Pirate harriers, in mid-season, are picking up speed

The Pirates are using this week to prepare for a large meet in Arlington this Saturday.

By Bruce Cyra For The Beachcomber • October 4, 2022 1:30 pm
Captain Madeline Yarkin led the women’s cross county team from the start, at Vashon’s home meet on Sept. 27 (John Decker Photo).
Captain Madeline Yarkin led the women’s cross county team from the start, at Vashon’s home meet on Sept. 27 (John Decker Photo).

The VHS Pirate Cross Country team enters the second half of its season after a series of league and invitational races, as the team gels and sets its sights on a busy month ahead.

Hosting their own home meet last Tuesday, September 27, Pirate captains Hank McSheehy and Madeline Yarkin improved upon their prior races, leading others to do the same — including Leo Ralston and Cecelia Guenther running their first races of the season, and Mike Anderson making a three-minute improvement over five kilometers.

The top three men harriers were McSheehy, Oli Nielsen and Christian Kincade, coming in seventh in team scoring.

The top three women harriers were Yarkin, Guenther and Emma Campbell, coming in third in team scoring.

On Saturday, Oct. 1, the team traveled to Chambers Bay in University Place, in a preview of the District Championship course, where Neilsen set a personal best and Jonah Cole ran his first 5k race, setting a lifetime first.

Yarkin and Lilja Bjarnason ran to season bests, and were joined by Campbell and Delilah Spence.

The Pirates are using this week to prepare for a large meet in Arlington this Saturday, racing along with 137 teams at Lakewood High School in The Hole in the Wall Invitational.