Gear Up Northwest Preview 9/13/2025

 Sehome Invite – 9/13/2025

 

Course Length – 2 miles

 

General Notes – This is a course where part of the race is flat (grass and track) and the other is rolling hills on a gravel path. Despite the large field and lots of spectators, the back section is fairly quiet and secluded. The weather during the races was in the high 60s to low 70s, with the sun coming out later in the day and heating things up. There were lots of schools at the meet, especially from the West side. Everyone ran really well in our first meet of the season!

  

In the JV Boys 1 Race, there were 120 competitors. 

In the JV Boys 3 Race, there were 148 competitors. 

In the 9th Grade Girls Race, there were 137 competitors.

In the 10th Grade Boys Race, there were 156 competitors.

In the 10th Grade Girls Race, there were 175 competitors. LBHS was 4th out of 12 scoring teams.

In the 11th Grade Boys Race, there were 163 competitors.

In the 11th Grade Girls Race, there were 147 competitors.

In the 12th Grade Boys Race, there were 127 competitors.

For the merged team scores, Sehome uses the McDowell scoring system, wherein a team's score is calculated by adding the top finisher in each class race plus the next two best finishers in any race. Neither of our teams had a runner in every class race, so it isn't exactly clear how our team scores were calculated, however, they are as follows:

Girls Team: 318 points, 9th out of 41 

Boys Team: 650 points, 27th out of 37

We were having some technical difficulties this week, so some of the photos are duplicated and we weren't able to take photos during some of the races. Hopefully by next week we'll have that figured out!

Sutherland – One mile: 8:06. Finish: 16:35, 78th place. Average: 8:18.

Congratulations on your first high school race Sutherland! That was a big race, with lots of people, and you managed to hold your own and stay consistent. Your second mile was a bit slower than your first, but that's totally to be expected as you transition to longer races! With more experience, you'll find your pace. Keep on truckin!

Kylie – One mile: 10:29. Finish: 21:20, 165th place. Average: 10:40.

Congrats on your first high school cross country race! Great job pushing through on a tough day. You held your own in a big race and put together a great performance. Plus, your ankle held up for the whole race! Even though you have been dealing with your ankle injury, you are coming into the season in a great place, and we will keep building from here. We have a lot of season left, keep it up!

Calvin – One mile: 10:23. Finish: 22:56, 115th place. Average: 11:28.

Great job Calvin! This was an excellent opportunity to get that first race of the season out of the way, and now we have a starting point to build on. Even though you were gone on your trip, you are coming into the season in a great place, and you ran 25 seconds faster than last year! With some more consistent training, you'll be smashing your 5k record in no time!

Luke – One mile: 6:37. Finish: 13:29, 129th place. Average: 6:45.

Great job Luke! Your first mile was almost exactly the same as last year, but you were able to maintain pace to finish 18 seconds faster than last year! That shows you are coming into the season in a great place. Just like last year it was fun to watch you work with Crispin throughout the race. Next time, push yourself to hang with Crispin for longer – you can do it. I bet you will be setting a new 5k PR very soon! 

Elsa – One mile: 6:52. Finish: 14:28, 52nd place. Average: 7:14.

Wow Elsa! You ran over a minute faster than last year! You do a great job working with teammates throughout the race and this was an awesome way to start your season. Next week let’s start a little more conservatively so you are able to hold a consistent pace throughout the race. All of your hard work over the summer is really showing – I’m excited to see what you can do this season.

River – One mile: 5:32. Finish: 11:25, 32nd place. Average: 5:43.

Great first race River! You got pulled out a little faster than planned but that’s understandable in these big early season races. It was fun watching you and Soren work together for the whole race. I think you two can lock in and push each other to some great races this season. You are in a great spot, and I’m excited to watch you grow this season. Keep up the great work! 

Sam K – One mile: 6:11. Finish: 12:38, 122nd place. Average: 6:19.

Nice running Sam! You set a goal to stick with Orlo, and that got you off to a quick start, which you were able to hold pretty well. Maintaining that connection with a teammate in the race is very helpful, and I think that will be a productive strategy for you this year. As always, you found a way to surge through the finish, working that final turn to your advantage. Keep it up!

