Liberty Bell XC - Oroville Invite - Middle School
Location: Lake Osoyoos State Park, Oroville, WA
Date: 10.13.17
Distance: 1.5mi Conditions: 1.5mi. 55 degrees with some occasional wind. A slower section of sand, but otherwise a mix of firm grassy surface and just a bit of downhill pavement.
General comments: The penultimate meet of the season — and with one more to go we should be starting to feel a little more lively and excited to race! Congrats to both the girls and boys for their victory!
MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS & BOYS
Girls: 1st place. 31 points. 4 complete teams. 34 total runners.
Team Score:
31 Liberty Bell
38 Tonasket
77 Omak
92 Manson
Boys: 1st place. 24 points. 4 complete teams. 47 total runners.
Team Score:
24 Liberty Bell
59 Brewster
64 Manson
85 Omak
Isaiah: 3rd boy, 3rd overall, 8:37
It’s good to have competition from other schools.You’ll see Tonasket’s Waylon Thomas again at this coming Saturday’s championships. He is definitely within reach. Just keep in contact early and believe!
Eamon: 5th boy, 5th overall, 8:41
Excellent, smart racing. You can probably go out even a tiny bit faster and just know you are going to be tough in the last half mile — because you are! You have this incredibly smooth running style and it looks like you could go fast all day long. Have the confidence to stick with the early pack this week and let’s see what happens!
Bellamy: 6th boy, 6th overall, 8:42
Such terrific improvement over this season. Brewster’s Juan Martinez was just 2 seconds ahead of you. At the Wenatchee meet, he was 15 seconds ahead! You are totally figuring out how to race and your workouts are paying dividends. Can’t wait to see what happens next week!
Sawyer: 10th boy, 10th overall, 9:13
46 seconds faster than your 1.5 mile race at South Whidbey! You looked strong and confident as you moved up throughout that first mile. Keep your arms nice and relaxed as you get tired and your legs will go even faster!
Carter: 12th boy, 12th overall, 9:15
It is so great how you throw yourself into racing. You aren’t afraid to get into the mix and you clearly give it your all. Make sure you keep your elbows driving back and not across your body and you’ll drop even more time!
Jori: 1st girl, 13th overall, 9:16
You may recall that last year they never gave us any girls results, but in last year’s race we figured out you finished right near a Tonasket boy who ran 9:26. So this was definitely faster! You just looked so solid throughout — nice knee drive, excellent strong core. Fast racing!
Tristan: 13th both, 14th overall, 9:17
A crazy good race, Tristan! More than 1:11 faster than at South Whidbey. You should feel really good about the way your season is unfolding. Each week you are stronger and more willing to get into that top 15 pack and make good things happen.
Stella S: 4th girl, 18th overall, 9:23
Another really good run, Stella. The two girls in between you and Jori, Perla Perez (Brewster) and Hattie Buchert (Tonasket), are both 7th graders and they both should be at our meet this Saturday. You’ll have a home course advantage—so just be patient and get up on your toes in the final kick.
Kieren: 16th boy, 20th overall, 9:26
This one looked like a break-through race for you. More than 1:10 faster than South Whidbey and you made it look so much easier. You are finding your running rhythm and racing should start to feel fun!
Graham: 21st boy, 25th overall, 9:36
Another solid performance, Graham. You are definitely getting stronger. Remember to stay focused in the middle of the race — find something ahead of you on the course to zero in on and just break the race down into little mini-chunks.
Jackson: 22nd boy, 26th overall, 9:39
Loved how you really raced those around you today. You were in a tight pack of runners all of whom you should see again this coming weekend. With a little rest in your legs from a lighter week and your familiarity with the home course, you can look forward to some fun racing them again!
Izze: 23rd boy, 27th overall, 9:41
This one looked like it hurt a bit more than last week. That’s ok — that’s what happens sometimes from week to week. You kept it together though, and still had something to speed it up at the finish. You have a ton of spring in your step and lots of strength. We sure hope you’ll continue to run through the years because you are going to grow into a very very fine racer.
