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!

CWB League Championships 10/25/2025

Course Length – 5k

 

General Notes – Our home course is always fun, with lots of open fields to see the competition. The terrain is fairly flat, but the footing means the course isn't particularly fast. It was a chilly day, with temps in the low 40's and a very consistent downpour throughout the races. This was a smaller meet with 13 high schools present.

We had some timing issues during the JV race, so we only have some approximate mile times. We were not able to get any 2-mile splits.

  

The Boys Varsity won with 31 points. Okanogan was 2nd with 40 points. There were 44 athletes and 7 teams.

The Girls Varsity won with 20 points. Manson was 2nd with 38 points. There were 27 athletes and 2 teams.

The Boys JV won with 15 points. There were 11 athletes and 1 team.

The Girls JV won with 15 points. There were 11 athletes and 1 team.

Sam P - One mile: 7:45ish. Finish: 25:43, 8th place. Average: 8:18.

Nice running Sam! You really put yourself out there, going with Finn, SJ, Kylie, and Madie, which meant you had a pretty fast first mile. Even though you went fast, you were able to hold on really well and come through with a new PR, pushing all the way to the line! You also looked very smooth while doing it. This week you have another shot at feeling good, and I think a slightly slower first mile will really pay off. Keep it up!

Alida - One mile: 7:00ish. Finish: 21:48, 1st place. Average: 7:02.

Great race Alida! You did an excellent job finding your pace early, running with Elsa and Cassius, then you kept pushing yourself, holding onto that pace through the middle stretch. Even when you found yourself running solo, you dug deep and set a new PR! It seems like not worrying about your time and just running really paid off. Let's keep that mentality going into the final stretch!

Liam - One mile: 5:59. Finish: 19:19, 21st place. Average: 6:14.

Nice running Liam! What with the cold weather and the packed line, you got out maybe a bit too fast. That's ok! You did a great job moving up in the second mile, holding onto your pace while others dropped off. You also made some smart moves, like when you used that little burst to catch up with Sam so you could run with a teammate. That's called experience! While it wasn't quite as fast as you wanted it to be, I think with another couple of weeks you'll break 19:00!

Maren - One mile: 6:35. Finish: 21:11, 6th place. Average: 6:50.

Fantastic job, Maren! You absolutely crushed the 22-minute barrier with an incredible 54-second PR! You’re amazing. Your first mile was quick, but you stayed strong and steady—even when you found yourself running solo. That’s such an impressive skill to have; running fast alone takes real grit. I’m so glad your hip is starting to feel better! For the rest of the season, let’s keep prioritizing recovery and work on keeping those shins happy. Now it’s time to set your sights on breaking 21 minutes—you’ve got this!

Holden - One mile: 5:22. Finish: 17:20, 4th place. Average: 5:35.

Great work Holden! It was awesome to see you feeling so good and running so smooth in that race! You got out quick with the lead pack, which set up an exciting race throughout. The pack definitely slowed down in the second mile, and you didn't have another group to catch for a bit, but you and your teammates kept pushing together. Then you dug deep and pulled out a major sprint to the finish. That's excellent! Since you have teammates to run with, it may be beneficial to aim for a slightly slower first mile so you can feel really good and move in the middle mile. Keep it up!

Soren - One mile: 5:23. Finish: 17:20, 5th place. Average: 5:35.

Nice run Soren! That was a big PR for you, and you made it look pretty easy, running with your teammates in the lead pack for the first two miles. You all went out perhaps a bit too fast, but that was a reasonable thing to do given you were right at the front and there wasn't another group to chase up ahead of you. Still, you dug deep and went with Aidan as he started to move, which is exactly what you want to do. Keep working together, and that crew is going to break 17:00!

Tova - One mile: 7:15ish. Finish: 23:19, 6th place. Average: 7:31.

