ISSAQUAH – The speedy Spartans are bound for state.
The Bainbridge High boys varsity cross country team will advance to compete in the 3A Washington Interscholastic Activities Association State Cross Country Meet on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco, having finished in fifth place overall at the recent 3A SeaKing & 4A Bi-District I/II Championships at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah.
The girls team placed seventh overall, two spots better than last year.
“Despite the rain, wind and mud, there were no excuses out at the district championships,” said Spartan Head Coach Anne Howard Lindquist in an official team message to students and families earlier this week. “Only kick-butt racing and mental toughness.
“BIXC as a whole raced strong and positive, in spite of —or because of —the conditions,” she added. “We’re proud of your teamwork and the resulting outcomes.”
The boys team performed even better than expected last week, Lindquist said.
BHS bested three teams who finished ahead of them at the Metro Championship, and tied for fourth place with Nathan Hale, who had the fastest sixth man, pushing Bainbridge to fifth.
“If you qualify for state out of our district, you know you belong there,” she said. “Great efforts at [the] district championship. In the wake of losing freshman Carter Hall to injury, individuals rallied and the team pulled together.”
Ryan Cox’s ninth place finish is only the second time for a BIXC boys team top 10 district finish on the course, Lindquist said. Cox’s 16:46 is now the island team’s fourth fastest time on the Sammamish course.
Freshmen Sebastian Belkin (the second speediest Spartan) continued to push his limits as well, the coach added, after qualifying in the Metro JV race.
“The toughest-ever pack racing of Johan Griesser, Carlo Ruggiero and Ben Scott (the next three BHS finishers) guaranteed our top five placing,” Lindquist said.
Devon Reynolds (sixth) and Cole Brundige (seventh) beat out the fourth Blanchet runner by 2.5 and 0.05 seconds, respectively. Brundige having come from three seconds behind at the 4k mark.
The girls team managed to best three teams who beat them at Metros.
“Naomi [von Ruden] and Adalynn [Griesser] each impressively finished 10 seconds faster than last week’s race,” Lindquist said. “We are most proud of senior captains Emma Goidel and Julia Denlinger, wrapping up their BIXC careers, but continuing their running adventures, after contributions to our team over four continuous years.”
Personal records were scored by Adalynn Griesser and Sebastian Belkin, the only ones of all 3A varsity races of the day.
3A SeaKing & 4A Bi-District I/II Championships Results
MENS RESULTS
1. Interlake, 53
2. Juanita, 101
3. Ballard, 114
4. Nathan Hale, 138
5. Bainbridge, 138
6. Bishop Blanchet, 154
7. Franklin, 179
8. Garfield, 192
9. O’Dea, 213
10. Ingraham, 217
11. Mercer Island, 272
12. Roosevelt, 279
WOMENS RESULTS
1. Ballard, 69
2. Bellevue, 83
3. Holy Names Academy, 112
4. Garfield, 115
5. Mercer Island, 128
6. Interlake, 143
7. Bainbridge, 172
8. Roosevelt, 201
9. Ingraham, 211
10. Nathan Hale, 235
11. Lakeside (Seattle), 248
12. Bishop Blanchet, 260
