Stephanie Moore of Kamiak High School in Mukilteo finishes ahead of Hockinson's Jadyn Gourley to win the girls race at the Hoquiam Invitational Saturday (photo by Ron Newberry).
HOQUIAM, Grays Harbor County – Todd Jackson of Elma High School is used to running in front of a pack. Stephanie Moore of Kamiak was a little less familiar.
Both runners won their races at the 29th Hoquiam Grizzly Alumni Cross Country Invitational Saturday. For Jackson, one of the favorites to win the Class 2A state title this fall, the victory was no surprise. But for Moore, winning an invitational was a first time experience.
The Hoquiam Invite is the largest distance running event on the Washington coast with 29 high schools and nearly 700 prep runners competing. Even Chelan made the big trip west.
“Invitationals are always very competitive,” said Moore, whose team traveled to Hoquiam from Mukilteo. “I’ve never had a chance (to win) before really. Being in front of the pack, I dialed in and decided I’d go for it.”
Moore, a senior, charged past Hockinson’s Jadyn Gourley late in the race to win in 19 minutes, 31.86 seconds on a sunny afternoon in Hoquiam. Gourley, who led most of the race, finished second in 19:34.81.
Jackson, a junior who took third at the state meet last season, led from start to finish on the 3.1-mile course Saturday. His time was 15:49.35.
“I kind of relaxed after the first mile some,” Jackson said. “I knew I didn’t have any competition.”
Jackson is having a big fall with victories at the Three Course Challenge in Seaside, Ore., and Montesano Invitational. He was third at the New Balance Festival of Champions in Monmouth, Ore., last month.
Jackson said he expects to win a state championship next month in Pasco. The state meet is Nov. 7.
Derek Moore (608) of North Beach High School in Ocean Shores runs with the field at the start of the boys race at the Hoquiam Invitational (photo by Ron Newberry).
29TH HOQUIAM INVITATIONAL
BOYS TEAM SCORING LEADERS: Hazen 52, Interlake 98, Mountlake Terrace 100, Heritage 112, Kamiak 132.
BOYS INDIVIDUAL TOP 10
1. Todd Jackson, Elma (2A) 15:49.35
2. Bryton Reim, Kamiak (4A)16:19.74
3. Daniel Karpman, Hazen (3A) 16:56.74
4. Max Crowell, Interlake (2A)16:59.43
5. Conner Hall, Hazen (3A)17:04.84
6. DJ Wheeldon, Elma (2A) 17:05.85
7. Jorge Torres, Heritage (4A)17:09.56
8. Peter VanNuland, Hazen (3A)17:09.94
9. Preston Bahr Heritage (4A)17:11.54
10. Trevor Burrus, Heritage (4A)17:13.97
GIRLS TEAM SCORING LEADERS: Kamiak 42, Kelso 76, Interlake 90, Heritage 117, Mountlake Terrace 127.
GIRLS INDIVIDUAL TOP 10
1. Stephanie Moore, Kamiak (4A) 19:31.86
2. Jadyn Gourley, Hockinson (2A) 19:34.81
3. Sarah Johnson, Shelton (4A) 19:39.74
4. Kaiti Wood, Kelso (4A) 19:55.86
5. Shelly Davis, Kamiak (4A) 20:01.83
6. Amber Hambrecht, Kamiak (4A) 20:06.74
7. Kelly Swanson, Kelso (4A) 20:10.56
8. Nina Penner, Mountlake Terrace (4A) 20:22.16
9. Abby Knight, Heritage (4A) 20:22.67
10. Karla Witte, Lynden (2A) 20:25.38
If you'd like to reach Ron Newberry, send an e-mail to ronnewberry@coachesaid.com
Centralia's Andy Salas (178) and Heritage's Kendrick Spiller (298) complete the downhill portion of the course at the Hoquiam Invitational (photo by Ron Newberry).
Ilwaco's Evin LaPlatney competes in the boys race at the Hoquiam Invitational (photo by Ron Newberry).
A grizzly carving watches out over girls runners, including Cedar Park Christian's Faith MacDonald (128) during the the Hoquiam Invitational (photo by Ron Newberry).
The Hoquiam Invite was just plain awesome. Hoquiam's coach/former CWU runner Kevin Gary, team, and the rest of the Hoquiam Alumus crew put on a phenomenal event. I think Kevin mentioned thathe was going to do fireworks before the race a few years back but ran into issues with the Fire Marshall/environmental issues near the bird habitat across the street.
I think more schools would easily choose Hoquiam this race weekend if it was closer to the Puget Sound. In terms of competition, Hole in the Wall/Richland are just as good/better .... but Hoquiam is just a little more fun/competitive + it's only 15 minutes to the ocean.