Number, numbers, numbers. Cross country can often be called a sport of numbers: number of miles, number of quality varsity runners, number of team injuries.
And though Sequim’s boys have an impressive number attached to their team — a No. 2 ranking, thanks to the preseason Class 2A state coaches poll — coaches are keeping an eye on the number that counts: Sequim’s ranking at the end of the season.
“We’re definitely a top-three team if we don’t have any major injuries,” Sequim head coach Harold Huff said. “Right now, they’re healthy.”
Sequim head coach Harold Huff said. “Right now, they’re healthy.”
Healthy and deep: Sequim sees each of their top seven runners from 2013 — seniors Mikey Cobb and Peter Ohnstad and juniors C.J. Daniels, Chris Jeffko, Brendan Despain, Jackson Oliver and Christian Ash — all back on course.
Vying hard for varsity spots are Chase Ridgeway, a senior who spent some time away from the sport but was a standout in middle school — and junior Wendall Lorenzen, who looks to move up from junior varsity.
Pushing those runners are several newcomers, including freshman Andy Hansted.
After running away with Olympic League and West Central District titles, Sequim is an odds-on favorite to give No. 1-ranked (and defending 2A champ) Sehome a proverbial run for their money.
“Their motivation,” Huff says of Sequim’s boys, “is a championship.”
True, but as Sequim assistant coach Michael Cobb notes, “the (Sequim) girls want some of the limelight.”
They may just get it with a pair of additions. Joining an understatedly young team from 2013 — Sequim’s two top runners, Erin Vig and Elizabeth Rosales, were freshmen — are track standouts Waverly Shreffler (middle distance races) and Audrey Shingleton (distance races).
“Waverly, she’s the real deal,” Huff says, and Shingleton may prove to be Sequim’s top runner.
An injury bug that hit Shingleton on the track in the spring continues to linger, Huff says, so the Sequim coaches will nurse her along hoping to gear her up for key races late in the season.
Huff says he likes what he sees from his other returning racers, including Emily Webb, Siana Turner and newcomer Noelle Bittner.
“Much better than last year,” Huff says of the Sequim girls “If they stay healthy, they could challenge for top two in the league.”
Reach Michael Dashiell at editor@sequimgazettecom.
2014-2015 Sequim Varsity Cross Country Schedule
Date Opponent Time
Sept. 13 Capital Invite, Olympia 10:15 a.m.
Sept. 20 Salt Creek Invitate, Port Angeles 9:45 a.m.
Sept. 24 at Olympic (vs. Olympic, NK) 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 at Kingston (vs. Kingston, Klah.) 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Curtis Invite, University Place 9:15 a.m.
Oct. 8 vs. Port Angeles, Port Townsend 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 Hole-in-the-Wall Invitational 9 a.m.
Oct. 15 at Bremerton (vs. Brem., N. Mason) 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 Olympic League meet, Sequim 4:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 District meet, American Lake TBA
Nov. 8 State meet, Pasco TBA
