Kentwood High’s Danny Lunder heard the footsteps closing in and the familiar voice that followed.

Despite being in the midst of a career-best performance on the 3.1-mile cross-country course at Fort Steilacoom Park Oct. 23, Lunder couldn’t help but be taken back a bit upon realizing that voice was coming from teammate Will Richmond.

“The thing that really got me was when I learned Will (Richmond) was right behind me,” said Lunder, who has been Kentwood’s top long-distance runner all season. “He said, ‘Let’s do it, Danny.’ I was like, ‘Oh … I can’t let Will beat me.’”

And, despite a strong performance by Richmond, Lunder didn’t let his teammate beat him. In fact, Lunder delivered the strongest performance by any Kent School District male runner at the SPSL sub-district meet, blistering the terrain in 16-minutes, 13 seconds to take seventh place overall. Lunder’s final time was a personal best by 12 seconds, and highlighted what proved to be a banner race for local runners.

“I think I had just been really looking forward to this race,” Lunder said. “Last year, I ran a 16:37 on the same course. I really wanted to get closer to the top.”

Richmond, Kentwood’s No. 2 runner this season, was nearly as good, taking 11th with a time of 16:21.3. Behind Lunder and Richmond, Kentwood managed an impressive third-place finish at the sub-district meet with 106 total points. The top 10 teams and 50 individuals from the sub-district meet earned berths to this weekend’s West Central District meet, slated for Oct. 30 at American Lake Golf Course in Tacoma.

And while Kentwood delivered the goods, so did a host of other local teams and individual runners. Three Conquerors finished among the top 25: Lunder, Richmond along with Will Johnston, who took 21st at 16:52.9.

James Dagley, who finished in 12th place with a time of 16:23.7, was the top Tahoma finisher. Meanwhile, Kent-Meridian star Derrick Daigre, who has been nursing a sore foot the last few weeks, clocked out at 16:37.4, which was good enough for 16th place.

As good as the local boys performed, the girls were even better on Oct. 23. Tahoma, which took second at state last year, bolted to the title with 69 points and was followed considerably by Thomas Jefferson (116). Kentwood (4th, 173), Kentridge (7th, 198), Kent-Meridian (9th, 220) and Kentlake (10th, 228) also earned tickets to the meet.

“We had a pretty good race, but we’re going to have to produce a little more (at district),” said Tahoma coach Gary Conner.

The Bears have made a habit out of winning the sub-district title as this was their fourth straight. However, it’s hardly time to celebrate.

“I prepare my kids for the final two meets (district and state),” Conner added.

And while the Tahoma girls ran away with the top hardware, the Kent schools combined for a banner day.

Leading the way for the girls was Kent-Meridian’s Alexia Martin, who took fourth with a time of 19:16.3. Martin, a state veteran, won the race last year. Martin was closely followed by Kentwood’s Kailey Ulland, who took sixth with a time of 19:23.2. Martin and Ulland have a history of finishing neck-and-neck with one another, doing so during last year’s sub-district, district and state meets.

Tahoma’s first-place finish was made possible with string individual pushes into the top 25, where the Bears placed five runners. Leading the Tahoma contingent was Julianna Mock, who took eighth at 19:33.7. Mock was followed closely by Elizabeth Oosterhout (9th, 19:35.2). Also cracking the top 25 for the Bears were Lauren Clawson (12th, 19:38.8), Emily Duerson (16th, 20:03.2) and Cheynne Greenside (24th, 20:24.8).

Sarah Robbins continued to lead Kentlake, rounding out the top 10 with a time of 19:35.5.

Molly Shiroishi was Kentridge’s top finisher, taking 15th place with a time of 20:00.4.