Catherine Lhamon, #1 time and again. (Helene Lhamon photo)
Killer Cat led the revolution.
Over the past three years, as Coupeville brought its cross country program back to life at both the high school and middle school level, one athlete has been firmly at the forefront.
Catherine Lhamon, who graduated with the Class of 2021, was already an established distance runner with the Wolf track team in 2018.
But when cross country was reinstated after a two-decade pause at CHS and CMS, she quickly became the linchpin of the program.
That first season it was her and Danny Conlisk who immediately went to the front of the line for Coupeville, then Lhamon carried a leadership role the past two seasons.
Running for three coaches in as many seasons, Lhamon attacked the course with great passion, while providing a role model for the rapidly-growing group of younger runners coming up behind her.
As a junior, she made it to the state meet, while as a senior she went undefeated, winning all four races in a pandemic-altered season.
Celebrating a trip to state with coach Luke Samford. (Helene Lhamon photo)
Covid prevented Lhamon from making a bid at returning to state in 2021, but, as Coupeville’s lone senior, she was the quietly-fierce leader of her squad.
She dominated on the trails — including the first home meets CHS has held since the ’90s — winning all of her races by a minute-plus or better.
Lhamon was just as effective during her three seasons on the CHS track and field team.
Well, technically four, as she was primed and ready to rumble when the pandemic wiped out spring sports in 2020.
During her high school days, Lhamon regularly competed in the 800, 1600, and 3200, while also running on two different relay teams.
Showcasing her grit and determination, her best performances came in the longest event, as she won 3200 races every season she competed.
Zipping along in the Age of Coronavirus. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
Distance running, whether track or cross country, is often the loneliest of all sports, as you’re out there by yourself, often with the field considerably stretched out.
It seemed to be a world built for Lhamon, however, as she always seemed to be a self-contained athlete — one who went out and demolished people, yet never seemed to need to thump her chest about how impressive she was.
And impressive is a word which truly fits Catherine, both in the world of running, and in the real world.
Like mom Helene and lil’ sis Carolyn, Killer Cat is undeniably brilliant, a highly-intelligent, highly-motivated young woman who is bound to make a huge positive mark on the world as she goes forward.
The long-distance Lhamon carries herself with a quiet grace, a near-flawless example to young Coupeville athletes, boys and girls.
I remember her younger days, when she played volleyball at the middle school level, and Catherine’s demeanor, work ethic, and commitment — to team and self — has never changed.
A young Killer Cat at work.
We’re supposed to root equally for all Coupeville athletes, but, truth be told, that’s never going to happen.
Some simply rise above the others, and through their actions, and the class they show at every step of the trail, become our favorites.
And there is nothing wrong with that.
Catherine Lhamon has always been one of the Wolves whose success felt earned, felt deserved, felt right.
When she did well, which was almost always, it has been very easy to be happy for her, and her family.
A stellar young woman being rightfully rewarded.
Today, we induct Miss Lhamon into the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame, adding her to a select list of those who have gone above and beyond.
Some of our inductees do it on skill alone. Others on attitude and intangibles.
Those who combine both, as Catherine does, stand apart even more, and are part of that 1% sitting atop the pyramid.
After this, when you bounce across the top of the blog, you’ll find her up there, under the Legends tab.
And, in the future, when next-gen Wolf athletes stop and ask, “Who was Catherine Lhamon?,” the answer will be an easy one.
“She was everything that was right about Coupeville sports.”
