Coupeville Sports

“Get outta my way, old man!!”

There’s a pecking order in cross country, pretty much the same as any other sport.

Seniors dominate. Younger players bide their time and wait for their moments in the sun. Business as usual.

Unless your name is Tyler King and you’re ready to dominate right now, no questions asked.

The Coupeville High School grad, currently a red-shirt freshman at the University of Washington, came dangerously close to winning his first-ever XC race in a Husky singlet Saturday. Surging late in the race, he gave the older set a run for their money at the 21st annual Sundodger Invitational in Seattle, pushing eventual winner Joey Bywater into picking up his feet and movin’ em like he DID care.

Bywater, a fifth-year senior who has been an indoor track All-American, won the race in 23 minutes, 48 seconds, while King covered the 8,000 meter course in 24:14.91, claiming seventh place overall. He was third among his Husky teammates.

Powered by King, Bywater and company, the UW claimed the mens’ title, putting together the best winning score in event history. It was the sixth straight year the Huskies had swept both the mens’ and womens’ race.

As King heads deeper into his first full season as a Husky harrier, one date in particular looms ahead. On October 13 he and his teammates are scheduled to compete in the Adidas Invitational in Madison, Wisconsin, an event that will also welcome the University of Oklahoma, a team that features his big brother, fifth-year senior Kyle King, a five-time track state champ back in their days at CHS.

If past events are any indication, don’t expect Tyler to take it easy on the old man.