It wasn’t exactly the finish Auburn Riverside’s Julian-Blake Cowan was hoping for, but it still wasn’t bad.

This past Saturday, Cowan captured second place at the Westside Classic 4A cross country district meet in Lakewood. Cowan, who finished first in the 3A meet last year with a 15:37.6 time, actually bettered it with a 15.33.1. But he couldn’t better Central Kitsap’s Shane Moskowitz, who sped to first place with a 15:14.3 time.

“I’m not sure what happened at about two-and-a-half miles,” Cowan said. “He just lost me.”

And at this point it really doesn’t matter what happened, because Cowan said he is looking forward to next Saturday’s state 4A cross country championship meet at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.

Cowan, who placed fifth at the 3A meet last season, said his goal is nothing short of a 4A title.

“I’ve been working on this for four years, and waiting my whole life,” Cowan said.

“I’m just hoping to feel better at state.”

Cowan’s finish also helped the Auburn Riverside team capture third place in the team competition, behind Tahoma and Gig Harbor with 107 points.

Kenny Krotzer added a fifth- place finish with a 16:05.3 time. Jeff Miles was 23rd, followed by Natt Gesell at 33rd, Nick Lawrence at 44th. Terry Kriss and Hunter Cowan also placed for the Ravens.

ALSO: Auburn Riverside senior Kelsey Loomans qualified for the girls state 4A meet with her 19:50.4, 26th place finish. The Ravens were ninth in the team competition. … At the 3A boys competition Auburn Riverside, spurred on by the finishes of seniors Matt Link and Seth Rumbaugh, finished fifth in the team competition, qualifying for the state tourney. Link finished 17th with a 16:33.7 time and Rumbaugh was 19th with a 16:36.3. … The Washington State 4A and 3A cross country championship meets will be conducted this Saturday at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.