State Championships - 11/8/2025

Course Length – 5k

General Notes – The course at Sun Willows Golf Course is constantly rolling up and down, with some long gradual inclines/declines, a number of short rises and falls, one notable hill at the start, and another right before the 2-mile and the finish. The footing is almost entirely golf course grass, with some short pavement crossings. The weather during the races was in the low to high 40's with sun coming through the entire day. There was very little wind.

  

The Boys Varsity was 3rd with 112 points. Freeman won with 61, Chewelah was 2nd with 77, and Cle Elum-Roslyn was 4th with 129 points. There were 143 athletes and 16 teams.

The Girls Varsity won with 94 points. Chewelah was 2nd with 106 points. There were 143 athletes and 16 teams.

As is tradition, I also wanted to spend some time reflecting on the season and looking ahead to next year. In a season full of disruptions, both teams did a great job staying calm and focused, adapting to changing circumstances and making the best of every day! Both teams built on strong showings last year, with the boys replacing three seniors on the varsity squad and the girls returning everyone from last year's varsity squad. It was great to see so much momentum over the summer, and another summer of training will set you all up for another great season!

Looking ahead, the top teams on the girls side will not see a whole lot of turnover. Expect to see perennial teams vying for the podium again, as strong teams continue to improve year over year. There should be some fun racing, and running a smart race may be the key difference that sets you apart. That being said, coming into the season ready for a solid training block will also help you get an edge in a tight field!

On the boys side, there also won't be too many graduations, and we can expect to see a number of strong teams again next year, including in our district. Get used to lots of close races in the postseason, and finding ways to control your pace, only to turn things on later in the race, can really help. There is also a lot of excitement in the younger grades, and more people can help to fill out the roster! That being said, if you know anyone in the class of 2029 that wants to run, make sure to reach out!

Soren - One mile: 5:20. Two mile: 11:03. Finish: 17:15, 10th place. Average: 5:34.

Way to go Soren! That was an awesome race, and you showed what experience on the course can bring. You got out quick, and even though your second mile was a bit slower, you still picked up 8 spots (which is hard to do in the front of the field). Then, you kept moving, picking up another 6 before the finish, getting yourself on the podium, and setting a new 5k PR on a tough course! Oh, and you were 47 seconds faster than last year, in case you didn't hear! The crew of Sophomores is in for some big seasons to come!

Holden - One mile: 5:10. Two mile: 10:44. Finish: 17:28, 17th place. Average: 5:38.

Wowzers Holden, what a race! You ran a truly gutsy race, leaving it all out there. You ran brave and tough, and I know you might still be a little hungry. That is ok - it’s always good to learn from racing. You didn’t go out with the top group for that first mile, but then moved up to put yourself into the mix, right up there and then just competed, which was great. The season might have been a little bumpy with injury, so to go out with an exciting, competitive race like this one, is awesome. 

Aidan - One mile: 5:18. Two mile: 11:07. Finish: 17:31, 20th place. Average: 5:39.

Congrats Aidan! You're so used to big races that I'm sure this felt very familiar to you, and even though you got out quick, you stayed calm in the first mile. Once you found your race, you battled with the pack all the way to the finish, pulling River along with you and chasing Soren and Holden down the whole time. That's a great way to run a race! We're so glad you decided to run this year, and while biathlon is your jam, you did a great job coming in and rallying the team as our lone senior! Good job Gramps!

Alice - One mile: 6:26. Two mile: 13:01. Finish: 20:01, 12th place. Average: 6:27.

Fantastic Alice! You raced phenomenally. You stayed with Ingrid for that first mile, not going out too fast - and then moved up, pulling your teammates with you through groups. You raced right where you needed to be, and didn’t lose focus but instead stayed competitive, continuing to pass people through miles 2 and 3! Even with the instructions of “no pace” - you still stayed super consistent - with your average and your first mile time about the same. It’s been exciting to see you compete and find your XC flow! Congrats on your first state XC meet!

Nina - One mile: 7:03. Two mile: 14:15. Finish: 22:24, 59th place. Average: 7:14.

