Katherine Gustafson
Sophomore | Mountlake Terrace
Gustafson was one of three freshman to place in the top six at the Class 3A state meet last November as she helped the Hawks to a fifth-place finish. Gustafson’s time of 18 minutes, 47.46 seconds was good for sixth place and was just 11 seconds better than teammate and fellow freshman Sophia Nelson, who finished ninth
“In the 20 years of coaching cross country, I have never coached an athlete as mentally tough as Katherine,” Mountlake Terrace coach Todd Weber said. “She has the ability to process and transfer her racing goals from her visualization to her races like no other athlete I have seen.”
Heidi Smith
Sophomore | Glacier Peak
As a freshman, Smith placed 17th at the 3A state meet, finishing in a time of 19:13.76 and helping her team to a state championship.
Glacier Peak cross country coach Dan Parker said he expects Smith to have an even bigger year this season.
“I have no doubt she will continue to hone her considerable skills and challenge for the league and district championships,” Parker said. “At season’s end. I expect to photograph her standing on the podium at the state meet with a considerable number of other outstanding runners from Wesco.”
Malia Pivec
Sophomore | Lynnwood
Pivec finished 30th at the 4A state meet in 2013 and was third among all freshmen competitors. Lynnwood head coach Stephanie Tastad said she hopes Pivec continues to have fun running as a sophomore and that in turn will lead to continued success.
“Malia has all the makings to be a state champion,” Tastad said. “And I do believe she will give it a shot — 2014 is going to be an exciting year for this cross-country runner.”
Lindsey Dorney
Senior | Archbishop Murphy
After suffering two substantial injuries in the spring, Dorney has worked hard to return for her senior season and is looking to improve on her 46th-place finish at last year’s 2A state meet.
Andrew Ayers
Senior | King’s
Ayers has improved on his finish at the Class 1A state meet in each of the previous two seasons, finishing ninth as a freshman, seventh as a sophomore and second as a junior. As a senior, he is aiming to go out as state champion.
Ayers also plays basketball for a King’s team that finished second at state this past March.
“Andrew is an extremely driven student athlete who excels in the classroom and in two sports,” King’s cross country coach Rod Wilcox said.
Aaron Roe
Senior | Jackson
Roe was the second-highest local finisher at the 4A state meet in 2013. His time of 15:42.35 was just 12 seconds behind Edmonds-Woodway’s Miler Haller and 36 seconds behind the state championship time of Gig Harbor’s Logan Carroll. Roe had the third-fastest time among juniors.
Douglas Davis
Senior | Lakewood
Davis placed 17th at last year’s 2A state meet and followed that up by setting or being a part of setting six school records in track last spring.
“What sets him apart is his willingness to prepare and his humble demeanor,” Lakewood head coach Jeff Sowards said. “He leads by example and carefully chosen words. He has made steady progress throughout his career and should challenge for the top spot throughout the championship series this fall.”
John Rodeheffer
Senior | Oak Harbor
Oak Harbor cross country coach Eric Peterson said Rodeheffer is coming into his senior season looking to improve on his 11th place finish at last year’s 3A state meet.
“He works hard, always looking to put in the extra miles at practice,” Peterson said. “Our expectations are to have John in the top three at the end of the season.”
Aaron Lommers, Herald Writer
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