Cassius – One mile: 6:32. Finish: 13:35, 58th place. Average: 6:48.

Congrats on your first high school race! That was a big race, but you did a great job holding your own and competing. Throughout the race you kept moving up through the pack and had a great finishing kick. You slowed down a little bit in the second mile and said you had a little left in the tank at the end. Next week in the 5k you will have more time to find your pace and really empty the tank. Keep up the good work! 

Soren – One mile: 5:32. Finish: 11:22, 30th place. Average: 5:41.

Awesome race Soren! You ran 27 seconds faster than last year! This is a great starting point for the season, let’s build on this going into the rest of the season. You and River ran really well together, helping each other keep pushing through the entire race. It’s going to be a lot of fun watching you two work together this season. Great job!

Finn – One mile: 7:27. Finish: 15:50, 59th place. Average: 7:55.

Great job Finn! You were phenomenal, getting us going with a great performance. You went out fast, and you definitely slowed down for the second mile, but that's totally fine. That's what these first races are for! As we settle into 5ks this week, we'll have time to take a breath, find our pace, and hit our stride. Keep up the good work!

Ava – One mile: 7:10. Finish: 14:59, 64th place. Average: 7:30.

Way to hang tough Ava! You got out quick with Nina which I think you felt a little in the second half of the race as you started to slow down. That’s completely understandable especially as we are getting used to racing again in these early races. I bet with a few more weeks of training you will be right where you want to be. Keep it up! 

Alida – One mile: 6:54. Finish: 14:39, 48th place. Average: 7:20.

Way to race Alida! I know this isn't exactly your ideal 2-mile race, but this is just the first one of the season. You're a very strong and competitive person, and the transition from skiing to running will take some time. Next week you'll have lots more teammates to run with, which will help with pacing and moving together through the field. We have a lot of season left to grow!

Nina – One mile: 7:09. Finish: 14:35, 55th place. Average: 7:18.

Great race Nina! Keep your head up this was a great place to start your season – 33 seconds faster than last year. You hung tough, passing lots of people in the second lap and slowly reeling in Sisu and Elsa. As you know, when you get tired your shoulders get tight and you don’t use your arms as much, let’s focus on staying relaxed. You like racing longer distances so keep up the momentum as we move into 5ks and the rest of the season!

Orlo – One mile: 6:04. Finish: 12:10, 88th place. Average: 6:05.

What a run Orlo! First off, you were incredibly consistent, with your second mile only a couple seconds slower than your first mile. That's awesome! Plus you went out right at your goal despite the fast start from the field. That means you're in a good spot as we move to 5ks with hitting your goal times. Keep up the good work!

Sam P – One mile: 8:11. Finish: 16:09, 139th place. Average: 8:05.

Great first race Sam! You ran a very smart race for your first high school cross country race. A somewhat conservative start really seemed to pay off as you were able to speed up the second mile. You popped out of the woods, pumping your arms, and pushed all the way through the finish line. It will be fun to see what you can do with some more training and race experience. Great job! 

Zoie – One mile: 7:03. Finish: 14:23, 33rd place. Average: 7:12.

Nice job Zoie! You ran a very consistent race in your first high school outing, which is awesome! It was great to see you sticking with Tova, and slowly closing the gap throughout the course. Next time, the two of you may want to run together so that you both have a teammate helping you along. Keep up the great work!

Aidan – One mile: 5:09. Finish: 10:37, 14th place. Average: 5:19.

Congratulations Aidan! Your return to XC running went very well, and you battled hard through a tough field, moving up through the second mile as everyone else slowed down. You went out fast, and your second mile was a bit slower, but that's to be expected. You'll have more time in the 5k to find your pace and cruise. Keep motoring!

So sorry, but we didn't get a photo of you this week!

Lena – One mile: 6:14. Finish: 13:03, 7th place. Average: 6:32.

Way to go Lena! You put yourself in the race, and pushed hard all the way to the finish, moving up throughout the course. Your first mile was pretty quick, and one thing to consider would be to go out a bit slower so you have a bit more for the second mile. Overall though, you ran a great race!

Tova – One mile: 6:57. Finish: 14:22, 32nd place. Average: 7:11.

