Entering the stretch run

Brothers Riley and Zach Hein made their last race at Round Lake a memorable one.

The Camas High School seniors were the first two runners to cross the finish line Oct. 15.

Riley completed the 5,000-meter course in 17 minutes, 37 seconds. Zach followed in 17:47.

“It was really cool to be able to look back and see that my brother was right behind me. I could feel him pushing me the whole time,” Riley said. “We didn’t say much during the race, but we both knew what we were going for.”

“This was our course and it was our last time running it,” Zach added. “There might be some other big moments before our careers are over, but this one was pretty special.”

The Camas boys defeated Heritage, but couldn’t catch Union. Five Titans crossed the finish line before Nick Carter notched eighth place for the Papermakers in 18:44.

The Camas girls beat Union and Heritage to finish 5-0 against their 4A Greater St. Helens League opponents.

Alexis Fuller won the race for Union in 20:05. Alissa Pudlitzke earned second place for Camas with a time of 20:22.

“I thought we competed well as a team. We all went into it strong and with a lot of energy,” Pudlitzke said. “This was our last home meet and the weather was perfect for it. We all pushed the hills.”

Marley Lefore followed in third place (20:54), Mckenzie Good snagged sixth place (22:07), Meagan Finley finished in seventh place (22:13) and Alexa Jones took 10th place (22:13).

“Alissa did a great job leading the way for us,” LeFore said. “I was just excited to be able to race with her. It was a great day.”

The Papermakers compete in the 4A district meet Wednesday, at Lewisville Park, in Battle Ground. Racing starts at 3:30 p.m.

“This is where the season gets super exciting. This is what we train for all season and all summer long,” Pudlitzke said. “I want to be a positive influence and keep the family feeling we have going.”

The Camas and Washougal girls cross country teams earned first and second place, respectively, in the Finn Hill 5000 Friday, at Alderbrook Park, in Brush Prairie.

Lauren Johnston crossed the finish line in fifth place for the Papermakers with a time of 21:56.6. Courtney Owens followed in sixth place for the Panthers in 22:02.

Gabrielle Johnston notched ninth place for Camas (22:22.9), Cambryn Gulzow grabbed 11th place (22:37.8), Laura Ketring took 12th place (22:40.5) and Rachel Shellman claimed 13th place (22:45.4).

Hannah Wright finished in 15th place for Washougal (23:02.7), Meredith Collins earned 17th place (23:17.6), Karina Miller clinched 21st place (23:35) and Megan Anderson snagged 30th place (23:55.2).

The Camas boys cross country team took third place at Finn Hill, and the Washougal boys followed in fifth place. Thomas Normandeau notched third place for the Panthers with a time of 17:05.1. Hunter Schow finished in 15th place for the Papermakers (18:26.1), Liam Bradley earned 16th place (18:32.7) and Adam Ryan snagged 17th place (18:32.7).

Bailey Duncan grabbed 24th place for Washougal (18:49.6). Nick Duffy notched 26th place for Camas (18:55.8). Nicolas Velardi earned 28th place for the Panthers (19:04) and Collin Manning claimed 29th place (19:04.5).

Washougal enters the 2A Greater St. Helens League meet Thursday, at Hockinson Meadows. Racing starts at 3:30 p.m.