Willson places 10th in Border Clash

As winner of the girls B division state cross country race three weeks ago at Pasco, Colfax sophomore Morgan Willson earned a slot on the Washington team in the prestigious Border Clash race Sunday at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. Willson was the lone B division runner among a girls team of 40 Washington runners who qualified in all divisions of the state meet.

Among the 78 girls in the race she placed 10th, high enough to qualify for one of the individual trophies. Willson clocked 17:10 over the 2.5 mile course on a chip trail course on the Nike grounds.

Colfax Coach Jamie Kinley and family members accompanied Willson to the event.

Kinley noted the Border clash starts with teams from each state running directly at each other from opposite sides of an open green. The leaders then funnel onto the course.

A helicopter follows the runners around the course, and fans are able to follow the progress of the race from television monitors set up in the starting area.

Amy-Eloise Neale, Glacier Peak High freshman, won the race with a 16:37 time. Anna Dailey of Garfield, winner of the 4A event at Pasco with the fastest time of the day, placed third, and Katie Knight of North Central, also a freshman, placed fourth.

Both the Washington girls and boys teams dominated Oregon in the team event. An Oregon girl placed second behind Neale, but the next Oregon finisher placed 17th.

Top 10 finishers in each race were presented trophies by Alberto Salazar.

The race at Beaverton was a formal wrap for Willson’s cross country season, although she has already converted to basketball and is getting ready to launch a second CHS hoop season with Coach Corey Baerlocher.