LAKEWOOD The Lakewood boys cross country team has run well this season, regardless of the caliber of competition.
But at the Cascade Conference Championships on their home course, the Cougar boys proved why they are ranked third in the state in 2A competition. The boys blew out their league rivals, placing six runners in the top eight and handily winning the conference crown.
Lakewood was led by junior Nick Devier and sophomore Taylor Guske, who finished first and second in 16:35 and 16:46.
Senior Terrence Ordonez rolled in a minute behind Devier to finish in fifth-place overall. Trevor Walker, Chad Skiles and Miles Rossow went six-seven-eight behind Ordonez, giving Lakewood a total of 21 points. Only third- and fourth-place finishes by Kings junior Brandon Dean and Cedarcrest senior Mason Heller kept Lakewood from a perfect team score.
The Lakewood girls finished fourth overall and third in 2A competition. State 1A favorites Kings finished second in the conference championships, while South Whidbey and Cedarcrest finished first and third in team competition.
The Lady Cougars were led by junior Lacey Nation and senior Sarah Dunn who finished 14th and 15th overall. They were five seconds apart, with Nation edging Dunn in 21:03.
Sophomore Chelsea Sowards, freshman Chelsea Stokes and sophomore Amber Burnell all finished within 30 seconds of one another and finished the girls scoring set.
Sowards took 22nd in 21:41. Stokes was three places behind her in 21:55, and Burnell was 29th in 22:13.
The Oct. 20 meet marked the end of the season for much of the Lakewood team. Coaches Jeff Sowards and Jon Murray will winnow the team down to a boys and girls squad of seven runners and an alternate each.
Those teams travel to South Whidbey Oct. 27, where theyll compete in the District 1 meet. The top four teams and the top 20 runners in that race will go on to the state meet at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.