BREMERTON — Port Angeles and Sequim runners fared well at the first Olympic League meet on a 5,000-meter (3.1-mile) course through Bremerton’s East Park and Madrona Trails on Wednesday.
“The Port Angeles Roughriders cross country teams turned in a strong performance at Thursday’s meet in Bremerton, tackling one of the season’s most challenging courses,” Riders coach Angie Gooding said. “Both the boys and girls squads ran well, showing grit and determination throughout the race.”
In the girls’ race, Port Angeles’ Leia Larson turned in the highest individual finish for area runners, coming in third with a time of 22 minutes, 20.7 seconds.
Sequim freshman Emily Bair was eighth in 23:44.1.
For the Roughriders, Storey Schmidt placed 20th in 25:46.3 and Miriam Cobb was 22nd in 25:49. A total of 82 runners competed in the girls’ race.
“Henry Wendel and Clara Berry led the way, each setting new personal records,” Gooding said. “The girls’ team, in particular, showed exciting promise for the season ahead, with several freshmen making their debut. We are optimistic that, with continued training and experience, the young group of runners will make significant strides.”
Berry turned in a new best time of 31:38.9 on Wednesday.
Port Angeles finished tied for fourth overall with North Kitsap with 105 points. Bainbridge ran away with the girls’ team competition with 48 points. Sequim was seventh with 145.
Easton Dempsey led area runners in fourth in the boys’ race in 18:34.6, as the Roughriders placed three runners in the top 22.
Wendel was 14th with his new record of 19:31.1 and Justin McLarty 22nd (20:35.0).
Sequim fared better as a team with four of the top 17 runners wearing purple and gold and the Wolves ending up third with 76 points.
Sequim’s Reid Randall was seventh in 19:21.8, just ahead of teammate Adrian Osborne (eighth in 19:23.2), while Gavin Topper was 16th (19:47.2) and Westly French 17th (19:48.5).
Port Angeles scored 118 points while Kingston won the boys’ race with 59 points.
The next Olympic League meet will be held at North Mason on Wednesday.
Girls Swimming Port Angeles 112, Olympic 65
Port Angeles won every relay and Amayah Nelson was tops in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle races as the Roughriders swamped the Trojans in the Olympic League dual meet opener.
“Early meets aren’t about perfection — they’re about finding our rhythm,” coach Sally Cole said. “Each race tells us something, and every week we’re going to get sharper and faster.”
With a blend of returning experience and new talent, expectations are high. Seniors Chloe Kay-Sanders, Lynzee Reid and Lizzy Shaw led the way as the Roughriders aim to build on last year’s eighth-place team finish at the state swim meet.
“Our seniors are setting the bar high, and the younger swimmers are ready to push themselves,” Cole said. “I truly believe we can make this a standout season.”
Port Angeles claimed the 200 medley relay by nine seconds (Nelson, Ellie Karjalainen, Kay-Sanders and Reid); the 200 free relay won by 19 seconds (Mia Francis, Karjalainen, Reid and Shaw); and the 400 free relay finished 15 seconds clear. (Anaya Tejeda, Reid, Nelson, Shaw.)
The Roughriders posted 10 district-qualifying times: Nelson (200 free, 500 free), Shaw (200 free, 500 free), Kay-Sanders (200 individual medley, 100 butterfly), Anaya Tejeda (200 IM, 100 fly), and both Karjalainen and Francis (100 breaststroke).
Port Angeles won nine of the 12 individual events. The 200 free produced a PA sweep with Nelson, Shaw and newcomer Karjalainen. In the 200 individual medley, all three Roughriders notched personal bests: Tejeda took second with a five-second personal record, Kay-Sanders was third with a five-second PR, and Francis placed fifth with a 10-second PR.
When swimming resumed, Kay-Sanders captured the 100 fly, trimming two seconds off her prior best. Freshman Tejeda was out-touched by half a second for third, and sophomore Lucy Townsend cut eight seconds off her best time.
In the 500 free, junior Nelson took the win while Shaw dropped five seconds for a new PR.
The 100 breaststroke closed the individual events with another PA one-two: Karjalainen won with a 13-second PR, and Francis took second with a three-second PR.
Looking ahead, Cole said, “I’m excited to see how much this group can grow. We’ve got a strong foundation, and this team has a great work ethic — the results will take care of themselves.”
PAHS hosts Klahowya at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Shore Aquatic Center.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at sports@peninsuladaily news.com.
