Dragons Defend Crown

A/B cross country

Runners in a pair A/B state cross country races gave literal meaning to the bromide, “leaving it all on the field.”

Waves of nausea passed over St. George’s Bailley Robinson and Freeman’s Reid Carrell, affecting their performances but not preventing their teams from earning trophies.

Robinson, a top-five finisher last year, placed 23rd, hampered by the effects of a reflux condition.

The Dragons defended their team title anyway, storming to a 31-82 victory over Wahkiakum.

Carrell, Freeman’s No. 1 runner, became ill on the course and settled for 18th overall, below expectations. The Scotties took third behind runaway winner Kings.

Freeman junior Laura Halverson successfully defended her state title in the girls race, finishing well ahead of sideache-plagued Samantha Clarke.

A/B girls

Halverson stormed to the front and up the hill on opening gun and never let up.

Although her time of 19:30 was half a minute slower than last year’s win, she wouldn’t give her title back.

“I was hoping to get a better time, but it’s still cool,” said Halverson.

Behind her, St. George’s girls struggled, but as their point total indicates, there was little cause to worry.

“We just felt so darn bad,” said coach Ross Thomas. “It looked like the whole team was holding something.”

There was Clarke, clutching her sides in pain, but persevering to finish strong in second.

“My side was really painful, one of the worst ones this year,” she said. “But I just told myself it’s going to be over before I know it.”

There was Robinson, who became ill at the start of the race, but recovered enough to help the cause.

“I was not happy (for myself),” said Robinson, “but if we do OK as a team, I don’t care.”

There was Thomas saying that Clarke is the bravest athlete he’s been around, while sweating out the outcome until the printed results arrived.

“Like everyone else I always root for the underdogs,” he said. “Not any more. I wasn’t for any upsets at all.”

A/B boys

Jesse Klemish considers himself more a middle-distance than a long-distance runner.

Which is why the Springdale senior, although disappointed in not becoming a state champion, was satisfied that he placed second in the boys race.

“I didn’t stay with him,” he said of Ocosta winner Todd Arnold. “I wanted to kick it up, but he had more.”

Freeman had more as well, improving two spots on last year’s fifth-place finish.