This season has marked an exciting period of growth and success for the West Washington Cross Country team, with both high school and middle school athletes achieving new milestones and setting the foundation for a strong future in the program.
High School Results and Excitement:. "I feel that our season was a big success this year. We are starting to grow more and get stronger. Our times overall are going down, and across the board, we saw some great results," shared Mr. Johnson, High School Cross Country Coach. His excitement about the team’s growth was further fueled by athletes asking for a winter training schedule to maintain their conditioning for track season. "That says a lot. We had a great time, and the athletes were in it for the right reasons," he added.
Sophomore, Marlee Chase, Setting the Standard: Among the many standout performances, Johnson highlighted the accomplishments of Marlee Chase, who made it out of sectionals. “While everyone improved and dropped times, Marlee Chase's successes were especially impressive. It was the first time that I had a cross-country runner make it out of sectionals. It was a great experience for her and really highlighted her dedication and hard work. I look forward to seeing what this group has in store for next year,” stated Mr.Johnson.
Middle School Growth and Success: Middle school coach Lydia Manship was also thrilled with the season’s outcomes, especially given the team’s steady growth in numbers and competitive success. “When I first became involved, we had just one runner each for high school and middle school. Fast forward to this year, and we had a full boys team and three girls on the middle school team,” Mrs. Manship reflected.
Middle School Performs at PLAC: The middle school team delivered a strong performance at the PLAC meet, with the boys placing third and four athletes finishing in the top 20. "We keep adding team members each year, and I am hopeful to have a full boys and girls team next year," Coach Manship shared.
Making Hard Work Fun: The season was filled with growth and joy as each runner showed determination and progress. "Every single runner got stronger, learned proper running techniques, and had lots of fun while doing it. They came to practice excited and ready to work hard. Their personal times continued to improve with each meet, and they strived to be better and stronger than they were at the beginning of the season," Manship noted.
This year’s successes underscore a new era for West Washington Cross Country, one built on dedication, team spirit, and the pursuit of excellence. With the foundation set and momentum building, both coaches and athletes eagerly look forward to continued success next season.
