Liberty Bell XC - League Championships
Location: Liberty Bell High School, Winthrop, WA
Date: 10.20.18
Distance: 1.5mi MS, 3mi HS Course: Our home course — and a new one at that! Tall grass, short grass, trail, a few hills, an unanticipated water feature behind the elementary school, and a ton of cheering fans. The most perfect sunny fall weather!
MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS
1st place team. 15 points. Way to go girls. That was some fine racing. It was great to see some good competition out there. We do have strength in numbers. Something that some of the other teams are missing at this point. This will probably change in the future but we can continue to work to get stronger and faster and continue the great tradition of Mt. Lion distance running.
Ayla – 1st place, 9:37 - 6:28 first mile
Super smart race. Hanging back early, working with your teammates and letting it go when the time was right. Your finishing kick was a sight to behold. Great season. Your hard work and determination paid off big time. It was wonderful to see your confidence grow throughout the season. You battled through your early struggles the Nemesis and came out on top.
Leki - 2nd place, 9:40 - 6:26 first mile
Way to represent the Green and Gold once again. Your joy for running was evident
as you flew around the new course. Your racing experience is paying off. Understanding your pace and having patience in the early stages are the hallmarks of smart racers. Pre race nerves seemed to just provide fuel for your race. Great thing to be able to take that energy and channel it in positive directions. Awesome possum.
Dashe - 5th place, 10:07 - 6:27 first mile
You get the courage award for the day. You went out with the Brewster gals, pushing the pace and exploring how fast you could go. Ultimately, it might have been a little too fast but still you had the gumption to get out and give it a go. You held on courageously at the end, gritting through the last quarter mile even when your body was telling you, “No!” This season was full of learning for you and I’m confident the experience will help you grow as a racer and as a person. I look forward to seeing out there for many years to come.
Linnaea - 11th place, 11:17 - 7:30 first mile
So close to a couple of your goals. One place out of the top ten and just over the 1:30 split with our top runner. Great learning experience. Now you know what it takes to get out and compete. Super solid first season. Loads of improvement all the way though. Strong and confident. You are a runner.
Ila - 12th place, 11:17 - 7:30 first mile
Great finish. Your quiet determination has been shining all season long. You have been consistently turning in solid performances week in, week out. Really learning how to race. What an improvement from those first couple of races. Wow. Let’s plan on a solid summer of running next year and build a big base to grow on.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS
1st Place. We knew it was going to be tight in order to hold off Brewster, and on a beautiful day for racing, you all showed up and put forth and effort to be proud of. Defending your home turf. Way to go.
Isaiah - 1st place, 8:23 - 5:34 first mile
Way to get out there and race. You took off fast early , hoping to end the race early. When you saw that was not going to happen, you adjusted. Tucking in behind the Brewster runners and letting them do the hard work. You remained confident and finished them off with a devas ting kick. Way to go. This season had some health challenges for you but ended on a high note. Really looking forward to seeing you run with a full season of training under your belt. On to 5K in 2019!
Will - 7th place, 9:04 - 5:59 first mile
Great race. You achieved one of your goals for the race and still have a few more to keep working on in the future. Sub six minute mile split. Check. Beating Cruz from Manson. Oh so close. 8 seconds and one place behind him. Don’t worry, he is a 7th grader and you will have plenty of chances to get after him. Awesome first season. Your passion for running is contagious. Looking forward to seeing you grow into a team leader next year.
Graham - 8th place, 9:04 - 6:01 first mile
What a kick. You looked strong and relaxed motoring past the McCabe sculptures on your way to the finish. Did not leave anything out there in your last MS race. Impressive. Super solid season, getting stronger and faster pretty much each race. With continued training I am confident you will slot right into High School team and be a force to be reckoned with.
What a kick. You looked strong and relaxed motoring past the McCabe sculptures on your way to the finish. Did not leave anything out there in your last MS race. Impressive. Super solid season, getting stronger and faster pretty much each race. With continued training I am confident you will slot right into High School team and be a force to be reckoned with.
Carter - 11th place, 9:15 - 6:04 first mile
Way to go. Working with Aksel, you two were able to stay right in front of Brewster 4 and 5 runners. That was pretty much the race. If those guys beat you, Brewster walks away with the hardware. This is what we talked about before the race and you made it happen. Love to see you set goals and work hard to achieve them.
