One of the most important measurements on how good a team is 'How fast is your 5th runner?' That can be deemed the most important runner on the team. With the top 4 runners on the Washougal Middle School Boy's team being rather well established, the 5th runner has fluctuated some throughout the year. Ian Palmer has established a stronghold on that position over the past few weeks. His 35th placing of 22 runners at the Nike Pre-Nationals race not only earned him a medal to grace around his neck, but also earned the praise and respect of the Panther XC coaching staff. As one of many of our up and coming 8th grade boys, we are excited to see what the future holds for him as he is apparently starting to build his own castle of running that he plans on having last for years and years.
We have been patiently waiting for a few weeks for a 'Break-Out' race for Courtney after her summer of serious training. At Portland Meadows on Saturday, we were treated to what we were waiting for. But the pre-race strategy, it was NOT about time. It was about PLACE. The plan was to be top 10 the first mile, then top 5 by Mile #2. She established a solid 4th position early in the race, courageously pursuing #2 and #3. Although she only made up a little ground on them, she held off serious challenges the last 200 meters from two strong competitors that inched in front of her in the finishing alley, but surging in the end to break her school record by 4 seconds! This establish the fastest girls time in the whole district. So, even though the 'plan' was not about 'time', the 'time' was what it was all about.