Inglemoor High School senior Amber Rose placed second overall at the 4A State meet and the girls team finished seventh overall on Saturday in Pasco, Wash.
Rose finished in a time of 17-minutes, 49-seconds. She ran with the leader until about halfway through the race.
“Amber has established herself as the most accomplished girl cross country runner in Inglemoor history with two KingCo titles, two regional titles, two top five finishes at the State meet and three races under 18-minutes,” head coach Kelly Richards said. “Her poise and grace in tough competitions is so amazing. I am going to miss her quiet leadership and fierce competitive drive.”
This is the highest finish for Rose and her fastest time on the State course. She ran the third overall fastest time at State for all classifications. This is the fourth time in five years that a female athlete from Inglemoor has placed in the top 10 during the State meet.
The girls team recorded the highest finish ever in school history.
“I am so proud of the Inglemoor girls,” head coach Kelly Richards said. “This is the best girls team in school history. All these girls trained all summer long with the goal of getting to state and placing seventh is icing on the cake.”
The girls went from an unranked team two weeks ago to a seventh-place finish. Five girls recorded personal bests on the tough Sun Willows Golf Course.
Inglemoor sophomore Rebecca Ledsham finished 37th overall with a time of 19:15, while Bailey Fjelstul finsihed 71st overall (19:54). Katie Diekema was 82nd overall in a time of 20:06, while Rebecca Crawford was 91st (20:14) and Etta Moen was 92nd overall (20:15). Anna Richards was 120th overall (21:05). Ellee London and Casie Moe attended the meet as alternates.
“Seniors Amber, Katie, Anna and Casie have been a part of this girls varsity for three years and have been fantastic leaders for the team,” Richards said. “Our future looks bright with Rebecca, Etta, Bailey, Rebecca Crawford and Ellee London all returning to the team.”
Nick Laccinole placed 31st in 16:05 and Gavin Parpart 33rd in 16:07 for the Inglemoor boys team. Laccinole improved his finish by more than 50 places from the 2013 meet. It was Parpart’s first time running at the state meet. Both boys are juniors.
“The boys went out and raced tough in one of the difficult 4A fields I have ever seen,” Richards said. “This is one of the best one-two runners in the state for any team out there and I expect great things from them during track and next cross country season. They are great athletes, leaders and friends.”
Inglemoor girls cross country team members Katie Diekema, Rebecca Ledsham, Etta Moen, Bailey Fjelstul, Rebecca Crawford, Amber Rose and Anna Richards.
Nick Laccinole and Gavin Parpart.
