Eastlake girls repeat at state
November 10, 2009
By Christopher Huber
By Christopher Huber
The Eastlake girls cross country team had a lot of uncertainties going into its run at the state meet Nov. 7 at Sun Willows Golf Course in Tri-Cities. Senior workhorse Erin Blodnick had a sore ankle and Haley O’Connor was unable to run.
“Going into it we had some anxieties,” said head coach Troy Anderson.
But despite the potential last-minute setbacks, the top five Eastlake runners finished within 45 seconds of each other. Such a tight spread earned the Lady Wolves its second state championship in as many years. With 100 points this year, Eastlake beat the second-place team, Tahoma, by 24, which is a bit more comfortable of a margin, Anderson said. The Eastlake girls beat Gig Harbor by one point in the 2008 state meet.
“I was clearly elated,” Anderson said. “It’s one thing to win state one year. It’s another to come back and do it again.”
Eastlake won without placing one finisher in the top 10, too. It came down to sticking together, as they have done all through the 2009 season, Anderson said.
“The girls were nervous. But this is such an experienced team,” Anderson said. “It just comes down to really being able to create a good path.”
Senior Chelsea Orr finished 15th overall, coming in at 19 minutes flat. Junior Katelyn Steen took 17th just four seconds behind Orr and sophomore Morgan O’Connor placed 26th with a time of 19:16.
Even with a sore ankle, Blodnick took Eastlake’s fourth spot (50th overall) with a time of 19:42 and senior Alie Dorsey placed 54th in 19:44.
Anderson said the more experienced girls gave the younger ones encouragement throughout the approximately 3-mile course.
“You could really tell they were feeding off each other,” Anderson said.
Orr, Steen and Morgan O’Connor each made the 2009 All-State cross country team, according to Washington State High School Cross Country and Track and Field.
At the boys’ meet, Skyline speedster, junior Kyle Branch finished 13th overall with a time of 15:50.
“It’s been another fantastic season,” Anderson said. “For us, winning state … that’s their ultimate goal, but we feel that’s not what defines us as a team. It’s the ultimate bonus to an already successful season.”
At the coaches meeting Nov. 6, the state cross country coaches association nominated Anderson for Washington girls’ cross country coach of the year, he said.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
The Eastlake girls cross country team had a lot of uncertainties going into its run at the state meet Nov. 7 at Sun Willows Golf Course in Tri-Cities. Senior workhorse Erin Blodnick had a sore ankle and Haley O’Connor was unable to run.
“Going into it we had some anxieties,” said head coach Troy Anderson.
But despite the potential last-minute setbacks, the top five Eastlake runners finished within 45 seconds of each other. Such a tight spread earned the Lady Wolves its second state championship in as many years. With 100 points this year, Eastlake beat the second-place team, Tahoma, by 24, which is a bit more comfortable of a margin, Anderson said. The Eastlake girls beat Gig Harbor by one point in the 2008 state meet.
“I was clearly elated,” Anderson said. “It’s one thing to win state one year. It’s another to come back and do it again.”
Eastlake won without placing one finisher in the top 10, too. It came down to sticking together, as they have done all through the 2009 season, Anderson said.
“The girls were nervous. But this is such an experienced team,” Anderson said. “It just comes down to really being able to create a good path.”
Senior Chelsea Orr finished 15th overall, coming in at 19 minutes flat. Junior Katelyn Steen took 17th just four seconds behind Orr and sophomore Morgan O’Connor placed 26th with a time of 19:16.
Even with a sore ankle, Blodnick took Eastlake’s fourth spot (50th overall) with a time of 19:42 and senior Alie Dorsey placed 54th in 19:44.
Anderson said the more experienced girls gave the younger ones encouragement throughout the approximately 3-mile course.
“You could really tell they were feeding off each other,” Anderson said.
Orr, Steen and Morgan O’Connor each made the 2009 All-State cross country team, according to Washington State High School Cross Country and Track and Field.
At the boys’ meet, Skyline speedster, junior Kyle Branch finished 13th overall with a time of 15:50.
“It’s been another fantastic season,” Anderson said. “For us, winning state … that’s their ultimate goal, but we feel that’s not what defines us as a team. It’s the ultimate bonus to an already successful season.”
At the coaches meeting Nov. 6, the state cross country coaches association nominated Anderson for Washington girls’ cross country coach of the year, he said.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.
Other Stories of Interest: Eastlake Cross Country
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