Redmond XC carved out a memorable day on Halloween at the 4A District Meet in Kelso. 16 qualifying teams (and qualifying individuals) toed the line on the track for the start of the girls race. Though the 3 mile course was slick and muddy from passing rain squalls, the pace was fast right from the start. Devin McMahon stayed in perfect position challenging Anna Dailey throughout the race with her teammates running strongly mid pack. With several spills on turns and downhills, Redmond girls kept their minds and bodies on "fight mode". Devin powered through the entire race with Anna Dailey surging past her in the final 300m of the track finish. Devin's incredible effort earned her 2nd place with the 2nd fastest course time of 17:10.58. She was followed by season best performances from every teammate, earning Redmond Girls a trip to State and a 2nd place finish:
12 Holly Young - 18:21.15
17 Hailey Jorgensen - 18:36
23 Jenna Sanders - 18:49.72
24 Melissa Villeneuve - 18:53.1
31 Amy Pumputis - 19:04.75
32 Allie Nichols - 19:07.01
Redmond boys also faced qualifying for state amongst some of the top ranking teams. The race was blazing from the start with Mack, Miles and Will settled comfortably within the top pack. Course conditions had worsened after 86 girls tore up the grass and mud. Miles took the brunt of the conditions with a couple of spills yet retained his front pack position. The Redmond trio surged on a slight uphill (before 2mi), creating a sizable gap. Mack and Will continued to break away going 1, 2 with Mack setting a new course record in 14:50.7. Will finished with the 3rd fastest time on the course in 14:55.9. As first time District Meet participants, Max, Jonathan, Cotter and Connor defied their inexperience and placed well above expectation. Falling twice, collapsing with 100m to go and a week of a cold took a toll on Miles, he finished 42nd. Full results:
1 Mack Young - 14:50.75
2 Will Young - 14:55.9
29 Max Dunn - 15:56.65
30 Johnathan Stevens - 15:57.46
42 Miles Hille - 16:11.61
53 Cotter Boyle - 16:29.9
66 Connor Chapman - 16:55.65
It seemed that odds weren't good for Redmond boys earning a state berth. We all nervously paced throughout the announcements shocked and elated that despite some race setbacks, the team performances did indeed equate to 2nd place, joining the girls at State, November 7th in Pasco. Congratulations Redmond!
