WP Men’s Varsity Team Is Off To State

CLARKSTON - WP's varsity men's team is off to state!

Coach Joanna Lanning said she was thrilled all seven of her varsity men competed together for the first time at the 1B/2B District 7/9 Cross Country Championships last Saturday in Clarkston.

"In my nine years of coaching cross country I never seen effort like I did Saturday," Lanning said. "It was exciting and inspiring."

The men's varsity teams were led by Tri Cities Prep. WP came in fifth place over­all, which qualified the team to compete at state.

The women's varsity teams were led by St. John- Endicott.

WP's senior Seth Deal didn't disappoint on Satur­day. He placed second in the men's varsity race with a time of 15:54.93. He was followed by Tewedros McDowell in 19th with a time of 17:10.18, E.J. Meserve in 38th with a time of 17:46.67, Corey Braxton in 40th with a time of 17:55.97, Trent Hafen in 50th place with a time of 18:21.89, Jacob Dingfield in 58th with a time of 18:40.77 and Kevin Kamel in 83rd with a time of 20:56.19.

Lanning reported her ath­letes all set personal records for the season "across the board." This is especially astounding because her team is comprised of two Jubilee Leadership Academy fresh­men and this was Kamel's first try at any sport, she said.

"What an accomplish­ment for such a young team of three freshmen and two sophomores," Lanning said. "I'm very proud and happy for my boys."

Three Dayton High School runners also com­peted in districts on Saturday.

In the varsity men's race, Austin Krekula placed 79th with a time of 20:17.65, followed by Tim Ihle in 87th with a time of 21:59.12.

In the varsity women's race, Dayton's Kiara Biggar placed 48th with a time of 26:16.34.

The WP men's team will have one week to maintain and get in some easy runs be­fore the state meet Saturday, Nov. 3 in Pasco at the Sun Willows Golf Course.

Deal is expected to be back at state with a ven­geance. Last year, he got sick during the state competition and placed 16th, much lower than was expected. He placed fourth at state in 2010.

Races will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday in Pasco.