Great job Nina! Even though that wasn't exactly the race you wanted, you kept pushing the entire way through the line. Along the way you picked up 17 whole places, which is a big accomplishment! Plus you ran a pretty consistent race, and you still hit your time from last year! In cross country, the 4th through 6th runners often decide a race, and running behind Maren and Sisu meant that all three of you made up some serious ground in the middle mile. You have lots of experience now, and we know you have some serious speed, so go have a great track season and then we'll see you over the summer!

Crispin - One mile: 6:07. Two mile: 12:29. Finish: 19:27, 98th place. Average: 6:16.

Congrats on your first state meet race Crispin! You raced really well, staying calm and not getting pulled out too fast in that first hectic mile. That is super impressive in a big race like this. It shows you can race tough in races by yourself and in a large crowd. Plus you moved up the whole time, staying engaged and competitive, passing 25 people! Fantastic! This season you’ve had incredible improvement. Excellent job stepping up for the big dance at the end of the season and really bringing it!

Liam - One mile: 6:06. Two mile: 12:21. Finish: 19:13, 90th place. Average: 6:12.

Congrats Liam! It's always nerve-wracking being on the starting line at state, and even more so for the first time. Nevertheless, you did a great job staying calm and not getting pulled out too fast at the start, using the second half mile to move up, then really building on that at the mile mark. In fact, you picked up 24 places in the middle mile, and another 5 by the finish! Running with Crispin at first, then helping pull him along later, you were strong and consistent, staying at your pace on the hills. You did a great job this year as a captain getting the team ready for a podium finish. I can't wait for next season!

Orlo - One mile: 5:53. Two mile: 12:00. Finish: 18:26, 50th place. Average: 5:57.

Nice racing Orlo! You did an excellent job staying calm in the first mile, and an even better job of keeping your pace in the second mile, just like you planned! Then, as always, you dug deep and made some moves, picking up 25 places by the finish (plus another 13 in the middle) to help the team earn a spot on the podium! Even though the time wasn't what you wanted, you battled for your spot, and it really paid off! Another summer of training, and another year of experience, and you'll be ready for a big senior season!

Maren - One mile: 7:00. Two mile: 14:07. Finish: 21:56, 44th place. Average: 7:05.

Way to work Maren! We have a saying that, in the championship race, time doesn't matter. You proved why that's true! You stayed calm in the first mile, pulling your little row of ducklings along, then you started to move, and I mean really move! You picked up 20 places by the second mile, and another 5 by the finish, hanging on as Sisu made her big push. Plus you were still faster than last year! This is a very tough course, and the fact that you didn't have your ideal race and the team still won just shows how strong of a group you all are. I can't wait to see what you do next year!

Ingrid - One mile: 6:26. Two mile: 13:04. Finish: 20:24, 17th place. Average: 6:35.

Congratulations Ingrid! You did everything exactly right in that race, and it showed! Let's start with some numbers - your second mile was only 12 seconds off your first, you moved from 27th to 19th to 17th, you ran almost a minute and a half faster than last year, and you set a new PR on a tough course! It was so great to see you stay calm in the first mile, run with Alice for the first two miles, then run with Lena for the finish. When Alice picked it up, you moved too. When Lena started to move, you dug in and went with her. As has always been the case, you never gave up, and you led the team to a first place finish!

Alida - One mile: 7:02. Two mile: 14:34. Finish: 23:06, 76th place. Average: 7:27.

Way to go Alida! That was a tough race, and it isn't what you wanted it to be. Still, you put yourself out there, running with Nina and Maren through the mile, and even when things got hard, you kept pushing yourself through. You're very competitive, and you used that to your advantage. You've also done a great job of working hard this season, and never giving up - staying calm and confident as you helped lead the team to a championship. Every season is a little different, and I know you'll be ready to roll next season!

Sisu - One mile: 7:03. Two mile: 14:12. Finish: 21:54, 43rd place. Average: 7:04.

Wow Sisu! Where to even begin? How about we start with the streak continuing in a big way, with a 36 second PR! Then, of course, we have to talk about the fact that you picked up 25 places in the middle mile, and another 9 in the final mile, pulling Maren and Nina along with you. It was absolutely awesome! You did a great job pacing off of Maren in the first mile, then staying strong in the middle and making a big surge at the end. Your average pace was only 1 second off your opening mile! That's how you want to run a race You've made some huge strides this season, and you're going to make even more next year!

