Cross country runs two good races

Raider cross country ran its only two-race week of the season as they travelled to Omak Oct. 8 and to Quincy Saturday.

At Omak, the Raider boys’ team finished fourth overall with better times from the top five.

“We had a very strong team run in Omak with an improvement in time for all, while still keeping our team splits under 2 1/2 minutes,” Head Coach Gary Darnold said.

Ray Yazzie led the Raiders at Omak, finishing 14th overall with the time of 18 minutes, 10 seconds. Dominick Cotton came in second for the team, finishing 21st overall in 18:44.7.

Robert George was the third Raider across the line for 27th overall in 19:11. Coltin Williams finished 30th overall and was the fourth Raider across the line in 19:18.

Daniel Campobasso was fifth across for the team and 50th overall, with the time of 20:38.9, his career three-mile personal record. Will Friedlander came across the line at 22:52 for 69th. Zach Erickson finished 74th in 23:20. Chase Waters came in 83rd in 25:51.8.

The LR girls were led by Ashley Palmer, who finished 11th in 21:50. Palmer is second to Speiker of Oroville in District 5-6 B cross country right now.

Alexia Hanway came in 21st in 23:32. Clare Castrodale finished 32nd in 25:47, Castrodale’s career PR at three miles.

Having two races in a week places extra stress on the runners, Coach Darnold noted.

“Racing twice in three days, we had some injuries going into Quincy, not being at full strength, but adding back in two of our previously injured varsity runners helped us out.”

At Quincy, the Raider boys’ team finished ninth overall. Williams was the first Raider across the finish line and 28th overall, with the time of 19:00.38, an 18-second improvement over his previous three-mile PR.

Cotton was the second for the team and 38th overall at 19:11.39. Brandon Desautel finished third for the Raiders and 51st overall at 20:28.01. Campobasso came in fourth for the team and 52nd overall at the time of 21:00.77. Jerry Palmer came in fifth for the team and 56th overall with the time of 21:46.67. Friedlander finished 59th overall in 23:20.55. Erickson finished in 25:57.22.

Only two Raider girls competed at Quincy. Mary Ann Matheson finished 38th overall in 24:40.45. Castrodale finished 52nd overall with a time of 26:42.79.

“As we become healthy this week, we can spend the next three week’s preparing for district in Wenatchee,” Darnold commented. “We should have all of our girls and boys back and ready to continue improving positioning in Oroville.”

The Raiders travel to Oroville on Saturday to compete in the Oroville Invitational at Lake Osoyoos State Park, where races start at 12:30 p.m. Many area squads will attend, providing the Raiders with a good look at where they stand for the Oct. 26 league race.