Columbia River’s Neftali Menendez and Union’s Charlotte Wilson strode to victory at the 62nd annual Steve Maas Run-a-Ree on Friday at Hudson’s Bay High School.
Menendez, a senior, covered the 5,000 meter course in 15 minutes, 48 seconds to win the race that kicks off the local high school cross country season.
Menendez and teammate Jacob McManus had opened a 20-second gap on the field by the two-mile mark. McManus finished in second place by five seconds, powering the Rapids to the boys title in the 21-team event.
Columbia River’s 61 points were followed by Union in 74 and Battle Ground with 85.
Wilson, a senior, gradually pulled away from Washougal’s Elle Thomas to win in 19:11. Thomas finished in 19:36.
Skyview won the girls team title as Daphne Evenson finished third, Lauren Amato placed fourth and Evelyn Reed was sixth.
The Storm’s 49 points topped Union’s 63 and Washougal’s 82.
The Run-A-Ree is named for 1969 Hudson’s Bay grad/runner Steven Maas, a decorated Vietnam War pilot who died in a helicopter crash during military training exercises in 1973 at Fort Hood, Texas.
Stars of the day
- Kendall Mairs, Camas volleyball, had 14 kills, 11 assists, seven digs, two blocks and two aces as the Papermakers beat Rogers of Puyallup 3-0.
- Leo Zhao, Camas boys tennis, won in straight sets at No. 1 singles as the Papermakers won the non-league match against Evergreen 6-0.
- Brody Wolski, Ridgefield boys tennis, won at No. 2 singles 6-3, 7-6 (5) as the Spudders beat Fort Vancouver 4-2.