Aksel - 12th place, 9:17 - 6:05 first mile
Ditto on the comments for Carter. You were our 5th runner and finished just ahead of Brewster 4/5. Truly an amazing first year on the XC circuit. You really started moving in the second half of the season. When we got started, if someone would have told me you would almost be under 6 minute pace by the end of the year, I would have told them they were crazy. What wonders never cease. Can’t wait to see you leading the next wave of Mt. Lion MS harriers in 2019.
Tristan - 15th place, 9:39 - 6:13 first mile
You said you weren’t happy with your effort. But there were some many things to like about it. As you move on to HS running, we can work on staying connected and focused early in the races. I loved your second half of the race. You closed over 50 yds on a Brewster runner and challenged him at the finish even when you thought you were done. Great work. Great season.
Way to go. Working with Aksel, you two were able to stay right in front of Brewster 4 and 5 runners. That was pretty much the race. If those guys beat you, Brewster walks away with the hardware. This is what we talked about before the race and you made it happen. Love to see you set goals and work hard to achieve them.
Aksel - 12th place, 9:17 - 6:05 first mile
Ditto on the comments for Carter. You were our 5th runner and finished just ahead of Brewster 4/5. Truly an amazing first year on the XC circuit. You really started moving in the second half of the season. When we got started, if someone would have told me you would almost be under 6 minute pace by the end of the year, I would have told them they were crazy. What wonders never cease. Can’t wait to see you leading the next wave of Mt. Lion MS harriers in 2019.
Tristan - 15th place, 9:39 - 6:13 first mile
You said you weren’t happy with your effort. But there were some many things to like about it. As you move on to HS running, we can work on staying connected and focused early in the races. I loved your second half of the race. You closed over 50 yds on a Brewster runner and challenged him at the finish even when you thought you were done. Great work. Great season.
Jackson – 19th place, 9:57 - 6:32 first mile
Way to finish out your season. Sub 10 min and right at 6:30 mile pace. Those are good accomplishments. You were able to close the gap on the runners ahead of you in the second half of the race. Good even pacing. Thanks for bringing a great positive attitude out to practice every day. Getting out for regular runs next summer will be important as you transition up the longer distances but I am sure you will handle the leap just fine.
Kyler 22nd place, 9:59 - 6:34 first mile
Sub 10. Ye Ha. Excellent effort to close out the season. The last couple of races have been a bit challenging for you. So great to get your body and mind all lined up to finish on a high note. You were the 9th 7th grader across the line, which bodes well for next year’s team. Awesome season.
You are just getting going with this running thing. Good things to come.
Landry 23rd place, 10:01 - 6:36 first mile
For someone who jumped into racing mid way through the season, you had a really good season. 10th place for 7th graders at the League Championship. Right on. Going into this final race, the goal was to connect and hang with Kyler and Jackson. Guess what? You were right there the whole way. Excellent race. You will be an important piece on next year’s team as we strive to keep Brewster at bay.
Kellen and Sawyer: Sorry to not see you two toe the line. That injury bug seemed pretty potent this fall. You each brought good things to the team throughout the season. Look forward to having you both out next year.
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS
3 miles, 27 total finishers. Team League Champions with a perfect 15 points!
What an awesome show of mountain lion pride. Sure, you knew this was the smallest field we’d see all season, but you still showed up in the right frame of minds and ready to race. You all put a lot of heart out there running on the home course. You reminded us all that runners don’t run for the fame or the glory—you run to test yourselves and for each other. And, whether today’s race went great for you or didn’t, you were clearly giving everything you had and that’s all we can ask! Rest up, Wednesday will be here soon and it will be one last chance to put on that green uniform and gold glitter as a full team.
Novie: 17:58, 1st place, 5:48 first mile, 6:05 pace
As always, you found a great rhythm from the starting whistle and you just held steady. I continue to like seeing you get out in sub 5:50 pace — I do think that’s the key to a PR fast time at State! You are managing that fast start well — you never looked like it was too fast and you had plenty left in the last mile. It’s hard leading from start to finish but you did so with strength and grace.
Icel: 19:32, 2nd place, 6:06 first mile, 6:31 pace
Your magical senior season just keeps getting better! You were all alone from the start and yet you, too, held steady, never looked distressed, and just kept keeping the pedal to the medal. You ran with all the confidence of the senior woman you are and it is nothing less than a pleasure to watch you reach new heights this season. Thank you, also, for setting such a positive tone for the whole team—you and Ava are awesome leaders!
Greta: 20:05, 3rd place, 6:15 first mile, 6:42 pace
Congratulations -- that was a big race. You were about 9 seconds behind Icel at the mile and you pretty much kept that gap the same — which is amazing because Icel is known for super tough second halves. You got into a great rhythm and just looked so smooth and relaxed. You were the epitome of a strong 5K runner — and that will be an auspicious sign for your upcoming ski season!