You rock Tova! You went out fast with Zoie, then held on through the trees. Your second mile was a bit slower, but that's totally normal, especially given this was your first high school race. Throughout though, you stayed calm and collected, and found a way to pick it up through the line. I think running with Zoie will be a great idea going forward, so you have someone helping you along the way!

Ingrid – One mile: 6:27. Finish: 13:35, 22nd place. Average: 6:48.

Wow! What a race Ingrid! For starters, you went out fast, but that didn't seem to bother you, because you held on to run over a minute faster than last year! Plus, you held off a late surge to finish strong and claim your spot at the line. You're coming into the season in a great place, and it's going to be a lot of fun seeing what you accomplish this year!

Sisu – One mile: 6:52. Finish: 14:34, 54th place. Average: 7:17.

Awesome race Sisu! This is a great place to start the season. Your second mile was a bit slower, but that’s normal, especially in these early season races. When you get tired remember to relax your shoulders and keep swinging your arms, this will help you to keep running efficiently later in the race. Get this, you were over a minute faster than last year! I can’t wait to see what you can do this year! 

Crispin – One mile: 6:36. Finish: 12:56, 110th place. Average: 6:28.

Nicely paced race Crispin! Great job starting conservative and staying relaxed in the first mile. Then you were able to pick up the pace and pass lots of people in the second lap. Plus, you were 47 seconds faster than last year! What a great start to your season.

Maren – One mile: 6:50. Finish: 13:40, 31st place. Average: 6:50.

Maren, perfect pacing once again! You do such a great job finding your pace early and holding that pace the entire race – and pulling your teammates along with you. I don’t think you realize what a great runner you are and how important you are to your teammates. Keep doing all your injury prevention and you are off to another great season!

Sammy – One mile: 6:22. Finish: 12:37, 10th place. Average: 6:19.

Great race Sammy! Top 10! You ran a smart and patient race. You started off quick and then just kept getting faster, picking people off as you went. As you get tired in races remember to keep your shoulders loose, but overall, you looked strong and relaxed the whole race. Keep up the great work!

Alice – One mile: 6:58. Finish: 13:33, 29th place. Average: 6:47.

Congratulations on your first cross country race! That was a big race, with lots of people, but you held your own and didn’t get pulled out too fast. You ran a nicely paced race, slowly speeding up throughout and reeling people in. I think you even surprised yourself with how fast you were able to run. Next race, try going out with Maren so you two can work together. Keep up the great work!

LBHS Campout August 2025

 The LBHS XC team capped off the end of the first week of our 2025 season with a campout at Black Pine Lake and an ascent of Buttermilk Butte! It was a lot of fun to see so many new and returning faces this week, and the campout was an absolute blast!

Swimming? Check.

S'mores? Check.

Impromptu guitar, harmonica, and drum trio? Check.

Thanks for a great first week, and we'll be back with a post after Sehome on 9/13!

State Meet - 11/9/2024

State Championships – 11/9/2024

This is a bit of a combo post, which covers the district meet and the state meet. For anyone who did not run in Pasco, you will find your results from Wenatchee the week before!

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 mid 40's with some mostly cloudy skies but no precipitation. There was very little wind.

The Girls Varsity finished in 6th place with 155 points. Rainier won with 71 points. Valley Christian was 5th with 133 points. Manson was 7th with 155 points (Liberty Bell won the tie breaker). There were 144 athletes and 15 teams.

Looking ahead to next year, there will be a lot of graduations in the top 5 teams, while the 6th place through 10th place teams are not graduating anyone. That could lead to some changes throughout the field, with lots of teams (including our own) poised to break onto the podium. Of course, Manson is going to be another strong team, and I predict lots of close races next season, which is going to be lots of fun! Rainier and Garfield-Palouse are the likely favorites for next year, but it could be anybody's race! Hopefully that serves as a healthy dose of motivation to stay connected to each other this off-season, and to use the spring and summer to work on running form and fitness.

The Boys Varsity finished in 6th place with 169 points. Cle Elum-Roslyn won with 90 points. Freeman was 5th with 148 points. Mount Vernon Christian was 7th with 187 points. There were 144 athletes and 16 teams.

