For the first time in five years, Redmond High will send its boys and girls cross country teams together to state.

The girls placed third and the boys notched seventh at the 3A SeaKing District 2 Meet on Oct. 27 at Lower Woodland in Seattle.

Leading the way for the girls were Claire Engler (23rd in 19:39.00) and Sierra Baker (27th in 19:47.80), and for the boys were Travis Mason (35th in 16:47.70) and Kyle Nickum (36th in 16:48.30).

The girls last qualified for state three years ago, following a 12-year run to state.

“This year’s team has great senior leadership and the girls run in a pack with no superstar,” said coach Denis Villeneuve. “The boys team missed last year going to state due to our youth. We are still young, but once again, we have a strong pack with great depth and no superstars.”

State will take place this Saturday at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.

In 1A, Overlake’s boys and Bear Creek’s girls teams qualified for the state competition this Saturday in Pasco.

Overlake took fourth at the Northwest District Championships on Oct. 29 at South Whidbey High.

Cooper and Spencer Arons were tops for the Owls by finishing in fifth and eighth place, respectively, with times of 17:04.67 and 17:11.53. It is the Owls’ second straight state berth and third in the last four years, according to athletic director John Wiley.

Overlake coach Micah Orr said the Owls’ keys to success are honesty, commitment and loyalty.

“Honesty in their effort. Commitment to making that effort every day. Loyalty to each other and the program,” he said. “Eduardo Gutierrez, in particular, can be proud of his four-year legacy.”

On the Overlake girls’ side, LuLu Pinczower made state with a 25th-place finish (21:51.21) at district.

For Bear Creek, the Grizzlies will return to state on Saturday in Pasco for the first time since they returned to 1A competition several years ago.

Bear Creek took third overall behind Andrea and Olivia Markezich (second in 19:54.79 and third in 19:56.38, respectively). Angela Tzen took eighth in 20:54.11.

“This team set themselves a goal and pursued it throughout the season, overcoming injuries and embracing cross-training execution like none other,” said coach Carla Darr.