By Nov. 8—PASCO — The drought is over for the North Central boys cross country team.
In its first year in the 2A classification, the Wolfpack finished with 54 points, 49 ahead of runner-up Ellensburg for the first state title in 10 years.
NC senior Elliot Yegge, on a quest to capture an individual title, settled for second, finishing in a time of 15 minutes, 43.9 seconds. Ryan Dodge of Bainbridge pulled away to victory (15:27.7).
The Wolfpack picked up valuable points from juniors Miles Watson (16:21.1), William Merg (16:27.2) and David Potter (16:29.5). Watson was 11th and Merg and Potter were 18th and 19th, respectively.
Yegge took 12th last year in 3A.
"It's not the race I wanted at the end of the day but as a team we blew them out of the water," Yegge said. "That's all I can hope for, especially considering I didn't have the race I wanted."
Dodge started to pull away halfway through the race.
"I tried to keep up with him. I left it all out there," Yegge said. "I can't be unhappy. I'd be disappointed if I had anything left anything in the gas tank."
All eyes were on NC with the Wolfpack spending most of the season atop the rankings.
"The character of our team matches the fight that we have on the course," Yegge said. "It's one thing to be a quick team, but it's another thing to be a team that has heart."
NC coach Ryan West was overjoyed.
"It's just fun to see the kids' hard work pay off," West said. "For them to take it and make it their own and get the benefits of it is just so exciting for them."
West thought Yegge raced the best he has all season.
"Hats off to him," West said. "He gave the best he had."
2B: Freeman won its second consecutive state title.
The Scotties finished with 58 points, Liberty Bell was second (83) and Northwest Christian (108) took third.
Senior Micah Bressire led Freeman, taking second (16:03.0). Wayne Stonebridge-Schafer of Cle Elum-Roslyn won (15:26.8).
"When (Stonebridge-Schafer) took it out hot, that's how I get lactic (acid) real quick," Bressire said. "I made up a little ground, but there wasn't enough. I'm happy with second. He's one of my best friends so I'm happy to lose to him."
Bressire took sixth last year. He's learned to appreciate cross country, but it's a sport he has a love-hate relationship with. He didn't turn out as a sophomore because he was injured and didn't enjoy it.
He's glad he dedicated himself the past two years.
"We had a great team," Bressire said.
Freeman loses five of its seven runners, but Bressire said Freeman isn't done winning. The junior varsity team went undefeated.
1B: Valley Christian took second, finishing with 135 points, two ahead of Garfield-Palouse. Pope John Paul II won.
Sophomore Conrad Coulter took second (16:14.5), a half second behind winner Micah Henry of Pope John Paul II.
"I tried to pass on the uphills," Coulter said. "He caught me with about 10 meters to go. I thought I had it. But it was fun."
Girls
2A: Sehome placed four runners in the top four to cruise to another state title.
Deer Park freshman Ashlyn Coe took 32nd.
1A: Medical Lake took fourth (138). Meridian won state (89).
Sophomore Aya McNeill led Medical Lake, finishing third (19:09.0).
2B/1B: Chewelah took third (74) and Freeman finished fourth (112). Pope John Paul II won (57).
Amber Eppel led Chewelah, finishing third (18:53.3). Audrey Santman of Freeman was fourth (19:03.7).
Other area placers were Madeleine Shutts of Valley Christian was sixth, Delaney Nachreiner of Saint George's took eighth and Josie Carter of Chewelah was 12th.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/north-central-boys-cruise-first-030700554.html
