The Cashmere Bulldogs cross-country teams traveled to Yakima on Saturday to compete in the District 5/6 State Qualifying Meet at the challenging Apple Ridge Cross-Country Course. With a three-mile course and tough competition on hand, runners were racing for one of 28 coveted qualifying spots for the 1A State Meet.
When the dust settled, three Bulldogs punched their tickets to State.
Junior Rylan Reiber qualified on the boys’ side, while sophomore Maggie Butcher and freshman Allie Neff earned their places in the girls’ race. All three will represent Cashmere at the 1A State Championships, held Saturday, November 8, at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.
Girls’ Race
The Bulldog girls placed seventh overall in a deep field of 11 teams.
Maggie Butcher led the way, finishing 17th in 20:32.7, a personal record for the three-mile distance and a State-qualifying performance.
Allie Neff wasn’t far behind, taking 21st in 20:41.7, also a personal best and State qualifier.
Annika Peterson (47th, 23:03.4) and Danna Infante (50th, 23:23.3) both posted season-best times, while Jasmin Dowell (48th, 23:05.7) and Etta Deason (63rd, 24:51.7) each ran lifetime bests.
Vansee Wheeler rounded out the squad in 72nd at 26:53.0, a season-best performance.
Team Scores: Lakeside 43, Medical Lake 63, Cascade 68, Naches Valley 131, College Place 148, Royal 152, Cashmere 155, Omak 193, Connell 219, Wapato 253, Wahluke 321.
Boys’ Race
The Bulldog boys placed eighth out of 11 teams, highlighted by Rylan Reiber’s stellar run. Reiber crossed the line 16th overall in 17:23.1, earning his State berth with a season-best time.
Behind him, a tight Bulldog pack turned in a string of personal records:
Emmett Brown (46th, 18:21.7), Jared Noyes (49th, 18:30.9), Liam Hill (51st, 18:32.1), Misael Alejo (57th, 18:38.9), Uriah Miller (61st, 18:45.8), and Judah Lewis (75th, 19:22.3) each ran their fastest race of the season.
Team Scores: Lakeside 43, Colville 50, College Place 101, Cascade 118, Naches Valley 126, Royal 172, Chelan 173, Cashmere 174, Wapato 208, Connell 248, Wahluke 344.
With three State qualifiers and a host of personal bests, the Bulldogs capped their district meet with momentum and pride. All eyes now turn to Pasco, where Reiber, Butcher, and Neff will represent Cashmere at the 1A State Cross-Country Championships on November 8.
