After a two-decade absence, cross country returns to CHS, led by (l to r) Alana Mihill, Adair De Jesus and Catherine Lhamon. (Susan Hulst photo)
It’s been a long time coming.
Despite being one of the most successful athletic programs in Coupeville High School history, cross country has been wandering in the wilderness for more than two decades.
But that all changes this fall.
When Danny Conlisk went to state last year, he was the first Wolf harrier to make the trip in eight years. But, like Tyler King when he won a state title in 2010, Conlisk trained and traveled with another school.
Jump forward to 2018 and CHS has relaunched an in-school cross country program, and hired the most successful distance runner in school history as coach.
Natasha Bamberger, who still holds school records in the 1600 and 3200, won a state title in cross country for the Wolves in 1985, while adding four more state titles in track.
Now, after success as a coach off Whidbey, she’s back in Coupeville and taking the lead in resurrecting a program which hasn’t fielded a team since the ’90s.
Three Wolves – Henry Wynn, Conlisk, and Sam Wynn – trained and traveled with South Whidbey last season, and while Henry Wynn graduated, the other two return to provide leadership.
Conlisk, a four-time state meet participant (three in track) is a senior, while Sam Wynn is a sophomore.
Joining them are senior Kyle Burnett, junior Chris Ruck and sophomore TJ Rickner, which gets the Wolf boys to the magic mark of five runners.
In Washington state high school cross country, varsity teams usually consist of seven runners, but only the first five across the line score.
Bamberger is still on the hunt for more runners, especially female ones.
Sophomore Catherine Lhamon, who ran in the distance races for CHS track in the spring, has jumped from volleyball to the trail, and she’s been joined by freshmen Alana Mihill and Adair De Jesus.
“This season will be a success … if we get two more girls to come out for the team!!,” Bamberger said.
While her roster is still thin, going from three to eight harriers is a huge step forward for a previously-dormant program.
Coupeville Middle School is also launching its own cross country team, with Elizabeth Bitting coaching, which will help to build numbers for the future.
“We are starting at square one, so no free rides here,” Bamberger said. “We are earning every step out there, getting out as a team everyday, gaining enthusiasm, working hard, developing routines and looking for more runners to join our effort.”
Like other sports, cross country was driven inside by smoke from forest fires in the early days, but the new Wolf coach came away impressed with the attitude of her athletes.
“The team has really bonded in their first week of practice together,” Bamberger said. “They are inclusive and individually articulate, thoughtful, hardworking, funny yet serious student/athletes.
“Having the opportunity to not only run with them, but get the chance to talk with each one of them one-on-one, has been exceptional for me to get to know them as individuals,” she added. “Hear what is important to them and start to hear what their goals are. It’s been great to see them come together.”
Conlisk, who advanced to the Junior Olympics national track and field meet this summer, will be the team leader, while Lhamon and Wynn offer “maturity combined with natural ability.”
Ruck and Rickner are “the happiest runners, the work horses, getting it done, whatever is asked of them, everyday,” while Mihill “shows up for every practice and even pushes the boys. She wants to know about the workouts and plan for her next training day.”
“Everybody brings something to the team,” Bamberger said, going on to praise Burnett for his off-the-trail work ethic.
“It’s impressive watching him helping his teammates in the weight room.”
As she and her runners begin their first season together, Bamberger has set goals for the team, individuals, the program and herself as a coach.
These range from getting the young athletes to “visualize, visualize, visualize – if you see it, it will happen” to having her team “be compassionate and respectful towards their teammates and become a part of Coupeville’s running community.”
Bamberger wants the program to build numbers, embrace parent and alumni participation and be known for its sportsmanship.
Her top runner, Conlisk, has established a reputation for shaking the hands of his rivals before and after each race, and it’s that kind of class the Wolves want to embrace.
Sportsmanship is already on display, as South Whidbey coach Doug Fulton invited the Wolves to join his Falcons at a running camp starting Sunday at Fort Casey.
“This is a great opportunity for our young team to run with an experienced team and learn,” Bamberger said. “We are even getting a visit from Olympian Doris Heritage.
“Camp is a great experience for the team. It’s really a fun time, getting up, running, training, playing games, eating great meals together.
“Camp sets the tone for the season. They will love it and learn a lot in the process.”
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