On to State!: The Girls XC Report

By Allison Zoe Schneider

In 1975, RAL’s Bruce Green was the first to cross the finish line at the State Cross Country Championships.

In 1981, RAL’s Lisa Impola broke the finish tape at the District 4 Cross Country Championships.

And now, in 2009, RAL’s Dani Eggleston 10 claimed the District title in 20:51.28 to lead the Lumberjills to qualify for the State meet for the first time in 28 years.

“They think we suck, but we don’t,” said Eggleston after RAL finished third in an their division at the Seaside Three Course Challenge meet earlier this season, a meet that attracts nearly 100 teams from all over Oregon, Washington, and California.

The Lumberjills fought their way to a 2^nd place team finish with a total of 84 points, while the District Champions, Washougal, finished with 80. Also qualifying for State from District 4, were Black Hills (3^rd, 97 points) and Hockinson (4^th, 104 points).

“I felt like Districts was really the meet we were aiming for all year. It was probably our best meet, and on a really difficult course,” said RAL head coach, Nick Stumbo.

The District 4 2A Cross Country Championships were held on October 31 at the Evergreen State College. The course was mud-covered, sopping wet, and riddled with hills—creating a course perfect for the true Cross Country runners.

“I think Districts was probably the hardest our girls have run all season. It was a tough course and they just proved they were tougher,” said assistant coach, Keli Davenport.

Jessica Johanson-Kubin, another RAL sophomore stand-out, ran an outstanding race to finish third in 21:23.12. Also for the Jills was Allison Schneider 11 (13^th, 22:31.40), Leah Ahrens 12 (37^th, 24:21.56), Rachael Washington 12 (43^rd, 24:37.40), Caity Wilson 10 (69^th, 27:28.37), and Angelique Harding 12 (71^st, 28:05.50).

The RAL Boys team placed 5^th at the District meet, missing a State qualification by one place. Mark Morris won the team title.

Senior Nathan Richards qualified for State for a second time by placing 7^th in 17:24.09. The top 20 individuals are taken to the State meet.

While missing a state qualification, the rest of the Lumberjacks ran strong races to finish out the season. Senior Ray Nugent was 32^nd in 18:40.28, followed closely by Brian Jackson 12 (35^th, 18:41.78), Nolan Aberle 12 (18.54.55), Garret Wittrock 11 (42^nd, 18:55.15), Kyle Estes 10 (46^th, 19:01.92), and Bill Davenport 11 (61^st, 19:29.75).

“You always look at what you could have done better, you always play that game. We really peaked there, unfortunately, our boys didn’t peak quite high enough,” said Stumbo.

The State meet was held on November 7 at the Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco, WA.

The Lumberjills placed first in their district, beating Hockinson, Black Hills, and District Champions, Washougal, by a wide margin.

“We were more focused and intense at State than in years past. It was a really good year. We could go to the State meet and not be intimidated by that course,” said Stumbo.

Many consider the State course to feel longer than a typical 5km race due to the long, gradual hill that lasts throughout the first mile, which causes some runners to feel more fatigued in later miles, the lack of landmarks, making it difficult for competitors to gage where they are in the race, the series of rolling hills throughout the rest of the race, and the many sharp turns that force runners to lose their stride and slow down.

Eggleston finished 32^nd in 20:16, followed by Johanson-Kubin (76^th, 21:20), Schneider (100^th, 22:06), Washington (129^th, 24:00), Ahrens (132^nd, 24:08), Wilson (143^rd, 27:01), and Harding (144^th, 27:58).

Richards placed 65^th in 17:18, almost a minute faster than the time he ran at the State meet in 2008 where he placed 113^th.

“Overall, it was a great season. Participation and attitude wise we had a really strong team. The success of our team should provide some motivation for next year,” said Stumbo.

The team held their Awards Banquet on November 9. Most Valuable was awarded to Richards and Eggleston, Most Improved went to Jake Davenport 10, Jason Johnson 10, and Johanson-Kubin. Nugent and Schneider were voted Most Inspirational.

 “Cross Country was way more fun that I thought it would be. Last year I thought all the Cross Country people were crazy for wanting to run so much but now I get why,” said Johanson-Kubin.

The team loses nine seniors this year, three of them were a part of the girls varsity and four of them were a part of the boys varsity.

“It’s more of a challenge to get new kids to come out than to improve our varsity,” said Stumbo.

Many incoming Freshman do not typically think of Cross Country when considering Fall sports to participate in.

“I think this year’s season has put RAL Cross Country back on the map in the community,” said Davenport.