It was two for two déjà vu on the Mercer Island High School (MIHS) cross country scene, and now state awaits.
Less than a week after the boys and girls squads captured twin KingCo championships, the Islanders were at it again and notched a pair of team titles at the 2024 3A Sea-King District 2 Cross Country Championship Meet on Oct. 31 at Lower Woodland in Seattle.
Both teams are now headed to state on Nov. 9 at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.
Sophia Rodriguez blasted through the 5K course and grabbed first place for the girls with a time of 16:59.8. Bystanders at the finish line excitedly yelled to the runner to push for a sub-17 finish.
Sophomore Rodriguez joked that since it was Halloween, she wanted to make it a quick race so people could move on for the evening.
“Our last race at counties, we beat a really big team and we just wanted to come back and show everyone that we’re still the best,” she said. “I think that was my mindset coming in because I had one rough race, but I didn’t let that push me down. I came back for counties and then this race was really just me running in my form again and just running my own race and letting everything happen.”
Other Islanders who will race at state are Victoria Rodriguez (second at districts in 17:16.8), Lauren Balousek, Ella Zhang, Katie Kolpa, Dora Cheng and Sofia Loop. Alternates are Anna Ahrenholz and Mia Kinney.
It’s a family atmosphere in the cross country realm, said Sophia, adding that everyone supports each other and brings something amazing to the program.
Added sister Victoria, a senior, about the district and KingCo success: “The team has made it very special. I think going into all of these (races) we’ve just a had a very good mindset, especially coming into today — we just wanted to give it all we got.”
Having fun and cheering for each other have made for exciting times on the course, she added.
On the MIHS boys’ side, Owen Powell placed second with a time of 15:35.5 and he will be joined at state by Bodie Thomas, Matthew Lawrence, Charlie Staddon-Smith, Connor Ward, Bridge Gerry and Finn Bunker. Silas Rennie and Balen McCarthy are the alternates.
Senior Powell provided some insight into the boys’ season and his personal performance: “I’m really excited this year. This year, I’ve just been really consistent. I’ve just been really happy with the performances I put up. And even more so, I’m excited to see what the team can do next week, because we just improved so much from last year. I think we’ve got a lot to give.”
He added that the hard-working harriers are competing with each other and building off one another while helping elevate everyone’s performance.
“I think it’s just a really positive and healthy, happy environment,” said Powell, adding that he’s improved on the fitness front over the years and is in a healthier mind space when attacking the course.
Ward, a junior, said that MIHS had high expectations when the season began and the boys have unleashed some stellar races along the way.
“It’s been real fun kind of capitalizing and meeting those expectations, even exceeding them. I’d say it’s just been a great energy this whole season, and we’ve all been working real hard to try to win and keep winning,” he said.
ISLAND’S ATROSH BROTHERS
Mercer Island’s Atrosh brothers, Hudson and Heath, have also qualified for state as members of the Seattle Prep and O’Dea boys cross country squads, respectively.
Hudson took third in the 3A district race in 15:40.0 and Heath supplied points for O’Dea, which qualified for state for the first time in 25 years.