Location: Lake Woods Golf Course, Bridgeport, WA
Date: 9.11.18
Distance: approx. 1.4 to 1.5 miles. Lots of long grass, one big loop plus a little extra. Two big uphills (including one right near the end) and one long downhill. Total downpour — it started raining on our warm-up and just kept pouring through the whole race!
GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL RACE
Although the race was run as one big race with middle school boys and girls, they did provide a team score for just boys and just girls. And, congrats! Liberty Bell Girls won with a low score of 40 points, besting Okanogan in second with 62. It was a fun, gutsy run for all in some crazy wet weather. We loved seeing the joy and the giving-it-all out there!
Dashe: 9:32, 1st place, first mile - 6:09
BOYS MIDDLE SCHOOL RACE
Dashe: 9:32, 1st place, first mile - 6:09
Congrats. Looks like you are ready to keep the family tradition of fast racing rolling along. You looked relaxed and strong throughout and did a great job of leading our other runners along. It worked out well to be running with the boys as the experience of running with lots of competition will be very helpful as the season progresses.
Stella: 9:43, 2nd place, first mile - 6:20
Stella: 9:43, 2nd place, first mile - 6:20
Excellent start to the season. You found a comfortable spot behind Dashe and kept it there for the whole race. Your ski racing experience shines through in your calm and focused approach. This race set the tone for our season and having you pushing the pace up front will make Liberty Bell hard to beat.
Leki: 9:55, 3rd place, first mile - 6:20
Leki: 9:55, 3rd place, first mile - 6:20
Wow. What a super solid race. Ran through some serious leg soreness and ended up with a great result. I sense a little bulldog in you. You were able to stay in contact with Stella and Dashe and provide a formidable top three, putting three runners in front of Okanogan’s first. We will work on making sure you will have fresh legs for the Spokane meet.
Linnaea: 12:02, 16th place, first mile - 7:46
Linnaea: 12:02, 16th place, first mile - 7:46
Awesome first middle school race. You fought through some self doubt and were able to achieve your goals. Great job working to link up with runners and move your way up the pack. You were one place in front of Okanogan’s 4th runner. I see you continuing to move up through the line as the season progresses and you get a few more miles under your belt.
Grace: 12:24, 18th place, first mile - 8:03
Grace: 12:24, 18th place, first mile - 8:03
It looks like you found some of your inner GRRRR at the finish. 250 yds. out, you were shaking your head saying “I cant do this, I’m done” but somehow you dug deep and found an extra gear. Your finish looked super strong with excellent form. Performances like this show we have great depth with our our 4-7th runners making the Mtn Lions really hard to beat.
Lily: 12:38, 21st place, first mile - 8:06
Lily: 12:38, 21st place, first mile - 8:06
Talk about running through some pain. Way to keep focused through the distraction of your shins. You hung tough and stayed connected with our second group. You finished in front of Okanogan’s fifth runner, handing them an extra point. This highlights the importance of having a deep team. Once we get those shins all healed up, you will be a force to be reckoned with.
Ila: 13:17, 23rd place, first mile - 8:30
Ila: 13:17, 23rd place, first mile - 8:30
Way to hang tough throughout your first race. You ran steady throughout and finished strong. You were focused on running your race though it is always nice to look back at the finish and see more runners still strung out. This sets a good baseline which you can start working from during your first XC season.
Nina: We were impressed with your determination to toe the starting line under inclement conditions. You made a good call to pull up when your breathing got too heavy. We are in this for the long run and need to be smart about our racing. I think that as we get more practice and more miles in that your lungs will respond and get you through the whole race.
Ayla: Thanks for the cheering and great support. I look forward to Spokane and seeing you on the starting line. You looked strong in practice the other day and I am sure that with a little more practice you will be ready to roll. Big time.
Addie: Way to go crutching all over that golf course, getting miles splits and cheering the Mtn Lion along. Your positive presence is a great and important addition to the team and provides depth on many levels and as we know depth is the hallmark of great cross-country teams. Hopefully your recovery from the stress fracture is quick and we can get you back on the course at some point this season.
Nina: We were impressed with your determination to toe the starting line under inclement conditions. You made a good call to pull up when your breathing got too heavy. We are in this for the long run and need to be smart about our racing. I think that as we get more practice and more miles in that your lungs will respond and get you through the whole race.
