Coupeville Sports

CHS cross country coach Elizabeth Bitting is all smiles after both her boys’ and girls’ teams qualified for state. (Photos courtesy Amber Wyman and Elizabeth Bitting)

They were built for the moment.

Overcoming brutal weather conditions Saturday in Pierce County, Coupeville High School cross country runners shone brightly at the district meet, punching their ticket to the state championships.

Competing in the Westside Classic at University Place, the Wolf boys beat the field in the 2B clash, claiming the program’s first district team title since 1977.

Back then, all-timers like Jeff Fielding, Don Sherman, and Chris Chan were flying down the trail for CHS.

This time around, seven years after the school’s cross country program was revived after a two-decade-plus shutdown, the roster includes two freshmen, two sophomores, a junior, and two seniors.

League and now district champs.

Placing four runners in the top six, the Coupeville boys held off archrival Mount Vernon Christian 36-43 to claim the crown, with Orcas Island (70) and Friday Harbor (78) rounding out the top four.

CHS and MVC advance to state, set for next Saturday, Nov. 8 in Pasco, as complete teams.

They’re headed to Pasco.

On the girls’ side of things, 2B and 1B schools competed together, with the top four teams advancing.

The Wolves, led by sophomore Mikayla Wagner’s 8th place performance, claimed the final team slot to state, finishing fourth with 91 points, edging out Tacoma’s Covenant High School (115).

Pope John Paul II (24), MVC (67), and Friday Harbor (84) will join the Wolves in Pasco.

Saturday’s meet sent runners off across a 5,000-meter course, where Mother Nature promptly unloaded on them.

And it wasn’t just the competitors, as Wolf supporters had to wage war to keep the team’s tent from flying off and never being seen again.

Wolf fans 1, Mother Nature 0.

“Imagine the worst possible conditions for running a race,” said CHS coach Elizabeth Bitting with a laugh.

“We had gale force winds, rain, light at times, heavy at times, soggy, muddy, sponge like grass, water everywhere … the worst, yet the perfect conditions for a great cross country district race!!!”

The Wolves came prepared for the challenge.

“Spikes were a MUST in this race and thankfully they all wore them,” Bitting said. “We saw a few (runners) go down … but none of ours.”

Along with having the proper gear, having a strong mindset helped, as well.

Ten of the 12 Wolves running Saturday also competed in the annual Ragnar run this summer, and the entire crew has been diligent about putting in the work necessary to grow both as individuals and as a program.

“I believe last week (at the league meet), and today’s showing are a reflection of their summer miles,” Bitting said. “I love it when they buy into it!!”

Allie Powers outraces the weather.

Saturday results:

GIRLS:

Mikayla Wagner (8th) 23:19.0
Ivy Rudat (18th) 24:31.4
Aleksia Jump (19th) 24:33.9
Allie Powers (25th) 25:18.3
Devon Wyman (27th) 25:29.1

BOYS:

George Spear (2nd) 18:33.0
Ezekiel Allen (3rd) 18:57.3
Cyrus Sparacio (5th) 19:09.8
Kenneth Jacobsen (6th) 19:13.6
Ossian Merkel (20th) 20:56.7
Isaiah Allen (21st) 21:00.9
Beckett Green (22nd) 21:15.3

Devon Wyman powers to the finish line.