Cross-country teams fall to Roughriders

"As if acing No. 4-ranked Port Angeles wasn't challenge enough, the South Kitsap High School boys cross country team also had to battle illness in its Narrows League Bridge Division match Wednesday afternoon at Cedar Heights Junior High.Though the Wolves were not expected to win, the 23-58 loss could have been closer if they had been healthy.PA swept the first five spots before SK senior Isaac Goertzen crossed the finish line in sixth place.PA's Bret Galloway won the race in 13 minutes, one second. Goertzen came across the line 39 seconds later.SK sophomore Josh Cobb (13:52) was seventh, Kiel Wright (13:56) followed in eighth place. Rounding out the scoring was Steven Millard (14:10, 11th), Chris Smith (14:24, 12th), and Colby Burrows (14:24, 13th).Cobb and Goertzen stayed in the lead nearly halfway through the race but a contingent of PA runners overtook them in the woods and increased their lead after a second go-around up a hill.On the girls' side, the score was closer, but the No. 10-ranked Wolves fell short 30-36.PA's Marlene Blackburn (16:01) overtook SK's Kindel Stepper (16:12) with 800 meters left in the race.Stepper ran in the lead for the majority of the race until Blackburn put on the afterburners.SK's Kayle Peterson (16:14) took third place, but PA took the next three spots to secure the win.Danielle Friend (16:26,) took seventh, Eileen Morely (17:11) was eighth.Rounding out the scoring was Lynette Millard (17:19, 9th), and Jodi Guariz (17:21, 10th).The Wolves compete at the Enumclaw Invitational today at 9 a.m. "

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