Papermaker pact back on top

Emma Jenkins, Alissa Pudlitzke and Emily Wilson finished in fourth, fifth and 11th place.

Maddie Woodson, Kaylee Merritt and Brooke Roy followed in 35th, 36th and 38th place.

The strong pact between these Papermakers helped them become state cross country champions for the third time in the last four years Saturday, on the Sun Willows Golf Course, in Pasco.

“We knew there was going to be big competition today, and we really pushed through it and accomplished our goal,” Woodson said.

Jenkins took fourth place with a time of 18 minutes, 5 seconds. Pudlitzke placed fifth (18:08) and Wilson claimed 11th (18:23). Woodson and Merritt pushed each other to the finish line in 19:13, and Roy was only three seconds behind them. Gabrielle Postma rounded out the effort with a time of 21:02.

“It’s senior year. Today was all or nothing,” said Pudlitzke, who was a part of the school’s state titles in 2011 and 2012, and second place finish in 2013. “I feel honored to be a part of such a special team, where everybody pushes each other.”

The Camas boys cross country team earned sixth place at state. Said Guermali finished in 10th place with a time of 15:39. His brother, Yacine, snagged 26th place in 16:02.

Washougal sophomore Courtney Owens was the top 2A Greater St. Helens League girls finisher at the state meet in 23rd place. Hannah Lintala, Karina Miller, Meredith Collins, Lydia Lyall, Mackenzie Kitchen and Abby Lees ran their best times of the season.

Aiden Pullen and Bailey Duncan held their own for Washougal in the state boys race.

Read more in Tuesday’s print edition of the Post-Record.