Looking ahead to next year, two teams in the top 5 will look very different, while the other three will return almost everyone. In fact, 11 of the top 20 athletes were seniors this year, meaning there could be some significant changes up front. Strong teams like Cle Elum-Roslyn and Okanogan will once again be looking to finish on the podium, and some other teams could be right in the mix. Obviously we are graduating three members of our team, however we have two alternates who are right there and some younger runners developing well. With some more experience and a off-season, our team could be poised to make a run for the podium as well!

Holden - One mile: 5:44. Two mile: 11:39. Finish: 17:52, 36th place. Average: 5:46.

Great job Holden! You went out at your normal pace for the first mile, then you turned in your best second mile of the year! That's awesome! Plus, you were able to keep moving up throughout the race. In fact, you were in 67th place at the mile. I know your shoes came untied, and that can be frustrating. Despite that, you were still able to run a very solid race! Congratulations on finishing the season strong!

Dexter - One mile: 4:56. Two mile: 9:54. Finish: 15:31, 1st place. Average: 5:00.

Way to go Dexter! True to form, you went out at the front and then ran your race the whole way. This was actually your fastest second mile of the year, which shows how much work you've put in over the season. You stayed cool, calm, and collected, even as the competition kept hanging on, then when you finally got an opportunity you made your move and never looked back. Congratulations on successfully defending your state title!

Ingrid - One mile: 6:42. Two mile: 14:03. Finish: 21:52, 37th place. Average: 7:03.

Great race and season Ingrid! You got out hard and were one of the first people to pop up over the hill. Then you did a great job of settling in and finding your pace. You found a group to work with through the middle part of the race and defended your place - being 37th place at the mile and the finish. Even better you finally broke the 22 minute barrier and did so back to back weeks! This proves to me you are figuring out how to trust and believe in yourself. You are a strong runner and you can run fast. Thank you for stepping up to be captain this season! You did a great job leading our young team and helping foster a great team environment. I’m excited to see what you can do next year!

Soren - One mile: 5:48. Two mile: 11:46. Finish: 18:03, 44th place. Average: 5:49.

Nice running Soren! Holding back a bit on the first mile really seemed to help you, because you were able to run your fastest second mile of the year. Then, you really picked it up, because from the two-mile to the finish you ran about a 5:40 pace. That's amazing! Throughout the race you kept moving up the field, going from 78th place at the mile to 44th at the finish. And you were able to run a 13 second PR! What a way to finish your 9th grade season!

Elsa - One mile: 7:26. Two mile: 15:14. Finish: 23:35, 82nd place. Average: 7:36.

Awesome job Elsa! Way to end your season with a PR! You were patient and held back a bit in the first mile which really seemed to pay off and help you the move up throughout the race. In your final mile you were able to speed up and race hard, moving up 7 places and having probably your fastest kick all season! You crushed the workouts all season and I can’t wait to see you continue to improve next season after track and some more running miles. 

River - One mile: 5:49. Two mile: 11:51. Finish: 18:26, 58th place. Average: 5:57.

Awesome race River! First off, congratulations on the 22 second PR! You did that by starting out fairly fast, then really holding on for the second mile, and finishing with everything. You were able to move up throughout the race, starting in 81st place at the mile and dropping 15 places by the two mile. That's great! Then, in your final mile you were able to maintain your pace and race hard! It's going to be a lot of fun seeing you continue to improve next season!

Alida - One mile: 7:00. Two mile: 14:13. Finish: 22:15, 47th place. Average: 7:11.

Nice job Alida! That was a great considering you were battling a cold. And you still ran over a minute faster than last year at the state meet. You did a great job of finding your pace and not getting pulled out too fast the first mile. Then you were able to patiently move up over the next mile - going from 60th at the one mile to 46th at the two mile. With each race you are gaining confidence and proving to yourself you can run fast. You care about running and aren’t afraid to put in the hard work. You are a lot of fun to coach and I can’t wait to see what you do next year after another year of strength and more running miles. Also, thanks for helping lead our young team this season and proving you can have fun while working hard!

