Gig Harbor comes up big at Bob Firman

By Doug Binder, Dyestat editor

MEET PREVIEW | TFX RESULTS

The Gig Harbor boys performed every bit like a national championship contender on Saturday at the Bob Firman Invitational at Eagle Island, Idaho, scoring 63 points to runner-up North Central of Spokane's 149.

It was a clash of Washington state heavyweights and Gig Harbor put five runners in front of North Central's third. The teams are in separate classifications in Washington, but both of them would like to lockdown Nike Cross Nationals berths in November.

"Everyone came out and did what they were supposed to do today," Gig Harbor's No. 2 Logan Carroll said. "It was a dry run for bigger meets to come. People were relaxed and executed. It was a good day, which is nice."

Fifth man Michael Hammer ran 16:23.3 for 28 points -- one of the best races of his career, Carroll said.

The team battle was evident up front, too, with Kai Wilmot of North Central racing to the individual victory in 15:10.0 and Gig's Wolfgang Beck second in 15:15.3. Elijah Armstrong of Pocatello was third in 15:19.2 and John Dressel of Mt. Spokane was fourth in 15:19.8. Conner Mantz from Sky View (Utah) was fifth in 15:24.6.

Wilmot broke away from a pack of front-runners at the end of the first mile, as the runners made their first pass over the beach. The senior, who has overcome a variety of injuries in the past year, turned in a strong performance.

North Central's runners shook hands with Gig Harbor's top seven at the award ceremony.

"Clearly they are the team to beat in the Northwest," Wilmot said.

Bingham (Utah) was third in the team scoring with 186 points, followed by Ogden (Utah) with 206, Kamiakin (Washington) with 213 and Davis (Utah) with 215.

Davis (Utah) ran away with the team title with 51 points. The team ran a collective course record of 93:08 and dominated in-state rivals Park City (143), Skyline (145), American Fork (165) and Bingham (170).

Individually, Lucy Biles of Herriman was the winner in 17:57.4, beating Ogden's Sarah Feeny (18:10.3) in a showdown of Utah's best. In fact, the top 10 girls in the race were all from Utah. Alyssa Snyder of Park City was third in 18:17.2. 

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