Jori: 20:17, 4th place, 6:27 first mile, 6:46 pace
You just get going and there is no stopping you. You have this fierce look of determination and your arms and legs just seem to move faster and faster as the race progresses. Nice job racing Hannah Wapato from Lake Roosevelt’ — you will see her again on Wednesday and you two match up nicely for some exciting racing. Just keep believing in your second half power and keep enjoying it—you make it look fun!
Ava: 21:13, 6th place, 6:34 first mile, 7:04 pace
You looked like you literally had a smile on your face about halfway through the race. And you earned one because you were racing great! You got out well (maybe a little fast in the first 400, but you adjusted) and then you just raced it. It looked like one of those days when everything just clicked. Keep doing what you've been doing and stay healthy and you'll be a force at State!
Mahali: 22:01, 8th place, 7:02 first mile, 7:20 pace
What a terrific last mile! You were patient at the start and just ran the race you knew you could run. You steadily moved up throughout and your endurance and calm approach just kept propelling you forward. Congrats on a freshman year top 10 League performance!
Eva: 22:07, 9th place, 6:48 first mile, 7:22 pace
We’re glad your foot is feeling better and thanks for heeding our advice to not run in spikes. On Wednesday we’ll be back on grass and you can wear the fast shoes if you wish! After a week away from running, it was good to get back in the rhythm of racing. You had some stretches of the race that looked good and strong, and some where it seemed like your tempo dropped (remember—Arms!). I suspect you’ll find your usual rhythm again quickly and be right back where you want to be on Wednesday.
Lena: 22:53, 10th place, 7:23 first mile, 7:38 pace
Another race where you just looked stronger and stronger as you went. You had excellent drive and a picture-perfect forward lean in the last 800 meters and you were just going for it. It’s been so terrific to see you getting faster, stronger, and more confident with every race this season. You’ve worked hard and you have earned these races that feel good!
Ayeanna: 23:16, 11th place, 7:29 first mile, 7:45 pace
So great to see you continue to find your 5K race sense. You’ve had a stretch here of good, solid racing efforts with nerves under control and power in every step. I’m predicting a great race at districts and a next season full of PR’s as you will find the more 5Ks you run the easier they get!
Keeley: 23:20, 13th place, 6:50 first mile, 7:47 pace
Let’s focus on the positives. You didn’t quit. A year ago on this same course you also had a panic attack mid-race and you quit. This year, you showed your inner fortitude and you stuck it out — even when it was not fun. You also are letting yourself “own” the challenge — no excuses or justifications — and you are letting yourself feel the disappointment. These are the powerful lessons of sport and why we learn so much from putting ourselves out there on a starting line. You are brave. You are strong. And, we will always believe in you.
Annika: 23:27, 14th place, 7:25 first mile, 7:49 pace
You must have had a super fast finishing kick—when I last saw you with about 600 meters to go you were starting to change gears and wow you must have really put it in high! Nice job all season long believing in yourself and in the progression of our training. You look more and more comfortable out there—you don’t look like you are just trying to finish, you are racing!
Lindsay: 23:27, 7:23 first mile, 7:49 pace
If I had a magic wand and I could make your legs feel less tired and super great, I would use it in a second! I am sorry that we haven’t found the right formula yet to help you feel refreshed. Stick with us, though, because I really do believe we can figure it out. You are such a tough competitor and you work so hard and we will get there!
Willa: 26:02, 7:48 first mile, 8:41 pace
Another cross-country race completed and in under 9 minutes per mile! Super impressive! It was great to see you out there running with teammate Payten. With every week you are looking stronger, less nervous, and more like the seasoned runner you now are!
Payten: 26:04, 7:48 first mile, 8:41 pace
You are so tough! I know this one resulted in a slower per mile pace than you’ve run earlier in the season, but you’ve been battling some very sore shins and it’s a tougher-than-it-looks course. What I loved was that you just stayed right in it, working hard and focused all the way. Great job finding a teammate to run with and helping each other along the way. That’s what XC is all about!
Anja, Ella, Lilia — We look forward to having you back in the green and gold on Wednesday!
Kierra— We hope your horse show went well!
Liv & Gretta S. — We miss you!!! Hope those feet/ankles are healing and we can’t wait to see you next season!
You must have had a super fast finishing kick—when I last saw you with about 600 meters to go you were starting to change gears and wow you must have really put it in high! Nice job all season long believing in yourself and in the progression of our training. You look more and more comfortable out there—you don’t look like you are just trying to finish, you are racing!
