WESTPORT — The cross country teams from Raymond and Willapa Valley descended upon Westport with determination and vigor on Saturday, Sept. 9, marking the beginning of an exciting season at the Ocosta Invitational. The event provided a sneak peek at the newly modified Ocosta course, a challenge they’ll face once more in October at the Pacific League meet.

The action commenced at 11 a.m. with the high school girls leading the charge on the demanding 5,000-meter course. Representing Willapa Valley’s varsity team were Kaitlyn Ganzel, Jasmine Solso and newcomer Anna Perkins.

Ganzel and Solso, now seasoned juniors, displayed their prowess, securing fourth and fifth places with impressive times of 26:08 and 26:38, respectively. Perkins, a sophomore making her debut, held her own with a commendable 10th-place finish at 32:37. Each of these athletes received well-deserved ribbons for their outstanding performances.

The high school boys followed suit, featuring seniors Ethan Worlton and Wesley Erickson from Raymond, alongside Willapa Valley’s junior standout, Hunter Irwin. Irwin showcased his prowess, clocking an impressive 26:04, while Worlton and Erickson, competing for the first time this year, recorded times of 28:49 and 41:54, respectively.

In the junior high race, eighth-grade sensations Camden Wetterauer and Ellie Zielesch tackled the 2,500-meter course with determination. Wetterauer powered through to a finish time of 11:45, while Zielesch displayed her grit, completing the course in 15:45.

The weather conditions were ideal for the season opener, though the sun’s warmth intensified as the day progressed.

Head coach Jon Ashley expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “This was a great opportunity to kickstart the season and gauge our standing among other district schools.

“While I knew Solso and Ganzel would be competitive this year, I was pleasantly surprised by Perkins’ strong finish. This team has been diligently training over the past few weeks, and I’m pleased with our performance today. I look forward to seeing our continued improvement throughout the season.”

Next up on the schedule, the combined team is set to tackle Hoquiam on Thursday, Sept. 14. Stay tuned as these young athletes continue to strive for excellence on the cross country course.