Ephrata's Friend sparks Tigers cross country

| September 18, 2007 9:00 PM

Chamberlain turns in top time for Moses Lake girls at host event

MOSES LAKE - Freshman Danielle Friend finished second on Saturday, helping the Ephrata girls cross country team cruise to victory in the Moses Lake Invite at Blue Heron Park.

Friend ran a time of 20 minutes, 10 seconds over the 3.1-mile course, just five seconds back of the winner, Omak's Kaitlynn Pecha. Senior Brandi Eloff (fifth in 21:03), junior Lisa Heer (ninth in 22:12) and freshman Kendal Hintz (10th in 22:26) also placed high, helping the Lady Tigers score 45 points in the team standings and easily out-distance second-place Toppenish (82).

Other Ephrata results included senior Katie Neff (21st in 24:06), freshman Ann Slininger (23rd in 24:11) and Claire Hanburg (49th in 26:56).

Moses Lake finished sixth in the seven-team, 71-runner girls race. Juniors Kayla Chamberlain and Kristin Budiselich both ran well on their home course, with Chamberlain taking seventh in 22:07 and Budeselich placing eighth in 22:11.

Junior Amy Cromer was 24th in 24:17, junior Danielle Holle was 39th in 25:41 and sophomore Yuri Reyes was 65th in 31:19 to complete Moses Lake's varsity field.

Quincy took seventh place behind a 13th-place effort from Rachel Hiekkila. The Lady Jacks' senior finished in 23:24. Sophomore Dayanna Lopez (19th in 23:54), sophomore Marisol Lopez (37th in 25:36), senior Samantha King (44th in 26:18) and freshman Maria Hernandez (67th in 32:53) were Quincy's other competitors.

Othello, Royal and Warden didn't field complete teams, but did send runners to Moses Lake. Junior Cara Wieldraayer was Royal's top runner, 20th in 24:04. Junior Kaitlyn Yamane led Warden with a 27th-place time of 24:28, while sophomore Denise Vargas (51st in 27:05) was Othello's top runner.