Fitts wins division at Bob Firman; EHS girls climb to No. 5 in 2A
Coach Lyndsy Roberts credited a "ferocious last mile" as the Tigers pushed themselves against runners from 115 schools and 10 states on a "blazing fast" new course in Spokane Valley.
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Junior Caleb Fitts breaks the tape to win the varsity Division I boys race Saturday at the Nike Bob Firman Invitational. Fitts ran the 5K course at The Course Spokane Valley in 15:36.7. Full race video from Athletic.net here.
SPOKANE VALLEY — Ephrata junior Caleb Fitts won the varsity Division I boys cross country race at the Nike Bob Firman Invitational on Saturday, breaking the finish-line tape in 15 minutes, 36.7 seconds after covering the 5,000-meter distance at The Course Spokane Valley.
Attending with both its boys and girls teams, Ephrata was one of 115 high schools — some from as far away as Hawaii and Illinois — to compete in the prestigious invitational's inaugural meet in Washington state after years in the Boise area.
The Division I varsity races were large enough to run in two sections, with results combined afterward for placings and team scores.
"It was a perfect day for cross country," Tiger head coach Lyndsy Roberts said. "Great weather, a blazing fast new course, and a huge field of great competition. For many of our athletes this was the first time they have seen a meet of this scale and many left excited and motivated about their running."
"Caleb had an incredible day," Roberts continued. "It's a credit to his mental approach: pre-race he had a plan, he executed strong in race tactics, and brought it home with a ferocious last mile. Really proud of his growth as a runner. He definitely made himself noticed at such a big meet."
In the separate Elite boys race, senior Yosuke Shibata of South Eugene, Oregon won in 14:28.0, holding off hometown Gonzaga Prep sophomore Miro Parr-Coffin by four-tenths of a second in a thrilling finish. In the Elite girls race, senior Morgan Delaney of Polson, Montana posted the fastest time of the day at 17:11.2.
The Lady Tigers placed ninth as a team with 307 points, led by senior Abigail Chamberlain who placed second in her section and fifth in the combined results in 19:04.1. Skyridge's Abigail Finley of Lehi, Utah won the race in 18:36.9.
Also for Ephrata, junior Savannah Harper was 39th in 20:05.6, freshman Zoie Grubb 73rd in 20:39.9, junior Rebecca Wiser 96th in 20:58.9 and senior Hannah Malone 129th in 21:41.0.
"Abigail raced tough," Roberts said. "She battled the entire race and had an epic sprint finish down the final straightaway. She not only earned a nice new personal record, but the big race experience will definitely be valuable later in the season."
Ephrata's girls moved up three spots to No. 5 in Class 2A in the Washington State Cross Country Coaches Association poll for the week of Sept. 28. Sehome is No. 1, with CWAC rivals Ellensburg second and Selah ninth.
"The girls team continues to catch people's attention across the state," Roberts said. "This is a great reward for the racing they have done over the last few weeks. The goal is how to continue to move forward while maintaining health throughout the team. It's a great challenge to have and it will be exciting to see what this special group can accomplish."
The Tiger boys team placed 26th overall with 656 points. After Fitts, freshman Seve Molitor ran 17:10.5, sophomore Caleb Schooler 17:25.2, junior Mitchell Johnson 18:05.8 and freshman Mike Jimenez 18:07.5 to round out scoring.
Ephrata races this Saturday, Oct. 3 in the 3-mile Sunfair Invitational race at Franklin Park in Yakima, now in its 52nd year.
"While smaller than the Bob Firman Invite, Sunfair is not lacking for great competition," Roberts said. "Many of the top teams from last weekend will head to Franklin Park in Yakima to tackle the historic course. It will present a great challenge and experience for our teams."
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Fitts wins division at Bob Firman; EHS girls climb to No. 5 in 2A
Coach Lyndsy Roberts credited a "ferocious last mile" as the Tigers pushed themselves against runners from 115 schools and 10 states on a "blazing fast" new course in Spokane Valley.
