Aiming to show they were among the best track and field programs in Washington, the White River High boys were an undisputed success.

While dreams of a Class 2A state championship might have eluded them, the Hornets were a strong second at the three-day state meet that wrapped up Saturday at Mount Tahoma High in Tacoma.

White River, behind the dual individual championships of senior Marcus Dickson, totaled 58 team points, trailing only the 66 posted by Ephrata.

The White River girls, with fewer representatives at state, managed nine points and placed 20th in the field of 42 teams.

Dickson, a nationally-recognized runner, claimed titles in both the 800 and 1,600 meters. He added a second-place finish in the 3,200 meters and ran a leg on the Hornets’ 4×400 relay team that grabbed second. Also taking a leg on the relay were Kody Gould, Austin May and Devin Liebel.

“The mile is my race,” Dickson said. “It’s my favorite race.”

Dickson said he has been running “since I was a little kid” but got serious and began training when he was a sophomore.

“I’ve always just loved racing,” he said.

Another major contributor to White River’s team success was Liebel, the hurdle specialist. He totaled 14 team points by placing second in the 110-meter hurdles and third in the 300 hurdles.

Blake Maresh added six team points with his third-place showing in the shotput.

Also qualifying for the state meet but failing to place in the top eight were Scott Anderson in both the shotput and javelin; Nick Wells, 100 meters; and Austin May, 400 meters.

For the White River girls, Lauryn Wate tallied eight of the team’s nine points. The senior placed fourth in the 3,200 meters and sixth in the 1,600. Jade Crawford was the other team placer, claiming eighth in the 110-meter hurdles.

White River also was represented at state by Cassidy France in the 100 and 200 meters and the relay crew of France, Crawford, Johnna Coughlin and Cassidy Kunst. That foursome ran both the 4×100 and 4×200 relays.