Matthew Watkins
Jackson | Junior
As a sophomore, Watkins raced to a first-team All-Wesco 4A selection and qualified for the 4A state tournament where he finished 51st. He was the second-highest finisher for the Timberwolves behind star senior Aaron Roe, who won the race and is now running for Notre Dame.
Watkins is a key returner for Jackson, which hopes to improve on last year’s 12th-place finish at state.
“Matt brings a strong work ethic to our team and is helping to lead workouts running up front,” said Timberwolves head coach Eric Hruschka. “He is very positive while encouraging teammates to get better. He has high goals for himself and our team and brings a great deal of energy to practice while trying to help us achieve them.”
Cullen McEachern
Kamiak | Junior
A first-team all-league selection last season, McEachern qualified for the 4A state meet and represented Kamiak at the final meet in Pasco. McEachern placed 38th overall with a time of 16:13.04.
It was his second consecutive trip to the state meet and McEachern – who cut 55 seconds off his state time as a sophomore – is hoping to make it three in a row this year.
“Cullen had a great summer logging many miles, further building his strength after a very productive track season,” said Kamiak head coach Charley LeWarne. “He is a seasoned veteran with an innate ability to adapt and adjust as he competes. We’ll look for him to sharpen those skills as he emerges as one of the top runners in the area this fall.”
Matt Jackson
King’s | Junior
Jackson ended his sophomore year with a podium finish at the 1A state cross country meet. Jackson placed 13th with a time of 16:45 – and later went on to place sixth at state in the 800-meter run and ran a leg on the state-record setting 1,600 relay team at the state track meet in May.
Jackson is one of two returning juniors who ran at the state cross country meet. With star Andrew Ayers gone, Jackson will be the one leading the Knights this season.
“Matt is a smart and talented runner and a great team leader,” said Rod Wilcox, the King’s head coach. “… We have a young team this year so it is huge to have a role model like Matt to lead them. Success breads success and he learned from the best last year in Andrew Ayers. Now as the veteran, he passes it (onto) the kids on the team.”
Nathan Beamer
Arlington | Senior
Beamer was the top finisher on a loaded Arlington team that placed fourth at the 3A state meet a year ago. With a time of 15:37.64, Beamer finished eighth overall and scored five points for the Eagles.
One of several strong seniors that Arlington head coach Mike Shierk can count on for a low score, Beamer is a strong runner and a “goofball that keeps things light,” according to his coach.
“He brings that legitimate low score in the meet,” Shierk said. “He brings the guys some confidence and he helps us feel legit because you have to have that guy that can help you. We don’t make it without him. That’s just the way it goes.”
Garren Arnold
Glacier Peak | Senior
Arnold has come a long way in his three seasons with the Glacier Peak cross country team, according to head coach Dan Parker. Now, Parker is excited to see what he can do his senior season.
After a breakout race during his sophomore year of track, Arnold committed to running and has been leading the Grizzlies ever since – including finishing 36th at last year’s state cross country meet to help lead Glacier Peak to a 12th-place finish.
“My God, the growth in that kid. The maturity is incredible,” Parker said. “… He’s a captain, he’s one of the leaders. That wasn’t the way it was in the beginning. He’s developed into this. To see him grow like that, I think that’s what coaching’s all about.”
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