Overlake boys cross-country team wins league title, set for tri-districts

The Overlake School boys cross-country team went undefeated this year in regular-season league meets and took home the first-place trophy at the Emerald City League Championships on Oct. 19 at Lincoln Park in West Seattle.

Next up is the tri-district meet on Saturday at American Lake Golf Course in Lakewood.

Standouts are senior Erik Risa (a state qualifier last year), junior Dylan Reynolds, freshman Omar Aldahleh, senior Connor Buhaly and sophomore Cole Tsang.

Coach Micah Orr said that Risa has successfully transitioned from an individual star to a team-oriented leader.

"His work ethic is outstanding and he is excellent at getting others to put forth their best effort," Orr said.

In league, Risa ran a personal record (PR) time of 17 minutes, five seconds on the 3.1-mile course.

Reynolds ran a PR of 17:22 at the league meet and is one of the more competitive runners Orr has ever known.

Aldahleh was ninth at the league meet and has run 17:51 this year.

"He is a gifted natural runner who has given us great depth this year," Orr said.

Orr said Buhaly is reliable, committed and a fierce competitor. He was eighth in league, has run 17:52, and his goal at districts is to push the team to a state berth.  Tsang rounds out the top five and has battled despite injury this season to a fine time of 18:07.

"His guts and determination were essential to us taking home the league crown," Orr said.

 

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