In a cross country event that drew runners from across the West, Yacine Guermali more than held his own.
The Camas senior placed sixth in the Danner Championships at the Nike XC Nationals on Saturday.
He covered the 5,000-meter Portland Meadows course in a personal-best time of 15 minutes, 12.46 seconds. That was 18 seconds behind overall winner Joe Benson of Timpanogos High in Orem, Utah.
Ridgefield’s Silas Griffith placed 13th in 15:35.78, also a personal best.
In the girls Danner Championships, Camas junior Emma Jenkins placed 13th in 18:34.20. Mountain View’s Savanna Craig was 15th in 18:34.44.
While the Danner Championships was the elite event, several races were held involving dozens of local runners.
Washougal’s Aiden Pullen was fourth in the Division 2 varsity race in 16:24.39.
Fort Vancouver’s Emily Phelps was ninth in the Division 1 varsity race in 19:19.14.
Stars of the day
• MacKenzie Ellertson, King’s Way Christian soccer, had three goals and an assist in a 7-0 win over Fort Vancouver.
• Kate Roseburrough, King’s Way Christian soccer, had three goals in a 7-0 win over Fort Vancouver.
• Mountain View boys tennis. With the help of sweeping four doubles titles, the Thunder won their four-team invitational over Olympia, Hazen and Kentridge. The teams of Algird Zalpys/Matt Wheatley, Josh Kim/Sam So, Edmund Hsu/Loc Ngo, and Roger Vitek/Eugene Lim won their respective flights for the Thunder.
• Natasha Lewis, La Center cross country, the freshman placed second at the Montesano Invitational, covering the 5,000 meter course in 20 minutes, 18 seconds.
• Natalie Biddix, Woodland cross country, placed third at the Montesano Invitational in 20 minutes, 59 seconds.
• Nate Beed, La Center cross country, finished fourth in 17:41 to lead the Wildcats to a second-place team finish at the Montesano Invitational.