River - One mile: 5:22. Two mile: 11:09. Finish: 17:33, 21st place. Average: 5:40.

Great race River! You did a great job putting yourself out there in the first mile, then continuing to move with Aidan through the rest of the course, picking up 3 places each mile. That's not easy to do! Plus, you made some big improvements from last year, running almost a minute faster! That's what happens with experience on the course and more confidence racing! You're in a really good place to build on, and I can't wait to see what you can do next year!

Lena - One mile: 6:15. Two mile: 13:01. Finish: 20:22, 16th place. Average: 6:34.

Great job Lena! That was your first state meet, and there's always a tendency to go out fast, and that's ok! Even though you got out quick, you did a great job of rallying once Alice and Ingrid caught up to you, clawing back places in the last mile to earn a spot on the podium. When you started to move in the last half mile, you pulled Ingrid along with you, helping her set a new PR, and setting one for yourself! Overall, that was a great run on a tough course! With more experience, you'll find your pace earlier and go even faster. Congratulations on a great season!

District 5 Championships - 10/30/2025

Course Length – 3 miles

 

General Notes – This is a nice course for racing. The course starts with a long straight away, before a gradual climb and drop with one major hill that runners repeat each lap. The long downhill just after the mile allows for big moves, and the last 400m is all flat. It was a great day, with temps in the low 50's and mostly cloudy conditions. There were 20 high schools present.

  

The Boys Varsity won with 51 points. Cle Elum-Roslyn was 2nd with 70 points. There were 93 athletes and 13 teams.

The Girls Varsity won with 23 points. Manson was 2nd with 34 points. There were 47 athletes and 3 teams.

The Boys JV did not have a scoring team. Goldendale won with 26 points. There were 33 athletes and 2 teams.

The Girls JV won with 15 points. There were 10 athletes and 1 team.

Ava - One mile: 7:24. Two mile: 15:02. Finish: 22:10, 3rd place. Average: 7:23.

Great job Ava! Every race this season you have improved, and even though you didn't start where you wanted to be, you ended in a really great place! That's a testament to your dedication in your training and your trust in yourself, and this race was the perfect reflection of your qualities. You went out fast, and even though you slowed down a bit in the middle mile, you really cranked it back up (closing with a 7:08!) for a big finish. You looked strong and controlled the entire way, and this is a great result! Oh the places you'll go!

Aidan - One mile: 5:33. Two mile: 11:28. Finish: 16:57, 12th place. Average: 5:39.

Way to go Aidan! You tried something different today, and that's an important part of learning the sport. Even though you didn't have the finish you wanted, you did a great job of moving in the middle of the race, going from 17th to 12th (which is not hard to do as the field gets spread out. Plus your average was basically right where you went out, which means you were fairly consistent. A slightly faster start will likely keep you connected with the pack, and you're such a competitor. The Pasco course has lots of hills, which you love. So when your teammates make a move, go with them!

Madie - One mile: 7:51. Two mile: 15:36. Finish: 23:06, 6th place. Average: 7:42.

Wow Madie! That was an amazing race! You and SJ ran together the whole time, completing the negative split 3-mile with authority! It was great to see you powering up the hill and rolling back down again in the middle mile as you pushed through the tough part of the race, only to pick up even more speed through the finish, setting a new pace PR by a long shot! This season you made some big gains, and if you come into next season with a solid base of training, you'll be ready to hit your stride and never look back. The future is yours!

Tova - One mile: 7:24. Two mile: 15:02. Finish: 22:25, 4th place. Average: 7:28.

Nice race Tova! That was a great way to close out the season, running with Ava to set a new pace PR and staying very consistent throughout. This time around there were a few more athletes in the race, which likely helped, particularly in the middle mile, as you and Ava could work together to stay strong. Then you were able to pick it back up and close with a 7:23, even faster than your first mile! Transitioning to the 5k distance is always a big jump, and you made some serious progress this year. If you put in some consistent running over the summer, you'll be ready to make some big gains next season. Keep it up!

