Here’s what you need to know about Saturday’s high school state cross country championships, including a few of the many local runners and teams to watch:
When: Saturday
Where: Sun Willows Golf Course (Pasco)
Race schedule: wheelchair, 9:30 a.m.; 2B/1B girls, 10 a.m.; 1A girls, 10:30 a.m.; 2A girls, 11 a.m.; 2B/1B boys, 11:30 a.m.; 1A boys, noon; 2A boys, 12:30 p.m.; 3A girls, 1 p.m.; 4A girls, 1:30 p.m.; ambulatory, 2 p.m.; 3A boys, 2:30 p.m.; 4A boys, 3 p.m.
Qualifying: Individual qualification for state was determined by placing in last week’s district meets, and team qualification was determined by placing in the district-meet team standings. Qualifying teams send seven runners to the state meet, with their top five state finishers counting toward their team score.
- Related
King’s runner has been among best in country this seasonNov 7, 2019
List of local qualifiers for state cross country meetNov 8, 2019
LOCAL BOYS TO WATCH
Brenden Charbeneau, jr., Jackson. Charbeneau owns the ninth-fastest 4A time in the state this season (15:28.3) and the 13th-fastest regardless of classification.
Aiden Emerson, soph., Arlington. Emerson is tied for the fifth-fastest 3A time in the state (15:34.0), trailing top-ranked Isaac Teeples of Kamiakin by just 16.2 seconds.
Alex Williams, sr., Mountlake Terrace. Williams owns the seventh-fastest 2A time in the state (15:46.1), trailing top-ranked Josiah Nobles of Steilacoom by just 16 seconds. Williams placed 11th in last year’s 2A state meet.
Isaac Cortes, sr., Granite Falls. Cortes has the fifth-fastest 1A time in the state (16:10.6). The four-time state qualifier placed third in last year’s 1A state meet.
LOCAL GIRLS TO WATCH
Naomi Smith, sr., King’s. Smith, the defending 1A state champion, owns the second-fastest time in the state regardless of classification (17:21.7) and the 47th-fastest time in the nation. The only other 1A runner to beat the 18-minute mark this season is Colville senior Alaina Stone (17:33.0), last year’s state runner-up.
Jasmine Nguyen, jr., Marysville Getchell. After having an ovarian cyst surgically removed just prior to last season, Nguyen has experienced a breakthrough campaign this fall, posting the ninth-fastest 3A time in the state (18:29.1).
Ellie Baxter, jr., Snohomish. Baxter has the 12th-fastest 3A time in the state (18:38.7). This is her third state meet in as many years.
Alexis Palmer, sr., Glacier Peak. Palmer, a four-time state qualifier, leads the defending state champion Grizzlies with the 11th-fastest 4A time in the state (18:35.8).
LOCAL TEAMS TO WATCH
Jackson boys. The Timberwolves have five runners ranked in the top 65 of the 4A classification, led by Charbeneau and Jordan Hansen.
Glacier Peak girls. Palmer, Aviry Stratton and Lindsay Ardry are each ranked in the top 50 of the 4A classification for the defending state champion Grizzlies.
Arlington boys. Emerson is one of three Eagles ranked in the top 35 of the 3A classification. Arlington captured a third-place state trophy last year.
Arlington girls. The Eagles’ top five runners are each ranked between No. 52 and No. 77 in the 3A classification. The tightly packed group’s top times are all within 19 seconds of one another.
Marysville Getchell girls. Nguyen leads a trio of Chargers ranked in the top 50 of the 3A classification. Marysville Getchell qualified for state as a team for the first time in its program’s nine-year history.
South Whidbey boys. Michael Harwell leads a group of three Falcons who are ranked in the top 40 of the 1A classification.
King’s girls. Smith leads a group of four Knights ranked in the top 60 of the 1A classification.
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