Hoka John Payne Invitational Recap: Healey and Johnson Win, Issaquah's Depth Shows
As I drove out of Steilacoom I slowed to look at a Great Blue Heron sitting on the edge of the beach where the railroad tracks broke up the landscape. There was not much beyond that to see, as the fog had nestled down low and tight on the Sound.
It was a familiar scene for this time of day. In the distance I could barely make out the concrete stack where the ospreys nest, which marks the outer edge of the course where athletes challenge themselves and push one another to personal bests.
As I arrived at the gravel volunteer lot I saw several team tents already set up and volunteers in yellow shirts darting across the landscape. A Gator drove by, and runners passed as they warmed up for the community 5K that would kick off the day.
The dew on the grass soaked my shoes as I crossed the course to find sponsors and vendors setting up their tents while officials got the loudspeaker ready for race announcements and starts. The speaker's first surge of electricity broke the subtle ambiance of chatter along the start.
A Gig Harbor athlete threads spikes into her racing flats during pre-race preparations at Chambers Bay. Photo: Russell Moore
Just like that, it was race day.
While the community race slithered its way around the course, team buses pulled in and out of sight in a steady rhythm: drive up, park, unload, drive off. It was a constant shuffle of athletes, parents, coaches, and nerves, and every team handles race day differently. The common thread is the nerves.
At this point in the Washington cross country season, teams are facing bigger challenges and the early-season fast-course times get checked at the door. Chambers Bay has always been a great equalizer, pitting speedy times from fast courses against honest times from tougher ones. It's the time of the season when you can really start to believe which teams and athletes are the real deal.
Goodbye Hill
A Beaverton runner enthusiastically cheers on her teammates along the finishing stretch of the Girls JV Gold race. Photo: Russell Moore
The hill at Chambers Bay could throw a wrench in anyone's day. Nothing on a smooth, fast course prepares you for the sudden lactic burn at the start of the Hoka John Payne Invitational. Some people loved it and some people hated it, but for 2026 the course skipped it. According to the release the meet sent to coaches, the course no longer takes the dirt trail up to the very top of the back hill on the driving range. Instead it stays left on the nearby grass, a change made for athlete safety to avoid the steep downhill section that follows the uphill.
That changes how you read the day. This was a different course from the one athletes raced last year, so this year's times aren't a straight comparison with past results, and that includes records set on the old layout, like Isaac Benjamin's 14:54.5 from last fall. The course still rolls and undulates across the horizon, but my read was that it would favor fast times, and the discussion of how that would play into the results was on the tip of everyone's tongue.
During some of the early races I wandered around and talked to coaches and a few athletes. It was fun to hear their take on the course, the weather, how the day might play out, and what they hoped to find in themselves.
Hoka John Payne · Year over year
Top-100 results, 2025 vs 2026. The course layout changed in 2026 and the field changed a lot. Bars show size of the change.
The headline numbers
Boys
| Metric | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winning time | 14:54.5 | 15:05.0 | +10.5s |
| Top-10 average | 15:19.28 | 15:27.55 | +8.3s |
| Top-25 average | 15:38.28 | 15:42.40 | +4.1s |
| Top-50 average | 15:53.51 | 15:58.74 | +5.2s |
| Top-100 average | 16:14.98 | 16:20.55 | +5.6s |
Girls
| Metric | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winning time | 17:23.8 | 17:56.8 | +33.0s |
| Top-10 average | 18:15.60 | 18:21.08 | +5.5s |
| Top-25 average | 18:40.42 | 18:49.49 | +9.1s |
| Top-50 average | 19:05.78 | 19:13.21 | +7.4s |
| Top-100 average | 19:34.63 | 19:44.94 | +10.3s |
Like for like
Boys
Girls
Orange = slower than 2025 · Green = faster than 2025. Bars are scaled to the largest change in the headline tables (girls' winning time, 33.0s).
Why the two views disagree: sixteen of 2025's top 25 in each race came from schools with no top-100 finisher in 2026, so the fields are not the same. Runners usually improve from one year to the next, and the "same runners" figures only include athletes who made the top 100 both years, so they flatter the result. Neither view proves what the course change did. Source: official meet results, athletic.net.
The Wall of Purple
Issaquah's scoring pack works in tight formation through the middle miles, displaying the depth that won the team championship. Photo: Russell Moore
In my preview I mentioned the Issaquah girls and how strong the pack looked sitting just outside the top 10. The Wall of Purple was a term I used for the varsity girls, led by senior Sally Davis and an incredibly talented group behind her. What I didn't realize when I wrote that was that the junior varsity girls would be erecting their own purple wall.