Mahali: 5th girl, 28th overall, 9:42
What an awesome season you are having. You are a diligent, hard worker in practice and it is so paying off on race day. 44 seconds faster than 1.5 miles on South Whidbey. You have a terrific stride and you change gears well in a race. Rest well this week and enjoy what will be an awesome last race of the season this Saturday!
Lilia: 12th girl, 42nd overall, 10:12
A 36 second improvement over South Whidbey. You have a great approach to racing - you clearly like to compete, but you keep it relaxed and fun. This week think about staying tall in your super-strong core so that you have less motion side to side in your torso. It will feel so much more efficient!
Eli: 37th boy, 53rd overall, 10:33
Such an improvement over last year on this same course — almost 45 seconds faster this year! And your knee is still bugging you. You are definitely a very committed runner and we’re glad you’ve been able to tolerate racing with the knee. We have some great pictures of you about mid-way through the race and your form looks terrific — strong knee drive and good arms!
Ayeanna: 17th girl, 55th overall, 10:35
Such smooth, powerful running. You looked in complete control and absolutely focused. Almost a minute faster than the early season South Whidbey! You are going to so love our home course because there are some quiet sections where the spectators aren’t usually cheering. You are so mentally tough, though, you will rock it during those sections!
Mariah: 19th girl, 58th overall, 10:38
Last year they never gave us girls times, but from what we could tell you were something like low 11s. Clearly, no matter what, this year was faster. That should make you smile. You are racing well and you can take strength from running near teammates — it’s always better to run with friends!
Payten: 21st girl, 60th overall, 10:40
You were definitely significantly faster than last year on this course. They didn’t give official girls times last year, but we had you somewhere near 11:20-11:30 last year. So, big old improvement this year—which is not at all surprising given the truly terrific season you are having. It’s pretty great to see you find your running groove!
Grace: 23rd girl, 65th overall, 10:48
It is so good to have you racing! You have an infectious (in a good way!) attitude about it all — you clearly care and you enjoy the journey. You did an excellent job finding a steady rhythm this week and still had something to kick. We sure hope you’ll join us again next year!
Kellen: 43rd boy, 66th overall, 10:49
So the lunch with the suspect lunchmeat probably made this one much less fun. But, you did it. And that says a lot about you - you are unafraid, determined, and persistent. Next week will definitely feel better and now you know you can race through anything!
Connor: 44th boy, 67th overall, 10:50
1:16 better than at early-season South Whidbey. That should sure make you happy. You had some great leg turnover out there and it showed in a super fast time. One more race this season and we’re predicting another big leap!
Addie, David, Dusten, Kierra, Nina, Stella: We sure hope all of you can join us on Saturday for the last meet of the junior high season. You’ll know the home course well!
Liberty Bell XC - Oroville Invite - High School - 10/13/17
Location: Lake Osoyoos State Park, Oroville, WA
Date: 10.13.17
Distance: 5k Conditions: 55 degrees with some occasional wind. A slower section of sand, but otherwise a mix of firm grassy surface and just a bit of downhill pavement.
General comments: A very nice response to the hills at Leavenworth with some cohesive races and lots more late race ‘pop’ almost across the board. Paces are beginning to even out in pretty amazing fashion, and while the next two meets will not be ideal for running your fastest possible times, we should continue to get out strong and set that early pace. State will reward you with a fast course and a more competitive field but we need to stay fierce and flying in those opening miles even though we will be running with ourselves over the next two weeks. Inter-squad relay teams for Leagues? If we’re still intrigued let’s plan that out early this week. Keep it fun and pointed towards an incentive for all to run their best possible races!
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS
1st place. 45 points. 7 teams. 62 runners.
Gretta: 19:06, 1st place, 1st mile 6:08 - 6:09 pace
Turnabout is fair play :) A great race Gretta — and a good tune-up for what could be potentially similar challenges from Trout Lake’s top runner at Districts/State and perhaps a NWCL runner at State as well. You did a lot of the work out there, but it was terrific to see you press the pace and then stay right in contact and ready to pounce when the opportunity presented itself at the finish. Congrats on the win and another strong and totally solid race!
