BELLINGHAM — The Port Townsend cross country team started the new season on a high note by competing well at the prestigious Sehome Invitational at Civic Stadium on Saturday.
Races were run by class with 33 teams competing from all over Washington and British Columbia in 1A to 4A classifications.
“All athletes made a good showing for our first meet of the season on a challenging two-mile technical course,” Port Townsend coach Jeni Little said.
Top performance came from Port Townsend’s Ryan Clarke, who placed a strong eighth place in the boys sophomore race against a tough field of runners.
“We have some real talent in the ranks for Fall 2012 and the fire to make it happen,” Little said.
“The Sehome meet directors put on a first-class event, including an open race where our ineligible athletes (not enough practices) and coaching team ran well.”
Port Townsend next will be at the South Whidbey Invitational at Langley on Saturday.
The Redskins will have their first Olympic League meet against Kingston and Port Angeles at Port Angeles on Sept. 19.
Port Townsend results
Freshman Girls (64 runners)
45. Aurora Germeau, 17:06.76
Sophomore Girls (79 runners)
61. Hannah Trailer. 16:19.25
Junior Girls (83 runners)
34. Peri Muellner, 14:28.86
Senior Girls (85 runners)
64. Frehiwot Piatt, 16:14.15
Freshman Boys (76 runners)
54. Tristan Minnihan, 13:31.35
Sophomore Boys (93 runners)
8. Ryan Clarke, 11:14.25
69. Sean Dwyer, 12:57.14
93. Luca Freier, 15:03.95
Junior Boys (105 runners)
82. Tristan Story, 13:11.10
Senior Boys (98 runners)
32. Xavier Frank, 11:14.13
Open Race (69 runners)
3. Ian Fraser, 10.39
22. Alice Fraser, 12.28
23. James Schultz, 12.34
37. George Garten, 14.02
42. Ian McLaughlan, 14.23
52. Jackson Scott, 15.40