Alida - One mile: 7:07. Two mile: 14:29. Finish: 21:37, 12th place. Average: 7:12.

Way to go Alida! Running with Nina was a different experience this time, and even though your foot was bothering you, the two of you did a great job moving up through the field. Your second mile was a bit slower, though that's likely due to the field spreading out and the nature of the course. You still managed to pick it up for the last mile and follow Nina as she made a move, which is exactly what you want to do when a teammate goes for it. Patience in the first mile is important, and trusting that you will always be able to finish can help the second mile feel more bearable. Keep working with your teammates!

Luke - One mile: 6:24. Two mile: 13:03. Finish: 19:31, 5th place. Average: 6:30.

Great running Luke! You did an excellent job finding your race and moving through the field. What really helped is how consistent your second mile was - while everyone else was slowing down, you were staying pretty close to your pace. That set you up for a great finish and you closed with a 6:28, getting your average pretty close to where you started. That's excellent! This season you made serious progress with your training and racing, and with some consistent running over the summer, you'll be in a great spot for next year!

Yasmin - One mile: 8:47. Two mile: 18:21. Finish: 27:31, 8th place. Average: 9:10.

Way to go Yasmin! Throughout the season you've been making consistent progress, bringing down your average pace and balancing out your race. This time you ran most of the race by yourself, and you did a great job pushing yourself through the tough middle mile. Then you picked it back up to finish with a 9:10 final mile, striding down the hill and to the finish. That's a great way to close out a successful season, and with some consistent running over the summer, you'll be in a great place to start your senior year!

Orlo - One mile: 5:40. Two mile: 12:05. Finish: 17:32, 25th place. Average: 5:51.

Great run Orlo! You went out a bit slower than last week, which was probably the right call. Then, you found yourself right in the middle of the race, and you did a great job moving, going from 42 to 32 to 25, which is excellent! Even though you slowed down, you were going faster than the field, until you got to your favorite mile and really picked it up! That was a fast way to close out the race, which means you still have energy. Using some of that energy in the middle mile will mean that you stay closer to your goal pace, and we all know you'll still be able to go 5:30 at the end, because that's what you do! Trust in yourself, and make the most of the middle mile, and the race will be yours!

Sam P - One mile: 8:19. Two mile: 16:47. Finish: 24:25, 29th place. Average: 8:08.

Nice job Sam! Not only did you go out in 8:19, you finished with a 7:38! That is a major PR for you (even when your time is extrapolated out to a 5k), which is a testament to the hard work you put in this season. You did a great job running your race, pushing yourself at workouts and competitions. You've mentioned wanting to work on running efficiency, which is an excellent thing to do in the off season. Once skiing is over for the year, starting with some consistent running will go a long way. Congratulations on a great season!

Soren - One mile: 5:29. Two mile: 11:05. Finish: 16:24, 4th place. Average: 5:28.

Absolutely fantastic race, Soren! You ran such a strong, composed race that really showed how savvy and mature a racer you’ve become. Your first mile was quick but controlled, setting you up perfectly to even-split the entire race—an impressive feat! You and River worked together so well, making big moves in the middle mile and picking up key spots along the way. That’s exactly what smart, consistent pacing can do. Your last two races have both been huge PRs, a true reflection of all the hard work you’ve put in this season. Take it easy this week and focus on getting healthy—you’re in a great spot heading into State. Trust your training, run your race, and the sky’s the limit!

Kylie - One mile: 7:51. Two mile: 16:08. Finish: 23:46, 7th place. Average: 7:55.

That was awesome Kylie! You made it a goal to stick with Madie and SJ, and you did exactly that! The three of you went out fast, and even though you slowed down a bit in the middle mile, you really picked it back up for the final mile (which was a blazing 7:42!). In your first ever season running cross country, you made some serious gains and started to find your pace. This is going to set you up really well for track, and some consistent training over the summer will get you ready to blow by your PR. Keep up the good work!

Alice - One mile: 6:23. Two mile: 13:16. Finish: 19:39, 3rd place. Average: 6:33.

