Liza Zustiak, seen in an earlier race, was one of 24 CMS harriers to hit the trail Saturday morning. (Morgan White photo)
Off at the crack of dawn, the Wolves drive into the sunrise. (Elizabeth Bitting photos)
In Lakewood and ready to rumble at a meet which drew nearly 250 middle school runners.
But first, a photo op.
They went for an early morning run with a few of their friends.
Departing Whidbey early enough to watch the sun rise in front of its bus Saturday, the Coupeville Middle School cross country squad trekked to Lakewood for one of the biggest races of the season.
Once there, the Wolves contributed 24 harriers to a Nike Hole in the Wall Cross Country Invitational field which stretched out to nearly 250 middle school competitors.
Led by top finishers Ayden Wyman and Cole White, the CMS harriers impressed coach Elizabeth Bitting.
“These runners make me so proud, watching them push themselves during races and working hard during the week!,” she said.
The Wolf girls were the first to hit the course, and let others know they were coming by the freight train-like sound of their shoes hitting grass.
“Again with the pack-like mentality they moved as one,” Bitting said. “The ladies fought hard on this brisk fall morning.”
Coupeville’s boys squad was next up and had an especially strong showing, placing 6th out of 11 schools.
“We had a few mishaps; shoes untied during the race, on more than one of our runners!,” Bitting said with a smile. “Some pushing occurred out on the course on a corner the runners took.
“But all finished with a smile on their faces knowing they ran The Hole in the Wall with so many other runners.”
CMS has two more races on its schedule, heading to Sultan Oct. 17, before competing Oct. 23 at the league championships in South Whidbey.
“Keep it up!,” Bitting said. “Two more weeks to go! GO WOLVES!!!!!!”
Complete Saturday results:
GIRLS:
Ayden Wyman (43rd) 12:46.1
Teagan Calkins (49th) 12:51.9
Marlen Montiel (50th) 12:53.0
Sofia Milasich (70th) 13:53.6
Aleksia Jump (74th) 14:17.5
Erica McGrath (80th) 14:50.7
Sam McMahon (81st) 14:55.7
Liza Zustiak (84th) 15:04.1
Edie Bittner (85th) 15:07.6
Brynn Parker (87th) 15:11.1
Aubrey Blitch (90th) 15:40.0
BOYS:
Cole White (25th) 10:26.9
Jack Porter (33rd) 10:43.7
Landon Roberts (34th) 10:45.3
Hank Milnes (41st) 11:02.0
George Spear (60th) 11:28.5
Cody Badger (62nd) 11:30.4
Hayden Harry (86th) 12:04.4
Malichi Somes (91st) 12:15.3
Johnny Porter (123rd) 13:19.8
Thomas Strelow (125th) 13:29.4
Alex Bowder (135th) 14:09.5
Alex Clark (136th) 14:13.3
Adrian Cunningham (146th) 16:27.5
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