LYNNWOOD — Edmonds-Woodway’s No. 1 runners dominated the field at last week’s Edmonds District cross country invitational.
Senior Derry Betts and sophomore Kate Southcote-Want successfully defended their individual titles Oct. 14 at Lynndale Park.
Betts completed the 2.8-mile course in 14 minutes, 59 seconds, which matched his winning time of a year ago. Southcote-Want clocked in at 18:17, which bettered her previous time of 18:55.
The Edmonds-Woodway standout battled Meadowdale freshman Eryn Jones, who was right on her heels for much of the race. Jones finished in 18:28, which was faster than her previous effort on the course earlier in the season.
“I felt really good today,” Southcote-Want said. “It was a big improvement over last year.”
Southcote-Want started out slow this season but appears to have hit her stride with victories at the Hole-in-the-Wall invitational two weeks ago and last week’s meet.
“Once the season got rolling I started to pick it up and found my feet I guess,” Southcote-Want said. “I think I’ve definitely got a good chance of going back to state this year.”
Jones’ freshman season has gone better than she expected. A familiar face has made the transition from middle school to high school easier for the Meadowdale standout.
Alyson Jones, Eryn’s older sister, is a volunteer assistant coach with the Mavericks.
“Just having her is really great. It’s helped me,” Eryn Jones said. “We just trained together (over the summer). I really look up to her.”
Jones has been battling some injuries and illnesses during the middle of the season but has recovered well, according to Meadowdale coach Kris Maraveller.
Southcote-Want expects Jones to keep getting better and better.
“She’s really strong this year,” Southcote-Want said. “I knew I just had to keep pushing the pace on and see if I could separate. She’s going to do really well the next couple of years. She’s a great athlete.”
The course presented a number of challenges for the field.
“It’s a hard course. There’re are a lot of hills, a lot of up and downs,” Southcote-Want said. “Even though it’s shorter than a 5K, it always feels a lot longer. It’s definitely a tough course. I admire anyone who comes out and does it.”
Jones is looking forward to the postseason and a possible trip to the state meet.
“I just want to make it to state and do well, just do the best I can,” Jones said.
Maraveller is interested to see how Jones fares in her first postseason competitions.
“I don’t think she really realizes how good she is or can be,” Maraveller said.
One runner, who is realizing his potential, is Betts, who Edmonds-Woodway coach Regina Joyce declared is on a mission after having a subpar effort at a major invitational three weeks ago.
“He just does not want to get beat,” Joyce said.
Betts went out fast in the race and held his position well.
“I ran a pretty good race,” he said. “I’m happy with it.”
Betts only has had one bad race this season and is pumped for the postseason to start.
“It (season) has gone really good,” Betts said. “I’ve had one race where it kind of just blew up in my face … but otherwise I’ve been having a really good season.
“I’m definitely in good shape. I’m ready to roll.”
Mountlake Terrace’s Andrew Henning finished 17 seconds behind Betts with a time of 15:16.
“I ran a lot of miles last summer and I haven’t really done that (before), so that has gotten me some good places,” Henning said.
Henning has steadily improved throughout the season, according to Mountlake Terrace coach David LeWarne.
“He’s been getting stronger and stronger each meet, and he’s really kind of shaped himself to be a strong No. 1 runner for us,” LeWarne said.
In the team competition, the Edmonds-Woodway boys and the Mountlake Terrace girls also defended their titles.
The Hawks’ top four runners all placed in the top eight as Mountlake Terrace (34 points) defeated Edmonds-Woodway (51). Meadowdale (54) was third and Lynnwood (91) placed fourth.
Mountlake Terrace was led by Corina Cheevers, who finished third overall. Teammates Cari Smith, Mckenzie Brister and Mikkel Jensen finished fifth, sixth and eighth, respectively.
Edmonds-Woodway’s pack consisted of Jesse Douglas-Tesch (third), Justin Wolfe (fourth) and Ryan Schutt (fifth).
The Warriors (27) edged Mountlake Terrace (33). Meadowdale (82) was third and Lynnwood (114) finished fourth.
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