On Oct. 21, the East Jefferson (EJ) Cross Country teams travelled to Paradise Ridge Equestrian Park on Vashon Island to compete in the final league meet of the season. All nine league teams were present and competed on a challenging five kilometer course. Athletes faced unpleasant lumpy grass, trails riddled with roots, rocks, and horse manure, a massive hill, a variety of horse jumps and woefully inadequate restroom facilities.

The field of 38 girls competed first. The Vashon team won the event, but the EJ girls took second place with senior Hilina Taylor-Lenz leading the Rivals. She ran an aggressive race to place third overall with a time of 23:16. Senior Michael Gregg was the next EJ finisher in eighth place with a time of 24:09. She was followed in ninth place by freshmen Charlotte Hines (25:42) and Alli Applewhite (16th, 27:53).

Juniors Arden Moore and Clara Camp finished together in 26th and 27th in 32:27 to round out the team.

The EJ team won the boys race in a field of 85 competitors. Junior Joshua Yearian placed second overall with a time of 18:59. Nico Errichetti, also a junior, and senior Dustin Hines finished in fifth and sixth places at 19:39. Sophomore Louis Sanborn finished in 13th place with a time of 20:42, outkicking junior Kaleb Kruse (14th, 20:48) in the final 20 meters of the race. John Neville was the sixth finisher for the Rivals team, running a 21:32 for 22nd place.

A portion of the Rivals will compete on Oct 27. The top seven from both teams will next compete in the Westside Classic at Chambers Creek Properties on November 1. This meet serves as the District Championships and the top three teams and top 21 finishers will move on to the 1A State Championships the following weekend.

Alice Fraser is the head cross-country coach and assistant track and field coach for the East Jefferson Rivals.