By Mike Cane
Herald Writer

PASCO -- It was a complicated collision of mixed feelings.

On one hand Bruce McDowell, coach of the Cedarcrest High School girls cross country team, was happy his squad earned the first top-four trophy in program history. Then again, Cedarcrest entered the meet ranked No. 1 in the Washington State Cross Country Coaches Association Class 2A poll, so expectations were understandably high.

"It's that delicate balance," McDowell said after his Red Wolves placed second behind No. 2 Sehome in the 2A standings during the 2008 Washington State Cross Country Championships at Sun Willows Golf Course.

"You want to be proud, obviously, of what the girls have accomplished this year," McDowell added, "and they've done a fabulous job."

Cedarcrest, which beat Sehome Nov. 1 at the District 1 meet, tallied 99 points at state, six more than Sehome in a sport where the lowest score wins. Sehome, the champion for the third...... READ MORE