Cross country: Wolves start strong at Sehome Invite

Looks like the new kids have some serious game.

Looks like the new kids have some serious game.

A brother-sister pair of transfers bolstered a strong finish for Sequim’s cross country squad at the Sehome Invitational on Sept. 10.

Leading the way for the Wolves was Ash Francis, who placed second in the 107-athlete boys’ sophomore race, second only to Riley McDowell of 3A Glacier Peak.

But not far behind him was Murray Bingham, a transfer from Florence, Ore., who crossed the finish line in 11:01, fifth among sophomore boys. The pair, along with Liam Byrne (25th, 11:46) and Jazen Bartee (34th, 12:08), helped SHS place third in the Sehome Invite’s sophomore race.

Bingham’s sister Morgan made a strong start in her Sequim debut, racing to a sixth-place finish in the girls senior race with a 12:57 mark.

Kiara Pierson, Sequim’s top returning female from 2015, raced to a 16th place finish in the junior competition in a field of 97, finishing in 13:44. Teammate Noelle Bittner was 33rd in the same race at 14:33.

SHS freshman Vita Olson was 35th in her race (15:55) out of 85 competitors.

Sequim is on the road again this week, traveling to Oregon for the Seaside Three-Course Challenge on Saturday, Sept. 17. The Wolves are at Olympic on Sept. 21, taking on the Port Townsend Redhawks and host Trojans in their first Olympic League dual meet.