On to State: XC Runners Head to State Meet

This coming weekend, cross country stars Rylan Reiber, Maggie Butcher, and Allie Neff are headed to state at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco, ready to run through the hills that lie before them.

Sophomore Maggie Butcher has a PR of 22:06 minutes in the 5000 meters, improving by 29 seconds from 2024. Junior Rylan Reiber has a PR of 17:28 in the 5000 meters, improving by 25 seconds from 2024. Freshman Allie Neff has a PR of 20:57 minutes in the 5000 meters. 

These athletes are ready for state, and Coach Kenoyer thinks so as well. He says, “I think they are ready for state. They have worked hard during the season, and they are ready to go…These guys are motivated to go to state, they want to do well.”

Freshman Allie Neff thinks a little differently. Although she still knows how hard state can be. “I think it’s kinda impossible to be ready for state. It’s the hardest race you can run.”

All three runners intensified their training over the past few weeks, harder than before, not only stepping up their physical game, but their mental game as well. Sophomore Maggie Butcher says, “I’ve had to step up my mental game the past few weeks and train a little bit harder, but we are taking it pretty easy this week, so hopefully I will be rested and ready to go!”

The runners are taking practices pretty easily; practices have become shorter and a little bit easier than at the beginning of the season. Usually, at the beginning of the season, the practices range from an hour to an hour and a half. Closer to the end of the season, especially towards races the practices range from 15-30 minutes. 

These athletes have been running for years, Neff and Butcher joining in 6th grade, and Reiber joining in 7th grade. 

Overall, these athletes are highly capable of doing extremely well in state, and are excited to run on Saturday!