Adams Places in Top Ten at Wildhorse Meet

PENDLETON - Waitsburg Cross Country runners performed well at the Kyle Burnside Wildhorse Invite on Oct. 16. All five members of the boy's team set personal records and Emily Adams set a season record. "The course was an unknown to all but Emily, but it was a pleasant surprise. It was laid out nicely with lots of opportunities for spectators to watch, mostly grass to run on, and no large hills," said Coach Nechodom.

Adams just made her goal of finishing in the top ten, placing tenth out of 127 female runners with a time of 20:39.25. Adams was first among southeast 2B runners. "Emily had set the goal of finishing in the top 10, so she turned it on early to establish a position near the lead runners. She kept pushing it early on, and continued to looks strong when runners just ahead of her were showing signs of wear. She was running in about 11th place when she missed a step and dropped for a moment, losing about four places. She was up and battling shortly, regaining her position and passing a competitor in the last 100 meters for 10th place," said Nechodom.

"The boys were all looking healthy and ran like it, each of them setting personal records," said Nechodom. Of the 193 male runners Landon Callas placed 47th (18:28.89), Skylar Wood placed 86th (19:39.42), Joe Leamy placed 120th (20:58.01), Robert Walsh placed 127th (21:12.28) and Tom House placed 134th (21:27.81). Callas was sixth among southeast 2B runners and Wood was 11th.

"It was especially fun to watch Joe feel his oats a bit, pushing forward midrace to see what he could get done. He held onto the tiger well, setting a PR by nearly two minutes. Landon and Sky PRed by about 40 seconds, Robert was 48 seconds faster, and Tom PRed by almost one and a quarter minutes," said Nechodom.

Nechodom feels optimistic about the rest of the season. "This Saturday we get to take one last look at the entire league before the District Championships. If we can keep everyone healthy and doing the maintenance they need to do, I think they've got a chance at representing W-P at State," he said.