Yeah Alice! What a fantastic race - the way that you and Ingrid and Lena worked together was so fun to see. And I bet it made the race feel a little smoother, you pushed your teammates and they pushed you along also. You are really getting the hang of racing these longer distances and it shows with your average pace and your consistency in races. I know your legs were feeling a little tight afterwards so keep doing all the good recovery things so you can feel your best and crush next weekend!

Nina - One mile: 7:07. Two mile: 14:29. Finish: 21:16, 7th place. Average: 7:05.

Wow, Nina! You continue to impress! This was a wonderful race to see unfold. You were determined and competitive. You ran your race - not getting sucked out too fast meant that you had oomph at that last section of the race to overtake competitors from Manson, Okanogan and Brewster! The middle mile was tricky - but I think next time you can trust yourself to hold your pace and still finish strong. This week might bring more nerves than usual but that is ok - it means you care! Let’s keep bringing our best selves and doing all the good recovery things and I can’t wait to see what you can do this weekend!

Bhavana - One mile: 9:45. Two mile: 20:40. Finish: 30:46, 10th place. Average: 10:15.

Great job Bhavana! This race was all about staying smooth and consistent. These were very different conditions to last week - a 4.5 hour bus ride is not the best way to prepare for a meet! - yet you did a great job coming ready to run, settling into your pace. The middle mile is tough with the long straight stretch into the long climb. Once you got to the two-mile mark, you used the hills to pick up some speed and move into the finish. It was great seeing you find your stride this season, and next year is going to be even better!

River - One mile: 5:30. Two mile: 11:05. Finish: 16:34, 8th place. Average: 5:31.

Marvelous race River! You did everything about as well as possible out there! You picked a fast yet sustainable pace, you made big moves in the middle mile, finding a teammate and going with Soren, and you kept moving even as you got tired. In fact, you went from 15th to 8th place after the mile mark, largely due to how consistent your second mile was! Plus you had a big push to the finish, battling all the way through and setting a really nice pace PR! You're exactly where you want to be in the final week, and if you run with confidence, you'll be in for a great day!

Sutherland - One mile: 7:51. Two mile: 15:36. Finish: 23:03, 5th place. Average: 7:41.

Wow, what a race, SJ! You ran an outstanding race that shows you’ve really figured out how to race this longer distance. You and Madie worked together beautifully—pushing each other up and over the hills and executing a perfect negative split. I think you were a little surprised by how fast Madie was running, but you stayed right with her, showing just how powerful teamwork can be and how much you can help each other achieve. Your 5k equivalent from your 3-mile time is an incredible PR—over a minute faster! What an amazing way to close out your freshman season. You’ve made huge progress this year, and I can’t wait to see what you do next season. Fantastic job!

Crispin - One mile: 6:14. Two mile: 12:25. Finish: 18:25, 1st place. Average: 6:08.

What a race Crispin! You did a great job staying patient in the first mile, only to explode in the second mile and never look back. You made a big move on the long downhill, and that helped propel you into the lead. Then you kept your foot on the gas, and finished with a lightning quick 6:00 mile to complete the negative split, setting a new pace PR by a lot! You've really hit your stride this year, and if you keep this up, you'll be blowing past 19:00 in no time!

Ingrid - One mile: 6:22. Two mile: 13:16. Finish: 19:43, 4th place. Average: 6:34.

Great job Ingrid! This time around, you went out with Lena and Alice from the beginning, and did a great job setting the pace. As the field spread out, you did slow down a bit in the second mile, which is totally to be expected. Still, you picked it back up, using the long down hill to gain some speed and finished with a quick 6:27 final mile! Next weekend there will be a lot more people to race, and you're such a strong competitor. Working with your teammates, you'll be able to keep moving up in the middle mile and blazing down into the finish!

Sisu - One mile: 7:11. Two mile: 14:47. Finish: 21:54, 13th place. Average: 7:18.

