Moses Lake boys earn pair of cross country victories

WENATCHEE - Jeff Marsh's eighth-place performance propelled the Moses Lake boys cross country team to a pair of victories Tuesday afternoon at Walla Walla Point Park.

Marsh covered the 3.0-mile course in 17 minutes, 12 seconds, 38 seconds back of the winner, Richland's Nathan Schweiger. The meet featured six Columbia Basin League schools, with Moses Lake earning a 25-30 league win over Walla Walla and a 23-32 non-league triumph over West Valley-Yakima.

"Jeff Marsh is really starting to race where he has the potential to be at," Chiefs head coach Jen Carpenter said.

The Chiefs' other results included a 26-33 setback to Hanford and an 18-44 loss to Kamiakin - both non-league results - as well as a 17-45 defeat to Richland that does count in the CBL standings.

Kamiakin's Evan Fiske finished second in the boys race at 16:37. The remainder of the top five was filled out by Richland's Benn Fussner (16:38) and Ryan Willits (16:42), and Kamiakin's Derek Scott (16:50).

Moses Lake's girls did not field a complete team and were not included in the team standings.

Kristin Budiselich was the Chiefs' top finisher in the 43-runner field, taking 24th in 21:50. Kayla Chamberlain was 27th (22:11), Amy Cromer 38th (25:02) and Danielle Holle 41st (25:18).

West Valley's Lisa Olander was the girls' individual champion in 19:28. Hanford's Erin Hegarty was second (19:34), followed by Richland's Katie Mahoney (19:50), West Valley's Stephanie Shuel (19:58) and Richland's Kiley Johnson (20:00).

The Chiefs compete again Saturday when they host the Moses Lake Invite at Blue Heron Park. Start time is 10 a.m.