Nina - One mile: 7:15. Two mile: 14:29. Finish: 22:24, 51st place. Average: 7:14.

Way to go Nina! Congratulations on the huge PR - 39 seconds. What’s even better is you seemed to figure out your pacing and even split the whole race which is incredible. Keeping a steady pace through the middle of the race was key and helped you to continue to move up throughout the race - dropping 35 places from the one mile to the finish (25 of those in the second mile!). You are a strong runner and it’s been a lot of fun to watch you gain confidence in your racing this season. Way to finish the season on a high note! 

Brodi - One mile: 6:03. Two mile: 12:45. Finish: 20:16, 116th place. Average: 6:32.

Congratulations Brodi! That was a tough race, and I know you had some concerns going in. Regardless, you were able to hit your first mile goal and then maintain it as long as you could, running through an injury that's been bothering you for a while. It was great to see you out there, steady as ever, running your race and leaving everything out on the course. As far as going out on a high note, I think that was one of the most impressive performances I've seen in a number of years. Here's to you!

Orlo - One mile: 6:03. Two mile: 12:27. Finish: 19:06, 87th place. Average: 6:10.

Great job Orlo! You went out right at your goal, then turned in one of your best second miles of the year. Once you were in the race, your closing speed came out again and you were able to keep moving all the way through the finish, going from 110th at the one mile to 87th. With each race, I hope you are building confidence in your ability, because you have a lot of potential. Believe me, you are a runner! Way to show it!

Sisu - One mile: 7:35. Two mile: 15:30. Finish: 23:46, 88th place. Average: 7:21.

Well done Sisu! First off congratulations on a 12 second PR! My favorite part of your race was seeing you reel in the Chesterton Academy girl in the last 600m and sprint by her to the line. Second, congratulations on PR’ing in every 5k this season! That’s amazing - with each race you seemed to figure out your pacing and believe in yourself a little more. If we had a few more races this season I bet you would have broken 23 minutes. I’m excited to watch you continue to improve next season! 

Tristan - One mile: 5:48. Two mile: 12:03. Finish: 18:55, 78th place. Average: 6:06.

Congratulations Tristan! It's been a long six years, and you went out with a new PR! You got out fast, then held on with everything you had. That was awesome to see! Once you got into your pack, you kept fighting for every position all the way to the finish, with your final mile being faster than your second mile. Plus, you were way faster than last year at state (and the year before), showing your growth physically and mentally. Thank you for an amazing career!

Ava - One mile: 7:08. Two mile: 14:11. Finish: 21:56, 41st place. Average: 7:05.

Wow Ava - 58 second PR! That’s what we call a breakout race where everything come together and clicks. I think being patient in the first mile was key in this race because then you ran your fastest second mile of the season. You went from 70th place to 45th by the two mile mark! In fact, you kept speeding up the entire race which is awesome. This races show how hard you worked all season and it was truly fun to watch. Congratulations on a great freshman season! 

Maren - One mile: 7:08. Two mile: 14:22. Finish: 22:05, 43rd place. Average: 7:07.

Great race Maren! I know it wasn’t quite the time you wanted but you can never be bummed when you PR and by 13 seconds. All while tripping and then ripping off the KT tape - sorry that made things worse not better. In typical Maren fashion you ran a nicely paced race - you may have lost a few seconds in the middle mile but then sped back up to finish strong. More importantly you made major moves through the field going from 74th place at the one mile to 53rd place at the two mile and then 43rd at the finish - that’s great and really key to helping the team get 6th place. You are right there and I bet you will have no problem breaking 22 minutes next year. You are a great runner - keep it up!

Madie - Two mile: 17:43. Finish: 26:27. Average: 8:32.

Great job Madie! You kept pushing yourself and were able to slowly reel in that other girl over the last mile. It was fun to see your competitive side and congratulations on winning the JV girls race! It also looks like you sped up quite a bit the last mile – your overall average pace was 20 seconds faster than your pace at the two-mile mark. Your knees gave you trouble this season but you did a great job sticking with it and working hard. Way to finish strong your season strong! 

Elliot - Two mile: 19:23. Finish: 29:09. Average: 9:24.

