Runners bolt from the start during the race.

ILWACO — A rising Naselle sophomore runner blazed to a first-place finish at the inaugural Black Lake 5K fundraiser last weekend.

Fourteen participants, ranging from ages 6 to 73, participated in the roughly 3.1-mile race held last Saturday (Aug. 10) beginning at 9 a.m. behind Ilwaco High School, led by incoming Naselle 10th-grader Caesar Garcia, who finished first overall, completing the course in under 24 minutes (23:08). Garcia was followed by Logan Simonson in second (24:09) and Brent Curry (26:57) in third.

Garcia, a member of the cross country team, is planning to improve on his personal best time last season, and potentially one day break the Naselle school record (17:17).

“It’s 17:17, so I’m only like two minutes off, and I cut off way more than two minutes last season for my first time, so I can do it,” he said.

As for his favorite part of cross country, it’s the friendships formed amid competition.

“You shouldn’t do it, but we talk as we run,” Garcia said. “We build friendships. It’s fun to interact, even with rival schools like Mossyrock.”

The race, a fundraiser for Ilwaco’s cross country program, was organized by cross country coaches Sarah Taylor and Crystal Bell.

2024 Black Lake 5k top-five finishers:

1. Caesar Garcia (23:08)

2. Logan Simonson (24:09)

3. Brent Curry (26:57)

4. Roman Garcia (27:41)

5. Blake Eisbrenner (30:49)