Medical Lake girls claim Connell cross country title

Despite lacking one of their top runners, the Medical Lake girls cross country team collected a notable victory in the 1A division of the Connell Invitational last Saturday in the Columbia Basin.

Medical Lake’s boys were also strong with their 29-32 loss to the hosts as the Cardinals continue to prepare for the regular season which begins Oct. 3.

“My freshman girl (Allison Payne) just ran her head off,” head coach Gene Blankenship said. ML won the girls title despite the absence of Riley Olmsted, who has Saturday work commitments, taking a 60-110 win over Connell.

Technically, Medical Lake was...