Four weeks ago, Ian Palmer was our runner of the week by posting a grade of A++ on the Portland Meadows test, where he managed a 28 second PR. This week, the exam at Lewis River Golf Course was a bit more challenging, such that none of our Panthers managed to run a PR. Ian was the closest, just 10 seconds off what he did a month ago, and 11 seconds slower than last week. His time of 16:43 was good enough to place 7th of the 91 runners. On our post-race evaluation form, Ian gave himself an A-. If we had been grading on a curve, he definitely would have received at least a solid A. Regardless, Ian is still on the honor roll as he has been a huge factor in the success of our team during this record breaking season for the Panthers!
That doesn't sound like much of a poker hand, but for freshman Savea Mansfield it was the hand she was dealt over the last two races. Well, more like the hand she dealt to herself. And only two girls in our 13 team district (122 runners) that could top hers: our own school record holder senior Amelia Pullen and one of the top sophomores in the state in Hockinson's Allyson Peterson. Savea pulled off 3rd place in both the All-League and District Championship races where she was ranked 4th coming into both of them. This is her first year of running cross country and she is quickly making a name for herself. She is also learning to play her cards right during her races as she moves up the ranks in her races like a seasoned veteran.