Liberty Bell XC: Okanogan Invite (MS)

Okanogan Invite – 9/20/2023

Course Length – 1.5 miles

General Notes – The course runs on a golf course with lots of short grass and the occasional gravel/pavement crossing. There is one large hill right at the one-mile mark which athletes go up and down – it can get pretty fast coming down the hill! Overall, the weather was cooler without much wind. None of the finishing times were recorded. That happens! Everyone raced really hard, and hopefully it was fun!

The Liberty Bell Girls won with a score of 17. Okanogan was 2nd with a score of 51. There were 40 athletes and 3 scoring teams in the race.

The Liberty Bell Boys won with a score of 21. Okanogan was 2nd with a score of 62. There were 46 athletes and 3 scoring teams in the race.

Posey – One mile: 6:58. Finish: 5th.

Going into this one, I'm glad you were thinking about how you wanted to run it. Even though you didn't always have someone to run and pace with, you brought a lot of heart and toughness to the race! I know you felt like you had more left in the tank at the end and that's ok, each race will bring the opportunity for a fresh start and you will keep learning.

Leona – One mile: 8:00. Finish: 16th.

Awesome first cross-country race. You looked confident (and often smiling) over the entire course. I like the way you started out a bit conservative, then ran steady, and finally kicked it in at the end.

Nina – One mile: 7:21. Finish: 9th.

It is tough to race and compete on days where you just don’t feel the best. Don’t worry these races happen. We’ve had a tough few weeks of training so be patient and the faster times will come. Focus on other positives from the race not just times! You were able to run a solid race even though you were by yourself for some of the race and for feeling tired/sluggish.

Anja – One mile: 7:14. Finish: 6th.

You were strong and steady at the mile. You had the two Okanogan runners in your sights right at the top of the hill. I’m not sure when you passed them, but given your gutsy ability to kick at the end I knew you would. It is really cool to see you so far up in the races!

Cassius – One mile: 7:24. Finish: 25th.

I was impressed at your effort the entire race (as demonstrated by your sore legs and painful feet the next day). You looked like you were working but still strong at the top of the hill and just kept going. Nice racing with Kimball that last ½ mile.

Luke – One mile: 6:40. Finish: 16th.

Nice race! You started out strong going through the mile about the same as at Wenatchee (even with the big hill). Later in the race you were able to join up and race with some fellow Mountain Lions. Great teamwork! I thought you looked very controlled throughout the entire race. Don’t be afraid to push the pace a little to test your limits especially later in the race.

Dylan – One mile: 9:18. Finish: 42nd.

Great work running with your teammates during this one! Even though your legs didn't feel super fresh, you did an awesome job of keeping your head up and finding the grit to finish strong. I admire your strength of finding your pace and running your race. It can be hard to do but you do an excellent job of staying calm before and during the race.

Alex – One mile: 8:12. Finish: 31st.

Great first cross country race! You looked strong and determined the entire race and had an incredible finishing kick. Your mile time was over a minute and a half faster than at our time trial a few weeks ago, that’s incredible. Keep up the good work the rest of the season!

Finnbarr – One mile: 7:56. Finish: 29th.

Way to hang tough in the race. I know you were by yourself most of the race but you did a good job of finding your pace and hanging in there. Next time see if you can find someone to run with, it can make racing seem easier and more fun. Keep up the hard work!

Liam – One mile: 6:45. Finish: 17th.

Wow! Nice job running strong. You did a fantastic job of starting the race at your pace and working your way up to a group of teammates to run and compete with. The big hill leading up to the 1 mile is challenging but you stayed strong and toughed it out. Keep it up!

Chance – One mile: 7:33. Finish: 28th.

You flew up the top of the hill like a pro. You looked like you were working but still relatively fresh given that point in the race. You have a nice quick stride and used your arms well. You have been working hard and it shows.

Tye – One mile: 6:42. Finish: 14th.

Yay! I am so glad to hear that you had fun. You were able to move up throughout the race which is no small feat, especially in your first XC race. It's a tricky thing to find your own pace. Plus, you kept an eye out for your teammates in green and ran with them which always makes racing a little easier and definitely more fun.