A week after winning the Class 4A individual title, Philomath High cross-country standout Cassidy Smart was one of three Warriors back on a course Saturday at the Nike NXR Northwest Regional Championships in Spokane, Washington.
Smart, a sophomore, finished the 5-kilometer course at the Spokane Polo Fields in 18:32.12, which was eighth in the first heat and 11th overall among 851 entrants. The time was 1.7 seconds faster than her performance Nov. 8 in Eugene.
Smart’s time was the third-best among sophomores participating, finishing only behind runners from Ashland and Kalispell, Mont.
Senior Leo Pausch had an impressive performance as well by winning the fourth heat in 15:52.00. In the overall results, the time put Pausch in 54th. To put the placing in perspective, Pausch competed in a field of 1,238 runners.
Junior Galen Murch turned in one of his best times ever by finishing in 16:57.00. It was the first time he had a sub-17 time since he competed on a very fast course at a regular-season high school meet in September at Tillamook.
Smart, Pausch and Murch competed at the meet as unattached athletes. The event featured runners from Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.
Nike NXR Northwest Regional Championships
Saturday, Nov. 15, at Spokane Polo Fields, Spokane, Wash.
Philomath Results
BOYS
5,000 Meters Open
Leo Pausch — 15:52.00 (1st in Heat 4, 54th overall)
Galen Murch — 16:57.00 (73rd in Heat 3, 409th overall)
GIRLS
Cassidy Smart — 18:32.12 (8th in Heat 1, 11th overall)
For complete meet results, click here