Lindsay: 23:27, 7:23 first mile, 7:49 pace
If I had a magic wand and I could make your legs feel less tired and super great, I would use it in a second! I am sorry that we haven’t found the right formula yet to help you feel refreshed. Stick with us, though, because I really do believe we can figure it out. You are such a tough competitor and you work so hard and we will get there!
Willa: 26:02, 7:48 first mile, 8:41 pace
Another cross-country race completed and in under 9 minutes per mile! Super impressive! It was great to see you out there running with teammate Payten. With every week you are looking stronger, less nervous, and more like the seasoned runner you now are!
Payten: 26:04, 7:48 first mile, 8:41 pace
You are so tough! I know this one resulted in a slower per mile pace than you’ve run earlier in the season, but you’ve been battling some very sore shins and it’s a tougher-than-it-looks course. What I loved was that you just stayed right in it, working hard and focused all the way. Great job finding a teammate to run with and helping each other along the way. That’s what XC is all about!
Anja, Ella, Lilia — We look forward to having you back in the green and gold on Wednesday!
Kierra— We hope your horse show went well!
Liv & Gretta S. — We miss you!!! Hope those feet/ankles are healing and we can’t wait to see you next season!
55 finishers. 43 points. Second to Manson’s 30 points and 15 points ahead of Brewster’s 58.
Some really good competition and an intentional, no-fuss, no messing around approach to the meet that will serve you well at the District meet. Out first mile was perhaps a little short due to the morning water feature behind the elementary school, but no matter what you all got out strong and ran the race like it needed to be run. Brewster is on notice and we’ve established a nice psychological edge heading into the the week. Rest and recover, but keep your focus on the task ahead. Stay positive with yourself if you had a rough patch and skew your thoughts towards all of the good races and workouts over the last several weeks. It’s showtime Gang!
Emerson 17:01, 2nd place, 1st mile 5:22 - 5:42 pace
Another fine race Emerson and perhaps on a day when you might have been a little more tired from Homecoming activity etc.. Good to establish from the start that you were in it to challenge for a top 1-2 finish for as long as possible, and just perhaps a few little surges in there where you lot a little contact — but still stayed close through the whole of that second lap. REST and prime the pump for Districts. There will be a bit more company on the front end of that race and that should be good.
Travis 17:25, 4th place, 1st mile 5:32 - 5:48 pace
Way to be Travis. You're comfort with XC races this year is on another level entirely. You got out well and went toe-to-toe with Grant from Manson through most of the race. This was just what we needed today and it will be a great set-up for you this week in Moses Lake as well. Expect a little more company from a kid or two from Tonasket, Trout Lake and Bickleton — plus the #1 runner from Riverside Christian who did not race at Leagues. You can definitely expect to be in the top 10-15 in that race, and a little patience early, plus moving up later is working great.
Simon: 18:19, 12th place, 1st mile 5:42 - 6:06 pace
OK Simon, that was it! Aggressive at the start and right in contact with the part of the race where you needed to be. Tucked in right behind Brewster #3 and only 9 seconds back of Manson #4 at the end. There will be a few others thrown in the mix on Wed. but racing in the ballpark with these guys puts you inside the top 28 at Leagues and helps our team in a major way. Glad to hear that your legs were feeling just a little better, and looking forward to a few more restful days ahead.
Steady again and your consistency and toughness through the middle of the race is really paying off. Great to see you breaking up Manson’s #5 & #6 — and really just 10 sec. back of Brewster’s #3. Another race like this on Wed. should put you inside the top 30 at Districts and any little battle that we can win with any racer from any school over that last mile will be pushing points down the line and helping our chances as a team. Great job again. Rest and recovery. Then some more racing!
Lazo: 18:33, 17th place, 1st mile 5:46 - 6:11 pace
Nice work Lazo and a good “back in action” race for you after the weekend away — AND a busy Homecoming week. Season’s end is your typical time to shine. Year-after-year you make an impressive statement at the District meet and there is no reason to expect anything less at Moses Lake. Great to see right in the mix with Lamar and Cochran from Manson — which does position you right on the top 30 bubble for Districts but you got a little caught off guard in the finishing kick. Think good thoughts for one decisive move and know that momentum will take over and you can go for it at the end even longer than you think!