Way to go Elliot! I know this was a tough race but way to hang in there and keep working with Finn. It was fun to see you and Finn helping each other out the whole race, as well as running with Bhavana through the middle part of the race. You were even able to speed up the last mile to finish strong! Let’s keep working on getting your knees healthy and back to pain-free running. Also, thanks for being such a team player this season – always willing to help out. We really appreciate it! 

Finn S - Two mile: 12:50. Finish: 20:07. Average: 6:29.

What a season Finn! You put together a lot of learning in a short period of time, and your final two races really showed it. You went out at your typical pace, then held on very well on the slow course at Wenatchee. What was really impressive was how hard you finished, just like you always do. You did a great job pushing yourself throughout the season, and I'm really glad you decided to run this year. Keep working hard!

Sam - Two mile: 12:28. Finish: 19:15. Average: 6:13.

Nice running Sam! The slightly more conservative start (and running with Liam) seemed to put you in a really good place. All of that pulled you to a brand new PR! It's been a lot of fun seeing you push yourself throughout the season, and I'm glad you got a chance to run with Liam again one more time. The two of you work really well together, and I hope you keep working together!

Calvin - Two mile: 24:25. Finish: 37:34. Average: 12:07.

Great job Calvin! While this might not have been your best race of the season, this is right around where your fastest race was last year! That shows how consistent you've become this season! It was definitely a slower day, and I know you weren't feeling 100%, but it's great that you were able to maintain a pretty quick pace overall. The more you run, the more comfortable you will become and the faster your PR will be!

Luke - Two mile: 13:50. Finish: 21:35. Average: 6:58.

Well done Luke! With each race this season you have looked more in control of your race, staying calm and getting comfortable racing the 5k distance. Even when someone tried to push you off the course when you tried to pass them you didn’t lose your cool – just sprinted by on the other side. Looking back on your season, you ran almost the same two-mile split (13:50) that you ran in the season opener two-mile race at Sehome (13:47). Great job! Way to finish your season strong! 

Benji - Two mile: 13:21. Finish: 20:55. Average: 6:45.

Wow! It's pretty awesome that you were able to run such a consistent race, especially since it's been a while since your last 5k. You held a pretty constant pace after the two-mile, which is great seeing as you probably didn't know what your pace should be. That shows how tough you are and how much you can hang on. I can't wait to see what you can do!

Bhavana - Two mile: 19:25. Finish: 30:20. Average: 9:47.

Nice job Bhavana! You always look calm and in control during races. You did a great job of keeping a consistent pace – your pace through the two mile mark was very similar to your overall pace. It was fun to see you working with Finn and Elliot through the middle of the race. And it looked like you remembered to stay tall and take quick steps to help your hip. Keep up the PT and let’s get you running pain-free going into the track season and next year! 

Finn D - Two mile: 19:23. Finish: 29:08. Average: 9:24.

Great finish Finn! Once again, you ran a very consistent race, actually picking up some speed after the two-mile. Then, you pushed all the way up the hill to the finish. It's been really fun seeing you build confidence this year, working with Elliot throughout. With some more work and planning, I know you'll be set up for a big PR next season!

Crispin - Two mile: 13:15. Finish: 20:44. Average: 6:41.

Nice job Crispin! I think going out a little more conservative helped you in this race. You ran over 20 seconds faster than you did on this course in September. I think the key was the middle mile – you went through the two-mile mark 25 seconds ahead of last time. This shows you are starting to get the hang of pacing and racing the 5k distance. Way to finish your 9th grade season on a high note! 

Liam - Two mile: 12:28. Finish: 19:10. Average: 6:11.

Great race Liam! You've now had two races in the low 19-minute range, and that's absolutely where you belong. You're a very strong runner, going out at a consistent pace and then hanging on in the second mile, despite the slower conditions. I imagine it also helped having Sam running with you for most of the race, because you were able to pick up more speed after the two-mile mark. Congratulations on a breakout season!

Posey

Thanks for being a part of the team Posey! You had a rocky season dealing with injury and health issues but you still kept showing up and helped out in any way you could – taking splits, cheering everyone on, etc. Keep your head up! Let’s get you healthy and I’m sure you will be back to racing with that signature kick next season!