Senior Haley Nemra led the Tomahawks to their third-consecutive state cross country appearance, racing to 20th place in 19:33 at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco Nov. 3.
Nemras race snagged her an invite to the Border Clash at Nike headquarters in Oregon, where the states best runners will take on Oregons elite cross country athletes.
The girls fell short of the pace that had earned them a team berth to Pasco, averaging about 30 seconds behind their 5k races a week earlier at South Whidbey High. As a result, they fell to 12th of 16 teams, five spots behind the Lake Stevens squad they had bested Oct. 27.
Junior Lauren Ainsworth continued to run number two for M-P, finishing 65th overall in 20:40. For the second week in a row, sophomore Kaylie Kimmell was the Tomahawks third runner, finishing 85th in 20:56.
Runners four and five for M-P were just four seconds apart, as freshman Veronica Hall edged junior Marissa Schafer in 21:10 for 95th and 98th place overall.
Freshman Kylie Thomason and senior Robin Mueller rounded out the septet of Tomahawks with 111th and 134th place races.
Including their state alternate, junior Tyler Wigington, the Tomahawks will return six state veterans for the 2008 squad.