Photos Courtesy of Washington Cross Country Social Media
The Washington Demon boys and girls cross country teams braved hot conditions and a tough field Monday to compete at the Solon Spartan Invitational. The Demon girls had the top team performance, placing sixth of 14 schools with 148 points. Mount Vernon won the team title with 41. Washington was led by Iris Dahl third in 19:35. Evelyn Moeller of Mount Vernon was the individual winner in 18:46. Other Demon runners included Emma Horak 23rd, Angeline Anderson 24th, Ellie Van Der Molen 52nd, Zully Aranda Terrones 65th, and Isobel Murphy 66th. Following the meet, Washington’s top trio, Dahl, Horak and Anderson spoke with KCII Sports about the race.
Horak said, “Angeline really helped me with the last probably 800. We were running side-by-side. I think we both pushed each other. It’s a big mental race.”
Dahl continued, “It’s always for me that the first mile you’re going out strong, everything feels good. That second mile you really have to buckle down and keep going, because I feel like it starts to hate you. I was just thinking you’ve already done this for a mile.”
Anderson added, “The first mile I think I went out really strong, but the second mile was definitely a mental challenge. The end part of the race, I really tried to catch up to Emma so we can stick together.”
The Washington boys were seventh of 13 schools with 173 points. Mount Vernon completed their team title sweep with 24 points. Andrew Rees led the Demon boys across the line, placing third in 16:48. Dawson Schiel of Mount Vernon was the individual winner in 16:22. Other Washington performances included Jack Shepherd 18th, Ethan Hotchkiss 33rd, Parker Tschantz 56th, Teag Miller 63rd, and Xavi Recendez 72nd. The Demon top three, Rees, Shepherd and Hotchkiss talked after the race with KCII Sports about the night
Hotchkiss said, “Our focus tonight was to stay in a pack, take turns taking the lead and sticking together. When we get spread out, the people in the back tend to slow down. I would say the key is to push through the second mile. In the first mile you have adrenaline and you’re really going for it. Third mile is the last mile of the race, so mentally that’s the best part of the race. Second mile is the toughest part of the race. You have a mile before you and one after you. That’s when you can start getting passed.”
Shepherd continued, “My goal was to find a teammate and stick with them, or find some other guys to stick with that I could sprint and beat at the end.”
Rees added, “There were a few guys I had run against earlier this season so, I was trying to stay with them or a little ahead of them.
Washington will next be in action on their home course Tuesday.