Cross country runners start competition

The Wahkiakum Mule and Warrior cross country teams started their 2010 seasons last Wednesday at the Naselle Jamboree.

In the two-mile high school race, Mule sophomore Connar Riley placed fifth, 12:56, and freshman Koby Cothren ninth, 15:02.

Naselle's Nathan Reitz won the event; Cramer Smith was third and Austin Smith seventh;. In the women's race, Katie Green placed second. No times were reported.

Warrior seventh grader Rory Heywood, in her first competition, placed first in the one-mile middle school race in 7:35.

The teams compete at White Pass today (Thursday). They go to Seaside for a Saturday event and are at Ridgefield on September 21.

On the Mule roster this year are:

Middle school: Girls--Rory Heywood and Jenna McEntire, and boys--Carl Kolditz and C.J. Lorenzo. All are seventh graders in their first season.

High school girls: Junior Gabby Mann, first season, and freshman Jonaka Heppler, 1st.

High school boys: Freshman Koby Cothren, 1st; sophomores J.R. Ramirez, 1st; Ben Vasion, 1st, and Adam Vasion, 1st, and juniors Collan Riley, 5th; Connor Riley, 5th; Bryce Heiner, 2nd; Mark Cothren, 1st, and German exchange student Nicolas Kirschke, 1st.