The Shorewood junior lost to Connelly in the Shoreline Invitational earlier in the season and in meets last year, but Maclean finished just ahead of Connelly to capture the Western Conference 4A championship Thursday. Maclean finished the 3.1-mile Lake Padden course with a time of 18:40, just ahead of Connelly, who came in second at 18:45.
“She (Connelly) was about 20 meters ahead of me the whole race,” Maclean said. “I just gradually caught up with her.”
Snohomish won the team title, finishing with a score of 38. Marysville-Pilchuck came in second with 49 points. Kamiak, Shorewood, Sehome and Moutlake Terrace rounded out the top six to qualify for the bi-district meet next Friday.
Maclean, who finished 27th in the state last year, was happy to finally defeat Connelly.
“I’m still kind of in shock,” Maclean said. “I thought I was running pretty slow for awhile. I couldn’t believe I was running with Camille.”
Connelly was battling a cold and had a difficult time finishing the race.
“She knows she’s not 100 percent,” Marysville-Pilchuck coach Julie Coburn said. “But she’s not one to make excuses.”
While Connelly did admit she was still getting over a cold, she gave all the credit to Maclean.
“Celia did a great job,” Connelly said. “She had an awesome race.”
Connelly hopes to be 100 percent during the bi-district race.
Amanda Mowers and Mary Malgesini finished fourth and fifth to help lead Snohomish to the team victory.
Marysville-Pilchuck finished in second place despite having one of its top runners not finish the race. Sophomore Megan Decker collapsed during the race and fell into a ravine. Decker ended up just suffering minor injuries and left on her own power.
“I’m hope she’s OK,” Connelly said. “She looked like she was feeling better (after the accident).”
Connelly was happy with the way the team finished given the obstacles it had to overcome.
“I think second place was just fine for us today,” Connelly said.
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