For the second consecutive week, the Mercer Island cross country team ran well at Lake Sammamish State Park. But this time it was the district meet, the stakes were a lot higher and the runners had to battle more than just the opposition.

“We were hit with sickness at the wrong time, but it is one of those things you can’t control,” said Islander cross country coach Erica Hill. “But I am sure they will feel stronger next week at state.”

Girls place fourth

Despite many of the runners not feeling 100 percent, the girls team still managed to stay together and finish fourth overall with a placing score of 146. Only Lakeside (53), Newport (55) and Seattle Prep (146) placed higher. The top-four finish means that the Islander girls will compete at state as a team.

Mercer Island junior Haley Piper led the team by completing the course in a time of 19:42.88. The time was good enough for 20th overall. The competition was so stiff that teammate sophomore Gabi Goyette finished 23 seconds later (20:05.21) but six places back in 26th. Her time was 41 seconds better than a week ago at the league meet.

Islander junior Phoebe Merritt placed 31st overall with a time of 20:23.70. Senior Alison Ulie and junior Lauren Davis managed to stay together for most of the race, as Ulie placed 40th (20:49.44) and Davis came in 42nd (20:51.27) for Mercer Island.

Junior Lauren Sadler (20:54.40) and sophomore Molly O’Callahan (20:56.17) stayed together to finish 46th and 48th respectively for the Islanders.

Boys place seventh

The Mercer Island boys cross country team missed the chance to compete at state by 30 placing points. The Islanders finished seventh overall with 145 placing points, as Seattle Prep, Bellevue, Issaquah and Blanchet took the top four spots to state.

Islander junior Evan Sadler continues to show off his speed and endurance this season, as he placed the highest of any Islander athlete at the meet, fourth overall. Sadler completed the race in a time of 16:22.67.

“I think he has a lot more in him,” said Hill. “We’ll see what he has got at state.”

Mercer Island junior Tyler Benster shaved 25 seconds off his league championship time during the race. Benster placed ninth overall at districts with a time of 16:30.84.

“He really had a break through and ran very well,” said Hill.

Mercer Island junior Quin Chasan fell six spots from last week’s meet but still trimmed 22 seconds from his time (17:04.85) to finish 31st overall at districts.

Mercer Island senior John O’Meara saw his cross country career come to an end despite placing in the top 50 at districts with a time of 17:25.65. Injuries slowed the team’s top runner from 2006 this season.

Islander David Yount (17:53.87) placed 63rd, James Kashima (18:19.12) placed 80th and Ari Schorr (18:46.12) rounded out the Mercer Island runners by placing 87th overall.

The state meet will be held this Saturday in Pasco, Wash.