The Arlington boys cross country team finished in third place out of the 3A classification in Washington state last Saturday at the State tournament in Pasco, Washington. The Eagles were behind second place finisher Kamiakin by just three points.

At Sun Willows Golf Course, the boys team and two girls who qualified individually, senior Marie Gaudin and sophomore Mary Andrews, raced competitively and represented Arlington well.

Nate Beamer led the Eagles on the boys side with a second place finish, scoring vital points for the team.  Zac Cushman was Arlington’s second man of the day, breaking his personal record and helping the Eagles to their third place finish.  Both runners qualified themselves to be a part of the annual Nike Borderclash race between Washington and Oregon, which will take place at the Nike World Headquarters Campus in Beaverton, Oregon on November 22.

The two girls that competed ran very well; Marie Gaudin finished 23rd overall and was able to get her fastest time of her career, a 19:21.  Mary Andrews took 73rd, running a 20:19.

Senior Matt Taylor, the Eagles’ fourth man for the race, reflected, “We gave it a really good run for the state title.  While we didn’t get it, we landed in a really good spot.  The teams we lost to are nationally ranked–phenomenal teams–and we weren’t far off from them.  I’m hoping we pick up our success and take it to next week in Boise.”

The boys team collectively has been invited to race in the seeded regional race in Boise, Idaho sponsored by Nike, where they have a chance to qualify for Nike Cross Nationals that will be held December 5th in Portland, Oregon.

Junior Nadine Christensen, who traveled to Pasco to support her teammates, jokingly remarked, “The runners gave us a real workout when we were trying to cheer then on around the course!”

Christensen added, “I was super proud when I heard the results because I know they’ve worked so hard all year for it.”