In another match-up of two of the state’s top prep runners, Sequim’s Riley Pyeatt held a slight edge over Lauren Larson, helping the Wolves clip the rival Roughriders in a head-to-head meet on Feb. 20 in Kingston.

Pyeatt, a junior and returning West Central District champ who placed sixth at the state finals last season, clocked in at 19:08, about nine seconds ahead of Larson — a senior who took the 2018 district title and placed fifth at state last season.

With the majority of the pack running about three-and-a-half minutes back, Sequim’s depth proved to be enough to knock off Port Angeles. PA senior Kathryn Guttormsen (22:57) took third, followed closely by Sequim senior Jessica German (22:58) and SHS sophomores Anastasia Updike (23:02) and Macy Cogburn (23:09) in fifth and sixth. SHS junior Aidyn Shingleton (25:00) was eighth.

Last week’s match-up between Pyeatt and Larson marked the 13th time the peninsula runners have competed in the same race, including league meets, invitationals and postseason events. Larson holds a 10-3 edge (and placed first overall in six of those races), though Pyeatt has fared better in three of the past four match-ups.

On the boys’ side, Port Angeles overwhelmed Sequim in total participants (22-3) and atop the leaderboard, with sophomore Jack Gladfelter taking top honors with a 17:27 finish. Sequim High freshman Colby Ellefson was second with a 17:47 finish. Sequim’s Henry Hughes was 11th (20:19) and fellow junior Jaxon Cogburn was 13th (21:29).

Coming up

Sequim runners are back in action Saturday, Feb. 27, for another league meet at Port Townsend, taking on East Jefferson schools (Chimacum, Port Towsend).

The Wolves host the final regular meet of the season on Saturday, March 6, at Robin Hill County Park. Sequim takes on Klahowya, with the SHS boys racing at 12:30 p.m. and girls taking on the Eagles at 1:30 p.m.

Multiple teams compete at league meets, but only two teams are allowed on the course at one time.