Hole in the Wall Invitational Brings Elite Competition Together
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The Hole in the Wall Invitational showcased an impressive display of talent, with Owen Powell of Mercer Island clinching victory in a thrilling finish. Powell crossed the line with a remarkable time of 14:40.0, narrowly edging out Max Cervi-Skinner from Coeur D'Alene, who finished just one-tenth of a second behind in 14:40.1. Powell's win comes after finishing sixth at this event a year ago, and he remains undefeated this season. The competition was fierce, with Cooper Boyle of Tahoma finishing third in 14:42.9, and Zachary Leader from Redmond, who finished fifth last year and was the top returner, taking fourth in 14:48.8. Zackery Cervi-Skinner, also from Coeur D'Alene, rounded out the top five with a stellar time of 14:53.1.
Coeur d'Alene, ranked 11th nationally in the latest COROS MileSplit50 rankings, captured the boys' elite team title at the Nike Hole in the Wall Invitational on Saturday. The team showcased their strength and depth, defeating Jesuit of Portland, which is currently ranked 25th, along with Sehome from Bellingham, Washington. This impressive performance not only solidified their status among the nation's top teams but also highlighted their competitive edge early in the season. The win sets a positive tone as they look ahead to future meets, aiming to maintain their momentum and continue climbing the national rankings.
The girls' race at the Hole in the Wall Invitational featured an impressive performance by Cassidy Armstrong of Ballard, who secured victory with a time of 16:43.4. Elektra Higgins from Peninsula followed closely, finishing second in 16:58.4. Victoria Rodriguez of Mercer Island rounded out the top three with a solid time of 17:12.5, showcasing her strength among a competitive field.
In the team competition, Jesuit emerged victorious, scoring 115 points, while Sehome closely followed with 125 points. Mercer Island finished third with 164 points, indicating a strong showing as they continue to develop their team dynamics going into championship season. Overall, the event highlighted the talent and depth of girls' cross country in the region, setting an exciting stage for the rest of the season.