Way to go Tova! Not only did you push with Zoie and Ava, you pushed yourself all the way through the line to a 44 second PR! You got out to a fast start, probably slightly faster than you would want to go, and that did mean you slowed down through the middle mile. That's ok! Working with your teammates, you picked it back up for a strong finish in the cold weather. With the taper coming, this next race is going to be a lot of fun!

Crispin - One mile: 6:00ish. Finish: 19:21, 1st place. Average: 6:15.

Great race Crispin! Not only did you run the entire time by yourself, you did a pretty good job of finding your pace and pushing throughout. You likely got out a bit fast, and you did slow down a bit, but that's totally fine! It can be challenging to stay consistent when there's no one else around. You still found a way to kick hard at the end, and it sounds like you felt really good afterwards. That's awesome! I think a sub-19:00 pace is just around the corner!

Luke - One mile: 6:30ish. Finish: 20:23, 2nd place. Average: 6:35.

Awesome job, Luke! That was an impressive run—dropping a 38 second PR in those conditions is no small feat, but you made it look effortless. Your first mile was fast, yet you stayed strong and even moved up during the second mile. Then, even when you ended up running solo, you didn’t let it slow you down. The determination you showed all the way to the finish was awesome to watch. You’re having a fantastic season—let’s see what you can do this week!

Orlo - One mile: 5:35. Finish: 17:59, 12th place. Average: 5:48.

What a race Orlo! First off, you just broke 18:00 and set a 42 second PR! You went out pretty fast, keeping River and Soren in your sights through the second mile, just like you wanted to. That really seemed to help when you got caught by yourself for a stretch there. Then, as always, your last mile was blazing fast, as you picked off runner after runner down the stretch. I think the next couple of races will be even better for you as the field expands and your shoulder relaxes. You're in a really great spot coming into the finish. Keep it up!

Cassius - One mile: 7:00ish. Finish: 21:37, 4th place. Average: 6:58.

Fantastic race, Cassius! You didn’t let your sore calves or shin pain slow you down—way to stay tough out there. You got out at a strong pace and worked well with Alida and Elsa through the first mile. Then you and Alida really started moving, picking off runners one by one as you powered through the middle part of the race. To cap it all off, you absolutely crushed the final 400—flying down the hill and charging all the way to the finish. Keep focusing on recovery for your shins this week, and let’s close out your season strong at Districts!

Aidan - One mile: 5:21. Finish: 17:18, 3rd place. Average: 5:35.

Nice running Aidan! The conditions were a bit different this time around, and you adjusted to them very well. Unfortunately we didn't have a massive hill for you to eat up, but don't worry! There are plenty in the next couple races. You got out fast with the lead pack, then went with Okanogan as they picked it up at the 2-mile. They got a bit of space, and that's ok, because with a nice taper I think you'll have no problem picking them off, especially as your teammates go with you. Keep going!

Sam K - One mile: 5:57. Finish: 19:32, 26th place. Average: 6:18.

Nice race, Sam! Those were some tough conditions out there, but you put your head down and got it done—running 14 seconds faster than at 509! That’s especially impressive given you just got back from your hunting trip and have been managing hip and knee pain. Keep staying consistent with your recovery work. Your first mile went out pretty quick, but that can happen in cold races when the field goes out fast. Let’s aim to start a bit more conservatively next time so you’ve got more energy to hold pace through the later stages of the race. Keep up the great effort!

Finn - One mile: 7:45ish. Finish: 26:55, 9th place. Average: 8:41.

Great job Finn! It's always nice to get that first 5k of the season out of the way, and you did a great job running with so many teammates throughout the race. It was cold, which is likely why you got out so fast, and that probably set you back a bit down the stretch. However, you worked hard through the second half of the race for a solid finish. A bit of patience next time will go a long way, and you're in for a great 3-mile!

Elsa - One mile: 7:00ish. Finish: 22:32, 3rd place. Average: 7:16.

