Sequim’s boys cross country squad passed its first big test of the young season, knocking off Kingston and North Kitsap in an Olympic League showdown Sept. 26 in Kingston.
Sequim scored 33 team points, four points better than Kingston (37) and 17 better than North Kitsap’s Vikings (50).
"It was a close, exciting race to watch," Sequim coach Harold Huff said. "We really ran a good race. I’m not sure if Kingston ran their best race but it was their home course."
Adrian Clifford took top honors, edging Kingston Buccaneer Devon Jacob by a second with a 17:23 mark. Sequim sophomores finished strong, with Peter Ohnstad taking third — 10 seconds back of the leader — and Mikey Cobb placing fifth, just 22 seconds behind Clifford.
"(Peter) should be running up there with those guys," Huff said. "He was awesome. He didn’t go out too fast and worked his way up. All the guys were just great."
Despite an illness, Sequim freshman C.J. Daniels took 10th at 18 minutes, 19 seconds, and junior Dylan Chatters was 14th (18:40).
"Everyone’s going to have a great race (at league) or (Kingston is) going to beat us," Huff said.
On the girls’ side, North Kitsap edged rival Kingston by just two points in a match-up that Huff said may have featured two of the top five 2A teams in the state.
Led by senior standout Reagan Coyler, NK swept the top three places but barely edged a deep Kingston squad. Sequim finished a distant third.
Missing senior Jasmine McMullin (knee injury), Sequim got a strong finish from freshman Emily Webb, who took 11th, and senior Amelia Ohnstad, who was 13th.
"Emily and Amelia have really stepped up," Huff said.
Siana Turner led a pack of five Wolves in the middle of the race with a 25:06 finish, good for 17th overall.
"I still think we’ve got a good shot at fourth place (at the league meet)," Huff said, which would give the Wolves’ girls a berth at districts. "Everyone has to stay healthy."
Sequim hosts Olympic and Port Townsend on Oct. 3, at Robin Hill Park. The Wolves are in Belfair next week, taking on North Mason and Port Angeles on Oct. 10.
The Olympic league meet is slated for Wednesday, Oct. 18, at The Cedars at Dungeness golf course in Sequim.
