The Liberty girls cross country team won its sixth straight district title, enduring soggy, windy conditions at the Westside Classic Oct. 31.
Liberty took the Class 2A West Central District 3 title in dominant fashion with 30 points. The Patriots’ seven runners all finished in the top 11, with junior Brigette Takeuchi leading the pack in fourth place with a time of 20 minutes, 34.5 seconds.
Senior Carlyn Schmidgall (fifth, 20:38.5), senior Tyra Christopherson (sixth, 21:01), sophomore Sophia Lindstrom (seventh, 21:03.1), junior Kelsey Takeuchi (eighth, 21:05.2), junior Sophia Morgan (10th, 21:24.2) and junior Samantha Kelderman (11th, 21:26) rounded out the pack.
It wasn’t the only title the Patriots won last week. They also earned a 2A state academic championship with a combined grade-point average of 3.917.
On the boys’ side, Liberty senior Andrew Cooper won the 2A district crown with a time of 16:36.40. The Patriots finished second to Sequim in the team standings.
The Hazen High School girls cross country team won its first Seamount League title since 2004, and then went on to place third at the Class 3A Westside Classic.
Senior Kate Lilly was Hazen’s top finisher, placing third with a time of 20:11.7. Teammate Shannon Gifford finished just behind her, earning fourth overall in 20:12.40.
The Highlanders’ boys team finished fourth at districts. Drew Wilson was Hazen’s top finisher, placing 16th overall in 17:36.30.
Up next, the teams will compete at the state cross-country championship, Nov. 7 in Pasco. Heading east to watch? Send your pictures to newcastle@isspress.com.
Boys tennis
The Liberty boys tennis team advanced five of its six athletes to state after a strong showing at the Class 2A West Central District boys tennis tournament Oct. 30-31.
Both Liberty doubles teams will head to the state tournament in May, along with singles player Marek Pierepiekarz.
Pierepiekarz earned third place in the district tournament, while the team of Marco Sobrino and Cody Hughes earned fifth place and brothers Ethan and Bryan Le combined to take third.
The Hazen doubles team of SonLam Nguyen and Justin Nguyen also qualified for state with a second place finish in the Class 3A West Central District tournament Oct. 30-31.
Girls soccer
Liberty kicks off play in the bi-district playoffs against White River, a 7:30 p.m. start Nov. 5 at Franklin Pierce High School near Tacoma. Results were not available at press time.
The girls will qualify for state with just one win in the tournament. If Liberty defeats White River, the Patriots will play either North Kitsap or Highline in the district title game at 4 p.m. Nov. 7 at Franklin Pierce.
If the Patriots lose to White River, they will play either Renton or Steilacoom in a loser-out game at 4 p.m. Nov. 7 at Fife High School.
The Highlanders need to win three straight games in their bi-district playoffs to advance to the Class 3A state tournament. That quest started Nov. 3 against Enumclaw. Results were not available at press time.
If the girls win, they’ll advance to play Bonney Lake Nov. 5. Win that match, and they will play either Columbia River or North Thurston for a state tournament berth. Conversely, Hazen’s season is over with any one loss.
Football
Liberty hosts Renton in a loser-out bi-district playoff game Nov. 6. The winner advances to state.
Volleyball
The Patriots and Highlanders kick off play in their bi-district tournaments Nov. 6. The tournaments — Hazen at Class 3A and Liberty at Class 2A — run through Nov. 7. Six state playoff berths are on the line in each tournament.
Swimming and diving
Liberty, at Class 2A, and Hazen, at Class 3A, will compete in the bi-district swim meet Nov. 6-7 at Hazen High School. The state meet is the following week at the King County Aquatic Center.