BLHS CROSS COUNTRY: Stinnett captures first at invitational

Veronica Stinnett took first place in the 3.2-mile race at the Fort Steilacoom Invitational Saturday in Lakewood. There were 266 girls running in the event.

Veronica Stinnett took first place in the 3.2-mile race at the Fort Steilacoom Invitational Saturday in Lakewood. There were 266 girls running in the event.

Stinnett posted a time of 19 minutes, 3.1 seconds and was eight seconds ahead of her nearest competition, Suzanne Ohlsen of Monroe. Stinnett managed to break away from the pack at the mile mark and went on to post her personal best time by nearly 30 seconds.

Marie Wilson was 46th at 21:02.8, Chloe Beal was 80th with a time of 21:56.3, Karlie Pyl was 88th, 22:00.8, Sierra Espinal was 100th, 22:21.3 and Emily Campbel was 147th, 23:26.8.

In the boys’ race, Brandon Baumchem was the top Panther runner at 43rd. He finished the course in 17:11.2, more than two minutes behind the top finisher, Shane Moskowitz of Central Kitsap. There were 320 boys competing.

The girls defeated host Capital by a score of 21-30 and Lakes 25-30 Sept. 16 in nonleague action on a 2.3 mile course in Olympia.

Veronica Stinnett finished first overall with a time of 14:34.4, while Marie Wilson was fourth at 15:34.8 and Sierra Espinal took fifth with a time of 16:00.).

Chole Beal was 10th at 16:23.7 and Karlie Pyl was 11th at 16:32.8.

In the boys results, Brandon Baumchen led the Panthers with an overall fourth-place finish with a time of 12:55.8, while Reed Hawkins was eighth, 13:31.0, and William Edwards took ninth, 13:37.5.

The Panthers tied with Lakes, 28-28, and beat Capital, 39-20.

Bonney Lake will travel to Enumclaw today, Wednesday, for a South Puget Sound League 3A meet.