In Rain We Shine: The Dalles makes podium at State XC Championship

“We’ve been through every kind of rain there is. Little bitty stinging rain...and big old fat rain. Rain that flew in sideways. And sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath.” -Forrest Gump

Rain pours at the podium at the State Championship meet in Eugene at Lane Community College on Nov. 4th.

By Jill Pearson Bell

“Holy atmospheric river,” commented one of The Dalles parents before the races. Gushing from the tent roof, soaking from the sky, November 4th dawned dark and decidedly damp for the State Cross Country championship.

The course, already somewhat churned up by the 1A through 3A races, was slick and muddy; the glitter carefully pasted into braids was already starting to run down the girls’ team’s faces before their warm-up. Grim determination- and a little fear- was on their faces.

Rough conditions play to a team’s toughness, though, and State proved that adage yet again. “Not every team gets up early on Saturday mornings to run 10 miles,” coach Mandi Williams reminded them, “and some run their recoveries on trails that are actually flat.” The nerve-wracking part of the season was the district race that got them here- now racing at the highest level, they had nothing to lose.

For the first time since 2014, the girls’ team made the podium, placing fourth at 141 points, just 3 points ahead of fellow Tri-Valley team Crook County. Led and helped by Alaina Casady’s fourth-place finish at 19:30.4, the team started toward the middle of the pack, but maintained their pace where others started to flag.

Casady attached herself to La Grande’s Emily Tubbs, and ran her race plan with precision and guts. Abi Pope and Ruby Jaimes Mora finished close to each other again, at 31st and 33rd place around the mid 21’s, while newcomer Laura Black ran an all-time PR at 22:21 (49th), despite running blind; it was so rainy she gave me her glasses before the race.

Making the difference between fourth and fifth place was recovered teammate Kestley Hodges hot on Black’s heels for 52nd at 22:23. “Kestley freakin’ Hodges,” lauded coach Aaron Long. Despite a few falls on the muddy course, Hodges continued to pick herself up and move forward, a victory made all the sweeter for her team since injury had sidelined her for the district race. Riley Elliot and Nayeli Vergara completed the team, finishing above the 23-minute mark. A little dazed and fully drenched, the squad accepted their team trophy behind Philomath, La Grande, and Junction City.

The rain didn’t let up for the boys’ race, now made even more slick from the girls’ spikes. The team dedicated their races to Gabe Castillo Quintana, the team’s only senior, who finished fifth for the team to be their final scorer in 52nd place at 18:38. Ahead of him, sandwiched between Crook County’s Kannon Whiting and Hunter Davis, was junior Egan Ziegenhagen at 18:15, with sophomore Aiden Erickson (17:46) and junior Caleb Caldwell (17:56) in Honorable Mention territory at 22nd and 28th place. True to his goal, sophomore Tyson Long remained in the chase pack, finishing exactly 10th at 17:08.

Collectively, the Riverhawk boys placed 3rd at 136. In a strong showing for the Tri-Valley league, Crook County came in 2nd at 87 points, while wild card Mollala finished fourth with 146. One of the most difficult this season, mentally, was coming off a State championship- how to remain confident enough to earn a place at State, without comparing themselves to last year’s team. “I just ran my race and kept moving up,” remarked Erickson, who had been last year’s alternate. Learning to be proud without being arrogant is a skill he and the others are learning to master.

The day, while sopping, was historic for The Dalles Cross Country. The last time both teams finished in the top four was in 1997 (the last time before 2022 The Dalles had a state championship for the boys side), while the last consecutive back-to-back podium years for either team was 1991-1992. To Bob Thouvenel’s knowledge, no TD cross country team has ever made the podium three years in a row...yet.

Thanks to all who came out to support us this season- we appreciate you! Credit for the sweet team swag goes to Lamont Crichton Tunai, Rage Graphix, and Robert Wells-Clark. This has been a great year for a very special team- excited for the off-season and what track and field will have in store this spring!

Team Chosen Awards, 2023

Most Improved: Phoenix Nanie, Abi Pope, & Gabe Castillo Quintana

Most Inspirational: Rokiah Notbohm, Aiden Erickson, & Kestley Hodges

Most Outstanding: Tyson Long & Alaina Casady

The Dalles’ girls team is also pleased to report that they won the team’s dress up contest the night before districts. While the parent and fan vote was tight, the tie was ultimately broken by longtime coach Bob Thouvenel- “it’s close, but the crowns have it.”