The Mustangs roll on to state.

Redmond High’s boys and girls cross country teams placed first at the 4A KingCo championship meet on Oct. 18 at Lake Sammamish State Park and qualify for the upcoming state meet.

The boys took first with 37 points and Mount Si was second with 85. On the girls’ side, Redmond inched out Issaquah, 68-69.

George Cretu led Redmond in fourth place in the 5K race in 15 minutes, 39.69 seconds. Other top finishers for Redmond were Dereje Himbago (sixth, 15:49.86) and Cooper Arons (seventh, 15:50.71).

Tops for the Mustang girls were Lili Hargreaves in third in 19:02.99, Chloe Connolly in fifth in 19:17.70 and Lauren Lehr in ninth in 19:34.57.

Other Redmond runners are Lance Mason, Thomas Sigall, Travis Mason, Ethan Ashley, William Binette, Holden Hillis, Naho Masaki, Tasia Meyer, Zephyr Tao, Anna Petrbokova, Lea Bodmer and Nicole Pangborn. Coaches are Denis Villeneuve and Peter Whitmore.

Villeneuve noted about the boys’ squad: “This is George, Lance, Travis, Ethan and Thomas’ fourth season. They have not been able to realize their potential fully until this season. Having Dereje move here has invigorated Cooper and the five senior boys. They are on a mission!”

Whitmore said they are thrilled for the girls — a young and talented squad — to snag the title.

“We thought there was an outside shot they could upset Issaquah, but were cautious in our optimism. When coach Villeneuve and I added up the results, we were beside ourselves. KingCo was not our best team race of the season — we hope that comes at state in two weeks — but several girls (Lili and Lauren in particular) rose to the occasion to make the team title possible,” he said.

Positivity, good work ethics and high goals are all part of the Mustang runners’ repertoire, Villeneuve said.

State is Nov. 3 at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.