Andrew: 18:49, 18th place, 1st mile 5:48 - 6:16 pace
A season break through for sure and it was good to see you hanging a little stronger at the end then you were able to last week at Oroville. Nice job shadowing the Lazo/Bodhi group throughout and hopefully you can dial it up again for a few days of practice this week and another good one in Moses Lake this Wednesday!
Bodhi: 18:56, 19th, 1st mile 5:47 - 6:19 pace
Deep breath. Let it go. A hiccup race Bodhi and one that you can set aside with ease. Strong running that first mile, but take some pressure off and know that your senior teammates (Lazo & Simon) can guide you into the right part of the race. From there, let your sophomore brain just be a kid and compete. You are a seriously strong and seriously fit individual. Let the muscles move. Let the brain relax. Make a game of it. One runner at a time. We’ve got your back!
Cooper: 19:09, 20th place, 1st mile 5:48 - 6:23 pace
Steady again Cooper and a really tough and admirable race all-around. You hung in there on that group from the start and proved that you could do it through much of the race. That kids of will and grit will follow you nicely into the ski season as well, but you get at least one more race to make it happen in your running shoes as well. A quick first mile, but really your most complete race of the year and awesome to have you in front of Brewster’s 4th runner and even Lake Roosevelt’s 3nd – who at one time this season ran an 18:15 5k Congrats and we can’t wait to see you throw it down one more time at Moses Lake.
Andrew: 18:49, 18th place, 1st mile 5:48 - 6:16 pace
A season break through for sure and it was good to see you hanging a little stronger at the end then you were able to last week at Oroville. Nice job shadowing the Lazo/Bodhi group throughout and hopefully you can dial it up again for a few days of practice this week and another good one in Moses Lake this Wednesday!
Bodhi: 18:56, 19th, 1st mile 5:47 - 6:19 pace
Deep breath. Let it go. A hiccup race Bodhi and one that you can set aside with ease. Strong running that first mile, but take some pressure off and know that your senior teammates (Lazo & Simon) can guide you into the right part of the race. From there, let your sophomore brain just be a kid and compete. You are a seriously strong and seriously fit individual. Let the muscles move. Let the brain relax. Make a game of it. One runner at a time. We’ve got your back!
Cooper: 19:09, 20th place, 1st mile 5:48 - 6:23 pace
Steady again Cooper and a really tough and admirable race all-around. You hung in there on that group from the start and proved that you could do it through much of the race. That kids of will and grit will follow you nicely into the ski season as well, but you get at least one more race to make it happen in your running shoes as well. A quick first mile, but really your most complete race of the year and awesome to have you in front of Brewster’s 4th runner and even Lake Roosevelt’s 3nd – who at one time this season ran an 18:15 5k Congrats and we can’t wait to see you throw it down one more time at Moses Lake.
Owen: 20:49, 34th place, 1st mile 6:04 - 6:56 pace
Like I said on Saturday, chalk this one up and focus on the positive for this week’s race at Moses Lake. You cramped up early here, but it was the end of an unusual week and energy levels were at a lower flow for several others as well. Think about tempo in your arms and how much of a difference that upper body can make in covering gaps and in getting the legs to move when you want to stick with a group. In the finish on Saturday you found a WHOLE different gear just by getting the arms moving again. Little controlled doses of that will do wonders in the middle of a race as well. A great first-year season so far. Bring it to the line one more time and see what happens!
David: 19:15, 37th place, 1st mile 6:38 - 7:02 pace
Well done David. Love that you toed the line even know that your ankle was sore and that it would be something of an extra effort. You looked smooth throughout and one more HS 3mi under your belt is a building block for next year for certain. Keep us posted on how it feels in the next two days and hoping that you can finish off the season even a little looser and well rested in Moses Lake.
Eli: 21:32, 40th place, 1st mile 6:38 - 7:03 pace
Another fine race Eli and right back down in that 7 min per mile ballpark where you were at Twilight. Closer this race as well to several runners from Brewster and Tonasket that are often 20+ seconds ahead and hope that you are feeling a little better even still for Wednesday. A few hills and downhills at Moses Lake, but lots of wide-open grass and a good chance to run fast in the last race of the year.
Kieren: 22:24, 47th place, 1st mile 6:46 - 7:32 pace
A fast first mile that was short but well under 7 min for sure. Good to see you pushing the pace and experimenting even though sometimes it can hurt a little more in the middle. A little smaller group out there today with a few of Tonasket’s normal JV choosing not to run. It should be fun at Districts to have a bigger crowd of runners near your pace and there will be less running on your own which is always nice. Wish I could make those shins heal up the pain go away, but your persistence is admirable and you’ve had a great year adapting to the longer distance.