PREP CROSS COUNTRY: Local teams hoping their bubble doesn't burst

DAVID RASBACH - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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When Bellingham cross country coach Bill McClement was looking ahead to this weekend back in August, all he wanted for his boys' and girls' teams was to have a chance.

"When we started a few months ago, neither team was expected to be in the mix," McClement said in a phone interview. "There are a number of coaches' polls around that have consistently placed us on the outside of those people that were expected to make it state. ... But our kids have come such a long ways since June. They've given themselves a chance to be in the mix to go to state."

The Red Raiders, like a number of other Whatcom County cross country teams, find themselves "on the bubble" to qualify for state as they head to the Class 2A Northwest District Championships on Saturday, Oct. 31, at South Whidbey High School.

Unlike a number of favorites from the county, such as Sehome boys' and girls' teams, the Squalicum boys and the Nooksack Valley boys in Class 1A, these teams know that this weekend's meets are probably their most important of the year.

"Our girls' team has got to run this race like there is no tomorrow, because there might not be," Squalicum coach Peter Oviatt said as he prepares to lead the Storm to the 2A district race. "If we qualify for state, great, then we get ready to race together as a team, again. But we have to make sure we get there with a good race this weekend."

McClement said he tries not to put too much pressure on his runners, even in this weekend's high-intensity meet, but his team also knows what is riding on Saturday's race.

"We want to do well," McClement said. "We want to make it to state. But regardless if we do or not, I'm excited about what the future holds for this team."

The Red Raiders have had a pair of talented younger runners step up to lead in the girls' team in the form of sophomore Molly Leischner, who finished fifth at last week's Northwest Conference Championships at Civic Stadium, and junior Allie Reynolds, who was seventh.

On the boys' side, juniors Nick Rousseau and Xion Knickrehm have stepped up along with senior Andrew Ryder to make Bellingham competitive to earn a trip to state.

The 2A Northwest District Meet will send the top four boys' and girls' teams to state along with any other individuals that place in the top 20.

In the boys' race, Burlington-Edison, Sehome and Squalicum are considered favorites not only to send teams to state but to compete for top honors in Pasco next week. That would leave only one team spot for the entire Cascade Conference and the five remaining NWC 2A teams to compete for.

"The projection has been that there are four teams ahead of Bellingham - Burlington-Edison, Sehome, Squalicum and Lakewood," McClement said. "Bellingham is likely to be fifth or sixth - that's what the perception has been. We can't control what people think. We can only control our ability to run our race. The rest will all fall into place, and that will be OK."

In the girls' 2A race, state favorites Sehome and Cedarcrest are expected to lock up trips to state, leaving two spots up for grabs. Bellingham, Lakewood and Squalicum are expected to be the top competitors for those positions.

"Those are all some pretty good teams," Oviatt said in a phone interview. "We have at least five teams that I believe could be in the top eight to 10 at state, but one of them won't go. All we can do is show up ready to run, run our race and hope that gets us in."

The Storm has had a difficult season, battling injury and illness. Sophomore Molly Rider and freshman Brittany Gappa have been solid throughout the season, but finding depth to go with them has been difficult.

Bellingham finished second ahead of third-place Squalicum at the NWC meet, and Lakewood finished ahead of the Storm at the Mount Baker Invitational early in the month.

"I think we're in a great position, because even though this is our second-to-last race, we can pull out all the stops with the girls," Oviatt said. "I don't want to leave anything on the table with this race. Just go out an run as hard as we can and see where that puts us."

Meridian finds itself in a similar place as it prepares to head to the Class 1A tri-district meet at the American Lake Golf Course in Lakewood. The top six teams from each the 16-school field advance to state, along with the any other runners placing in the top 30 individually.

"Both teams have a chance," Trojans coach Mike Holtz said. "That's all you can hope for at this time of year."

Holtz said he hopes to see good pack running from both teams to help get them into the state meet.

"We need our top five or six runners to work together and push each other to keep moving up," Holtz said. "That's how you improve your position and make sure you score the best you can as a team."

Boys' teams that Meridian will be trying to beat out to get a top six finish include Lynden Christian, King's and Seattle Christian, while Charles Wright, Lynden Christian, Bellevue Christian and Seattle Academy could be their top competition to get to state on the girls' side.

A healthier Jill Crandall, who has been battling knee injuries, should help the Meridian girls' team, while Sam Ryan and Evan Lee lead the boys' squad.

"We have to have one of our best days," Holtz said. "We can't afford to have five or six runners have their worst days and hope to advance. We've been training them to make sure we're not overdoing it. We want to prepare them mentally to succeed."

DISTRICT MEETS

CLASS 1A TRI-DISTRICT MEET

Girls' start: 11 a.m.

Boys' start: 12:30 p.m.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 31

Where: American Lake Golf Course, Lakewood

What's at stake: Top six teams plus any other runners placing in the top 30 individually in each race advance to state

CLASS 2A NORTHWEST DISTRICT MEET

Girls' start: 11:30 a.m.

Boys' start: 1:30 p.m.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 31

Where: South Whidbey High School