SNOHOMISH – How does one measure greatness?
When it comes to running, look no further than the Snohomish High School girls cross country team. The Lady Panthers have raced to two straight Class 4A state championships and they haven’t placed lower than fifth since 2000. Last year they scorched the competition in state-record style by packing five runners in the top 13.
How dominating was Snohomish on that extraordinary day? Only one other school, second-place Bellarmine Prep, had more than one runner among the top 15. In a sport where the lowest score wins, Snohomish tallied just 31 points compared to Prep’s 85. No other school scored less than 116.
And after an impressive first-place performance at last weekend’s Western Conference divisional championships in Lakewood, Snohomish seems primed to chase a state three-peat.
So how do the Lady Panthers do it?
Think early and often. Several mornings each week when most people are savoring their last few hours of sleep the Lady Panthers are working – not on the track, at a nearby park or in the weight room. No, these queens of cross country start their mornings somewhere quite unexpected: in the pool.
On non-meet days the Lady Panthers hit Snohomish’s Hal Moe Pool around 5:45 a.m. Swimming is an effective way to stay in shape while avoiding the joint-jarring effects of too much running, Parker said. It also helps the girls bond because, unlike out on the open course, they can’t run away from each other.
“The swimming pool is a great cross-training vehicle for us,” Parker said. “In the pool they have to be all together. It’s really different than running.”
The Lady Panthers swim until school starts. After classes end they head outside to run, and eventually they wrap things up with weight training. The running, which includes a complex mix of controlled tempo exercises and speed drills, would be more than enough for some squads. For Snohomish it’s only the beginning.
“Compared to other girls teams, we’re doing a lot extra. We’re definitely upping the mileage,” said Snohomish junior Amanda Stopa, who placed 10th in the state last year and 15th in 2002.
Despite the heavy workload, including the brutal rise-and-shine pool time, no one grumbles. “We understand that we have to get it done,” Stopa added. “Nobody questions it.”
That mindset leads to state championships, and it has the Lady Panthers in the mix for a third straight 4A title heading into the District One meet this Saturday in at South Whidbey High.
Snohomish is currently ranked second in the Washington State Cross Country Coaches Association poll behind Bellarmine Prep. While the Panthers are clearly among the favorites, they aren’t counting on matching last year’s awe-inspiring performance as the Nov. 6 state championships in Pasco loom.
“We’re just being positive,” Stopa said “We’re not saying we can do it, but we’re definitely not saying we can’t.”
“We didn’t expect to win (last year), or by that much,” said Snohomish senior Alyssa Modrell, who was the state’s eighth-fastest runner in 2003. “It was a good surprise (but) I don’t think we’re going to match it.
“We’re doing good (but) I’m a little worried for our team.”
Yikes. The Lady Panthers work relentlessly and they’re modest. It seems Modrell’s competitors, and not Modrell and her Snohomish teammates, should be concerned.
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