Ephrata cross country powered by experience, chasing state dreams
EPHRATA — The Ephrata High School boys and girls cross country teams enter the 2025 season with high expectations, returning the entire 2024 district squad on the boys side and three individual state qualifiers on the girls side.
The Tiger boys, who finished second in the Central Washington Athletic Conference (CWAC) league standings last fall, bring back all district team runners. Leading the way is senior Maddax Iverson, a two-time state qualifier who placed 12th at districts and qualified for an individual state berth. Iverson will be joined by sophomores Caleb Fitts and Niko Diaz, who both emerged as steady varsity runners as freshmen. Both went on to receive CWAC honorable mention recognition last season.
“We have a strong returning group of runners, so expectations are high,” head coach Lyndsy Roberts said. “With our entire district team returning on the boys side, we have an expectation to be a state qualifier this year. Missing state by just two points last year stung so we are highly motivated to achieve that goal this year.”
Roberts begins his third year as head coach of Ephrata cross country and brings a wealth of prior experience. The Tiger alum was among the top state placers as a prep runner, and served 10 years as head coach of Royal City’s program before returning to Ephrata.
The Tiger girls team features a balance of experience and newcomers. Returners include juniors Abigail Chamberlain and Hannah Malone, both two-time state qualifiers. Chamberlain was a first-team All-CWAC honoree who placed eighth individually at last year’s district meet. Malone and sophomore Savannah Harper each received second-team All-CWAC recognition last season and Harper, as a freshman, also qualified individually for the state meet.
“On the girls side, we want to be one of the top CWAC teams with an ultimate goal of qualifying for the state meet as a team,” Roberts said. “It’s been quite a few years since this has happened, but we have the right people to turn this around this year.”
Roberts looks for a couple newcomers to add depth for the Lady Tigers.
“Rebecca Wiser is transferring from Moses Lake Christian Academy and will have an immediate impact,” said Roberts. “Although just a sophomore, she already has two years of state track and field experience, including one as an eighth grader.” He also noted the addition of Monick Valdez, who will be competing as a cross-country athlete for the first time after coming off a successful track season, saying she will be “one to watch.”
On the boys team, Roberts said freshman Caleb Schooler “has looked promising and has worked hard all summer. It will be exciting to see his hard work be rewarded early in the season.”
The Tigers open Sept. 6 at the Ellensburg Relays, a coed relay-style race where runners pass through a water crossing 2-3 feet deep.
Looking around the league, Roberts expects Ellensburg’s boys and girls to be top contenders for the district title. In the boys ranks, Selah and Quincy also pose serious competition, while Selah and Prosser will challenge on the girls side, he predicted.
With proven runners returning in both lineups, Roberts said the Tigers’ expectations also focus on finishing near the top of the CWAC.
“We have goals for both our boys and girls to be a top two CWAC team during league and districts. While state allocations are currently up in the air, a top two finish would ensure a state berth,” he said.
Participation in Ephrata cross country is trending up. Roberts expects about 30 boys and 15 girls to turn out this fall, adding that the program is always looking for new runners.
