Celebration Park was home to an event that has not graced the city in over a decade as Decatur, Thomas Jefferson, Federal Way and Todd Beamer high schools gathered for the All-City Cross Country Meet on Oct. 14.

Since Beamer first opened, the schools have been unable to come together for the event. They have previously never all been in the same league, or in the case of Decatur, an entire classification below the other schools. With the creation of the South Puget Sound League Northwest, that is no longer a problem.

The ground was a bit soggy, but the sun was out as friends and family came to support the athletes from the four schools.

For many of the runners, it was a banner day as the majority finished with personal best times on the 5,000 meter course.

Thomas Jefferson runners will remember the day most fondly as they swept the team titles for the boys and girls varsity races.

The girls edged out Federal Way, finishing with a score of 31 to the Eagles 34. Beamer finished third with a score of 55 and Decatur finished fourth with a score of 118.

Lydia Wolfrom led the way as she has in six meets so far this season. The Jefferson senior posted a personal best time of 19:36. In all but one race this year, she has posted a top 10 finish.

Her teammate, Ally Peterson, finished in second with a time of 19:47. She was one of five freshmen to finish in the top 10 at the meet.

Olivia Chong of Federal Way rounded out the top three. She was the only other competitor to finish under the 20-minute mark with a time of 19:55.

Other medalists included Federal Way’s Haley Jacobson and Bethany Forward, Beamer’s Jessa Barth and Jefferson’s Victoria Delk.

The Raiders boys varsity team took home first place with a score of 25. Federal Way was second with a score of 52. Decatur finished third with a score of 67 and Todd Beamer rounded out the group with a score of 79.

David Jaquish posted a personal best time of 16:10, surpassing teammate Garrett Dahl for the fastest time on the team this season.

Dahl finished second with a time of 16:17, giving the Raiders the top two spots in both the girls and boys races.

Third place went to Decatur senior Josiah Williams who ran a time of 16:26.

The other four medalists rounded out the under 17-minute group. Federal Way’s Jesse Goldstone and Connor Low finished fourth and seventh. Thomas Jefferson’s Austin Miller and Rajesh Gill took home the fifth and six place spots.

While it was Jefferson’s day in the varsity races, Federal Way took home the junior varsity boys race with a score of 32. Beamer finished second with a score of 37. Decatur was third with a score of 53 and Jefferson took home fourth with a score of 110.

Bryan Hernandez of Federal Way won the race with a time of 18:29, a personal record.

Many of the runners will take part in the South Puget Sound League/Seamount Sub-District meet at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood.

All teams are also scheduled to participate in the Westside Classic on Saturday, Oct. 31 in Tacoma as well. The State Championship meet will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7 in Pasco.

Decatur will participate in the RaKing Classic on Tuesday, Oct. 27 in Puyallup.

In all, 149 total athletes took part in the All-City Meet.