Top-ranked Central Kitsap girls cross country team driven by youth
When Jeremy Duplissey interviewed to be Central Kitsap's cross country head coach five years ago, he insisted his ultimate goal was seeing the Cougars contend for a state title every year.
The fact that Duplissey's top five runners can all run under 20 minutes should make the Cougars the team to beat at the Class 3A state championship meet at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco on Nov. 5.
"If we run to our potential, we are going to win," said Duplissey, whose team placed second last fall. "We have the best eight runners in the state and not one of them has run their best race yet."
Central Kitsap's girls are ranked first in the latest Washington State cross country coaches Class 3A poll, ahead of Gig Harbor, Bishop Blanchet and 2021 state champion Mead.
One scan of the names on Central Kitsap's girls roster reveals that the Cougars are not only collectively fast over the span of 5,000 meters, but they're also quite young. Eight members of the team rank in the top 16 among South Sound Conference 3A runners. Sophomore Clare Herring and freshman Audra Palmer are 1-2 with times of 18:20.3 and 18:20.5, followed sophomore Taylor Palmer (5th, 18:46.3), junior Camryn Bishoff (9th, 19:26.5), sophomore Jacqueline Conger (11th, 19:58.4), senior Catherine Vlach (13th, 20:09.9), junior Sally Corder (15th, 20:15.8) and junior Eva Huff (16th, 20:18.2).
The Cougars displayed their talents while placing third in the elite division at the Nike Hole in the Wall Invitational in Lakewood on Oct. 8. Portland-based Jesuit High School placed first, while Torrey Pines High School from San Diego edged Central Kitsap by a single point for second place.
The only girls cross country team from Kitsap County to win a state title was South Kitsap back in 1997. The Cougars are eager to add their name to that list, both this fall and possibly next, too.
"The girls are really dedicated," Duplissey said.
Central Kitsap's boys team is ranked fifth in the Class 3A coaches poll and is led by junior Blake Reynolds, whose top time of 15:24.9 puts him third among all 3A runners in the state. Reynolds is flanked by numerous fellow underclassmen, including sophomore Michael Vlach (6th in league rankings, 16:16.6), junior Aidan Hermida (9th, 16:45.4), sophomore Gavin Brown (10th, 16:50.1), junior Jackson Moyer (11th, 16:57.4) and freshman David McClain (12th, 17:05.5).
In Class 2A, Kingston's boys are ranked sixth in the state coaches poll. The Buccaneers boast five of the top 14 runners in the Olympic League: junior Lucas Lenz (2nd, 16:01.8), senior Kaeden Peterson (4th, 16:42.1), senior Benjamin Eudeline (9th, 17:19.5), junior Emmanuel Moes (11th, 17:29.2) and sophomore Luke Whalen (14th, 17:54.2).
The Olympic League 2A leaderboard on the girls' side features runners from various schools. North Mason senior Kezlie Thygesen ranks first in 19:42.8, followed by Bremerton junior Salleen Mattivi (2nd, 19:49.3), North Kitsap junior Salix Wartes-Kahl (3rd, 20:06.3) and Kingston junior Alice Moe (5th, 20:41.4).
Klahowya sophomore Natalie Outhoat ranks second in the Nisqually League and seventh among all 1A girls with a time of 18:53.3. South Kitsap sophomore Lauren Laws is seventh in the South Puget Sound League 4A in 19:25.0.
League championship meets are scheduled for Oct. 20 with the SPSL 4A and SSC 3A events being held at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood and the Olympic League 2A meet being held at the Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course in Sequim. Chambers Creek in University Place is hosting the Westside Classic regional meet on Nov. 5.
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Top Central Kitsap girls cross-country team driven by youth
