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 third overall, but the two teams ahead of the Cardinals were 3A Kennewick and 4A Chiawana. The individual winner, Kennewick’s Geraldin Correa, was some 90 seconds ahead of Payne who finished in a time of 20 minutes, 12.62 seconds.

Sophomore Paige Headrick was the No. 2 Medical Lake finisher — 14th overall — at 22:05.49 with senior Jenavieve Cogswell next in 22:12.77. Maris Tuck, another sophomore, rounded out the top-20 overall and was fourth for the Cardinals in 22:37.60.

Sophomore Quintin Collins was the top Medical Lake boy’s finisher, No. 8 overall in 17:39.17, as he led a strong contingent of teammates. Junior Victor Long (No. 10/17:50.62). Zach Lewis, a senior (17:59.21) and sophomore Ben Henry (18:01.47) all were in the top-20. Johan Correa won the individual title in 15:53.14.

“I was hoping we would do a little bit better against Connell, but that’s close,” Blankenship said.

He said the race was likely decided in the final half mile. “My No. 1 struggled a bit,” Blankenship said. Combined, the two teams set 20 personal records.

Next for Medical Lake is the Nike Portland XC run at Portland Meadows horse racing track.

Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].