SEQUIM — The Port Angeles boys and girls harriers fended off Sequim and Klahowya runners at Robin Hill County Park.
The Roughrider boys won with 35 points to Sequim’s 41 and Klahowya’s 49 at Wednesday’s cross country meet. The girls won with a score of 33 to Sequim’s 39 and Klahowya’s 50.
Port Angeles’ Gracie Long won the girls’ race with a time of 20 minutes and 45 seconds, 17 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor. Sequim’s Morgan Bingham finished third with a time of 21:16. Meanwhile, Murray Bingham won the boys’ race with a time of 17:41, beating his nearest competitor, Port Angeles’ Cameron Butler, by 23 seconds.
Port Angeles coach Rodger Johnson called it a “great afternoon” for the team.
“The Robin Hill course had a few changes for this year, but ‘Death Hill’ was still waiting on the third mile to turn everyone’s legs to rubber and crush their dreams of a season personal record,” he said.
The races started in a narrow chute which had runners jostling for position to avoid getting stuck in the pack, according to Johnson. Bingham was able to get ahead early and stayed there for the remainder of the race. Johnson said Port Angeles’ Cameron Butler kept Bingham in his sights throughout the race, but couldn’t rein him in.
“All the PA runners ran well and met their goals for the day- keeping great form up the hills and keeping their speed going down and through the flats,” Johnson said.
“The Port Angeles girls continue their domination of the Olympic League, with Gracie Long leading the pack and the powerhouses Madelyn Dougherty, Ella Holland, and Lael Butler following close on her heels,” Johnson said.
For full results, turn to page A12.
