Lewis and Clark High School's Cross Country Team has done really well this season. They tied for first at Regionals with Eisenhower's team from Yakima. The tie was broken by the sixth runner from Eisenhower, so Eisenhower won. LC still continues on to the 4A State Championship this weekend.
LCHS is a 4A school. And, of course, North Central High School (3A school) remains a powerhouse - last year they were the number one high school cross country team IN THE NATION. This year, when LCHS and NCHS have competed against each other this year, it has always been close, with wins going in both directions. The Power Ade Fab 50 ESPN Rise Poll makes special notice of LC's team yesterday, as well as NC's.
I think Spokane has to be seen as the number-one high school cross country town in the nation. All the other 3A and 4A Spokane high schools are right up there with LC and NC too. There is a real kinship among them that I think comes from the heart of what makes these guys so good. At the beginning of every meet, you see the competing schools cooly gauge each other before the gun is fired. At the end of the run, you see all the runners celebrate each others' efforts with genuine joy. You really don't see that in a lot of sports.
Of course, I am writing this as a proud dad. I'm not only proud (more admiring and inspired) of the accomplishments of my son and the entire team, I am moved by the incredible work these guys have done to get here. Running year-round, every day - twice a day, in the dark, in the heat, in the snow, on the ice and on the steep, hot, trails, these guys have shown so much heart and so much dedication that I have to admit I am getting a little choked up as I type these words.
In a place where lunacy and laziness of thought and deed seem to now hold sway, in a time where instant gratification and an almost Alzheimer-like amnesia seems to have stupefied those around us, I look to the work, the dedication, the humbleness and the smarts these guys display - day in and day out - and I feel so good about the future of us.
Thanks for the example and the hope, all you high school runners!
so happy for your son, my alma mater, for you and sarah, and all proud parents of xc kiddos (me included)! something special about spokane that cultivates a certain kind of runner
ReplyDeleteThanks Liza, LC is lucky to have Maddie coming up through the ranks! I don't think our kids know how much we get from them and watching them tackle amazing things. You are right. Spokane makes for some very nice, very good running people!
ReplyDeleteCongrats and good luck to the team. Spokane high school running rocks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hank! Hey, were you taking pictures at a recent Finch Arboretum X-Country Meet?
ReplyDeleteMead is always a powerhouse too!
I was. My daughter is a freshman at Mead. So far she's sold on XC running. She doesn't like to train but she loves to compete. And she learned why those don't work well together. So she's going to run during the winter.
ReplyDeleteI see your son and the LC team had a great race today.
Hank, that is so cool for your daughter! Ike didn't start until his sophomore year and every year has become more dedicated to the sport.
ReplyDeleteSpokane really was well-represented yesterday in Pasco, not just by the results but their attitude and professionalism was really outstanding! Run on!!!!
Have you got her running much barefoot?
No BF running for Steph. She thinks that's crazy. That's okay as long as she's running.
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