PR Sports

GREEN CANYON — The Salmon girls came into the 3A District 6 cross-country championships with a one-two punch and walked away with their first district title since 2003.

Salmon’s Alice Keller and Sheyenne Dupree finished first and second, respectively, scoring low enough to fight off Teton’s challenge and win by one point 37-38.

The Diggers took the boys race in close fashion 28-31 over Teton with both teams qualifying for the state meet.

The Salmon girls team was up and down all season, finally coming into their own over the past three weeks.

“This means everything because we have been working so hard,” Dupree said. “Our team was really excited to win. We have good runners and found a couple new ones who really helped.”

Dupree, a senior, suffered an injury at last season’s Tiger-Grizz and was unable to compete in the district championships.

“I was ready today and took a long nap and got mentally ready on the way here,” Dupree said. “I iced and really stretched a lot. I felt 100 percent today. We haven’t won for a long time, so it was a big surprise for us and I’m really excited.”

The boys race was almost as close with the Diggers claiming the title over the Redskins by virtue of a 2-3-4 finish. Senior C.J. Parkinson ran a strong race to help his team win.

“I did run better than expected and it was my best time,” Parkinson said. “Before the meet my Dad told me to run my heart out and I did today. This is our first district championship in a long time. I wanted to go out and show them what I was capable of doing as a senior.”

Teton finished second in the boys race with Tavner Wilson winning the individual title and sending his team to state. The Salmon boys also qualified as a team and the Sugar-Salem girls team earned a trip to state.

The 3A state championships begin at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 31 in Worley at Circling Raven Golf Course.