Todd Beamer, Curtis and Decatur got together for some running fun, and, in his sixth year of coaching Titans cross-country, Scott Haines' team beat those two teams to earn a share of the South Puget Sound League South crown in 3.1 mile course action at Celebration Park in Federal Way Wednesday.

The Titans boys team's top five runners got in accumulatively under Curtis to win, 26-31 and slammed Decatur, 44-17. In so doing that both are now able to claim first place along with Emerald Ridge and Curtis in the SPSL South season-ending standings.

"Sixth time's the charm," said Haines, who also coaches the girls team, that came in undefeated, along with Curtis, and lost to them in a close one, 23-34, in this decide-all meet for both genders in this enduring sport.

It was a nice first for the Titans even if it was not first all by themselves.

"SPSL three-way tie," said Haines. "First by ourselves would have been nice, but we'll take it."

The Titans lost one time this season, to ER, losing because the foe's top three runners crossed the finish line before the Titans, even though the Titans put runners 3-7 across after ER's first two crossed.

This one was close to being a loss like that, too, for the boys.

Curtis put across the first two runners (16:46, 16:54) but the Titans responded with crossing the next four straight.

Junior Jacob Wittman, 17:07, was first (third overall), then, in order, it was senior Adam Lee, 17:10, sophomore Garth Ward, 17:20 and senior Roy Scott, 17:31.

Then a Curtis runner came across their third runner in overall. The Titans sealed it, getting in their fifth runner, freshman Sean Eidsmoe, in 17:35.

"That was the key," said Haines. "We got four guys in front of their third guy. And Garth really stepped it up, and Tom and Bowman."

Garth's time, 17:20, was a full 35 seconds better than his two-week earlier time at this same 3.1 mile course of 17:35.

But Wittman led the way, winning this in the aforementioned time of his that was 18 seconds of improvement.

"We killed them," said Wittman, screaming to some fellow runners and fans. "We won."

Wittman took third overall, not first, but did he care?

"I don't care about myself," said Wittman. "It's not about who is getting first. It's about if the team gets first or not."

Wittmans' best time before this race was 17:25, so it was a full 18 seconds improvement for him.

In fact, speaking of the number 17, just a fact for everyone, but the Titans recorded eight runners’ times in the 17 minute range, ending with junior Jory Tysdal's 17:59. And, Tysdal was racing the junior varsity race two weeks ago here at Celebration, by the way. And Tysdal's time was 18:37, winning that.

So this Titans team, runners 1-8 are really going after each other. And...

"Even more impressive for this win is that we were missing our number one runner," said Haines.

Number one? You've had three different race-winners this season already you’ve noted earlier, coach.

"Well, yes, that's true," said Haines. "He's one of our top runners."

Someone nearby chimed in, "But he's won the last two races."

'Yes," said Haines.

So a top runner out for the Titans, and they still won.

There's still the postseason to go now, and, the Titans look like a team that could make it to state. First is the SPSL meet at Fort Steilacoom this Thursday.

"The top six teams from the SPSL (North and South divisions) go to the West Central District meet," said Haines. "If we keep our spread tight, I would guess we would do great."

Actually, the boys and girls teams both look strong. Just look at the boys classes above, sophomore, junior, freshman mostly.

The girls have the SPSL meet to go, too, so they can improve some more like the boys who really surely look forward to avenging the ER loss. It should be sweet for all if times can keep on improving.

Heading the list of improvers for the girls was the second place finisher overall, Titans’ freshman Sara Mussa. She out-raced Curtis senior Chloe Treleven the final 200 yards, passing Treleven from behind, beating that competitor, 19:09 to 19:10 in time.

First was 19:04 for Curtis so Mussa was not far behind her. But, in fact, Mussa was behind both Curtis’ runners more than halfway through this race. And not just behind.

"I was way behind at the two mile mark," said Mussa. "I have to keep going, keep going, I told myself, and she was getting a little tired I could tell."

Was she fading or were you getting faster?

"I can't remember," said Mussa. "I think she was slowing down a little, but I know I sped up a lot."

And Mussa did. She was trailing going down the final hill 50 yards from the finish line and just seemed to put it into another gear, gritting her teeth, visibly, and powering by Treleven in the final 20 yards as Treleven grimaced in pain to keep up. And could not.

Mussa definitely got faster, the proof is in her time before...20 minutes flat!

"I was really happy I got second, though," said Mussa.

She was pretty sure of the team score outcome deciding the Titans girls cross country fate, and she was correct it turned out that her team just missed out on being champs of their league, like their boys.

"I don't think we won, but all of us got best times," said Mussa. There is a nice knitting here between the boys and the girls.

"If the boys win, they are co-winners," said Mussa. "It is exciting."

Next, behind Mussa, was junior Taylor Kartes in 19:48. He won this race two weeks ago over Mussa in a 19:58 time. So that could be developing into a good rivalry.

It was exciting too for the many rival fans of these two first-place teams lining the grass for the girls-and the boys running by. Going by with the most improvement on the day for the girls was Lauren Thomas. She went 22:08 two weeks ago in a tri-meet win against Rogers and Spanaway Lake. But this time was a 21:01.

"She went from fifth to third," said Haines. "She did great."

"I felt good," said Thomas, a sophomore Titan. "I felt really strong. My goal was to move up on the team."

Next in fourth overall for the Titans (10th overall) was Grace Mussa, who is Sara’s two year older sister. The older Mussa did great, too, to run a 21:32, which was an improvement over her previous best, 21:43.

"I had a sideache," said Mussa.

Even better. Improving while not feeling well, especially a crink in the stomach, means another great effort there. Following Mussa was senior Kaycie Niewoehner, and, again, more improvement, going from 22:22 two weeks ago to 21:44 this time. That explains the top five runners which altogether equal the point total for a team score, but it’s fair to mention junior Elizabeth Jones in a scant second later at 21:44. And, Jordyn Brown, a freshman, came in at 21:52.

Amy Ortega is an assistant coach for the Titans, working with the girls mostly.