Islander XC traveled to Tolt MS last week to finish out the season at the Triangle League Finals. With a successful regular season already on the books, it was time to secure some team (and individual) championships, and the Gator runners did not disappoint! The 6th Grade Boys showed up on the early bus and were ready just in time with a team win, 37-50 over a tough Twin Falls squad. Finn Kelly was League Champ with a 11:19 time on the 3km course. Linden Baldwin (5th) and Thomas Cundall (6th) also placed in the Top 10.
The 6th Grade Girls were up next, with a 15-point effort from their top 4 runners. Nora Cudney, Natalia Louden and Clara Shook stormed to a 2nd-3rd-4th finish, with Evi Abramson not far behind in 6th. It was an impressive team-oriented win for a group that was dominant from the beginning to the end of the season!
The biggest win of the day went to the 7th/8th Grade Boys in the third race. Finishing with 7 of the first 8 slots led to an unbelievable 17-point team score. For context, the next closest team had 71. Balen McCarthy's 10:18 was the fastest time of the day and good enough to make him League Champion! Jake Powell was just steps behind him in 2nd place. Jackson Dale (3rd), Zizi Song (5th), Dylan Jones (6th), Dino Hajdarpasic (7th) and Ian Moch (8th) kept the party rolling for the team.
Finishing off the day were the 7th/8th Girls, who did plenty to put the race for the title out of doubt. Rizah Despres, Sierra Brondstetter and Elsa Lee had their own 2nd-3rd-4th finish. Avery Stabbert clocked in shortly thereafter at 6th to ensure a 26-point score for the girls, less than half the amount as their nearest competitors. What a way to end the meet, as the rest of the squad accounted for 11 of the top 20 finishers. What a team effort!
There is so much to be proud of this season, up and down the entire team roster. Gator runners have been training hard since Day #1 and that training paid off last Tuesday! The team wins and individual titles are impressive, but just as impressive are the PRs that every single runner achieved throughout the season. The improvement across the board is due to a lot of teamwork, encouragement and dedication from our Islander XC team. Way to go Gators!
With the end of the season, we turn to celebration! All Islander runners should plan to join the team in the IMS Commons after school on Tuesday, October 24 (3:00-4:00pm) for a party! There will be pizza and treats for all athletes. There will be awards. There will be recognition. There will be celebration. Runners should bring their washed JERSEYS to the party to turn in. Activity buses will be provided.
Nothing left to say but...GO GATORS!
Coach Rennie
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