Washington Middle School runners Tylie Hatcher, Josephine Swartz and Guadalupe Nunez finished one, two and three to lead the Eagles’ cross country team to its third consecutive North Valley League small schools championship last week at Spring Lake Park in Santa Rosa.
Hatcher, a sixth grader who was running in just the third race of her life, was the overall champion, as she defeated all competitors in both the small and large school divisions. She was timed in 14:09 over the hilly, two-mile course. Swartz crossed the line in 16:13 and was followed closely by Nunez (16:21). Annabelle Swartz also cracked the top 10 with a time of 17:18. Liliana Oliveras, Gabbi Vadon and Ava Holley were also part of the championship effort for the Eagles.
Hatcher spent her time this fall competing for both the cross country team and the Cloverdale Chargers football team. She was undefeated this season in three races.
The young boys team was led by a trio of sixth graders: Loren Tappin, Kyle Garibaldi and Riley Patterson. Next for the Eagles were Dylan Gloeckner, Carter Grell, Daniel Love and Liam Montes.
