The boys have been anticipating the 2018 season for a long time. 4 years ago, they had their undefeated middle school season in XC, and even challenged the legendary Bowerman TC team when they placed 2nd at Nike (Pre-Nationals at the time). For the class of 2019 (seniors to be this coming fall), during their freshman year they were significantly the best group of rookies at the 2A level in the state of Washington. Last year, we turned heads as we were trophy contenders at state, but the grand goal and anticipation has been for November 2018 to take home the big trophy. They definitely have a lot of work to do these next few months to turn that dream into reality as the process of reaching that level takes years for guys. Now, here is what is different about the girls and how the situation for the Panther girls is transpiring...

Incredible success for girls XC at the high school level can materialize at a faster rate! The average grade of the scoring 5 on the top 5 teams at state over the past 5 years has been 10.7 for the girls as opposed for 11.1 for the boys. Girls typically can have a much bigger impact on a team at a younger age than guys can. Last year in the top 50 at the state meet, there were only 7 sophomores and 1 freshman in the boys race, when there were 12 sophomores and 5 freshmen in the girls race. Yes, freshmen and sophomores can have a huge impact on successful teams!

Here is how things have been stacking up in Pantherville that suggests that our girls may have just as good of chance of bringing home the big trophy next November.

We have our best class of girls in over 30 years entering their senior year. Our class of 2019 trio is led by school record holder Amelia Pullen. With her 18:28 last year, she is on track to being one of the premier girls in Washington at any level. It is reasonable to think that she may even break 18 minutes next year. Her partners in crime are coming off “mixed” results in 2017. Brooklyn Bausch hit P.R.s mid-season, but a late season calf injury kept her from sneaking under 21 minutes. Annabelle Palmer started the season well off of her normal pace, but came on like gang-busters the last month of the season to also set P.R.s. Despite each of them having only “half” of a great season, they respectively posted the 11th and 13th fastest Panther times for 5K (last 25 years or so). We are sure that consistency during last season would have easily ranked them much higher.

We have two other returning from our 2017 state performers. Our junior to be that was a consistent scorer, Morgan Stinchfield, is poised for a break out year. Running in the upper 21's this year and last, a challenging, yet achievable goal is to dip under 21 next year. Our youngest key element on our 2017 team was our biggest surprise of the season. Meryl Keeler was a “good” runner in middle school. However, she catapulted to a level of “excellence” as she captured our freshman record by posting a 20:06, with only 4 freshmen in 2A state ahead of her. With those five gals returning, an attempt at bringing home a trophy (top 4) at state is somewhat plausible. In addition to that Class of 2021 gem, the Panthers have one of the best kept secrets to reveal this fall in Olivia Dinnel. As one of the most talented and experienced freshmen in the state, she has our 4th fastest MS time ever at 3,000 meters and was projected to post times around, or possibly under, 20 minutes had she been healthy. Add her into the mix and a top 4 finish becomes extremely practical. And then when we add in the exciting performances coming from our middle school program from the fall...

Last season's MS girls team performance was historic. They basically had a record of 38 and 0 against other 7th and 8th grade teams. Two of our ambitious 8th graders ran comparable times to those of Meryl from the previous year. As Lillian Mucha and Paige Maas develop their XC aspirations, they could have a serious impact on the team right away if they improve like Meryl did from 8th to 9th grade. And then with the post-season success of MS Record Holder Abigail Wall, there is little doubt that she would significantly help any team in the state as her Junior Olympic efforts proved she probably could have medaled (top 16) at Pasco last fall, capable of running well under 20 minutes for 5K. Also, there are hints that other talent that can flirt with 20 minutes will be walking the halls at WHS next fall. If we can attract them as well into our program and embrace them as part of our team...

Let's take a look at that magic 20 minute mark and how it relates trophy and winning team performances in Pasco the past decade. During that time, each of the State Championship teams had at least 3 girls below 20 minutes, and it has been exactly 3 girls the past two years. Half of the time they have had less than five and the other half five or more (4 times from Sehome and once from Cheney). EVERY SINGLE TIME a team has had 5 girls under 20, they have been the winning team! As Panther XC blossoms, our girls have been ramping up towards those type of numbers. In 2018, getting 3-4 under 20 seems very practical and getting #5 there could be a slight possibility. The average 5th runner on the winning team this last decade was 20:12. As last year was somewhat of a weak year, Sehome found a way to squeak out a win with a 20:41 5th runner. That, Panthers, is super achievable for us this coming fall! In the banner years, Sehome has had seven girls under 20:00… twice! Even though that sounds amazing, our future teams are approaching that level of talent as our MS program appears to continually produce high caliber runners!

The whole purpose of this preview is to let teammates and supporters see how greatness is materializing within the program and inspire them to grasp a hold of the dream. We apparently have enough pieces of the puzzle on the table to contend for a state title; but don’t be deceived… the pieces of the puzzle will not just fall into place on their own. It will take a concerted effort of several talented girls with high levels of commitment to their own training and each other’s success, much planning and coordination of the coaching staff, and a ton of support from families involved. Our pending success of our girls’ team could combine with the anticipating achievements of our boys’ team to make November 3rd, 2018 one of the very best days in Washougal’s Sports history. Going beyond that, it looks like the next few years will be an experience you will cherish for a lifetime. Be cooperative, confident and committed and greatness will happen.