By BRUCE CYRA

For The Beachcomber

The weather held up for last Tuesday’s cross-country meet in Fort Steilacoom, but the rain and wind arrived in time for Saturday’s invitational in Hoquiam for the Pirate and Mustang harriers.

Tuesday saw the Pirates hosted by Charles Wright Academy at Fort Steilacoom. The men’s team was paced by sophomore Gianno Waller, who set a personal record on the 5K course in 18:43. Eight other Pirates set personal records behind Waller, as the Pirates came in third out of five teams.

The women’s team was paced by freshman Lucy Boyle, who set a personal record of 21:43. Three other Pirates set records as well, and the women’s team won the meet with a near-perfect score of 20 points.

Saturday at the Hoquiam Invitational, the Pirates wisely keep their pop-up tent in the bus, as all the other teams’ tents blew away in the strong wind. Although everyone got soaked in the monsoon-like rains, a surprising number  of local runners saw personal bests.

The women Pirates were led by junior Selena Mildon, with freshman Annabelle Allen setting the day’s largest personal record, reducing her best by one-and-a-half minutes to 23:26 over the 5K course.

The men’s team was led by junior Isaac Hughes, with three Pirates lowering their bests without being blown off the course.

The Pirates move on to the Nisqually League Championships this Friday when they travel to Kelsey Creek Park in Bellevue. The women’s varsity runs at 4:30 p.m., followed by the men’s varsity at 5:10 p.m.

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