Ella: 19:48, 5th place, 1st mile 6:19 - 6:22 pace
A gritty performance - once again throwing yourself into the front of the race and then challenging others to pull away. Okanogan’s Lexi Ledux had you by 25 seconds at Leavenworth, but you were only 8 seconds behind her on Saturday. The next two races will be very different - so settle in on a rhythm for yourself and your teammates, but be ready to have a little more competition again (not much) at Districts before the fun at State.
Athena: 20:07, 7th place, 1st mile 6:27 - 6:28 pace
YES! You did it! Much more into things at the start, and you moved up and through a few more runners as the race progressed. A terrific turn for your junior season and with just a little more work to do until we taper, you can revel just a little bit in a 25 second PR on that Oroville course!
Icel: 20:12, 8th place, 1st mile 6:32 - 6:30 pace
Another PR for Oroville and once again a really strong middle part of the race. You are running “with” Athena for sure even if its a different kind of grouping then you’ve enjoyed with Ava in the last two years. Keep those eyes locked ahead and run your strengths. You are moving up all over the place in these races and will break new ground at the State meet as well!
Eva: 21:56, 24th place, 1st mile 7:03 - 7:04 pace
Patient and moving up the entire race — and in these next two meets you can challenge that opening mile just a little bit more. We should have a larger middle pack with the return of Lucy and Mia in the next two weeks, hopefully all can use that to their advantage and move this entire group of lady lions towards some PR times in the next several weeks!
Lindsay: 22:12, 30th place, 1st mile 7:07 - 7:09 pace
Nicely done again and great to see you building on a strong second half at Leavenworth. Right back on it this week and awesome to see that 7 minute mark right within your grasp! A little less “wide open” terrain this week, so make connections to the runners around you and run each section with tempo and pace. Not so many hills in the nest two weeks, but you can “crest” a turn or any section of the course our there that becomes a focus.
Keeley: 22:38, 37th place, 1st mile 6:51 - 7:17 pace
Still seeking drive and some forward moving power in that middle part of the race, but a perfect opening mile and one that you can build on. Two miles goes quick if you break it up in little chunks. 4 x 800m (at 3:30 pace - totally doable!) Drive through each section. To the hill. To the tree. ‘Round a corner. Onto the back of the next runner up… and then the next one.
Lena: 23:32, 43rd place, 1st mile 7:36 - 7:34 pace
Smooth and fluid again even more along the lines of your early season race in Wenatchee. You are feeling better for sure and now the trick is to get out just a little quicker so that you don’t give up 10-20 seconds of easy time in that opening mile. Trust the strength in your legs and arm from a summer of swimming and your running legs from the last 7 weeks. You are ready to rumble in that early going and to drop some serious seconds!
Liv, Lucy, Mia, Novie: More is better and we look forward to having you all back in the Lady Lion groove soon enough!
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS
Two objectives: 1.) Manson, and 2.) Tonasket… and by almost every measure we did EXACTLY what we needed to do. It was a bounce-back race for most over Leavenworth for sure, and we definitely set the record straight on our depth as a team our ability to throw it down even missing three of our usual top seven. Manson had all of their kids in the race, and Tonasket was “maybe” missing a potential top seven runner (but for some reason or another one who hasn’t competed in the last three meets). That being the case, we will be stronger again in the next two weeks and it will be great to see us mesh back together again. Embrace the bros. The Championship Season is upon us!
HS BOYS JUNIOR VARSITY
4th place. 87 points. 5 teams. 63runners.
Travis: 17:58, 1st place, 1st mile 5:44 - 5:47 pace
So great Travis — and an experiment well worth it! Believe that you can run these things strong and smooth no matter what the race. Spikes? No problem! And you are going to slide right into a spot with Cade right behind Emerson and Ian in perfect fashion. Simon and Nick will be there as well, and we start to look REALLY tough as a team with you running in the 18 min range like this for 5k. Congrats on the win and such smart racing all around!
Galen: 20:14, 27th place, 1st mile 6:44 - 6:31 pace
Spikes baby! Feelin’ good and looking so peppy and strong to finish that race. 6:44 to start and a 6:31 pace for the race. You were moving up throughout and did an amazing job of building through the entire race.
Logan: 20:16, 28th place, 1st mile 6:30 - 6:31 pace
Not feeling totally great, but practically even splits is nothing to sneeze at. Love how you challenged this one early in being out and closer to Bodhi. He was a little messed up by the early fall, but you didn’t hold back and let it go a bit. Try that again these next two weeks, and you are going to start feeling better over the final mile of your race.
