LAKEWOOD
Western Conference South Division titles are becoming somewhat routine for the Jackson High School boys cross country team.
The top-ranked Timberwolves had five of the top seven finishers to win their third consecutive conference title on Oct. 25 at Lakewood High School.
“That was the goal,” senior Ben Lance said. “We’re real focused this year because this is the best team Jackson’s ever had. We want to do some big things.”
But while the Timberwolves dominated the team scores, it was a different Jackson who prevented them from completely owning the day.
Chip Jackson, who runs for Shorewood, came from behind on the final straightaway to nip Lance by a second to win the race in 16 minutes, 9 seconds.
“I thought (Lance) was going to have a kick,” said Jackson, who trailed Lance for most of the second loop. “In track (last spring) he kept beating me at the finish.
“It was (a big win),” Jackson continued. “They’re a good team and I really thought they were going to pull something out and beat me, but somehow I pulled through.”
Jackson’s strong finish impressed many, including Lance.
“I’ve got to hand it to Chip Jackson – that guy’s amazing,” Lance said. “He’s a beast this year. He’s improved a lot. He ran a good, smart race.”
Jackson High School finished with 23 points, 67 fewer than second-place Glacier Peak. Head coach Eric Hruschka was pleased with the result, but said the most important thing was that the team remained healthy.
“Weird things can happen,” he said. “A guy steps in a ditch and sprains an ankle or runs into a tree. Weird stuff happens, so you always are worried. You just want to get through and run close to what you’re capable of.”
Now that the Timberwolves have made it through the conference meet unscathed, they’ll try to carry on the momentum at the district meet this week at South Whidbey High School. Hruschka said his team will continue to focus on the team results rather than the individual ones.
“We don’t talk a lot about individual stuff,” he said. “Everything has been about the team and team accomplishments this year. Of course we’d love to see one of our guys win the individual conference title. You only get so many chances for those too, but I think they both take a lot of pride in the team accomplishments.”
One accomplishment has been cracking the top-25 national cross country poll, which ranks the Timberwolves No. 23. The attention is another thing Jackson is trying not to focus on.
“It’s fine and it’s a great way to recognize teams for their accomplishments in all sports,” Hruschka said. “It’s a great way for them to get some recognition, but they know they have to go do it on the right day or it doesn’t mean anything.”
Fighting their way into the bevy of green shirts at the finish line were Glacier Peak’s Jeff Bastian (fourth, 16:16) and Chase Byrd (ninth, 16:30), and Shorecrest’s Joe McConaughy (eighth, 16:30).
Jackson repeats as girls champ
The boys weren’t the only Jackson High School team taking home first-place hardware on Saturday.
The Jackson girls, who had five runners place in the top-15, won their second consecutive Wesco South title.
“We were fortunate enough to come back and repeat. That’s always nice,” Jackson girls coach Craig Bowen said. “It’s nice that our girls have stayed consistent. They’ve worked hard. They’ve had a really good season. They’ve been pretty solid all season.”
The Timberwolves, ranked No. 7 among Class 4A teams in the latest Associated Press poll, were led by Alison Ponce, who finished second in 19:21.
“I’m pretty proud of myself. I worked really hard for this. I feel like I accomplished a lot even though I didn’t get first,” said Ponce, who also finished second in last year’s race. “(Finishing second) makes me want to push even more.
First-year high school Glacier Peak was also well-represented. The Grizzlies, ranked No. 7 in the Associated Press Class 3A poll, were led by Brenna Condon, who won in 19:12.
“I definitely knew I had potential because I did well on this course last year but I’m a little surprised,” said Condon, who finished 10th in last year’s Wesco North race while competing for Snohomish.
Grizzly teammate Sarah Whybark finished third in 19:34 as Glacier Peak placed second overall. Condon was pleased with the statement her first-year school made Saturday.
“That’s definitely one of our motivations — to show that yeah, we’re a threat,” she said.
This weekend runners will compete in the district championships in an effort to qualify for the state meet (Nov. 8 in Pasco).
Jesse Geleynse writes for the Herald in Everett.
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