Junior Caleb Fitts breaks the tape to win the varsity Division I boys race Saturday at the Nike Bob Firman Invitational. Fitts ran the 5K course at The Course Spokane Valley in 15:36.7. Full race video from Athletic.net here.
SPOKANE VALLEY — Ephrata junior Caleb Fitts won the varsity Division I boys cross country race at the Nike Bob Firman Invitational on Saturday, breaking the finish-line tape in 15 minutes, 36.7 seconds after covering the 5,000-meter distance at The Course Spokane Valley.
Attending with both its boys and girls teams, Ephrata was one of 115 high schools — some from as far away as Hawaii and Illinois — to compete in the prestigious invitational's inaugural meet in Washington state after years in the Boise area.
The Division I varsity races were large enough to run in two sections, with results combined afterward for placings and team scores.
"It was a perfect day for cross country," Tiger head coach Lyndsy Roberts said. "Great weather, a blazing fast new course, and a huge field of great competition. For many of our athletes this was the first time they have seen a meet of this scale and many left excited and motivated about their running."
"Caleb had an incredible day," Roberts continued. "It's a credit to his mental approach: pre-race he had a plan, he executed strong in race tactics, and brought it home with a ferocious last mile. Really proud of his growth as a runner. He definitely made himself noticed at such a big meet."
In the separate Elite boys race, senior Yosuke Shibata of South Eugene, Oregon won in 14:28.0, holding off hometown Gonzaga Prep sophomore Miro Parr-Coffin by four-tenths of a second in a thrilling finish. In the Elite girls race, senior Morgan Delaney of Polson, Montana posted the fastest time of the day at 17:11.2.
The Lady Tigers placed ninth as a team with 307 points, led by senior Abigail Chamberlain who placed second in her section and fifth in the combined results in 19:04.1. Skyridge's Abigail Finley of Lehi, Utah won the race in 18:36.9.
Also for Ephrata, junior Savannah Harper was 39th in 20:05.6, freshman Zoie Grubb 73rd in 20:39.9, junior Rebecca Wiser 96th in 20:58.9 and senior Hannah Malone 129th in 21:41.0.
"Abigail raced tough," Roberts said. "She battled the entire race and had an epic sprint finish down the final straightaway. She not only earned a nice new personal record, but the big race experience will definitely be valuable later in the season."
Ephrata's girls moved up three spots to No. 5 in Class 2A in the Washington State Cross Country Coaches Association poll for the week of Sept. 28. Sehome is No. 1, with CWAC rivals Ellensburg second and Selah ninth.
"The girls team continues to catch people's attention across the state," Roberts said. "This is a great reward for the racing they have done over the last few weeks. The goal is how to continue to move forward while maintaining health throughout the team. It's a great challenge to have and it will be exciting to see what this special group can accomplish."
The Tiger boys team placed 26th overall with 656 points. After Fitts, freshman Seve Molitor ran 17:10.5, sophomore Caleb Schooler 17:25.2, junior Mitchell Johnson 18:05.8 and freshman Mike Jimenez 18:07.5 to round out scoring.
Ephrata races this Saturday, Oct. 3 in the 3-mile Sunfair Invitational race at Franklin Park in Yakima, now in its 52nd year.
"While smaller than the Bob Firman Invite, Sunfair is not lacking for great competition," Roberts said. "Many of the top teams from last weekend will head to Franklin Park in Yakima to tackle the historic course. It will present a great challenge and experience for our teams."
Ephrata varsity results:
Girls (ninth, 307 points): 5. Abigail Chamberlain 19:04.1; 39. Savannah Harper 20:05.6; 73. Zoie Grubb 20:39.9; 96. Rebecca Wiser 20:58.9; 129. Hannah Malone 21:41.0; 232. Annabelle Adams 23:52.1.
Boys (26th, 656 points): 1. Caleb Fitts 15:36.7; 98. Seve Molitor 17:10.5; 145. Caleb Schooler 17:25.2; 227. Mitchell Johnson 18:05.8; 232. Mike Jimenez 18:07.5; 245. Sam Goldy 18:15.4; 249. Louden Leenhouts 18:20.5.