The Hawks XC team is looking good coming off a productive summer conditioning season and they are primed for a great fall. Building off of our young team last year, we now have more balance among the grade levels on our roster. The boys have seven seniors, and the junior class for both girls and boys have the majority of our runners. Total rostered runners at the start of the season is over 40, with another 25-30 Sager runners learning the magic of CPXC.
Though there are no seniors on the women’s team however they may be our best squad in school history. Captain Chayelle Amsing leads the team placing 47th at the State Meet last fall, joined by fellow juniors Aryel Villanueva, Anna Magnaghi & Aaliyah Anderson. These girls welcome freshman runners Naoma Masferrer & Harmonie Amsing. This team's big goal is to be the first Hawks girls XC team to qualify to the state meet in November. They’ve put in consistent work over the summer, and have already shown it’s paying off, so they have a very realistic shot for them to reach the goal.
The Hawk men are led by Senior captains Ammon Hawkins, Carter McCullough & Miguel Villanueva. Other varsity level seniors including the big man in the middle, John Perkes, and ever smiling & climbing tree, Teo Masferrer along with Mr. Dr. Pepper, Brandon Vinyard. Juniors Aeden Self, Tucker Wicks, Brannan Hamada, Tanner Arlington & Ethan Reyes round out our top nine runners. Two early freshmen standouts from our 2 mile Time Trial are Andrew Knowles & Carter Bryant. Both newcomers placed very well on our deep boys squad. For the past few years there has been an annual battle for the Hawks top seven boys and this season proves to have the hottest competition yet. Tucker is our top returner from last year’s 11th place state team. This group looks to defend its District 5 title and vaulting into the top tier of the state 1A teams. They’ve put in the necessary work this summer and are looking good going into the first few races of the season.
The Hawks will be a split squad for their first meet of the season, with the junior varsity competing at the Hanford Jamboree Friday afternoon Sept 4th. The varsity girls and boys runners travel to The Ultimook Race on Saturday September 5th near Tillamook, Oregon. Looking further ahead, we’re excited to host two meets at our home Fort Walla Walla race course (Hawk Invite - Sept 18th & SCAC #1 - Sept. 30th). The focus for this year’s CPXC team is to embrace the “Own It, Team It, Grow It” mentality and to make those around us better with our actions and words & keep our vision on what’s in our control.
Here’s to a great season,
Coach Durand