With senior twins Jeff and Evan Dull back to lead the boys and super sophomore Olivia Thomas championing the girls, the King’s cross country teams have a legitimate shot at ascending to the top of the podium in Pasco in November.
The boys team last won a state title in 2002 while the girls last won in 2003. The boys came in fifth at state last year and the girls finished seventh. The girls are ranked first in Class 1A in the latest statewide coaches’ poll while the boys are ranked second, behind Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls).
If the boys fall short of that goal, the Dulls could be the first seniors, on the boys and girls side, not to win a title during their careers since head coach Rod Wilcox took over the program 11 years ago.
“It hit me, ‘man we got to get them a title, can’t walk out without a title,’” Wilcox said.
Jeff finished seventh with a time of 16 minutes, 32 seconds in a 3.1-mile race at South Whidbey High School on Sept. 16. Evan came in eighth, in 16:34.
“They took care of business quite well,” Wilcox said.
Evan was 14th at the state Class 2A meet last year at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco (17:18) while Jeff was 21st (17:31).
While the Dulls are back to lead the team, senior Biniam Tadele, who finished 10th at state last year to lead the Knights, is not. Tadele filled out, putting 205 pounds on his 6-foot, 3-inch frame in the offseason, which is bulky for a runner. He has decided to focus on basketball instead.
The Dulls, though, are two of the top 1A runners in the state, on par with Quinton Decker of Port Townsend and Rigoberto Jimenez of Royal.
“They put in smart mileage and smart racing, but low intensity,” over the summer, Wilcox said.
The Knights’ number three runner, sophomore Brandon Dean, “looks to be our leader of the future,” Wilcox said.
Also in the varsity lineup are junior Connor McMahon; junior Austin Dean, Brandon’s older brother; sophomore Griffin McGinley, sophomore Phillip Mach and sophomore Erik Halvorson.
“We got a good young group coming up,” Wilcox said. “The last guys are all even so it’s going to be tight.”
Lakewood, a 2A school and King’s are the top teams in the Cascade Conference.
Meanwhile, the girls team could develop into the “best in school history,” Wilcox said.
Thomas surprised the field by winning the District 1 title as a freshman and she’s already posting faster times this year. Thomas, who came into the season with the fastest 1A time in the state, finished 10th at South Whidbey with a time of 19:34.
“She will be challenged. It’s just that no one has a kick like she does,” Wilcox said. “If she stays with the leaders I know she can outkick them.”
Three freshmen Adele Eslinger, Morgan Hamm and Makenzie Taylor, who all had impressive runs at South Whidbey pull in behind Thomas.
“That pack of freshman are going to be a major part of our team for the next four years,” Wilcox said. “They’re just learning what this is about so they’re just going to get better.”
Juniors Megan Northey and Rebecca Thompson, and sophomores Lauresa Smith and Bekah Kennel will compete for the final three varsity slots. The team has no seniors.
At districts and state, second-ranked Nooksack Valley give the Knights the toughest competition, Wilcox said. Lakewood, a 2A team, will challenge them in the Cascade Conference.
The Knights will compete in a Tri-District meet at American Lakes Golf Course in Tacoma to determine who goes on to state.
The numbers are down a bit at King’s with 26 runners out, 16 boys and 10 girls, but the quality of athletes is up, Wilcox said.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
