Last week, Ian was our 2nd Future Varsity runner across the line. Today he decided to upgrade himself to the lead position on our very deep team. He paced himself perfectly to a 5th place finish. However, he narrowly missed the magic 20:00 barrier by just 0.04 seconds. When you calculate that out to inches, at 13 feet per second (his approximate average pace) that amounts to about 6 inches. Although Ian had a fine race, maybe next time he will find a way to trim those corners a bit sharper or kick just a little bit harder to shave off all the time he can. Since it is early in the season, it is just a matter of time until Ian breaks 20 minutes, and probably brings many of his Future Varsity teammates with him. He is definitely eyeing one of those Freshman Race medallions up for grabs at the Nike meet next week!
Who was that first runner from Washougal that got third place in the girls Race? Courtney Owens? Courtney was third last year. Nope! So is it Tabby Hearn? Nope - she was just wearing Tabby's bib number! The real answer is Hannah Swigert! Hannah has changed her name many a time (once legally and many times playfully replacing her last with numbers) but she is still easily recognized by her "signature" focusing on the finish line amidst distractions. At HRV, there were many distractions: Training partner Courtney Owens (injury) did not join her for the first time in her career. She mentioned her legs felt tired at the starting line. One shoe came untied the first half mile and she ran into a tree! (She claimed the tree jumped out at her.) Despite what name Hannah tries as a disguise, it is still easy to convict her of success! Her incredible focus gives her away.