Nice running Sisu! Even though you weren't feeling 100%, you managed to go out quick, hang on in the middle mile, then pick it back up for the finish. You ended up without a teammate, which meant as the field spread out you were mostly by yourself. Still, you found a way to keep moving up, going from 16th to 13th after the one mile! That's great! Plus you finished the race with a 7:07 - even faster than your first mile! With some more people to race against and a nice taper, you'll be set up for an awesome 5k next weekend. New PR here you come!

Sam K - One mile: 6:15. Two mile: 12:47. Finish: 19:09, 53rd place. Average: 6:23.

Way to go Sam! That was a tough race, and even though you weren't feeling at your best, you still kept moving up throughout the race. Slotting in a bit behind Liam meant you had a teammate to look ahead for, which can be a major help in the middle mile. That meant you did a much better job this week of staying on your pace throughout, especially as you used the hills to gain some ground. As always, you left everything out there in your final sprint. With some consistent running over the summer, you'll be set up for a great senior year!

Zoie - One mile: 7:14. Two mile: 14:37. Finish: 21:56, 2nd place. Average: 7:19.

Awesome race, Zoie! Going in with low expectations turned out to be a great strategy—it took the pressure off and allowed you to just go out there and race. You’ve really nailed your pacing for 5k (and 3-mile) races, running with a smart strategy, maturity, and patience. The 5k equivalent of your performance is about 22:45, which is more than a 10-second PR! Plus, you ran that while recovering from being sick. What an incredible way to wrap up your freshman season!

Lena - One mile: 6:22. Two mile: 13:16. Finish: 19:30, 2nd place. Average: 6:30.

Really nicely done Lena! Racing with Ingrid and Alice is excellent - you get to help your teammates and they can also help carry you during the tough parts of the race. It was fantastic to watch you all push each other up (and down) the hills. You are figuring out your groove in this 5k business and it shows. You are really starting to trust yourself that you do not have to go out too fast, because there is time to reel them in. In this case, not too many to reel in since you three stayed super consistent and right up there at the front of the pack. Next week there will be many people around you but stay calm, cool and collected and I know you will do terrific!

Liam - One mile: 6:12. Two mile: 12:36. Finish: 18:35, 41st place. Average: 6:12.

Wow, what a consistent race Liam! Not only is your first mile split the same as your average, but your 5k equivalent is roughly the same as Leagues. During this hilly race, you competed well and moved up through the field in that last mile, which shows a lot of gritty determination. And, you dug deep to stay ahead of Okanogan and Brewster in that final stretch, woohoo! You are finding the rhythm in these last couple weeks and with your new shoes, you are really ready for a breakthrough race next week! 

Cassius - One mile: 7:01. Two mile: 14:24. Finish: 21:03, 16th place. Average: 7:01.

Way to go Cassius! Even though you weren't feeling well, you managed to average exactly the same pace as your first mile. That's a pretty tall order to fill, and you did it! Running with Elsa kept you going through the first two miles, and then you picked it up a lot to close out the course, moving down the big hill and into the finish. Closing with a 6:39 is really fast! It was great to see you start to find your pace this year as you reacquainted yourself with cross country, and hopefully you're looking forward to next season!

Elsa - One mile: 7:01. Two mile: 14:23. Finish: 21:28, 1st place. Average: 7:09.

What a race Elsa! You went out pretty fast and did a great job holding on to your pace, running with Cassius for the first couple of miles. As the field spread out, you dug in and worked the hills (both going up and coming down) to maintain your spot. And you had one of your best races yet! That was a big pace PR for you, and you felt great doing it. This season has had lots of twists and turns, and you came through all of that to make some major strides, which will set you up really well for next year. That's exactly how you want to finish out the season. You rock!

Holden - One mile: 5:19. Two mile: 10:58. Finish: 16:03, 2nd place. Average: 5:21.

Wow Holden! That was a phenomenal race, where we all got to see what you're capable of. You did a great job of staying patient in the first mile, then making a big move in the middle portion of the race and down the stretch to put it away with authority. Closing with a 5:05 is no joke! That's a huge pace PR for you, and you definitely have a bit more in you. It was so great to see you looking so smooth out there and running with confidence. Remember, people will go out really fast at state, and you don't necessarily need to be right at the front. If you're still connected, you'll be able to reel them in and leave them behind!