Patrick Gibson started the defense of his 2A cross country individual state title with a win on Wednesday, Sept. 5, at Washington Park. Gibson finished the race with a time of 17 minutes, 14 seconds - 12 seconds ahead of teammate Dylan Dubuque.

Squalicum won the event with a score of 18, Anacortes had 48 and Burlington had 71.

"Gibson took it as more of a workout. We had a strategy for the boys' varsity and it was a good workout for them," Squalicum coach Katrina Henry said in a phone interview. "He ran it well and had a decent pace and pushed it toward the end."

Westin Mackenzie from Anacortes finished third with a time of 17:28.

"We weren't concerned with the places but more the effort," Henry said. "Gibson goes into every race the same way. He's a modest guy and has a lot of character and he just goes out and does what he does."

Washington Park

5,000 meters

Team scores: 1. Squalicum 18; 2. Anacortes 48; 3. Burlington-Edison 71

Top individual finishers: 1. Patrick Gibson (Squalicum )17:14; 2. Dylan Dubuque (Squalicum) 17:26; 3. Westin Mackenzie (Anacortes)17:28

Squalicum: Patrick Gibson 17:14; Dylan Dubuque 17:26; Chris Fredlund 17:40; North Bennett 17:57; Jared Radtke 17:58; Dillon Rinauro 18:05; Josh Yeend 18:33.