Ayla: Thanks for the cheering and great support. I look forward to Spokane and seeing you on the starting line. You looked strong in practice the other day and I am sure that with a little more practice you will be ready to roll. Big time.
Addie: Way to go crutching all over that golf course, getting miles splits and cheering the Mtn Lion along. Your positive presence is a great and important addition to the team and provides depth on many levels and as we know depth is the hallmark of great cross-country teams. Hopefully your recovery from the stress fracture is quick and we can get you back on the course at some point this season.
BOYS MIDDLE SCHOOL RACE
Congrats! You emerged victorious over a good and deep field. Your low score of 42 surpassed Brewster in second with 65. There was some terrific pack running out there and you all did a great job finding someone to stay connected with and to race the whole way. All of our boys finished in the top half of the race. So much hear to feel good about and what an excellent way to kick off the season.
Graham: 9:07, 4th place, first mile - 6:01
Such smart, tactical racing. You kept it under control but quick at the start and you just moved up strategically through the first 3/4 mile. You ran a terrific downhill and that set you up for a really fast finish. You looked so strong and comfortable! Hope you feel good about this big opening season race!
Will: 9:22, 6th place, first mile - 6:13
Will: 9:22, 6th place, first mile - 6:13
Congrats on your first cross-country race ever. You sure made it look like you’ve raced before. You paced yourself really well and still had a big finish up and over the hill and into the finish line. You were the second 7th grade finisher, which tells us you are only going to get faster as you gain racing and running experience!
Carter: 9:31, 7th place, first mile - 6:15
Carter: 9:31, 7th place, first mile - 6:15
You went for it! Next race, we’ll dial it back just a bit in that first 400 and your legs and lungs will feel much better in the middle. You still rallied for an excellent run up the last hill and into the finish—and that’s tough! It’s great that you have so many teammates right nearby!
Aksel: 9:37, 9th place, first mile - 6:19
Aksel: 9:37, 9th place, first mile - 6:19
You were all heart and hard work out there and that vaulted you into the top 10. On many of the teams competing, you would have been the fastest runner — relish the fact that you get to run every day with other fast runners, because it is always more fun to get faster with your teammates! Really appreciated your calm approach to your first race and you ran really smart just finding your rhythm and holding strong the whole way!
Tristan: 10:01, 16th place, first mile - 6:46
Tristan: 10:01, 16th place, first mile - 6:46
I know you had a side stitch that cramped your style from the start, but that was still some very tough racing and you should feel good about the start to this season. It’s great that you remember how good racing can feel and that even when you don’t feel so good, you can still find the mental fortitude to dig in and compete.
Kyler: 10:07, 18th place, first mile - 6:36
Kyler: 10:07, 18th place, first mile - 6:36
What a great first race! You were the 9th fastest 7th grade boy and you stayed with the fast pace even after the slip in the sand. Your finish was impressive — you clearly had given it your all, but you still were moving your arms quick and driving your legs. You are going to have a great season and feel better and more confident every week!
Jackson: 10:08, 19th place, first mile - 6:52
Jackson: 10:08, 19th place, first mile - 6:52
Smooth! You run so easily and with this incredibly fluid, smooth stride. You also ran smart — not getting out too crazy fast and just holding the pace and catching people. You did an excellent job staying connected to people throughout the race and thanks for being one of the 8th grade leaders during the warmup!
Kellen: 10:16, 22nd place, first mile - ?
Kellen: 10:16, 22nd place, first mile - ?
I know you felt like you didn’t have the kind of finishing kick you wanted, but I think that is because you ran the whole race much faster than you did last year at this time. You were almost a minute faster than your opening race last year — and yes they are different courses, but that’s a serious, legitimate improvement no matter what. So, yes, you will find your kick, but let’s celebrate the fastness of the whole thing this week!
Isaiah: We want to acknowledge your very mature and smart decision-making. Your knee was not feeling good on the warm-up and given the cold and wet conditions and the persistence of your pain, you were right to be patient and choose not to risk further injury. We know you love to race — and we hope you’ll be out there soon. You were a great leader of the team cheer and a good teammate supporting and celebrating others. Hang in there — you will heal!
Isaiah: We want to acknowledge your very mature and smart decision-making. Your knee was not feeling good on the warm-up and given the cold and wet conditions and the persistence of your pain, you were right to be patient and choose not to risk further injury. We know you love to race — and we hope you’ll be out there soon. You were a great leader of the team cheer and a good teammate supporting and celebrating others. Hang in there — you will heal!