Last year, South Whidbey’s 16-year record of sending the Falcon girls cross country team to the state finals was broken.

That was then, though. The Falcons are ready to start a whole new streak as the girls placed third during Saturday’s District 1 Championships to guarantee a return to state.

And on the boys team, senior Jason Fitz, will be there, too. He came in at No. 20 to make the cut.

“We met all our goals today,” Coach Doug Fulton said. “We’re starting a new streak.”

With an average time of

20 minutes, 30.80 seconds, the girls placed third out of 10 schools at the District 1 Championships.

Statewide among 2A teams, South Whidbey is ranked third, behind Sehome and Bellingham.

The boys averaged 18:13.60, good for seventh place out of 13 schools. The top three teams in the district advance to the state competition.

A persistent fog didn’t dampen the Falcons’ spirits as they got ready to run the 3.1-mile course that winds through the woods behind the school.

“The temperature out there was just perfect,” said senior Katy Gordon, who placed sixth to lead the Falcons.

“I was a little tired and not as competitive as I like, but I’ll be ready for state. Qualifying as a team is what matters,” she said.

Gordon added it was a fast start and she had to pace herself, but everyone agreed it’s nice to have the home field advantage.

“You don’t have to get up as early,” noted Fitz. “Some of these guys were on the road before

5 a.m.”

One year ago, the Falcons’ Caroline Habel ran even though she was ill.

“I felt great today. The competition was tough, as usual, but we know the course well and that’s always an advantage,” she said.

“We’re starting a new cross country streak headed to state,” she added.

Jason’s dad, Allen volunteers as a “catcher,” making sure the runners stay in the order they finish and “catch” them if needed.

He and wife Chris counted the boys as they hove into view behind the baseball diamond — and their son was on the bubble.

“Sixteen….seventeen…eighteen; there he is!” Chris Fitz yelled.

The tension mounted as Fitz was passed by runners from Lakewood and Sehome. Still, he made the cut.

“I felt the strongest I’ve been all season,” Fitz said.

“A perfect time for me is 5:20 on the first mile and I had 5:15. I’m a little surprised but happy to be going to state this weekend,” he said.

This will be the 19th year for finals at Pasco’s Sun Willows golf course.

The team travels by bus on Thursday to acclimatize themselves before their 11 a.m. start on Saturday. The boys 2A race starts at 12:30 p.m.

District 1 Championship: girls

6. Katy Gordon, 19 minutes, 43 seconds; 11. Erica Johnson, 20:13, 13. Caroline Habel, 20:17, 23. Courtney Bosman, 21:05, 25. Cassie Bosman, 21:16; 40. Jean Koelblinger, 22:03; 49. Jennifer Gemkow, 23:00.

District 1 Championship: boys

20 Jason Fitz, 17:20, 36 Kurt Warwick, 18:04, 37 Nick Rovang, 18:11; 58 Scott Stallman, 18:46; 59 Eric Stallman, 18:47, 60 Steven Gabelein, 18:53; 88 Jeff Brasko, 21:09.