PASCO Naselles Katie Green was the top local finisher from a

quartet of runners from Naselle and Ilwaco high schools at the

state cross country meet in Pasco Nov. 5. Green, a sophomore,

placed 24th in the 1B/2B meet for the Comets in a time of 21:40.

Senior Cramer Smith was 56th for Naselle in a time of 18:37, all

the while enduring the 34-degree Pasco weather.

   

   Ilwaco was paced by junior Corbin Sutherland, who finished 84th

in the 1A boys race in a time of 18:04, while his brother Evan, a

freshman, finished 90th five seconds later. Evan was ninth among

all freshmen in the race.

   

   I have had a cold the last couple of weeks and after the first

mile the icy weather really got to me, Green said. I was frozen

and felt like I couldnt move. Last season, as a freshman, Green

placed a sizzling 14th at state with a time 38 seconds faster than

this year.

   

   I think running is fun and at least I have two more years to

get better, she said.

   

   As runners passed me Id think ugh, said Smith. I was

nervous, didnt sleep much the night before, and the cold made my

legs feel tired.

   

   I worked hard and had a good career, but it didnt end the way

I wanted it to at state, said Smith, who finished 13th last

season.

   

   We had high hopes at state, we did the same preparation in

Pasco that we did the year before, coach Scott Smith said. It

didnt come together for us, but it wasnt for lack of effort on

the kids part.

   

   Corbin Sutherland bested his time from last years state meet by

about 1:38, but said, It is a hard course, like many we have run

on. I ran hard but was tired at the end. We tried to stay warm when

there was the half-hour delay, but I never did sweat during the

race.

   

   As an individual there were no teammates in front of me and I

felt isolated. It was not as exciting as going as a team.

   

   Evan said, I gave it all I could and felt sick at the end of

the race. I know there is always next year for me, but I want to

push even more to be at the top of the ladder some day.

   

   Both Corbin and Evan worked hard all season as did all of our

kids and we are proud of their efforts, coach Sarah Taylor

said.