Noelle Western made it to the state cross country meet as a mere freshman. (Kerry Western photo)
They were too fast for the storm.
Eight Coupeville High School cross country runners departed Whidbey Island long before the power went off, and stayed off, at home.
Then, while most people back home stared into the unrelenting, inky darkness, the Wolves hit the course at Saturday’s 2B/1B state meet in Pasco.
Having sent a full team to the big dance for the first time since the ’80s, Coupeville unleashed six girls and two boys on the Sun Willows Golf Course.
Senior Mitchell Hall was the first Wolf to hit the tape, finishing 19th in the boys’ race, while the CHS girls claimed 8th in the team standings.
That’s the third top 10 finish for the program, coming on the heels of 4th in 1982 and 8th in 1981.
None of Saturday’s runners were even close to being alive during the age of Madonna, but they acquitted themselves nicely in Paige Spangler’s final moments as Coupeville’s harrier coach.
The trail guru, who coached two seasons at CHS, heads east after this, with her military husband having received new orders.
Before she left, Spangler also got to witness her girls team receive an academic state championship, with the Wolves having the highest GPA of any 2B team.
Coupeville’s girls, fast and smart. (Nicole Strelow photo)
Four of Coupeville’s eight runners at state depart as well, with Helen Strelow, Cristina McGrath, Hall, and Claire Mayne all seniors.
Noelle Western, Erica McGrath, Carson Field, and Reagan Callahan are all underclassmen.
Pope John Paul II and Chewelah claimed the girls and boys team titles, respectively, at Saturday’s championships, with PJP-II edging Garfield-Palouse by a single point.
Josie McLaughlin of St. George’s and Ciaran St. Hilaire of Tri-Cities Prep won individual crowns.
Saturday results:
GIRLS:
Claire Mayne (42nd) 24:05.30
Helen Strelow (49th) 24:28.20
Cristina McGrath (63rd) 25:57.70
Reagan Callahan (72nd) 28:20.60
Erica McGrath (73rd) 28:21.80
BOYS:
Mitchell Hall (19th) 17:58.80
Carson Field (74th) 19:27.90
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