SPORTS
by Jack Kintner

Senior wins qualifying run

Blaine senior Dominique Walter, now competing for the Federal Way running Club, won a qualifying race at Seattle’s Woodland Park last weekend for the national Junior Olympics competition that will be held in December in Chicago.

“It was a fun race,” she said, “A lot more hills than at state.”
Walter’s mother Micheala said that she was at first concerned because “the announcer would only say who was in front, not the first few girls like they usually do, and Dominique didn’t charge out ahead like she always has.”

Walter trailed the lead pack in the race for much of the course but surged ahead with about 700 meters to go. The finish was uphill, unusual for a high school meet but not for a running club. “That’s one of her strong points,” her mother said, “and she finished a strong first.” Despite the hills, Walter’s time of 21:12 was close to her personal best.

Walter next goes to Salem, Oregon this weekend where she’ll compete with a much larger group of girls. The top 20 will qualify for the Junior Olympics to be held December 10 in Chicago.