The Washington Demons cross country team ran their best meet of the season, but came up short of their ultimate goal.

The Demons ran in the Class 3A district qualifying meet at Solon High School. In order to extend the season one more race, Washington would have had to finish as one of the top three teams, while individual runners needed to finish in 10th place or better.

Collectively, eight Washington runners posted personal best times at the meet, but the Demons failed to get an individual runner to state. Head coach Steve Roth said despite not getting someone to the state meet, he was proud of how they ran.

“We ran almost two minutes as a team faster than we did last year.” Roth said, “You can’t complain, they gave it all they got. We have come a long ways.”

On the girls’ side, junior Emme Keith finished as the top runner with a time of 16:21. The time was the 21st best time of the meet, and was her best finish of the year. Sophomore Mariah Howard finished second on the team and 48th overall with a time of 17:23. Brooke Stout finished finished third on the team and 56th overall with a time of 17:41.

On the boys’ side, senior Curtis Vest finished first for the Demons with a time of 18:44 and good enough for 46th overall. The time was Vest’s personal best finish and highest placing at the district meet. Sophomore Owen Horak finished second on the team and 59th overall with a time of 19:14. Brennan Horak finished third on the team and 69th overall with a time of 20:00.