MATTAWA — The Royal boys and Zillah girls will be the teams to beat at this Thursday’s district cross country meet at Highland, but Wahluke will have a team to watch.

At the same course that will be used for districts, the girls defeated LaSalle, Granger and Highland last week to finish third with an 8-2 record in the South Central A Conference. They are hopeful of advancing to state, and they have a chance, especially if opponents overlook them

The girls, who were off their game a week earlier, started to find their legs again at Highland. They steamrolled all three of the teams there.

Sophomore Jessica Arellano led the girls with a 20:11 personal best time and was followed with Stephanie Juarez’s 21:08.

“It was good to see Stephanie running again,” coach David Miskimens said. “She has been struggling with a knee issue.”

Juarez should be up to speed for districts next week. Alma Velasco and Lupe Abarca also did well and look ready for next week.

Wahluke’s girls did dominate, taking five of the top eight spots. And they had another girl in twelfth.

Velasco, a sophomore, took fourth and the senior Abarca took fifth. Sophomore Jennifer Navarrete finished eighth, and freshman Maria Sanchez finished twelfth.

The boys did not fare as well. They outran LaSalle, but lost to Granger and Highland. The good news is that the 2, 3, and 4 runners for the Warriors are junior Nelvy Badillo, sophomore Angel Abarca, and sophomore Christian Barajas.

Running this season and preparing for the next were junior Jose Alonso Perez, sophomore Hector Cruz, sophomore Alberto Zapien and freshmen Brayan Santiago and Antonio Lopez.

There was some very good news for the Wahluke boys at Highland. Eduardo (Lalo) Valdenea ran 16:32 and stayed on the heels of White Swan rabbit Tarell Manjarrez, who ran 16:27.

Valdenea is a good bet to qualify for state individually during the district meet. He is one of the SCAC’s top runners.

“Lalo Valdenea looks great,” Miskimens said. “Hopefully he can mount a challenge to Goldendale’s Dillan Risen on Thursday.”