Elizabeth Bitting is the new CHS cross country coach. (Jackie Saia photo)
They’ve already won.
As sports continue to return after the long COVID shutdown, the Coupeville High School cross country program has much to cheer.
First, the Wolves get to run, with four meets in a pandemic-shortened season which begins Monday, March 29, and ends May 8.
And when they do, the CHS harriers will take to a familiar course in half those meets, with Coupeville hosting the season opener and the league championships at Fort Casey State Park.
“My biggest thought and triumph are that for this shortened season, and for all foreseeable seasons, and through the turbulent times we’ve had over the past year, we finally have a home course!!!,” said elated Coupeville coach Elizabeth Bitting.
“A course to call our own! It has been close to, if not over 30 years, since Coupeville last had a home course and was able to host a race. This is huge!!!!
“This is something I personally have hoped to see for many years. With our beautiful scenery and spectacular trails, it’s a win, win, win for all — runners and spectators!!!”
When Coupeville schools returned to the world of competitive cross country in 2018, after a long absence, Bitting helped launch the middle school program.
Now, after a family move lured CHS coach Luke Samford to another state, she’s agreed to helm the high school program as well.
The move reunites her with several athletes she previously coached back when they were middle school track and field stars, such as seniors Catherine Lhamon and TJ Rickner.
“This makes it truly a full circle moment for me,” Bitting said.
The last time a Coupeville cross country runner competed was November 9, 2019, when Lhamon capped her junior campaign with an appearance at the state meet.
Catherine Lhamon is a state meet veteran. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Joining the veterans will be a diverse group of runners including Reiley Aracely, Mitchell Hall, Cristina McGrath, Helen Strelow, Alex Wasik, Erica McGrath, Tate Wyman, and Alex Bowder.
Foreign exchange student Nozomi Hagihara, who made her CHS debut as a tennis player, will also be running, while freshman Hank Milnes is expected to have an immediate impact.
“It’s been a pleasure to see Hank grow as a runner, and he is ready for the high school challenge,” Bitting said. “The core group brings some familiar faces eager to get this season started.”
While they will have just over a month in which to run, expect the Wolves to put in considerable work.
“My goal for the season is to concentrate on the run, maintain healthy legs, and make those hills look more like speedbumps,” Bitting said. “An added bonus will be to have each runner feel better each time they lace up their running shoes.
“Hills could win a race, and hills could cost a race,” she added. “Hills also result in strong legs, which athletes need for a strong finish.”
Mitchell Hall is one of Coupeville’s top returning runners. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
With her many coaching roles in Coupeville, Bitting is well-established in the local running scene, and a familiar presence to almost all of her athletes.
Better yet, many of her runners already have a strong connection, as well.
“Our team’s strength is unity,” Bitting said. “Some of these runners have been running together since last summer, and more joined in the open coaching season we had from September 2020 – February 2021.
“They know each other, they know one another’s strengths, they know how to push one another, and most importantly, they know how to support one another.
“The camaraderie these athletes have for one another is mind-blowing. They truly care about one another and will do what it takes to make sure each of them reaches their athletic ability.”
Three of the seven schools in the Northwest 2B/1B League compete in cross country, which pits Coupeville against Orcas Island and Mount Vernon Christian this season.
Bitting enters the season with a mix of confidence and excitement.
“With the past year we have had, I feel the league title is up for grabs,” she said. “There are some athletes not participating in their usual sports due to the rollout of when sports are being played.
“We have athletes who have signed up who haven’t participated in cross country in the past. We have freshman who are eager to begin competing at the next level.
“Whatever happens this season, the foundation for the team’s future is being built and it’s being built pretty strong.”
Building not just for today, but for seasons to come, is a huge part of Bitting’s game plan.
“There is a lot of talent among the whole crew,” she said. “I see great things in this team’s future, both male and female teams.”
