Vashon High School runner sophomore Josh Healey made history on Saturday, placing second at the Washington State 1A Cross Country Championships.
The race, held at the challenging Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco, saw Healey clock in at 15:50.1 for the 5-kilometer course.
Healey ran a smart and strategic race, shadowing defending champion Will Carroll of Annie Wright through the first mile and a half of the race — then Carroll made a move and left the rest of the field behind for good.
Healey then engaged in a thrilling battle with William Reeves of Eastside Prep, overtaking him on a series of challenging hills and moving into second place.
The final stretch of the race was equally exciting. Duncan Frisbie-Smith of the Bush School caught up to Healey, but in a dramatic finish, Healey unleashed a powerful sprint to edge out the senior by a mere second.
This remarkable performance marks a significant milestone for Vashon Cross Country. According to available records, Healey’s second-place finish is the best ever by a Vashon boy at the state championships.
For the boys team, which finished ninth out of 16, the future looks bright. The team, composed primarily of young and talented runners, gained invaluable experience at the state meet.
With four freshmen and five first-time state competitors, the team is poised to make further strides in the coming years.
The Vashon girls team also had a strong showing. Co-captains Cecelia Guenther and Emily Harrington both set personal best times on the demanding course. Guenther’s time was a significant improvement over her previous year’s performance, while Harrington shaved over 35 seconds off her time.
In addition to their athletic achievements, the Vashon girls team earned the prestigious title of Academic State Champions for the second consecutive year, recognizing their exceptional academic performance.
James Batey is the head coach of Vashon High School’s cross country team.
The Vashon High School cross country team. (John Decker photo)
The Vashon girls team earned the prestigious title of Academic State Champions for the second consecutive year. (John Decker photo)