The Eagles Have Their Reserves
Issaquah’s JV squad swarms to the front of the field across the opening grass stretch at Chambers Bay. Photo: Russell Moore
Freshman Maya Jaeschke took control of the JV Gold race, destroying the field in 20:04.3. Whitney Neville (3rd, 20:52.6), Anna Gaffney (4th, 20:55.2), Evelyn Simpson (5th, 20:59.8), and Ana Iancu (12th, 21:33.4) rounded out the scoring five. That was good enough to win with a score of 21, an incredible sign for Issaquah as they head into the home stretch of the season.
Freshman Maya Jaeschke cruises solo across the undulating terrain to win the Girls JV Gold race in 20:04.3. Photo: Russell Moore
The varsity squad is one I look at and don't place inside the top 10 individually. What they lack in front-end times they more than make up for in pack performance. Issaquah is the epitome of what cross country is about and why it's so special.
Senior Sally Davis pushed the early pace and finished 9th (18:37.4) to lead Issaquah to the team championship at Chambers Bay. Photo: Russell Moore
Senior Sally Davis took off from the start hanging with Ballard's Ciana Johnson and Curtis' Charlotte White. It was a surprising plan, but when I saw Davis on their heels I knew she was feeling confident. She fell off their pace late and finished 9th (18:37.4), but dropping five places didn't hurt the team much. The freshman duo of London Dominick (18:47.5) and Georgia Greene (18:52.9) handed Issaquah 10th and 11th. Greene made a late surge from 24th to 11th, showing patience and smart racing for such a young athlete. Emma Wurster (13th, 19:03.2) and Adara Jacobsen (24th, 19:18.9) closed out the scoring five and gave the team an easy victory with 66 points.
When I spoke with the Issaquah coaches early in the day, the excitement they have for this team was undeniable. Coach Liza Rickey lit up when we talked about the junior varsity girls, describing them as a talented group.
That's my take on why it matters, not hers: when you're chasing state championships, a strong team top to bottom lets athletes run and push themselves on the course instead of being preserved all season, and it turns decisions that are about strategy back into decisions about competing.
The Eagles should be heading into the late part of the season riding a wave of confidence.
Can Anyone Stop Ciana Johnson?
Ballard junior Ciana Johnson enters the home stretch uncontested to take the Women's Varsity Gold title in 17:56.8. Photo: Russell Moore
Ballard's Ciana Johnson enters her junior season as her team's ace. The girls' side is full of talented, fast athletes, but Ciana is currently on an island. Earlier in the season she set a personal best of 17:30.54 at a Metro League meet. On Saturday she finished in 17:56.8, leading the race from the start and taking 1st. Redmond's Lenorah Mcgarty finished 2nd in 18:04.1, with White River's Paeton Poelman just behind her in 18:05.1.
Ballard’s Ciana Johnson (159) and Curtis’ Charlotte White (199) establish the early tempo as Issaquah’s Sally Davis (236) latches onto their heels during the opening mile. Photo: Russell Moore
Redmond's Lenorah McGarty powers through the middle miles on her way to an individual runner-up finish in 18:04.1. Photo: Russell Moore
White River's Paeton Poelman charges across the line to claim 3rd place in 18:05.1. Photo: Russell Moore
Roosevelt's Lilly Lendrum Fort (18:19.1) and Curtis' Charlotte White (18:21.5) rounded out the top five. A late surge from Redmond's Emery Dahl, who moved up three spots, put her 6th (18:22.9). A pair of freshmen took 7th and 8th: Sequim's Eleanor Jones (18:26.0) and Arlington's Ellie Oakes (18:30.4).
Arlington freshman Ellie Oakes drives down the final straightaway, finishing 8th in 18:30.4 and leading the Eagles to 2nd place. Photo: Russell Moore
Arlington finished 2nd on the day, led by freshman Ellie Oakes, with Curtis just behind in 3rd.
If there's one thing I took from the day, it's that I now have more questions than answers. Issaquah, Arlington, Curtis, and Redmond all look like teams ready to challenge down the stretch.
Project 29 - Freshmen Girls are Showing Up
Sequim freshman Eleanor Jones finished as the top freshman girl in the field, placing 7th in 18:26.0. Photo: Russell Moore
Tracking incoming freshmen proves that the underclassman have a stable of young talent that is already disrupting the results.
Teams like Issaquah have young supporting talent and then there is Sequim and Arlington who have freshmen girls leading the charge.
Pope John Paul II freshman Micah Henry clocked 16:04.8 for 31st overall, leading all 1B/2B runners in the field. Photo: Russell Moore
Micah Henry from Pope John Paul II has stormed onto the scene sitting at 4th in WA overall on my Project 29 board, 7th in 1B/2B, and is the top ranked 1B/2B freshmen currently.
Project 29 · Freshmen at the Hoka John Payne
Every Grade 9 athlete in the posted top-100 results. Board mark = Project 29 board mark going into the meet.
