Kentwood High’s Danny Lunder heard the footsteps closing in and the familiar voice that followed.
Despite being in the midst of a career-best performance on the 3.1-mile cross-country course at Fort Steilacoom Park Oct. 23, Lunder couldn’t help but be taken back a bit upon realizing that voice was coming from teammate Will Richmond.
“The thing that really got me was when I learned Will (Richmond) was right behind me,” said Lunder, who has been Kentwood’s top long-distance runner all season. “He said, ‘Let’s do it, Danny.’ I was like, ‘Oh … I can’t let Will beat me.’”
And, despite a strong performance by Richmond, Lunder didn’t let his teammate beat him. In fact, Lunder delivered the strongest performance by any Kent School District male runner at the SPSL sub-district meet, blistering the terrain in 16-minutes, 13 seconds to take seventh place overall. Lunder’s final time was a personal best by 12 seconds, and highlighted what proved to be a banner race for local runners.
“I think I had just been really looking forward to this race,” Lunder said. “Last year, I ran a 16:37 on the same course. I really wanted to get closer to the top.”
Richmond, Kentwood’s No. 2 runner this season, was nearly as good, taking 11th with a time of 16:21.3. Behind Lunder and Richmond, Kentwood managed an impressive third-place finish at the sub-district meet with 106 total points. The top 10 teams and 50 individuals from the sub-district meet earned berths to this weekend’s West Central District meet, slated for Oct. 30 at American Lake Golf Course in Tacoma.
And while Kentwood delivered the goods, so did a host of other local teams and individual runners. The Kentridge boys were right behind Kentwood, finishing in fourth with 110 points. The Kent-Meridian boys also qualified as a team, taking 10th with 252 points.
Three Conquerors finished among the top 25: Lunder, Richmond along with Will Johnston, who took 21st at 16:52.9.
Kentridge, which has enjoyed a remarkable season, also had several runners crash the top 25, including Alex Horton (15th, 16:33.6), Talon Abernathy (19th, 16:49.7), Troy Bunker (22nd, 16:53.6) and Sterling Bath (25th, 16:55.2).
A little more than two weeks ago, Kentridge’s Horton was the lone Charger under the 17-minute mark. Coach Ryan West noted that if a few more Chargers could cut their respective times under 17 minutes, a state berth would be in reach. The Chargers haven’t advanced to state as a team since 1987.
If Kentridge continues its progression, that state berth could be had this weekend.
“I’m fine with where we are right now,” West said. “But the entire team agrees, we can do better.”
James Dagley, who finished in 12th place with a time of 16:23.7, was the top Tahoma finisher. Meanwhile, Kent-Meridian star Derrick Daigre, who has been nursing a sore foot the last few weeks, clocked out at 16:37.4, which was good enough for 16th place.
“After not practicing the final couple days of the week, I think (Daigre) was a little lethargic,” said Kent-Meridian coach Ernie Ammons. “I think the injury (to his right foot) is normal wear and tear on the body. Everyone in the race was extremely fast.”
As good as the local boys performed, the girls were even better on Oct. 23. Tahoma, which took second at state last year, bolted to the title with 69 points and was followed considerably by Thomas Jefferson (116). Kentwood (4th, 173), Kentridge (7th, 198), Kent-Meridian (9th, 220) and Kentlake (10th, 228) also earned tickets to the meet.
“We had a pretty good race, but we’re going to have to produce a little more (at district),” said Tahoma coach Gary Conner.
The Bears have made a habit out of winning the sub-district title as this was their fourth straight. However, it’s hardly time to celebrate.
“I prepare my kids for the final two meets (district and state),” Conner added.
And while the Tahoma girls ran away with the top hardware, the Kent schools combined for a banner day.
“It’s pretty amazing that all the girls’ teams (from the Kent School District) advanced,” Ammons said. “The Kent programs are getting stronger. The average time for our boys team is faster, but the rest of the league is faster, too.”
Leading the way for the girls was Kent-Meridian’s Alexia Martin, who took fourth with a time of 19:16.3. Martin, a state veteran, won the race last year. Martin was closely followed by Kentwood’s Kailey Ulland, who took sixth with a time of 19:23.2. Martin and Ulland have a history of finishing neck-and-neck with one another, doing so during last year’s sub-district, district and state meets.
Not far behind Martin and Ulland was K-M freshman sensation Ruby Virk, who took 11th with a time of 19:37.3, which was a personal best by three seconds.
Tahoma’s first-place finish was made possible with string individual pushes into the top 25, where the Bears placed five runners. Leading the Tahoma contingent was Julianna Mock, who took eighth at 19:33.7. Mock was followed closely by Elizabeth Oosterhout (9th, 19:35.2). Also cracking the top 25 for the Bears were Lauren Clawson (12th, 19:38.8), Emily Duerson (16th, 20:03.2) and Cheynne Greenside (24th, 20:24.8).
Sarah Robbins continued to lead Kentlake, rounding out the top 10 with a time of 19:35.5.
Molly Shiroishi was Kentridge’s top finisher, taking 15th place with a time of 20:00.4.
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