Wenatchee Cross Country team season came to an end for many runners on Oct. 30 on their home course for districts. Steve Roche is Wenatchee High Schools head coach along with a teacher here as well expresses his description of the season for these runners.
“Growth, resilience, challenging, and fun,” said Roche “Overall the season was very good. Girls placed 3rd at districts, we had 4 athletes qualify for the State and just some run memories. The talent in our league improved drastically around us this year but I never saw our kids get discouraged or quit trying, 33 of them set PRs or lifetime best times at our district meet. You really can’t ask for much more out of your team.”
As the season wrapped up for most runners, seniors Anna Hirsch, Allie Knoop, Sam Wagner and Ben Newman all qualified for state and ran the WIAA state championship course on Nov. eight in Pasco. For the girls results Hirsh had a state podium and brought home ninth in the state, while running a time of 18:43 along with Knoop placed 54th and running a 19:37. A fun fact about Knoop is that she has qualified for state all four years and her best race on that course was this years time. On the boys side Wagner placed 79th with running a course pr time of 16:45 and Newman placed 143 and ran a 17:42 and ran the course for the first time. Wagner and Hirsch ran the Nike Cross Regionals on Nov. 14 in Spokane and both talented athletes set new course prs. Wanger placed 33rd in his race and completed his 5k with a time of 16:41. Hirsch placed 34th with her time of 18:01.
Boys Captain Wagner gives his thoughts on his fourth and final year running varsity along with some advice for the panthers.
“I would describe the season as fun, successful, dedication and experience,”said Wagner. “ The season went by really quick but I will miss the people most. It’s a good group of kids and it’s always fun and one of the best parts about cross country, we’re like a family, but always stay consistent, there’s going to be a lot of challenges but you have to work through it but there’s gonna be something better at the end of it. Keep working through that and trust in your training, it’s always important. I think we have a lot of potential for the future and i’m excited to see what the younger guys will do in these next coming years.”
Hirsh was also a light for the panthers and was the girls top runner while also leaving some advice for the younger panthers while sharing her description of the season and passion for it.
“Look for the joy in running,” Said Hirsch. “Having a passion for cross country has always made me work harder and also enjoy the sport more. The season was swift, smoky, exhilarating and uplifting. But my favorite memories would be the summer runs right before my freshman year where I got to meet the community I love so much. When I first started cross country I was encouraged to push myself further when I saw my teammates placing in races. I hope that my accomplishments help inspire people on the team do to the same.”
Though the season did end, Wanger, Hirsh and Knoop will be running one last time to represent the Panthers in the Washington Cross Country Senior all Star Race on Dec. six in Seattle.
With the season finishing Roche shares what he will miss most, favorite memory of each senior and along with some advice for his state qualifiers.
I’ll miss their hard work and dedication,” said Roche. “They all, in their own way, contributed so much to our team’s success and culture. Especially since 9 of the 14 runners who competed at the District meet were seniors, they will be very difficult to replace in future years. Each senior was special in their own way,
Paul Guzman, his amazingly positive attitude. Oswaldo Miranda, his smile and toughness. Shawn Watson, his resilience. Luke Hawkins, his positive attitude. Ben Newman, his district’s race where he qualified for State. Sam Wagner, watching him pass about 10 kids coming up to every finish line. Hannah Roche, her leadership. Kylee Boothby-Sanchez, her goofy attitude. Allie Knoop, her relentless positivity. Anna Hirsch, her amazing talent and resiliency.”
“ My advice for my seniors would be to remember the experience of running cross country. This is a really challenging sport and it takes a very special kind of person to put themselves through so much pain on a daily basis and they did that all season and more. My hope is that they can remember this example when they’re faced with hard times in their future and to remember that they’ve endured challenges before, like in XC. For Anna, I would describe her as fearless, driven and elite. She got her chance to shine this year since Kylah graduated and she made the absolute most out of it that she could. We were so proud of her all season and will miss her terribly.”
“For Allie, I would describe her as relentless, passionate and competitive. Allie’s best races are on the track, not on the XC course, but she left her mark on this team in a way that will always be remembered. She always gave 100% of herself every single practice and meet and she did it in such a kind and way that was always inclusive of her teammates.”
“For Sam, I would describe him as dedicated, a true competitor and leader. For the past two seasons he took on the leadership role of this team and set the standard for how our kids should act each day. He is humble, hardworking and focused each day. He has accomplished so much and he will be sorely missed!”
“ For Ben, I would describe him as someone who shows perseverance and rose to the occasion when it mattered the most. Ben has been connected to our team for many years because of his family so it was such a thrill to watch him compete at the State Meet, just like his brothers did. I always knew that Ben could do great things in this sport and it was so exciting to see him do that this year!”
