Rival girls get gold, boys medal at District meet

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Both of the East Jefferson Rivals cross country teams are headed to State after sublime performances with the girls gaining gold and the boys earning bronze in the District Championships on Saturday.

At the Chambers Bay Golf Course in Tacoma, the boys and girls cross country teams competed in the WIAA 1A District Championships over a damp and cool 5K course. 

The girls team all had excellent performances and took the title of District Champions over Klahowya Secondary School with a score of 30-39.

The seven EJ girls competing had an average of 25 seconds improvement over their personal best times.

Junior Fiona Fraser led the team with a third-place podium finish overall in a personal record (PR) time of 20:17.0. She was followed by senior Camryn Hines (fourth overall, seasonal best 20:32.2); juniors Sylvia Butterfield (sixth, PR 21:40.8) and Tadu Dollarhide (eighth, seasonal best 21:57.1); and freshmen Hilina Taylor-Lenz (15th, PR 23:41.9), Leah Ferland (16th, PR 23:48.7), and Michael Gregg (20th, PR 25:10.1).

Butterfield may have had the most impressive race of the girls, taking 69 seconds off her previous personal best and challenging for position throughout.

The girls collectively stepped up and ran races they should all be proud of, coaching staff said, and their efforts have netted them the district championship trophy as well as a berth to the state championships on Nov. 5 in Pasco.

The boys team had some impressive performances, as well.

As expected, senior Sebastian Manza cruised to an easy overall win to take the title of District Champion. His time was 16:51.8 and he helped sophomore teammate Soare Johnston to the second place overall spot with a 16:55.5.

The next EJ runner was junior Henri Huber, who had a tremendous race, shaving over a minute off his previous best to run an 18:22.8 and place 16th overall. He was followed by junior Indigo Gould (27th, 19:39.4); freshmen Dustin Hines (38th, PR 20:52.6) and Rylen Kruse (39th, PR 21:05.3); and sophomore Alex Lott (56th, 31:07.8).

The seven boys had an average of 23 seconds of improvement over their personal best times.

The team took third place behind Bellevue Christian and Klahowya, but secured a berth to State as well.

Next, the Rivals teams are headed to Pasco for the state championships to face off against the best of the best in Washington state.