For the first time since 2000 the Oak Harbor boys will have an entry to the 4A state cross country championships.

Senior Kelly Garcia grabbed the 15th and final berth on Saturday at the 4A District One Championships at South Whidbey High School, finishing at 16 minutes 52 seconds on the 3.1 mile course.

“Kelly and the guys ran a smart race,” head coach Seth Hodges said.

As a team Oak Harbor finished eighth out of 17 teams, one place better than last year.

“Too many runners get excited and go out faster than they should and die,” Hodges said.

Garcia, Chris Wichers and Henry Vasquez were between 40th and 50th place through the first mile. By the time they reached the second mile both Garcia and Wichers were in the top 20.

With 800 meters left Garcia moved to 15th and managed to hold the position.

Wichers finished 29th and Vasquez took 37th. Both finished higher than eight runners who beat them a league.

Garcia will race at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.

“One hundred-fifty-one runners are entered in the 4A race and Kelly has a good shot of getting into the top 60 to 70,” Hodges said.

The Oak Harbor girls were without one of their top runners, Leonila Celestino, on Saturday and managed a surprising finish.

“Had you told me we could finish in the top 10 in this district without one of our top runners, I’d thought you were crazy,” Hodges said.

The girls managed to pull together to finish ninth out of 17 teams.

“The girls exceeded our expectations as we were just hoping to stay out of the cellar,” Hodges said.

Senior Amanda Gordon was the Wildcat’s lead runner in 23rd. Jessica Brundidge and Megan Hall were the next across the line in 35th and 37th.

Oak Harbor results

Boys Individual Results: 15. Kelly Garcia, 16:52; 29. Chris Wichers, 17:12; 37. Henry Vasquez, 17:20; 41. David Marriott, 17:22; 63. Josh Dix, 17:53; 99. Cameron Spence 18:57; 117. Jordan Snow, 20:53 (117 runners).

Girls Individual Results: 23. Amanda Gordon, 20:43; 35. Jessica Brundidge, 21:10; 37. Megan Hall, 21:16; 67. Starlie Keyes, 22:30; 81. Challon Waldron, 22:57; 88. Meredith Bezold, 23:29; 101. Stephanie Allison, 24:44 (113 runners).