A 44-second PR after coming back from injury?! That’s incredible, Elsa! You’re such a strong and determined runner. I know you were hoping for one of those days where everything just clicks and the pace feels easy, but to run that big of a PR on a day when it didn’t feel great is even more impressive. Take a moment to think about what you learned from this race, then let it go and shift your focus to the week ahead. This week, let’s work on controlling the things we can and not worrying about the rest that comes with racing. Trust yourself and your training—you’re more than capable of holding that faster pace, even when your mind starts to doubt it. Great job, Elsa!

Bhavana - One mile: 9:30ish. Finish: 31:32, 11th place. Average: 10:10.

Wahoo, Bhavana! You ran tough in tough conditions! You show consistency and persistence - both fantastic things to achieve in racing. It’s possible you went out a little fast. But sometimes that’s hard to avoid and you did a good job keeping with it, staying determined, which can be hard to do. You do an excellent job of paying attention to what your body and mind needs to stay intentional, present and feeling good - so let’s keep doing that and keep having fun and these last couple weeks will be amazing. 

Sisu - One mile: 7:15ish. Finish: 22:30, 2nd place. Average: 7:15.

Way to go, Sisu! Even though you were nervous about beating your 509 time, of course you pulled off another PR! You’re such a fierce competitor, and that really showed in this race. We don’t have exact mile splits, but by our estimates, you even-split the race. Wow! That’s very impressive in those conditions and running by yourself. You did an awesome job running smart and staying patient, resisting the urge to go out too fast and instead methodically reeling people in. Then your competitive fire kicked in, and you finished with one of your strongest kicks yet down the field. Let’s keep this PR streak going!

Yasmin - One mile: 8:30ish. Finish: 28:40, 10th place. Average: 9:15.

Nice running Yasmin! I know you were a bit nervous about racing, especially given how cold it was, but you didn't let that stop you! You ended up running most of the race solo, which can be a challenge. However, you did a great job of pushing yourself up and over every hill out there! Plus, you were 30 seconds faster than at 509, which is a big accomplishment! With a bit of patience in the first mile, I think you're in for a great race at Apple Ridge!

Ingrid - One mile: 6:32. Finish: 20:28, 3rd place. Average: 6:36.

Wow! Ingrid, that was an amazing race! You went out fast at 6:32, then held on through the middle mile, before closing strong with a 1:16 PR! That is awesome! Even though you found yourself a bit behind Lena, Sammy, and Alice, you kept moving, gradually closing the distance on the pack. These past two weeks, you've really shown just how strong you are, and the best part is I know you have even more speed, and the runners at state have no idea what's coming for them. You're on a roll!

Kylie - One mile: 7:45ish. Finish: 26:40, 9th place. Average: 8:36.

That was such a great race, Kylie! After everything you’ve dealt with with your ankle, it was awesome to see you out there running so strong. You stuck with the big Liberty Bell pack early, which carried you to a fast first mile. Even though you found yourself mostly alone in the second half, you kept pushing and finished strong. Racing by yourself takes a lot of mental toughness, especially in that weather.  And you snagged another HUGE PR - over 2 minutes! You’ve worked hard all season while battling your ankle, and it’s paying off. You should feel really proud of that effort and the way you competed today. Way to go! 

Zoie - One mile: 7:15ish. Finish: 22:58, 5th place. Average: 7:25.

Wowzers, what a race Zoie!! You crushed! In very chilly conditions, you leaned into the challenge and really competed. You raced smart and ran with a great group of teammates which helped push you through the tough middle part of the race. You are getting the hang of racing this distance and it shows with your biggest PR of the season - 50 seconds faster than Battle for the 509! You are really starting to find the sweet spot of racing - not going out too fast or having too much left over at the end. Excellent work!

Ava - One mile: 7:15ish. Finish: 22:58, 4th place. Average: 7:25.

Ava, that was incredible! You carried the momentum from last week’s time trial and it really showed out there. You looked strong from start to finish—going out with Tova, steadily reeling Zoie in, and then finding another gear in the final stretch. It was such a fun race to watch. Not only did you run your best 5k of the season, but you also ran a course PR! You ran even faster than you did at last year’s league meet, which is something to be really proud of. Cloudy, rainy races are definitely your sweet spot!

