Cheney Free Press -

MEDICAL LAKE - The Cardinal boys varsity cross country crew remains the top ranked 1A classification team according to the state coaches poll, and they proved why when both the Cardinal boys and girls cross country teams swept the visiting Freeman Scotties in a decisive 15-50 victory for both varsity squads on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

"Nearly everyone ran faster this week on our home course than they did a week ago," head coach Gene Blankenship said via email, comparing this week's meet to last week's home event.

The boy's varsity took the top seven slots, lead by runner Reid Headrick who recorded the meets top time of 16 minutes, 56 seconds, "on a course that is difficult to break 17 minutes," according to Blankenship.

Victor Long took the second spot with a time of 17:15, followed by Benjamin Henry in 17:23, Angel Mendez with 17:44 and Connor Palmen in 17:46. Quintin Collins - last week's speedster who broke the course record with 16:41- came in 17:56 and Jeremiah Windle in 18:01.

The girls varsity crew took four of the top five times, lead by Allison Payne who recorded a time of 21:14. Paige Headrick came second in at 21:39, while Jenna Castro - running one of her best races - logged a 21:39 time, was just outkicked by Headrick in a "very exciting finish," Blankenship said.

Maris Tuck came in fourth in 22:47, Katie Hiatt in 23:43, Hailey Cross 23:51 and Kaylee Thompson in 25:08.

Competitors of the meet were the team's first brother-sister combination for the season: Jenna and Kyler Castro.

Cardinal pins went to Benjamin Henry, Thomas Collins, Kelsey Braswell, and Maris Tuck.

The Cardinal boys have finished first in the NEA at this season's league dual meets, while the girls finished third

Medical Lake is now preparing for the upcoming district races on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Chewelah Golf Course, followed the state championships at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco on Saturday, Nov. 9.

Lee Hughes can be reached at lee@cheneyfreepress.com.