Freshmen Cross Country runners Josh Healey and Cash Nowicki made their mark in Saturday’s large invitational in Arlington, placing third and fourth in their 5 km race at Lakewood High School racing against 65 other teams.

Under unseasonable sunny skies, Healey posted an 18:11 time, with Nowicki next at 18:17. The pair was followed by Pirate harriers Brent Calhoun, Oli Nielsen, Ronan Reed and Henry Porter.

As the day heated up to 78 degrees, the next race for the Pirates featured Madeline Yarkin in 20:50 leading the District 3 school runners, followed by Emily Harrington, eighth in District 3 schools in the race.

The times and finish rankings bode well for the Pirates in their efforts to qualify for the State championships as individuals or as a team.

The Pirate Cross Country team travels next to Gig Harbor on Wednesday evening for a series of nightime races. The Gig Harbor race, offered for the first time by Peninsula High School, is run under the stadium lights and features obstacles such as hay bales and a tunnel; results will be available at athletic.net/team/360/cross-country/2023.

Bruce Cyra is the cross country coach for Vashon High School.