Erick: 20:54, 34th place, 1st mile 6:36 - 6:44 pace
Once again pretty steady and well run. You didn’t go too fast at the start and you did a great job of finding teammates to run with during the middle of the race. More of the same in the next two weeks Erick. A very nice job and 20:30 or better is well within reach.
Bodhi: 20:58, 35th place, 1st mile 6:18 - 6:45 pace
In the words of Taylor Swift, “shake it off!” Chalk this one up to the early fall and perhaps a little bit of race shock due to take last weekend off. You are guaranteed to feel so much better at the start of next weekend’s race, and you can get right back into the racing groove that has been coming along all season.
Eden: 21:25, 39th place, 1st mile 6:45 - 6:54 pace
Wow. A really terrific performance in your very first 5k! Strong and steady, with some real guts on display in that final mile especially. The learning curve is steep, and you will feel like a totally different racer in another two weeks at Districts. A little speed to add on top of your increased fitness this week, and we’ll even cut back on the volume a little as well. Congrats again and so great to have you on the team!
HS BOYS VARSITY
5th place. 115 points. 10 teams. 75 runners.
Emerson: 17:35, 14th place, 1st mile 5:39 - 5:40 pace
Another consistent and solid effort! Great job early in being smart and tough racing right through the middle in that group with Gomez and Torgeson. You did some early work on their behalf, but still hung tough when then took a step or two in front. One race at a time, but another excellent job.
Cade: 18:11, 21st place, 1st mile 5:45 - 5:51 pace
Rhythm and purpose. You looked good early and maintained throughout. An 11 second improvement over last year — but a move up seven places. The PR time are harder to drop in large chunks once you get near that 18 min mark for sure. Great race tactics and your experience will be a boon to Travis when we have a larger group in this part of the race as we move ahead to State.
Nick: 18:15, 24th place, 1st mile 5:53 - 5:52 pace
Bounce back race. There you go! A totally different look on your face throughout, and you will only find those legs a little less heavy and ready to go in the weeks to come. You are running great with your arms and upper body strength throughout — and you get a sense as well of being able to lead a teammate though the middle to later part of the race as Simon wasn’t quite able to carry all of the load.
Simon: 18:26, 32nd place, 1st mile 5:53 - 5:56 pace
And playing off of the comments to Nick above - you two are an awesome duo out there! Yep, this one hurt, but you still hung super tough and it will be great to feel those legs with a little more life in the next two weeks. Once again hanging in the ballpark with Manson’ #3 and #4. You will eat their lunch again in the next two weeks.
Lazo: 18:30, 35th place, 1st mile 6:01 - 5:57 pace
Objectifying the objective! Racing right in the thick of that Manson/Tonasket pack, and your ability to hang — and then to time a perfect kick was just what we needed to see. 25 seconds faster than in 2016 — and THAT was a great race too. Excellent job in personifying our depth by beating Manson’s 5th (and Tonasket’s 4th) to the line and it will be more of the same in the next two weeks!
Peter: 19:37, 50th place, 1st mile 6:01 - 6:19 pace
Still missing just a step of rhythm over that hard part of the race around mile two. You caught the wave in a crowded field at Twilight, but in these slightly smaller races you’ll need to catch the rides a little more intentionally to make it work. Stay patient and know that you had a great race with a critical surge at our home meet last year. Look for that opportunity and take it!
Tim: 19:49, 51st place, 1st mile 6:02 - 6:23 pace
Generally steady and much more predictable all season Tim. 6:10 or so is an opening mile pace that you can certainly handle. We’re all racing together again this next weekend and it will be great to have you right back in the mix with Peter and Lazo again to start.
Andrew, Eli, Ian, Walker: Looking forward to getting you all back in the group. The little gaps that have opened up in the last two weeks will be filled in nicely with a full contingent. We currently have a 40sec. spread in our top five 5k times — and that will be awesome to see in reality with everyone toeing the line. Andrew, Galen and Logan will be a tighter group with you as well, and this should help everyone for sure over the next two weekends of racing!
