Mount Si cross country sends two to state
November 4, 2009
By Tara Ballenger
For the first time in the team’s history, Mount Si is sending two girls cross country runners to the state championship.Senior Megan Past and sophomore Kendall Maddux both qualified by finishing in the top 20 girls varsity runners at the Sea-King District championship meet at Lake Sammamish State Park Oct. 29.
Maddux finished 18th with a time of 20:12. Past came in right after her in 19th place at 20:13.
Though none of the boys qualified—Michael Blockmon came in 38th with a time of 17:30—and the Mount Si team did not have enough points to advance to the state championship, coach Art Galloway said that having two girls going to state is a huge victory.
“Megan and Kendall both came into this season committed to going to state, and they had a lot of work to do to get there,” said Galloway. “They have continued to improve their times with each race. They’ve worked hard to get here.”
He added that he expected senior Alex Rudd, who was a top performer all season, to qualify as well, but a bout of the flu added precious seconds onto her time. She finished 31st at 20:48.
For Past, qualifying for state in her senior year has special significance.
“I was determined to make it in the top 20,” said Past. “It’s my senior year and my last chance to go to state.”
Past was not sure if she could compete this season after breaking her wrist over the summer, but after recovering, she focused on making it to the state championship.
The weather was cloudy and cold at Lake Sammamish State Park, but little or no rain fell on the runners. The course, however, was soggy from previous rains.
“It was one of the toughest, muddiest courses I’ve ever raced. My feet slipped out from under me tons of times,” said Past.
Past said that one mud-filled dip was especially gruesome and many runners took a spill while trying to trek through it.
The two will compete at the state meet on Nov. 7 at the Sun Willows golf course in Pasco.
Tara Ballenger: 392-6434, ext. 248 or tballenger@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.SnoValleyStar.com.
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