Getting bit by a spider does not give you super powers! Just ask Tanner Lees. Two weeks ago, he was bitten on the elbow by one of those infamous web-spinning arachnids. His arm puffed up and his legs stiffened up and at District he fell nearly a full minute off of his PR. On medication, we were wondering if he would make a full recovery in time for state. The day before, he got to test his wrestling gripping strength (not quite super human) to open a bottled water that no one else could. That was a good sign! 300 meters into the race, he was only ahead of one runner. We were wondering if he had truly recovered. Passing 61 runners in the process, Tanner managed to get within 2 seconds of his PR from a faster course! Also, his kick down the hill at the end was as "Amazing" as "Spiderman."
In 2011, Kayla Lockard stepped on the bus going to the district meet sick. She still managed a senior class record in her final high school XC race. In 2012, Hannah Wright in her last race as a Panther was also sick. She set a new senior record while running her first PR in 2 years. This year, senior team captain Hannah Swigert followed suit when she woke up in Pasco feeling under the weather. Based on her dedication to her team, she found a way to run a huge season's best by 20 seconds! This effort established a very formidable senior record of 20:16.7, essentially tying the second best mark of her career. Her effort was instrumental in the Panther girls placing 10th at the state meet, the best Panther performance at State in 30 years. We all know from this that Hannah loves her teammates!