MATTAWA - Maria Juarez had the run of her life Saturday to lead the Wahluke High School girls to second place at the District 5 cross country meet and a berth in the state meet at Pasco next Saturday.

"This is the first time for the girls in the history of Wahluke cross country to qualify as a team for the state meet," said an elated coach David Miskimens. "Through all the challenges they faced this year, they still performed when it really counted."

Linda Achelpohl, usually the team leader, was slowed by illness that struck more than a week ago. Miskimens hopes the extra week before state will help.

Thalia Quintero, who was an all-league performer last year, has struggled with injuries this fall. She lost training time over the summer as she recovered from a stress fracture and has been slowed by shin splints.

Wahluke cross country was re-instituted four years ago after a seven-year hiatus, and the boys made it to state that year. Saturday, the girls finally made it.

Zillah won the meet with 31 points. All Wahluke needed was second place, and it accomplished that with 54 points. Juarez got the first eight by finishing eighth individually.

Juarez had her fastest time ever with a clocking of 22:33. She had never run the three miles under 23:00 before.

The Wahluke girls succeeded because they ran within sight of each other. Silvia Herrera had her first run under 23:00, at 22:57, for 12th place. Achelpohl finished 13th, Quintero 18th and Mariela Nava in 20th.

Nava maintained her season of personal progress by improving two minutes to finish in 23:37.

"She truly left it all on the course, completely exhausting herself with the effort," Miskimens said.

The Wahluke boys did not fare as well as the girls, taking 9th as a team. The top individual runner was Jose Espindola in 47th place.