The Vashon High School cross county team ended its season on Nov. 19 with an awards banquet at Bethel Church. Individual athletes were recognized, and the team as a whole won some additional honors.

Plaques were given to athletes for awards voted on by their teammates.

Ryan Krug and Peri Roberts were honored for being the boys and girls team captains this year.

DJ Barnes was the most inspirational boys runner, and Maddi Groen was the most inspirational girls runner.

Codi Williams was the most improved boy, and Ella Maierhofer was the most improved girl.

Philip VanDevanter won the coaches’ award, or the Swashbuckler Award, for the boys, and Anna Ripley won the girls Swashbuckler award.

Vashon coach Kevin Ross was voted the Nisqually League coach of the year for cross country, an award voted on by league coaches, and Vashon tied with Seattle Christian for the league sportsmanship award.

Several runners received varsity letters this season, including Ryan Krug, Nathan Williams, VanDevanter, Magnus Walgren, Kenese Parker, Codi Williams, Aaron Kitchener, Groen, Roberts, Ripley, Maierhofer and Erica Walker.

The team as a whole won a scholastic award from the Nisqually League. The award is given to teams with an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, Groen, VanDevanter and middle schooler Jeffrey Parrish competed in the Junior Olympics cross country meet at Woodland Park. Several of the members of the team ran in the Seattle Half Marathon and are planning to participate in a winter cross country series in the off-season.

 

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