Mercer Island cross country sent representatives to the Nike Pre-National cross country meet Saturday, Sept. 27 in Portland. Competing against athletes primarily from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California, Mercer Island’s girls team placed sixth in the division 1 varsity 5K, while the boys placed 18th.

For the girls, Alexa Bauman finished 20th with a time of 19:50.29, while Cece Rosenman placed 38th (20.17.1), Mary Rose Vu was 43rd (20:28.13), Kayla Lee was 59th (20:45.04) and Chloe Michaels was 66th (20:50.93). On the boys side, Ben Stoops finished 72nd (17:11.17), Benjamin Vandenbosch was 73rd (17:13.84) and Sean Bender was 95th (17:26.57).

“It’s just a great bonding opportunity and a great chance to race on a really good course that’s a fast course,” said cross country coach Erica Hill of the Pre-National trip before heading to Oregon. “It’s kind of like a state-type of experience with a big-meet feel, and then you’re seeing kids from Oregon and there’s some kids from California. It’s a great opportunity.”

Earlier in the week, the Islanders won their meet with Sammamish, 15-50. Mercer Island newcomer Nico Moreno was the top finisher for the Islander boys with a time of 18:43. Ben Stoops was second at 18:52. Dylan Lesko and Nathan Gallatin tied for third at 18:53. For the girls, Alexa Bauman, Kayla Lee, Mary Rose Vu and Cece Rosenman clasped hands and crossed the finish line together at 21:32 to tie for first.

Hill attributed that kind of team camaraderie, where four runners will finish a race together, to the success her team has seen this year.

“What I love more than anything is the way they’re working together and just really seem to be enjoying each other,” said Hill. “I’m just thrilled with the way both teams are coming together. The leadership on both sides and the way that they’re running, it looks like they’re having a lot of fun. They’re running without fear and they’re running just like they’re enjoying what they’re doing.”