Helen Strelow was the top Coupeville girl Saturday at the 29-team Carl Westling Invitational in Langley. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
They ran with the big boys (and girls).
The Coupeville High School cross country team kicked off a new season Saturday with an appearance at the 42nd annual Carl Westling Invitational in Langley.
A day before, a storm ripped across Whidbey with ferocious winds turning the power off for much of the island.
But Saturday was fairly tranquil, offering the Wolves and first-year coach Paige Spangler a chance to strut their stuff.
Coupeville sent three girls to the line in the varsity race, while fielding a full seven-man varsity team and two runners in the JV rumble.
The Wolf boys held up very well, finishing 11th out of 13 teams in their division, despite the other squads all repping schools with larger student bodies.
Coupeville was the lone 2B team, with eight 1A schools, three 2A schools, and 4A Mariner also competing.
2A Cedarcrest claimed the team title, while Will Geisen of 2A Bellingham captured the individual crown, covering 5,000 meters in 16 minutes, 51.60 seconds.
On the girls side, Bellingham was the top team, with Kayla Aalpoel of 1A Meridian the first runner across the line in 19:20.70.
All together, the invitational featured runners from 29 high schools, while five middle schools competed in their own races.
Complete CHS results (5,000 meters):
GIRLS – Varsity:
Helen Strelow (65th) 26:21.00
Claire Mayne (74th) 30:30.10
Erica McGrath (75th) 34:40.40
BOYS – Varsity:
Mitchell Hall (54th) 20:05.80
Landon Roberts (64th) 20:35.80
Carson Field (65th) 20:37.90
Cole White (71st) 20:57.10
Thomas Strelow (76th) 21:17.90
Hank Milnes (80th) 21:28.00
Reiley Araceley (88th) 22:40.70
BOYS — JV:
Nick Wasik (84th) 24:25.80
Alex Clark (145th) 29:15.70
Coupeville Sports 
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