The Vashon High School cross-country teams had plenty to celebrate last Thursday at Lake Sammamish State Park, as they ran their 5K races in an Emerald City/Nisqually League meet hosted by Bellevue Christian with 10 teams in attendance. Vashon’s teams enjoyed senior Sam Knight’s 18th birthday while he set a season best time of 19:53. Adding to the reasons to celebrate were the setting of five personal records while six runners set season bests.

The Pirate girls’ team was led by freshman Ella Yarkin racing to a personal record with a time of 21:13. She was followed by sophomores Ellie Lande and Isabelle Spence who both set season bests with times of 23:04 and 25:06 respectively. The Pirate boys’ team had season bests and personal records set and was led by senior Hunter Justis’ best in 19:20. He was joined by junior Garrett Mueller with a time of 19:22, senior captain Theo Hu with a time of 19:30 (PR), Knight with a time of 19:53, senior Luke Stephanick with a time of 19:59, sophomores Simon Clark and Sean Robertson with times of 20:04 and 21:11 (PR) respectively, Simon Hoisington with a time of 21:12 and freshman Jackson Mallory with a time of 22:35 (PR).

Next up for the Pirate harriers and coaches Laura Johnson and Lisa Cyra is the Nisqually League Championships tomorrow, Thursday, at Fort Steilacoom, followed by the West Central District III Championships on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Chambers Bay in University Place.

— Bruce Cyra is an island runner and VHS cross-country fan.