Bellevue Christian junior Daniel Nortz won the Emerald City League boys cross country meet on Friday at Kelsey Creek Park in Bellevue with a time of 16:45.70, fending off second place finisher Will Van Cleve of Northwest Christian by under six-seconds.
“It felt really good,” Nortz said. “It was a good year but we’ll see how districts goes and go from there.”
The back-to-back ECL champ also credited coach Ed Sloan with helping solidify his running strategy and continuing to raise his expectations on the course.
“Coach Sloan has been great,” Nortz said. “They [the coaching staff] have really been there for me when I needed them and guided me through the years.”
In only his second season running cross country after converting from soccer, Nortz is already leaving a legacy in a long line of Bellevue Christian runners. Michael Milbank, now at West Point, mentored Nortz during their time together on the track and field and cross country teams the past two seasons and Nortz said the two spoke after he captured the ECL title last week.
“He was really my mentor through the years,” Nortz said. “We hung out a lot and just became really close. It’s been difficult without him this year, but I’ve just got to move on.”
Sloan said Milbank was mentored by another student-athlete named Andrew Van Ness and before that, it was Noah Long assuming the role.
“It’s not something I implemented,” Sloan said. “It’s something these guys have done on their own and we’re definitely seeing the benefits of it.”
Other top-25 finishers for the Vikings were freshman Jordan Markezich (10th) and junior Kyle Smit, who ended the meet in 15th place.
Cedar Park Christian won the team scoring for the boys with a total of 64, just two points in front of Northwest School. The Vikings ended the meet in fifth place as a team.
Nationally renowned senior Maddie Meyers of Northwest School ran away from the field in the girls race, finishing with a time of 18:07.10 and taking the tittle by 47 seconds in front of Sally Larson of Cedar Park Christian.
The highest finisher for Bellevue Christian was senior Bree Oldham, who finished in seventh place at 20:39.60. Sophomore Isabella Chaffey ended the day in 17th place for the Vikings.
The district cross country meet will take place on Saturday, Oct. 29 at American Lake Golf Course, which is located near Steilacoom.
