Pen High Lakers won their first cross-country event of the season on Monday.
The numbers were in their favour as they faced Keremeos and Summerland. Of the 35 racing, 22 represented the Lakers.
Dan Thornton was the first to complete the five-kilometre distance in 19:22 that started at the Green Mountain Road turnoff and returned. Almost a minute behind Thornton at 20:15 was Cael Warner of Similkameen Elementary Secondary School and in third was Laker Cam Lynka at 20:24. The first female to finish was Katie Webb of the Lakers coming in at 22:28, then fellow Lakers Courtney Milligan at 22:37 and Kiah Wheeler at 23:59.
Lakers coach Geoff Waterman was pleased with how his runners performed.
“The whole team is really, really good,” said Waterman. “I’d expect them to win. They have shown in practice that they are up to the task. They have had some really good practices.”
Waterman said they are building towards Valley’s and then hopefully provincials. Waterman said his group has the ability to win Valley’s but it will depend on how they respond once temperatures cool down and how consistent they perform.
“Salmon Arm and Kelowna Secondary School and Vernon are very strong teams as well,” he said. “The kids are really enjoying it right now.”
Waterman likes the makeup of the group and said they are flourishing with 38 kids.
There are three more races for the season, the next on Oct. 2 at the KVR entrance at Vancouver Place at 4 p.m. on Oct. 2. Two other races will be hosted by Summerland and Keremeos.
