Grant Union Boys Place Ninth Behind Strong Pack Effort at Catherine Creek

Grant Union’s boys delivered a ninth-place team finish Thursday, Sept. 10, as the Prospectors embraced a demanding course and accomplished their goal of running closer together at Catherine Creek State Park. Landon led the five-member boys group in 31st place, followed by Riggin in 42nd. Kaitlyn paced the Prospectors’ girls with a 22nd-place finish, while Amaris took 31st.

The Prospectors competed in clear, 79-degree conditions on one of the more unusual courses they will encounter this season. The route featured a mountain, a mud pit and, new this year, a tree that runners had to hurdle. Those obstacles made for a slower race, placing an even greater emphasis on smart pacing, steady effort and maintaining form through each challenging section.

Grant Union’s boys responded with a disciplined pack-running performance. Landon set the pace at the front, and Riggin followed as the team’s second finisher. Osmar, Tommy and Colton completed the Prospectors’ lineup, helping the group secure its top-10 team result. More important than any single split, the runners stayed closer together throughout the race, showing progress toward one of the team’s primary goals for the meet.

Riggin added one of the day’s most significant individual achievements. In addition to placing 42nd, Riggin cut a full minute from last year’s time on the same demanding course. That improvement offered a clear measure of growth, especially on terrain where the mountain, mud and hurdle can make it difficult to maintain rhythm.

The girls also represented Grant Union with a pair of solid finishes. Kaitlyn’s 22nd-place performance gave the Prospectors their highest individual result of the meet, and Amaris followed in 31st. With only two girls making the trip, both runners produced determined efforts and navigated every challenge the Catherine Creek course presented.

Grant Union will carry the momentum from its tighter boys pack and strong individual improvements into the next test at Walla Walla. The Prospectors are scheduled to compete against 26 teams, giving the runners another opportunity to build on the toughness and teamwork they displayed at Catherine Creek.