Eatonville cross country teams shine at state meet

The Eatonville Cruiser cross country teams capped off a successful season at the WIAA State Championships on Saturday, showcasing impressive individual performances at the challenging Sun Willows Golf Course. Competing against the best 2A runners in the state, the Eatonville girls team finished 13th out of 16 teams, while the boys team demonstrated promise for the future.

Girls Team Shines with Personal Bests

Junior standout Grace Coonrod led the charge for the Eatonville girls, finishing in 17th place with a personal-best time of 19 minutes, 28.90 seconds. Coonrod's finish placed her among the top 20 runners in a competitive field of 160 participants.

“Grace ran an outstanding race today,” said head coach Geoff Olson. “Breaking into the top 20 in such a strong field is a testament to her hard work this season.”

Fellow junior Bridget Stumph also impressed, securing 77th place with a personal-best time of 21:14.10. Sophomore Hannah Bieker was close behind, clocking in at 21:54.40 for 100th place, another personal record.

“The girls team did an amazing job this year,” Olson said. “Not only did they step up from the 1A to the 2A ranks, but they outperformed my expectations as a group. I’m thrilled about what they accomplished and excited for next year.”

Senior Cheyanne Price crossed the finish line in 23:51.80, while freshman Paisley Ashcroft completed her first state meet with a time of 24:51.20. Juniors Savanna Price (32:39.50) and Alice Alexander (36:10.20) rounded out the team’s efforts, with Price setting a new personal best despite challenging conditions.

Boys Team Displays Potential for Future Success

The boys team, although younger and with fewer qualifiers, showed promise for the seasons ahead. Junior Colton Rush led the boys’ effort with a personal-best time of 17:18.30, finishing 78th in a field of 156 runners.

“Colton has been a steady leader for us this year,” Olson said. “He put it all out there today and it paid off with a personal best.”

Freshman Gabe Kolsrud, competing in his first state meet, crossed the finish line in 18:18.10 for 127th place. Sophomore Benjamin Bernt followed in 141st place with a time of 18:53.80, showing steady improvement throughout the season.

“Our boys are young but very talented,” Olson added. “With Colton, Gabe, and Benjamin leading the way, I’m really optimistic about what they can achieve next year.”

A Season of Growth and Optimism for the Cruisers

Reflecting on the season, Olson expressed pride in both teams’ performances, particularly given the transition to competing at the 2A level. The girls team, bolstered by personal-best times from multiple runners, demonstrated resilience and teamwork throughout the season. Meanwhile, the boys, though lacking the depth of their female counterparts, showed the potential to become a competitive force in the future.

“It's been a great season of growth for both teams,” Olson said. “I’m very pleased with how everyone performed today and throughout the year. This experience at state will only make us stronger as we prepare for next season.”