Tahoma High cross country team aims for state title

Tahoma High's boys and girls cross country teams outran Mt. Rainer and Kentwood at a meet on Sept. 28 at Lake Wilderness Park.

By TJ Martinell • October 4, 2011 6:01 pm
Tahoma High senior Riley Caler races shoulder to shoulder with a Kentwood student in the junior varsity race Sept. 28 at Lake Wilderness Park.
Tahoma High senior Riley Caler races shoulder to shoulder with a Kentwood student in the junior varsity race Sept. 28 at Lake Wilderness Park.

Tahoma High’s boys and girls cross country teams outran Mt. Rainer and Kentwood at a meet on Sept. 28 at Lake Wilderness Park.

Yet, despite this double victory, Head Coach Gary Conner said it is not indicative of his team’s potential.

“We’ve got a ton of talent,” he said. “But we’re in that mid-season blues.”

In the boy’s varsity race, Kentwood’s Danny Lunder came in first at 16:21, but was followed by a steady succession of Tahoma runners such as junior James Dagley and sophomore Riley Campell, who came in at 16:31 and 16:48 respectively.

With a strong showing, they defeated Kentwood, 20-37, and Mt. Rainier 15-49. Kentwood beat Mt. Rainier, 17-45.

In the girl’s race Tahoma had seven runners in the top 10. Though Mt. Rainier’s Jordan McPhee came in first at 18:57, Tahoma runners such as junior Elizabeth Oosterhout (19:49) and freshman Delaney Tiernan (20:47) were able to fill in the other top finishes necessary for a team victory. They won 18-45 over Kentwood and 20-43 over Mt. Rainier in spite of having three top runners — Julianna Mock, Cheyenne Greenside, and Abby Atchison — sit out the race due to injuries.

Conner explained the primary emphasis is to prepare the teams for the end of the season races where placement will either allow them to advance to the next meet or not.

“Our coaching style is league, district, state,” he said.

It is a strategy which seems to be working effectively. During the 15K coed cross country relays at Lake Wilderness on Sept. 13, the girls team placed third, and both varsity teams beat Auburn and Kent Meridian at their Sept. 21 meet.

Conner’s focus on the state championship is understandable as the girl’s varsity narrowly missed second place at the 2010 4A state championship meet a year ago. They ultimately placed third right behind Eastlake.

“We’re racing for a state title,” Conner. “Those other teams better be better or they’re in trouble.”

Results from the Sept. 27 meet (Tahoma runners in bold)

Girls Varsity (Name, time, school, grade)

1    Jordan McPhee    18:57    MTRN    10

2  Elizabeth Oosterhout    19:49    TAHO    11

3    Delaney Tiernan    20:47    TAHO    9

4    Tessa Carlin    21:03    KWOD    10

5    Maddy Dennis    21:13    TAHO    10

6    Mikayla Ward    21:16    TAHO    10

7    Katelyn Sherick    21:28    TAHO    9

8    Amanda Kiefer    21:44    TAHO    9

9    Carly Horn    21:53    KWOD    11

10    Bridget Wulfing    22:18    TAHO    11

 

Boys Varisty (Name, time, school, grade)

1    Danny Lunder    16:21    KWOD    12

2    James Dagley    16:31    TAHO    11

3    Riley Campbell    16:48    TAHO    10

4    Tyler Ward    16:49    TAHO    12

5   Merritt Kropelnicki    17:08    TAHO    11

6    Chase Pierson    17:29    TAHO    12

7    Dasan Telford    17:33    KWOD    11

8    Eli McMeen    17:35    KWOD    11

9    Travis Scacco    17:45    TAHO    11

10    David McLeod    17:47    MTRN    11