Maton joins his brother as Cross Country Classic winner

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Daniel Maton of Camas WA ran 15 minutes flat to win the Varsity Gold race Saturday at George Fox University's Wes Cook Cross Country Classic at Willamette Mission State Park, joining his older brother Matthew, who won the same race in 2013 and 2014. 

RESULTS | MATON INTERVIEW | GIRLS GOLD RACE | BOYS GOLD RACE

Maton gained separation on Marist OR's Jerik Embleton and Alex Slenning of Wilson (Portland) on the way to his second big invitational win in two weeks. 

The Camas junior won the Hole In The Wall Invitational a week earlier in Lakewood, Wash. 

"I felt (Embleton) was going to push with a mile to go, so I started pushing," Maton said of Saturday's race. "Maybe it was just an off day for him and a good day for me."

Maton led Camas to the team title as well, as the Papermakers scored 62 points. South Eugene OR was second with 87.

Maya Rayle from Catlin Gabel OR won the Gold girls race in 17:37.1, beating Summit's Fiona Max by nearly 10 seconds. 

Summit OR put three in the top six and won the girls title with 73 points. Xavier College Prep AZ was second with 103 points. 

The Alaska Division 1 state champions, West Valley of Fairbanks, placed sixth with 180 points. Individual state champ Kendall Kramer of West Valley took seventh Saturday in 18:04.4.