Arrows and streaks of red were everywhere you looked amid the Mount Si cross country contingent, who hosted Bellevue and Interlake at Snoqualmie Elementary School Wednesday, Sept. 21.

Bailey Scott gave Abbey Bottemiller’s hair a splash of red Halloween hairspray moments before the big race. The two sophomores led the Mount Si contingent with fourth and fifth, consecutively, with 20:57 and 21:06 consecutively on the course, just over three miles.

“I like having Bailey to pace me and push me,” Bottemiller said.

Interlake’s Niki Waghani took first for the girls with 19:42, while Bellevue’s Kyle Pratt led all boys with 17:45

Senior Richard Carmichael and junior Dom Canady led things for the Mount Si boys with fourth and eighth, respectively. Carmichael ran in 17:58, while Canady had 18:12.

The fairly young Mount Si team came in behind Interlake and Bellevue in team scores. But team members praised the improvement and diligence of the many newcomers, most of whom sported reddish highlights and arrows in their do’s.

The hairspray was Bottemiller’s spur-of-the-moment idea.

“We show our pride!” she said. “Spirit is good for the team.”

Following the Scott-Bottemiller duo, Mount Si junior Angelina Belceto took 11th. Ashley Jackson followed at 14th.

For the boys, senior Ben Houldridge followed at 11th with 18:32, while junior Tim Corrie claimed 18th at 19:28.

Carmichael stayed up with the top five and held the lead for part of the race.

“I just need to kick harder at the end,” the senior said.

The new home course layout surrounding Centennial Fields made for some challenges. One gravel stretch in particular slowed everyone down.

“You get a good workout going through that gravel, but it’s not fun when you’re trying to get a (personal record),” Carmichael said.

Canady, too, wasn’t satisfied with his time.

“Next time, I’ll mark 400 meters with some tape,” so he can better pace himself.

Personal records should drop this Saturday, Sept. 24, when the team competes at the Bellevue Invitational at Lake Sammamish State Park. Expectations are high.

“It’s a very flat course,” Carmichael said. “Almost everyone PRs there.”

Carmichael shouted out sophomore Sean Hecker for his spirit Wednesday. The sophomore finished at 22 minutes.

“He did a really nice job today,” Carmichael said.

The girls’ sophomore duo also praised Tim Corrie, Ryan Olson and Ben Houldridge.

“Everybody is trying so hard this year,” Scott said. “I love pushing them on. They’re so enthusiastic.”