Tahoma High School competed at the 2024 State Cross Country Meet on November 9. Cooper Boyle won the 4A boys State Title with a winning time of 14:57. His finish was one of the top state finishes in Tahoma High School history. The lady Bears, finished 11th place overall and the boys team took 8th. Not only did we have a great time, but it was such a fun experience for all of us. This whole season we have all been working so hard to make it so State, and perform our best there.
The state course is most definitely not easy peasy. It’s a golf course in Pasco Washington at Sun Willows Golf Course. It has been the State Cross Country Course for over 33 years, which is crazy! Being on a golf course, you might guess that it is super hilly. And that’s exactly how it is. To paint a picture of the course, it’s very grassy and hilly. This year we were very lucky to have good weather conditions, with no rain, and a little bit of sun.
There were roughly around 44 4A schools there, with 160 people in the girls race and roughly 160 in the boys. One thing that the xc team did all through the season was remember the phrase our coach always tells us which is “ junk in, junk out.” This simple phrase just reminds us that what we are putting in our bodies, such as food, will and can be a reflection of how we perform. Many of the athletes said this” By remembering what we put in our bodies is going to affect how we run, we chose every day to make better food choices so that we could preform better.” That is one of the reasons we do so well! Before all of our meets, including the state meet we have a spaghetti feed which helps us fuel for the next day. These are not only good gatherings to eat food, but also connect and become closer as a team. We also try to have a good, positive mindset before we start the race and during the race. Because running is most definitely not just physical strength, but mental too. Cooper Boyle was able to finish first in his race, by a landslide. He has gone to state since freshman year and this time he proved himself. Definitely an experience that he will never forget, nor Tahoma.
Senior runner, Nichole Prefier says ” One of the reasons we made it to state is through our grit and determination as a team. Cross country is a group sport and effort, and without every girl racing to their best potential, we wouldn’t have made it. We are so close as a team, and making sure to push every single person in front of us allowed us to make it to state!” Loved this, because it is such a team sport. State wasn’t just given to us, but earned! State allowed us to grow an even deeper bond, and showcase our running and what we are capable of!
Cross country state was an experience many of us will never forget. It not only made us stronger, but has motivated all of us to do even better next year! All of the members of the varsity teams couldn’t be more grateful for an experience like this.
