Cross country would’ve suited him fine

Published 5:51 pm Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Most of us regret a few things we did or didn’t do in high school.

One of my big regrets, in hindsight, is I didn’t turn out for the cross country team. At the time, I was more interested in other sports. But I gave up football after my freshman year and I was one of the last two kids cut from the basketball team during tryouts my junior year.

After that, it was intramurals and video games.

Before I started writing for The Herald, it never occurred to me I should have tried a less-hyped sport, like cross country, in high school. But since I covered my first cross country meet in fall 2004, I realized something.

I should have tried it.

Not because I would have been especially good — I ran cross country in middle school and wasn’t a standout — but because I see so many positive examples of teamwork, friendship and sacrifice. It would have been special to experience that firsthand.

Many of my most memorable interviews — a list that includes Mariners, pro coaches and college stars — have been with prep cross country runners and their coaches. Reflecting on those conversations makes me excited to cover the state meet Saturday in Pasco.

It will be my sixth straight year driving to the Tri-Cities for the state meet. I’ve never left the course without at least a dozen possible storylines. Motivated by individual and teams goals, kids push themselves to the brink of their mental and physical limits on the 3.1-mile (5,000-meter) route at Sun Willows Golf Course.

I was shocked my first year at state when I saw a few runners collapse (and many more puke) in the finishers’ chute. But I soon realized that was normal. Athletes wait all fall for state and they don’t hold anything back.

I admire Ellie Bonner, a former Snohomish High School competitor who in 2004 had one of the gutsiest performances I’ve seen in any sport. As a freshman, Bonner ran at state with a torn left calf muscle. She finished 47th in the 4A girls race.

Afterward, tears rolled down Bonner’s face. Her leg hurt horribly, yet the pain of quitting would have hurt much more.

“It was really hard,” Bonner, an eventual four-time state participant, said at the time, “because I didn’t want (the torn muscle) to get worse. But I knew our team needed me. It was hard, but it was worth it.”

Beyond their grueling physical preparation that includes hundreds of miles during year-round training, I admire cross country runners for their thoughtfulness and mutual respect.

I admire Dylan Hopper, a state-bound Cascade High senior who won the Wesco North championship race two weeks ago. Instead of celebrating his long-awaited victory (Hopper placed second in the event last year), Hopper immediately ran to aid teammate Aaron Campbell, who aggravated a lower-back injury during his fourth-place run. As Campbell grimaced and rested on his back, Hopper grabbed Campbell’s legs and helped him stretch.

I admire Lakewood High co-head coaches Jeff Sowards and Jon Murray, who year after year produce state-ranked boys and girls teams. The Cougars are always among the happiest, most level-headed athletes I talk to. They are a true sports family, united by hard work and their passion for competition.

Lakewood was also bonded by tragedy. A little more than three years ago I wrote about Chad Skiles, then a Lakewood freshman. His brother, then-senior Scott Skiles, was a star. The brothers planned to run together. They looked forward to it for years.

But in late August 2006 Scott Skiles — a well-rounded student who would have been an individual state-title contender — died in a car crash near his home. He was 17.

A few weeks later an emotional but determined Chad Skiles ran in Lakewood’s season-opening meet on his team’s home course. Before the race Chad wrote a message in chalk on the cement north of the track, in honor of his brother. The message said:

“All of 7th and 8th grade I was looking forward to be running with you in high school. And today is our first meet and you aren’t here. For the next 4 years I will be running for you. Love, Chad”

On Saturday, Chad Skiles — now a Lakewood senior — will run at state in Pasco for the last time. I can’t wait to see him cross the finish line.

Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/doubleteam.