AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 11, 2026
Elijah Graves Takes Top Honors in Elite Division
The 43rd annual Hole in the Wall Cross Country Invitational drew more than 4,000 high school runners to Lakewood High School on Saturday. Among an impressive field, Shorewood senior Elijah Graves stood out, clinching first place in the elite boys division with a time of 14 minutes, 36 seconds on the 5,000-meter course.
Large Field Competes in Prestigious Event
The invitational, one of the region's largest high school running events, saw competitors race in 15 different divisions. The elite division brought together top high school athletes, and this year's contest further solidified the event as a highlight on the prep sports calendar.
Shorewood and Team Standings
Shorewood’s success extended beyond Graves’ individual title. Teammate Kellan Roberts finished 40th, contributing to the Stormays’ strong team performance. Ultimately, Shorewood placed fifth out of 21 teams in the elite boys team standings, showcasing depth among their runners.
Glacier Peak Runners Impress in Girls Elite Race
In the girls elite division, Glacier Peak had a strong showing. Freshman Dahlia Zellmer led the area runners, finishing 10th with a time of 17 minutes, 52.5 seconds. Sophomore teammate Jaya Holt followed close behind, placing 14th. The Grizzlies finished sixth in the team standings, highlighting the depth and talent among their high school running squad.
Other Prep Sports Highlights
In other prep sports action over the weekend, Mariner narrowly defeated Friday Harbor 1-0 in a non-league girls soccer match on Saturday. Also, Shorewood’s boys tennis team faced Bellevue in a non-league matchup on Friday; however, scores were not reported.
High School Running Continues to Grow
The Hole in the Wall XC Invitational remains a key event in high school running and an important tradition for athletes and teams throughout the region. With standout performances from runners like Elijah Graves and Dahlia Zellmer, prep sports continue to excite and inspire young athletes and fans alike.
Source: heraldnet.com.
