BAINBRIDGE — The outcome was the same — Port Angeles’ boys cross country team seizing the lead, then the individual title and finally the team win — but the race winner was different.
In their fifth Olympic League Cross Country meet of the season, the Roughriders again dominated and didn’t need No. 1 runner Jack Gladfelter, winner of the four previous league meets.
Port Angeles junior Max Baeder blazed the trail this time around, edging out Sequim sophomore Colby Ellefson for the top spot in a 5,000-meter (3.1-mile) race Wednesday at Battle Point Park.
Baeder finished his run in 16 minutes, 39 seconds, just ahead of Ellefson (16:41).
“Besides a few back-and forths-with Sequim’s Colby Ellefson, Max led the entire race, sealing the deal with an unbeatable sprint 200 meters from the finish,” coach Rodger Johnson said.
As a freshman, Baeder was part of the pack.
“In 2019, Max was our backup runner who filled in on varsity for the postseason,” Johnson said. “He has shown incredible growth the last two years, and I’m so happy to see his hard work paying off.”
Three other Riders placed in the top 10 to power Port Angeles to 40 points, well ahead of second-place Kingston (65) in the eight-team meet.
Senior Josh Gavin finished fourth (17:05); junior Langdon Larson (17:25) and senior Naaman McGuffey (17:31) were seventh and eighth for the Riders.
“The course was pretty flat and [provided] a great chance to dial in my pacing,” sophomore Sam Hayes said.
Sequim finished sixth on the boys side. Calem Klinger was 26th for Sequim in 18:53.
Riley Pyeatt claimed her fifth individual win in five league meets.
Pyeatt (18:56) bested her closest competitior, Bainbridge senior Eden Michael (19:35), by nearly 40 seconds to win the girls race.
Kaitlyn Bloomenrader was sixth for the Wolves (20:52) and Anastasia Updike 22nd in (23:19) as Sequim (86) finished third as a team behind winning Bainbridge (36).
Port Angeles freshman Zakara Braun placed 25th in 23:44, and Gracie Townsend was 32nd (24:41) for the sixth-place Riders (174).
Sequim and Port Angeles will race at the Olympic League Championships next Thursday at Cedars at Dungeness in Sequim.
East Jefferson wins
SILVERDALE — East Jefferson’s boys runners won outright, and the Rivals girls squad tied for the top spot in a tightly contested Nisqually League cross country meet at Klahowya.
Rivals junior Sebastian Manza led East Jefferson’s boys contingent, finishing the 3-mile race in 16 minutes, 58 seconds, good enough for second-place behind state title contender Kelton Gagnon of Klahowya in 15:25.
East Jefferson edged out Bellevue Christian 45-44 for the boys team win.
Max Allworth-Miles was fourth for the Rivals in 17:13, Glen Dawson was right behind in fifth (17:14) and freshman Soare Johnson was eighth in 17:22.
In the girls race, East Jefferson sophomore Aliyah Yearian (18:45.6) and Klahowya freshman Natalie Oathout (18:45.1) went neck-and-neck for the finish line.
The Rivals tied with the Eagles for the team title with each squad totaling 31 points.
Junior Camryn Hines was third for East Jefferson (19:25), while senior Lia Poore (21:27 and sophomore Tadu Dollarhide (21:36) ended up ninth and 12th overall.
East Jefferson will race at the Nisqually League Cross Country Championships at Fort Steilacoom Park on Thursday.
Girls Soccer
North Kitsap 1, Sequim 0
POULSBO — The Wolves were stymied offensively in a rematch with the Vikings.
“They scored in like the 17th minute of the first half,” coach Ken Garling said. “We had lots of chances but just couldn’t finish. NK played very well defensively.
“Second half we were able to settle into our game and play more possessions style, but we couldn’t find the net.”
Garling said Hannah Wagner, Rileigh Van Dyken and Bailey Gennessie all stood out.
“Hannah Wagner did well controlling the central midfield; Rileigh Van Dyken played more of a defensive midfielder and stopped their attacks, and Bailey Gennessie at center back had a good game.”
Sequim (6-3-0) hosts Bremerton on Tuesday.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-406-0674 or mcarman@peninsula dailynews.com.
Port Angeles freshman Zakara Braun runs during a cross country meet at Battle Point Park in Bainbridge on Wednesday. (Rodger Johnson/Port Angeles Cross Country)
Port Angeles freshman Zakara Braun runs during a cross country meet at Battle Point Park in Bainbridge on Wednesday. (Mark Krulish/Kitsap News Group)
