Schafer places seventh at regionals, moves on to state

Jeremy Burnham, Reporter | Last updated Nov 07, 2019 1:4pm0

Photo courtesy of Brandon Hansen/Chewelah Independent count

Linnea Schafer runs during regionals in Chewelah on Nov. 2. Schafer finished in seventh place, easily qualifying for the state championships in Pasco on Nov. 9.

A week after Lind-Ritzville/Sprague's Linnea Schafer was named All-League at the District 7 championships, Schafer finished No. 7 at the regionals in Chewelah, easily qualifying for the state championships this Saturday in Pasco.

Schafer is the lone LRS athlete to qualify for state. The top 28 girls and the top 35 boys qualified. Schafer finished 21:07,71. She qualified by almost two minutes. The final qualifier finished with a time of 22:58.25.

"[Schafer] had a big [personal record] this week," LRS head coach Morgan Hunt said. "She and I are striving to break 21 minutes. She is so close! Huge growth from her, and a very well deserved spot this weekend at state. I am excited to see her compete at the state level."

Just missing the cutoff was LRS' Julia Klein, who finished with a time of 23:30.89, good for 32nd place.

"Julia just missed state by a few runners," Hunt said. "She battled hard for the final spot. I cannot express how proud I am of her and how hard she worked this season. I am really looking forward to working with her and seeing how much growth she can make between now and next year."

Anais Mills of Garfield-Palouse won the race finishing in 19:24.15. Right behind her was Mya Edwards of Kettle Falls finishing in 19:50.06.

The LRS boys failed to qualify any runners for state, but Hunt was more worried about the personal growth of her runners.

"Everyone showed improvement from the beginning of the season to the end of the season," Hunt said. "I am so proud of each and everyone of my runners."

Hunt is especially excited about eighth grader Caleb Heater, who spent the year running with the team, but who still has four years of high school eligibility to compete.

"Caleb had another PR this week," Hunt said. "I am excited to have him and see the growth he can make in the next 4 years."

Heater finished 87th in 22:01.50. Leading the way for the LRS boys was Eli Michels, who finished 62nd in 19:44.69.

Winning the race was Easton Pomrankey of Kettle Falls in 16:42.21. Ben Graham finished in 17:12.15 for Northwest Christian.