Liberty Bell XC: Leavenworth Invite (MS)

Course Length – 1 mile (6th grade), 1.4 miles (7th and 8th grade)

General Notes – This is a very hilly course. Lots of ups and downs with a big hill at the start and finish, as well as a long incline in the middle of the race. Most of the course is dirt or dry grass. The weather during the races was cool (but not too cold) and overcast, so really good for running! There were quite a few schools at the meet (including some Seattle-area schools) so the competition was strong. Everyone ran really well despite the fact that we had to scramble a little bit.

After the meet, the team took a cross-country trip to see the Statue of Liberty! Pictures below.

The Liberty Bell 6th Grade Girls did not have a scoring team. Cashmere had the only scoring team and won. There were 12 athletes in the race.

The Liberty Bell 7th Grade Girls did not have a scoring team. There were 12 athletes and no scoring teams in the race.

The Liberty Bell 8th Grade Girls won with 23 points. Cashmere was 2nd with 36 points. There were 17 athletes and 2 scoring teams.

The Liberty Bell 6th Grade Boys won with a score of 20. Walter Strom was 2nd with a score of 40. There were 27 athletes and 2 scoring teams in the race.

The Liberty Bell 7th Grade Boys did not have a scoring team. McFarland had the only scoring team and won. There were 24 athletes in the race.

The Liberty Bell 8th Grade Boys were 2nd with 44 points. Cashmere won with 25 points. There were 35 athletes and 4 scoring teams in the race.

Cassius – One mile: 7:08. Finish: 10:16, 15th place. Average: 7:20.

Wow, what an incredible finish! You, Kimball, and Wyatt were able to work together to conquer the hills. It was cool to watch you three take over the whole trail almost making a wall that no one could pass. You pushed each other through the race and then you were able to break away and power up the final hill with such strength and determination. Great race!

Thorsen – Finish: 7:28, 6th place.

You looked solid the entire race. It doesn’t seem to matter if the course is flat or hilly, you just take it in stride. I loved the way you competed the last quarter mile on the downhill section. You are ready for a great last race at the league championships.

Tye – Finish: 7:37, 7th place.

Awesome job! It was so fun to watch you and Liam working together throughout the race. Racing with teammates can help you mentally get through tough races. You looked strong the whole time and attacked that last hill with such determination. Take that strength and determination into our last race on Wednesday.

Sutherland – One mile: 7:16. Finish: 10:46, 4th place. Average: 7:41.

Wow oh wow, I know you were not feeling ready going into this race but you ran fantastically. For reference, this was your fastest 1 mile split so far this season! That says a lot considering this was a very hilly course. You did a great job of staying conservative up the first big hill and then you continued to move up throughout the race, passing people and working hard. Nice job!

Luke – One mile: 6:07. Finish: 9L01, 9th place. Average: 6:26.

It looked like you really took advantage of the downhill sections. I love that at the mile mark (6:07 by the way) when another team's runner slowed and took it wide, you powered through the corner and passed him.. It was awesome. At the league meet you should take the same advantage of that last downhill and carry the speed with you to set up your great kick.

Aria – One mile: 7:47. Finish: 11:13, 7th place. Average: 8:00.

You ran such a smart race. You went out conservative on the hill start and looked smooth the whole race. It didn’t seem like the hills affected you at all, especially with how you powered up that final hill to the finish! I’m excited to see you use your race experience and strength on hills at our final race of the season on Wednesday.

Eldon – Finish: 8:35, 14th place.

Way to tackle a very challenging course! You were calm on that steep starting hill and stayed tough throughout the race. You did a great job of driving your knees during some of the later hills. Even though you got caught in between groups for part of that race, you didn’t let it deter you and stayed strong! Great work.

Finnbarr – Finish: 8:24, 12th place.

You looked light on your feet the entire race. As I watched you come to that last hill at the finish you had a few runners with a bit of a lead on you. I thought you might catch one but you kept going and caught another….and another. You raced the entire finish including “over the top” of that last hill. It was impressive and fun to watch.

Anja – One mile: 7:06. Finish: 10:25, 5th place. Average: 7:26.

You did a fabulous job of embracing the hills on this very tough course. I think going into it with the thought that this is your favorite course is very helpful. You looked fierce and strong on the hills – you did an excellent job of really leaning into them, both literally and mentally. I thought you did a great job of racing, not worrying about times but competing with those around you.

Preston – Finish: 7:21, 5th place.

What a terrific race! You did an excellent job channeling all your nerves into race energy. I think it helped a bit to think through some race strategy beforehand, because you ran a fantastic race. You went out with a pack and stuck with them, competing and tackling all the hills with determination, and then pulled away towards the end, up that tough finish hill. Awesome job!

Elsa – One mile: 7:31. Finish: 11:04, 12th place. Average: 7:54.

You, Sisu and Ava. What a great team you make. Running together and pushing each other. It is truly a pleasure to watch. I know you were working hard but you looked really smooth and you attacked that last hill with an impressive determination. Your effort was truly motivating.

Posey – One mile: 7:09. Finish: 10:45, 9th place. Average: 7:40.

I liked your plan to not worry about pacing yourself and just going out there to race. And you did just that. You went out hard up that first hill going out with the top group. It may have proved a little too hard but you never know until you try. Great job hanging tough and mentally pushing yourself through the race. These types of races are great learning experiences. You are in a great place leading into Wednesday’s race, trust the process.

Sisu – One mile: 7:30. Finish: 10:58, 11th place. Average: 7:50.

Running with your teammates seems to help you and motivate them. I loved the way you, Ava, and Esa pulled and pushed each other along. Your strength definitely helped on this hilly course and you were able to hold your place on that last challenging hill. You are in perfect position for a breakout race at the league championships.

Liam – Finish: 7:37, 8th place.

Great teamwork! Similar comments to Tye. I loved watching you race with a whole pack of Mountain Lions. You did an awesome job starting out strong and working with Tye all the way through the final hill. Running with teammates can be motivating and especially helpful on tough courses. You have had an awesome first xc season and have shown considerable improvement. Keep up the hard work!

Dylan – One mile: 8:59. Finish: 13:24, 33rd place. Average: 8:34.

Great work out there! It was fun to hear that you were excited about the hills and that you had such a positive mindset for this race. That can be so powerful! And I think it paid off, you looked so focused and determined throughout. Plus, your mile time was one of your faster ones this year, which tells me you are improving and that you conquered those hills. Keep it up!