After producing impressive runs throughout the season, the Jackson boys and girls cross county teams are ready to race into the postseason.

Both squads were largely responsible for an Everett sweep at the Everett-Mukilteo School District meet Oct. 16 at McCollum Park in Everett. Cascade and Everett teamed with Jackson on the Everett District team, while Mariner and Kamiak represented the Mukilteo District.

The Jackson girls grabbed five of the top 10 places in the 5-kilometer race, paced by sophomore Allison Graham, who won in 20 minutes, 24 seconds.

Sophomore Emily Ochs placed fourth in 20:37 and senior Kristine Duncan finished fifth in 20:54. Rounding out the top ten in a virtual tie were sophomore Allison Body (21:31) and freshman Laice Valera (21:31).

Jackson’s strong showing wasn’t surprising to girls coach Traci Bianchini.

“It pretty much went as I would have hoped,” Bianchini said.

Bianchini felt the meet served as a great primer for tomorrow’s (Saturday, Oct. 25) Western Conference 4A South Division meet at Lakewood High School. The Timberwolves will once again face off against Kamiak, which has another strong group this year.

The Knights graduated several seniors, “but they seem to have the depth,” Bianchini said.

“We knew they’d be tough. They have a lot of depth and a lot of youth, and that can be a good combination.”

The 5K Wesco South race will give Jackson a chance to win a league championship, as well as get a closer look at Kamiak and other league competition before the Timberwolves look ahead to the Northwest District 4A meet, set for Nov. 1 at South Whidbey High School.

The top two teams will advance to the state meet, Nov. 8 at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.

“Top two, baby!” Bianchini said, describing Jackson’s goal at districts. “We don’t want to be sitting on the bench (during the state meet).”

For guidance, the Timberwolves can turn to Duncan, a senior who competed on Jackson’s 2000 team, the school’s first girls team to advance to state.

“I have excellent leadership with Kristine,” Bianchini said. “She has an excellent base of experience and heart. They listen to her.”

In addition, Graham made competitors take notice by winning last week, Bianchini added. “Allison, to win, that was a good statement … to own it like that.”

Jackson was ranked just outside the top 10 of this week’s Washington State Cross Country Coaches association 4A poll, while Wesco North teams Stanwood (No. 9) and Snohomish (No. 1) both cracked the top 10.

Jackson will try to outrun both powerhouse programs at districts.

“Snohomish is very deep,” Bianchini said. “It’s going to be tough to knock them off.”

This group of Jackson runners could be up to the challenge.

“They’re the best 16 girls I’ve ever coached,” Bianchini said. “They really are starting to come together.”

The Jackson boys, ranked fourth in this week’s state poll, have similar goals. The Timberwolves took six of the top 10 spots at the Everett-Mukilteo meet, led by senior Caleb Knox, who won in 16:08.

Sophomore Jeff Helmer placed third (16:16), junior Tom Heneghan fourth (17:01), sophomore Pat Crouteau seventh (17:17), senior Phil Collins eighth (17:26) and senior Aaron Stucker 10th (17:49).

“I was absolutely happy with the team’s effort,” boys coach Eric Hruschka said.

Knox and Helmer ran very well, Hruschka added, and both runners experimented with different strategies they can use in the important coming meets.

Snohomish, eighth in this week’s state poll, Kamiak and Edmonds-Woodway will all battle the Timberwolves for the top two district spots.

“It’s pretty cut-throat,” Hruschka said. “Everybody’s got a really good 1-2 punch.”

At this point, Hruschka’s biggest concern is keeping his runners healthy.

Last season Jackson had a solid group but burned out at the end of the season and missed a team trip to state by one place. He has rested each of his runners for at least one meet to avoid a similar breakdown.

Cross country runners work so hard every day and get in such great shape, sometimes they don’t know when to pull back, Hruschka said. And, unlike other sports, you can’t play hurt in cross country.

If you try, the results aren’t pretty, Hruschka said: “You lost 20 seconds off your time … and it’s game over. There’s no breaks.”