Naselle shines at state cross country; Comets celebrate both squads qualifying to run
Published 1:31 pm Sunday, November 9, 2025
PASCO — Naselle needed a large tent at the WIAA state cross country race Saturday.
That’s because Head Coach Amber Frank qualified girls and boys squads to run as teams — a feat that was central to the program’s success in the third year since it was reinstated.
As is often the case, track Head Coach Scott Smith delved into his near-encyclopedic memory and acknowledge the achievement.
“According to Mr. Smith, it was the first time in Naselle history bringing both boys and girls teams to state,” said sophomore Karsen Green, enjoying her third trip to Pasco. “We basically set a school record in that.”
‘They did really well’
Frank, the coach, was all smiles. “They did really well,” she said, reflecting on the season. “They were league champions, third at districts. I feel we have finally gotten into our groove and have a firm footing underneath us.”
The high schoolers ran with eighth-grader Lillian Hayes, who lifted team morale, and celebrated her birthday by sharing a colorful cake while wearing a tiara. “She has brought the spirit to our team — she is like our cheerleader,” her coach said. “So we have a pretty big cross country ‘family’ and a tradition started.”
Frank coaches with Michelle Larson and help from NHS Athletic Director Marie Green, both moms with girls on the high school team and runners in middle school. All three women run as adults.
The fastest finisher
Kenzie Larson, as she has in every race this season, was the fastest finisher for the Comets, running 21:53.90 to place 42nd in a field of 143. The time was close to her personal record (PR).
“It went way better than last year,” the freshman said. “I was a lot less worried about what I was going to do and I was focused on PR-ing rather than my place, so that really helped. I was three seconds off it.”
And the reason it was better? “I have gotten faster!” she laughed.
The race, which combined 1B and 2B girls, was won in 18:22 by Manson freshman Grace Walsh, who pushed cross country stalwart Regan Thomas of Saint George’s School into second. Both raced far ahead of a following pack of eight.
Green was next for NHS, placing 102nd with a time of 24:26.
Junior Brooklyn Avalon was 115th with 24:55. Hayes, senior Jaylee Bonk, freshman Ashlyn Eastham and junior Shaylee Suomela completed the cadre of NHS runners.
Garcia leads
Naselle boys were once again led by junior Caesar Garcia, also on a return trip to Pasco, placing 25th in 18:25.70. WIAA announced Naselle’s combined scores meant they finished eighth among the boys’ squads, which were topped by Pope John Paul II School whose junior Kevin Hu won in 16:38.70 after a race-long tussle with Colton senior Tanner Baerlocher in a field of 77 runners.
Freshman Romain Garcia was the next NHS finisher, placing 63rd with a time of 20:21.10, then sophomore Bo Dunagan, 68th with 20:40.90. Senior Trajen Ford concluded his cross country career followed by three sophomores down the pack, Logan Wirkkala-Scheller then Andy Rosas and Reilly Browning, who ran in together to conclude the race.
Looking ahead
Frank was beaming, looking ahead, knowing other enthusiastic runners in Naselle’s middle school program are moving up — including younger members of the Green and Larson families.
“I am so excited,” Frank said. “We had a really good, big sixth-grade team, so I am really excited about what our future holds.”