Coupeville Sports

Coupeville High School cross country runner Helen Strelow won the Northwest 2B/1B League title Thursday afternoon. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

She saved her biggest moment for the brightest spotlight.

Coupeville High School junior Helen Strelow has been chasing a pair of speedy Mount Vernon Christian runners all season.

Thursday, at the Northwest 2B/1B League Championships, on her home course at Fort Casey State Park, the Wolf chomped the Hurricanes.

Hitting the line three seconds ahead of MVC’s Maddie Nielsen — her closest competitor — Strelow captured the girls individual title, the second-straight Wolf to do so.

She follows in the footsteps of Catherine Lhamon, who accomplished the feat last season as a senior.

Spurred on by Strelow’s title, the CHS girls placed four runners in the top six Thursday, also claiming the team title.

Meanwhile, the Coupeville boys, continuing their season-long war with MVC, placed second in the team results, nipped by just 31-33.

Hurricane sophomore Devin Van Zanten won the individual boys title.

With CHS coach Paige Spangler out of town, middle school cross country guru Elizabeth Bitting returned to the high school side of things for an afternoon.

“What an absolutely amazing day to have the league championship race,” she said. “Mother Nature was kind to us, the course was picture-perfect and the runners were ready!

“Fort Casey is probably my most favorite course in the area,” Bitting added. “The scenery is breathtaking, visitors to the park always cheer on all runners and our volunteers are first class!!!”

Carson Field finished 5th in the boys race.

Bitting, who coached the CHS program last season, got a chance to see many of her former runners in action, with some newcomers in the mix as well.

“Every athlete out there ran an amazing race!,” she said. “You could see the determination and drive in each and every one of them!

“What an amazing accomplishment for them! Each of them gave it their all, pushed themselves to the limits and finished strong!

“It was so awesome to see Helen kick it in high gear and overtake her opponent!”

Coupeville now advances to tri-districts, which will be held Thursday, Oct. 28 at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood.

The top two teams, as well as the top 14 individual finishers, qualify for the state meet.

“I wish them all the very best,” Bitting said. “May they all have fast feet, big strides and lots of PR’s!!!”

Complete Thursday results (3.1 miles):

GIRLS:

Helen Strelow (1st) 24:56
Bryley Gilbert (4th) 26:21
Cristina McGrath (5th) 26:34
Claire Mayne (6th) 26.38
Erica McGrath (9th) 32:47
Edie Bittner (10th) 38:11

BOYS:

Mitchell Hall (3rd) 19:02
Cole White (4th) 19:23
Carson Field (5th) 19:26
Landon Roberts (10th) 20:44
Thomas Strelow (11th) 20:57
Hank Milnes (12th) 21:01
Tate Wyman (14th) 22:30
Reiley Araceley (17th) 22:59
Alex Merino-Martinez (19th) 24:13
Nick Wasik (23rd) 29:39
Dayvon Donavon (24th) 35:40

Freshman Landon Roberts helped the Wolf boys claim 2nd in the team title race.

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