Seaside Runners Ready for Tough Test at Grant Robison Invitational

Seaside High School’s co-ed cross country team will take on its toughest test of the season Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Grant Robison Invitational at Joe Dancer Park in McMinnville. The meet is set to bring together 15 teams, including three ranked opponents, giving the Runners a valuable chance to measure themselves against a deep and talented field.

The high school races will unfold on a 5,000-meter, two-loop course that should test both rhythm and resilience. Runners will navigate three hay-bale jumps on each loop, adding six obstacles to a course where positioning and pace management could prove especially important. Junior varsity competition begins at 2 p.m., followed by the girls varsity race at 4:15 p.m. and the boys varsity race at 5 p.m.

Seaside’s veteran leadership will be central to the team’s effort. Seniors Kimberly Martinez-Luna and Grace Walker are runners to watch in the girls' race, while seniors Kyle Weichal, Kaden Bingham, Josiah Simonis, and Dexter Jenks will bring experience to the boys' race. Their composure could help the Runners navigate a crowded opening stretch, settle into position and respond when the pace begins to rise over the second loop.

Awards will follow the varsity competition, with recognition going to the boys and girls team champions as well as the top 10 individual finishers in each race. Against the strongest field Seaside has faced so far, the invitational offers the Runners an exciting opportunity to compete with confidence, support one another and show the progress the program has made heading into a demanding part of the season.