Seaside Cross Country Teams Shine at Ridgeline Invitational

Seaside’s cross-country teams showcased their strength at the Ridgeline Invitational on October 14, 2025, with stellar performances from both boys and girls athletes. The event, hosted on their home course, featured competition from Riverdale, Woodland, and Hillsboro, drawing attention for its challenging terrain.

Maddie Menke, a senior from Seaside, continued her winning streak by claiming the girls’ title for the third consecutive year. Menke recorded an impressive time of 22:02.71, surpassing her previous personal best by 17 seconds. She finished well ahead of Adelynn Williams from Hillsboro, who trailed by one minute and forty-seven seconds. Menke’s remarkable performance solidified her reputation as a standout runner, especially as she approaches graduation and the potential for a new champion in 2026.

In the boys’ race, Kyle Weichal secured second place with a time of 20:22.57, falling just twenty seconds behind overall winner Leif Crockett from Riverdale. Crockett was the only athlete to break the 20-minute mark, demonstrating exceptional speed on the rugged mountain biking course. Seaside’s team finished third overall with a score of 83, narrowly behind Astoria’s boys team, which scored 85.

The Ridgeline Invitational course underwent redesigning by trail designer John Meyer and his team at the Ridgeline Club, aiming to improve the experience for runners. The new trails received positive feedback from both Menke and other competitors, contributing to a successful event despite challenging weather conditions. Meyer noted, “It was a good day for a race until the rains came. I was a little concerned with the mud and water on the track, but the first two races were excellent.”

The girls’ competition saw Seaside finishing second with a score of 47, while Woodland took home the title with 30 points. Freshman Lexie Dickau impressed with a fifth-place finish, clocking in at 27:20.84. Junior Ariana Rojas Mora also contributed to the team’s performance, finishing ninth with a time of 28:24.02.

Across the region, Warrenton’s Jayden Warner further established his prowess by shaving two seconds off his personal best at the 5th Annual Rose City Championship Invite, achieving a time of 14:39.4. Warner’s effort placed him fourth in the state of Oregon, keeping him in close competition with top runners from larger schools.

Meanwhile, Knappa’s boys team dominated the Rainier Invitational, securing victory with a score of 20 points, though no personal records were set among their main runners. Freshman Trey Lempea and Tanner Jones both recorded personal bests, finishing twelfth and fifteenth, respectively.

The cross-country season continues to excite local fans, showcasing young talent and the potential for future champions as athletes push their limits and compete on challenging courses. The Ridgeline Invitational proved to be a highlight, reflecting the dedication and hard work of the participating teams.