MATTAWA - Competing without their No. 1 runner, the Wahluke girls won two of three races to conclude the cross country regular season at the Royal Golf Course last week.

The Warrior boys didn't do as well, dropping all three races to finish the season 0-9.

Girls lead runner Linda Achelpohl was out of action due to illness. Nonetheless, Wahluke gave Royal a good go before falling 30-27. The Warriors rolled past Naches and Highland to finish the South Central 1A Conference campaign at 7-2.

Next up for Wahluke is the district meet at Highland on Oct. 29. Zillah is favored to win the girls race, but Wahluke can advance to state by taking second place. 

"The girls will be challenged by Connell, Cle Elum and Royal," coach David Miskimens said.

At Royal, the Warrior girls were led by Maria Juarez, in third place overall with a time of 24:08. Other Warrior girls were Silvia Herrera in fifth place, Thalia Quintero in sixth and Mariela Nava in 12th.

The boys were led by Jose Espindola with a time of 19:51, and five Warriors - Jonathan Mendoza, Juan Erazo, Jorge Celestino, Jorge Naranjo and Alberto Valdez - had personal best times. 

Mendoza ran his first sub-20 minute race, clocking 19:56.

The boys are not expected to challenge at district as a team, but the lead runners could qualify for state individually.

- Staff report