River - One mile: 5:25. Finish: 17:29, 7th place. Average: 5:38.

Let’s go, River! What a PR - plus, compared to last year’s home meet you were a minute and a half faster this year. You ran an impressive, brave race. That top boys pack stayed together for quite a ways into this race, and you did not let yourself lose focus, or fall off, even after a quick first mile. You fought hard in this race, and I hope you are proud of yourself! Keep bringing that excitement to these next couple weeks and it will pay off.

Alice - One mile: 6:30. Finish: 20:31, 4th place. Average: 6:37.

What a race, Alice! You’re really starting to figure out how to handle these longer races and trust yourself to hold those fast paces. You ran over two-minutes faster than your first 5k at Connell - wow wow wow! It was awesome seeing you run in a pack with Sammy and Lena early on, and then work with Lena through most of the race. What impressed me most was halfway through—when it looked like you were starting to fall back a bit—you made the decision to dig in, reattach, and stay with them. That kind of determination is huge. The sky’s the limit heading into the post-season races!

Sutherland - One mile: 7:45ish. Finish: 25:14, 7th place. Average: 8:08.

Awesome racing SJ! You trusted yourself and ran a fantastic, competitive and brave race. You did not let the rainy weather or your nerves stand in your way. You started with your teammates and didn’t go out too fast. And you carried that momentum to peel away and really run your own race. It’s really fun to see you get the hang of high school racing and gain confidence as you learn and grow. I know there have been bumps in the season, but you keep bringing your best self and I can’t wait to see what you do this next week!

Calvin - One mile: 10:15ish. Finish: 32:44, 10th place. Average: 10:34.

Great job Calvin! On a very rainy and cold day, you showed great strength. I know you didn’t quite make the goal you had on this day. But that doesn’t mean it’s not around the corner. You’re learning each time you race and growing in your race smarts and endurance. Your knee not feeling the best is tough and it can make racing not feel amazing. But I’m glad you felt good to race. Let’s try to do all the good recovery things for the last bit of the season so you can feel your best and run your best!

Nina - One mile: 7:08. Finish: 22:05, 9th place. Average: 7:07.

Fantastic job Nina! You ran an incredible race - smart and fearless. You ran your race and it helped you continue to reel people in the whole time. You did not let up! Your brave racing helped you place above Manson’s 3rd runner, and helped your team points. You are continuing to stay in that low 22 range and it is due to your hard work this season - everything from visualizing your race, doing your band exercises, getting enough sleep, and being engaged at practice. I’m excited to see what you do this week and next!

Lena - One mile: 6:24. Finish: 20:31, 5th place. Average: 6:37.

Way to go Lena! That was a tough race, and you went out pretty fast. Even though you slowed down a bit, you still worked with Sammy and Alice in the middle mile and down the stretch, getting yourself to a new PR! The conditions were definitely less than ideal, and you didn't have anyone to chase down, which is one of your fortes. Next time around, with a bit of patience up front, I think you'll be in for a phenomenal race. You rock!

Sammy - One mile: 6:24. Finish: 20:23, 2nd place. Average: 6:35.

Congratulations on your first 5k Sammy! It was so cool to see you running in the pack with Lena and Alice at the start. That got you three out pretty quick, and even though you slowed down in the middle mile, you were able to push each other through. Then, when it came down to the final effort, you dug deep and started speeding up, coming through with an awesome time! A slightly slower opening mile may pay off, which is something to think about next time. Overall though, you were great!

Madie - One mile: 7:45ish. Finish: 26:09, 8th place. Average: 8:26.

Great job, Madie! You got out fast in that first mile, keeping right with the big Liberty Bell pack—and that’s totally fine! The cold weather can make running quick feel a bit easier anyway. Once the pack started to spread out, you did an awesome job settling into your own race and staying strong. Even better, you were super close to your PR and over a minute and a half faster than last year on our home course! You were also very stylish with your pink long sleeve - nice touch!