The VHS Pirates began the fall cross country season with two races, one against their Nisqually League rivals, and then in the large Fort Steilacoom Invitational, in preparation for their own home meet on September 26.

In the first race of the season, on Sept. 12, the teams raced over the 5 km course at Klahowya Secondary School, in Silverdale, against seven teams.

The Pirate women were led by Madeline Yarkin in second place and Cecelia Guenther in fourth, followed by Emily Harrington, Amelia Medeiros, and Emma Campbell.

The six Pirate men, with five freshmen running their first high school race, were led by Josh Healey in ninth place and Cash Nowicki in 16th, followed by Brent Calhoun, Ronan Reed, Henry Porter and Jonah Cole.

The teams got their first season’s exposure to a large competitive race last Saturday at Fort Steilacoom, in Lakewood, against 92 other high schools.

Under sunny skies, season and personal bests were set over the fan-friendly course, which took the runners around the fields, up and over two hills, before a long, flat run-in to the finish.

In the men’s race, led by Cash Nowicki (18:14) and Josh Healey (18:16), who were followed by Ronan Reed and Henry Porter, the largest improvement was by Brent Calhoun, who improved his time by a whole minute (21:18).

The Pirate women were led by Emily Harrington, setting a best by 12 seconds (23:56), Amelia Medeiros (26:52), and followed by Emma Campbell.

Next up for the Pirates is their home meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, starting and ending on the McMurray sports fields.

The course takes the runners around the three-school campus and through the woods, making up 5 km over two loops.

The Pirates will then help McMurray Middle School host their own home meet on Sept. 28, on one loop of the same course.

The McMurray Mustangs are expected once again to dominate the six other schools in their league with many experienced 8th graders returning to lead the teams.