Ike Cross Country: Until Next Year!
The fall season has ended, and it was an amazing season for many sports, including soccer, swim, football, and volleyball. One team that shined the most was the Eisenhower Cross Country team. The Cross Country team was the last team standing, making it all the way up to regionals, practicing two more weeks after their state meet. These athletes fought hard, extending their season like crazy; with many aches and pains, many long hard days, and a really long postseason, they stayed strong through everything. These athletes have insane dedication and determination to end their season strong but it took a long time to finish this season, starting all the way at the beginning of summer.
After track season, many of our athletes start their conditioning for the Cross Country season, which takes up the whole summer. Yes, June, July, and August before having their first race in Hermiston, Oregon. The Cross Country team travels to many places over the state and a few places out of state as well, for races like Hermiston, Tacoma, Bellevue, Eastmont, Richland, Pasco, and even Boise, Idaho. This leaves very little recognition from the school for the Cross Country team. Even with little recognition, they still run with pride to show off the small town they come from, performing every race like it’s their last.
This year, Eisenhower had three transfers from West Valley for a better chance at running. Sadly, these three individuals didn't get the season they deserved due to WIAA policies, but they still dominated their races, breezing right through the crowd.
Eisenhower’s Boys' Cross Country team had a stellar season, winning and becoming district and league champions. Eisenhower has always had a fantastic team for both boys and girls. The boys usually excel more because their team is generally pretty big, while the girls' team has stayed small recently.
The Boys are all returning athletes who worked really hard to get where they are now. The first league meet was held by West Valley, where the Eisenhower Boys showed just how talented they were, winning the meet by 7 points. After that, they dominated every other league race both in Eastmont and on Halloween night at Franklin Park. The boys were able to win without the help of the 2 West Valley transfers Kian Compton and Boden Alderson. The team also looks strong for next year, having few seniors this year, and as they hope to gain more runners, they hope to stay strong for next year, too. Going onto state as a team, Eisenhower ran well for it being the first time at state for many of the team's runners. Eisenhower placed 16th at state. Regionals were being held in Boise, Idaho, so Eisenhower had to travel in a car for 6 hours. After a long journey through the season and to Boise, Idaho, the athletes finished their races strong, ending their season with a great final race.
The girls' team was pretty small this year just like last year. The girls had many newcomers this year, including the transfer from West Valley, Brielle Alderson, who would've been a fantastic addition to the girl's Varsity team. The girls weren't expected to win big this year, especially since most of them were pretty new to Cross Country. Many of these girls still put on outstanding races to show their passion for the sport, some even qualifying for state and half getting the chance to run at regionals.
Like the boys, the girls put in a lot of work and see each other like a family. The girls' team is full of laughs and smiles and is friendly and kind to each other. They encourage each other every day at practice and every race. We hope the girls come back stronger next year. At state, those who qualified put on a show also had strong finishes and good times. Regionals was a rough race for some of the girls, but with a rough race comes a good finish; many PR’d, leaving the season with an excellent finish. The regional course was not easy either, having many small uphills and even one big steep hill, sand, many loose rocks, and thick tree roots in the course, and with it being a pretty narrow course with about 400 girls in each race, it was not an easy race.
The Cross Country team did not disappoint this year; both are looking and going strong. Mister, Coach Price, and Coach Alfaro put these athletes to work and will continue to push them until they reach their limits. Although they are pretty rough coaches, that's what makes them great. Many coaches don't care for their athletes and are just there to supervise. Eisenhower is blessed to have amazing coaches who care for their athletes and who want to give them an outstanding Cross Country experience. Until next fall season, we’ll see what the Eisenhower Cross Country team has to offer.
