Following the triumphant 2022 girls Cross Country season last year, concluding with the programs first state title in 11 years, the team strives for the same goals as they move into the postseason this week. The Bears, having lost several core members, aim to win the 4A NPSL league championship, and make it as far as the state championship heading into the end of October.
Already, the team has achieved a high level of success throughout these past few months. Going undefeated in league dual meets, this team has worked extremely hard at meets and practices to continue the legacy of last year’s group. Jeff Brady, a successful runner in his own right, and now veteran coach of the Bears, explains the team’s keys to success:
“This team works hard. The majority of the team worked hard all summer and were committed to each other. We graduated a lot of runners last year and the younger runners have really stepped up to fill those gaps.”
Coach Brady has run track most of his life, and all through high school and college. With his background in track and field, Brady started off his distance running career when he began coaching cross country, almost 28 years ago. Throughout his many years of coaching, Brady has been able to foster a winning culture with a family-like dynamic within the program.
“Because they have all worked hard together, they know they can trust each other to do their very best. They also form tight bonds and a fun team atmosphere”
Sophomore Bailey Nettleton has been running for the Tahoma cross country team for two years now. During her time in the program, she has been able to develop a strong relationship with both her teammates and her coaches.
“I definitely feel like our coaches are a big part of [our success] as they were all ex runners and have coached so many for so long that they know exactly what they are doing. And all their workouts are designed for peaking at certain times and like knowing when to rest and when not to rest.”
As the season progresses into postseason, the Tahoma Bears will be competing in districts and state, where they are excited and ready to perform after tapering in workouts in preparation for these final meets.
“Our goal is to win leagues. Then go to districts. And, our workouts have been designed for us to peak at districts. So running at districts will definitely be our best race, trying to get into state and from there it’s really just running.”
These Tahoma Bears hope to see themselves in Pasco for state, continuing on their journey as a hard working and successful cross country team.
Come support the Tahoma Bears at Ft. Steilacoom on Saturday, October 21 as they begin their “Path to Pasco!”
