Cruize Corvin, Anna Callahan Fastest On A Windy Day in Pasco
By Keenan Gray of DyeStat
PASCO – On a day filled with so many memorable performances, the 2022 Washington State Cross Country Championships proved once again why it remains one of the best meets in the Pacific Northwest.
Battling through incredibly tough winds on a clear, sunny day, Washington’s best individuals and teams still managed to put on a good show this Saturday in Pasco at the Sun Willows Golf Course.
Four schools claimed team championships for the first time in their program’s history, highlighted by the Issaquah Eagles taking down KingCo League rival Eastlake in the 4A boys race in a stunning upset.
With six runners placing in the top 25, including five in the top 16 on the podium stand, the Eagles scored an impressive 58 points to take down the top-ranked Wolves’ score of 101 points.
“These athletes set the goal to win two years ago, and they did it,” Issaquah head coach Liza Rickey said. “These guys are incredible. They have passion, they support each other, they show up each and every day and they usually listen to their coaches.”
The Eagles took a big step forward from last year’s state meet after finishing second overall with one podium finisher in 2021 from then-sophomore Brennen Rickey placing seventh. This year, Issaquah used a strong pack led by sophomore Connor Rickey placing eighth in 16:16.1, with senior Benjamin Konopka taking 10th in 16:22, junior Brennen Rickey earning 11th in 16:25.8, senior Jonathan Liu placing 13th in 16:28 and sophomore Elliott McIntosh finishing 16th in 16:34.6.
“This is an incredible team,” Brennen Rickey said. “We’ve gone on amazing journey together. I love and support this culture…so having us on that podium in first place is an unbelievable feeling.”
Eastlake’s top individual finish came from senior Noah Zahn, placing sixth overall in a time of 16:10.9.
Emerald Ridge senior Conner Wirth took home the 4A boys individual title in a time of 15:37.4, beating out fellow Puyallup runner Isaac Briggs of Rogers and his time of 15:39.7.
The three other first time state champion schools were the Central Kitsap girls on the 3A side taking down South Sound Conference rival Gig Harbor 70-89, the Bellingham boys in 2A defeating inner-city rival Sehome 86-95 and the Bush boys in 1A taking down Emerald Sound foe Northwest 95-100.
East Valley (Spokane) junior Logan Hofstee pulled off one of…
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