Mercer Island Wins 3A Girls’ Race by 1 Point at WIAA State XC
The girls' 3A Washington State cross country race began at 1:30 PM, with Washington’s best runners in hot pursuit of the state title. Mercer Island’s Victoria Rodriguez and Peninsula’s Elektra Higgins were leading the pack at the one-mile mark. Meanwhile, Sophia Rodriguez, Victoria’s younger sister, strategically settled into 5th place, biding her time. By the two-mile mark, Sophia had made her move, pulling ahead with a seven-second lead over the field.
Sophia finished with a jaw-dropping time of 16:48.10, setting a new course record and becoming the first girl to break 17 minutes on this Washington State cross country course layout. Right behind her, Elektra Higgins crossed the line in 16:58.5, making them the first two girls ever to run sub-17 on this course. The team competition was equally intense, with Mercer Island narrowly claiming the girls' 3A state title over Bishop Blanchet by a single point, 91-90. Gig Harbor finished 3rd, and Mt. Spokane secured 4th, earning the final podium spot.
University's Kyla Roberts just after the mile
For University High School, Kyla Roberts led her team to a strong 7th-place finish—the school’s best finish in over a decade. Watching Kyla and her teammates compete was a proud moment for our coaching staff.
It appears that Sophia Rodriguez was the first girl to break 17 minutes on the current Sun Willows layout, beating her own best time from last year of 17:21. A race official noted that since the course was modified in 2018, no girl had gone sub-17 on this layout.
Unified and Ambulatory Races: A Celebration of Inclusion in Washington State Cross Country
At 2:00 PM, between the girls' and boys' 3A cross country races, the unified and ambulatory athletes took to the course, embodying the spirit of Washington State XC. The unified race featured athletes with intellectual disabilities paired with team partners, competing together in a 2.1-mile race. The ambulatory race, also a 2.1-mile competition, was for athletes with physical impairments racing individually.
University's Brandon Vasquez offering his teammate Dylan Schauble encouragement on the final hill
University High School was proudly represented by Dylan Schauble in the unified race. Dylan and his partner showed exceptional teamwork, finishing in 3rd place. Watching Dylan and the other unified athletes compete was inspiring, adding to the unique character of the 2024 WIAA state cross country meet.
Boys' 3A State XC Meet 2024: Intense Competition and Record-Breaking Times
Vincent Recupero of Bishop Blanchet leading Owen Powell of Mercer Island early
The boys' 3A race followed the girls' race with equally thrilling action. Owen Powell from Mercer Island and Vincent Recupero from Bishop Blanchet established an early lead, setting a rapid pace with a 4:44 first mile. Close behind, Mt. Spokane’s Kade Brownell solidified his position in 3rd place.
Mt. Spokane's Kade Brownell holding down 3rd place
Powell and Recupero remained side-by-side through two miles, clocking in at 9:38, while Brownell held his ground in 3rd. With less than a quarter mile left, Powell surged ahead on the final hill, taking the win with a record-breaking time of 14:44, and Recupero finished close behind at 14:48. Brownell claimed 3rd in 15:02, securing his position by a comfortable margin.
University High School’s Luke Trefry represented his school proudly as an individual qualifier. Watching Luke run with such determination against Washington State’s best was a proud moment for our team.
Powell’s time of 14:44 appears to be the fastest ever recorded on this course layout since the 2018 course change. After reviewing past results, it seems Isaac Teeples of Kamiakin held the previous record with a 14:57 in 2021.
Mercer Island Sweeps the 3A Cross Country Team Titles
In an impressive display of team strength, Mercer Island captured both the boys' and girls' 3A state meet titles, completing a historic sweep at the 2024 Washington State 3A cross country meet. Central Kitsap pulled off an impressive comeback in the boys' race, climbing 45 spots in the final mile to claim 2nd place. Central Kitsap’s 5th runner, Kyler Atendido, gained an astonishing 31 positions from 82nd to 51st, playing a pivotal role in their finish. Cheney and Bishop Blanchet rounded out the podium in 3rd and 4th, respectively.
Link to WIAA Full Results
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