Girls (20)
| Place | Athlete | School | Time | P29 | Board mark | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Eleanor Jones | Sequim | 18:26.0 | #3 | 18:32.90 | −6.9s |
| 8 | Ellie Oakes | Arlington | 18:30.4 | #18 | 19:33.98 | −63.6s |
| 10 | London Dominick | Issaquah | 18:47.5 | #6 | 18:49.56 | −2.1s |
| 11 | Georgia Greene | Issaquah | 18:52.9 | #7 | 18:51.28 | +1.6s |
| 22 | Ridley Strotz | Meridian | 19:14.8 | #9 | 19:07.50 | +7.3s |
| 26 | Brooklyn Koenigs | Arlington | 19:24.8 | – | – | – |
| 28 | Victoria Osadchuk | Tahoma | 19:25.3 | #24 | 19:58.40 | −33.1s |
| 38 | Vivian Porter | Kennedy Catholic | 19:37.4 | #16 | 19:28.70 | +8.7s |
| 41 | Kate Behrens | Enumclaw | 19:38.5 | #19 | 19:41.80 | −3.3s |
| 51 | Adeline Arthur | Vashon Island | 19:50.2 | – | – | – |
| 58 | Kyra Deutscher | Pope John Paul II | 19:55.6 | – | – | – |
| 62 | Gloria Osadchuk | Tahoma | 19:59.0 | – | – | – |
| 63 | Olive Kirkwood | Kelso | 20:01.7 | – | – | – |
| 67 | Maya JaeschkeJV Gold winner | Issaquah | 20:04.3 | – | – | – |
| 78 | Adele Holt | St Mary's Academy | 20:21.9 | – | – | – |
| 83 | Rhyan Menti | Puyallup | 20:26.4 | – | – | – |
| 88 | Frances Armerding | Union | 20:31.0 | #17 | 19:32.90 | +58.1s |
| 90 | Lola Di Gennaro | Roosevelt | 20:31.3 | – | – | – |
| 91 | Natalie Randall | Sequim | 20:32.3 | – | – | – |
| 94 | Joy Middlekauff | Cascade Christian | 20:35.8 | – | – | – |
Boys (4)
| Place | Athlete | School | Time | P29 | Board mark | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Micah Henry | Pope John Paul II | 16:04.8 | #2 | 16:14.40 | −9.6s |
| 67 | Charlie Zeelen | Liberty (Issaquah) | 16:38.6 | #23 | 17:23.70 | −45.1s |
| 79 | Levi Burt | Enumclaw | 16:45.0 | – | – | – |
| 98 | Elijah Ninnis | Clover Park | 16:56.0 | – | – | – |
IssaquahMeridian · Green = faster than the board mark, orange = slower. A dash means the athlete was not in the Project 29 top 25 going in.
Not in the posted top 100 (they may have raced a different flight): Layne Dickson (Meridian), Christopher Healey (Vashon Island), Brody McNeal (Mark Morris), George Spencer (South Kitsap), Jack Dean (West Seattle), Beau Komar (Bonney Lake). Place is the overall place in the posted results. Full board: Project 29 Freshman Rankings ↗
Healey's Solo Mission
Vashon Island senior Joshua Healey closes in on the tape to win the Men's Varsity Gold race in 15:05.0. Photo: Russell Moore
Vashon Island's Joshua Healey headed into the weekend as the top-seeded time, and he stepped into that role by taking the early lead and building on it. He crossed the tape in 15:05.0. Arlington's Chase Koenigs (15:16.1) and Mt Spokane's Gatlin Michaelsen (15:20.8) made up the top three.
Chase Koenigs of Arlington charges down the chute in teal sunglasses to take 2nd place in 15:16.1. Photo: Russell Moore
Gig Harbor's Joshua Minner moved up late to grab 4th place (15:25.3), helping the Tides secure 2nd in the team standings. Photo: Russell Moore
Gig Harbor's Joshua Minner had a standout day for the Tides, moving up four spots late in the race to snag 4th (15:25.3). Curtis' Asher Pepin (15:28.4) and Meridian's Judah TeVelde (15:28.6) were just behind him, and Yelm found its way into the top seven with Marcos Andujar finishing in 15:33.8.
Mt Spokane Wins, Gig Harbor Holds Second
Mt Spokane's Gatlin Michaelsen strides through the course flags, placing 3rd (15:20.8) and anchoring the Wildcats' team victory. Photo: Russell Moore
Mt Spokane took the team victory on the day with Gig Harbor in second. The Wildcats and Tides will be fun to watch late in the season as they eye Pasco. On the outside looking in is Peninsula, which has been having a strong season. The Seahawks finished 7th on Saturday behind some very strong and larger 4A schools, and if they stay healthy they'll give themselves a chance to duke it out in November.
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Photography and coverage by Russell Moore · russell-moore.com
