Six state runners return for Ephrata XC; boys turnout largest in program history
Abigail Chamberlain, Hannah Malone, Savannah Harper, Rebecca Wiser, Caleb Fitts and Niko Diaz all bring state meet experience back to the Tiger lineup this fall.
Updated
The 2026 Ephrata cross country team, the largest turnout in program history. The Tigers open Friday, Sept. 11 at the Ellensburg Relays. Photos by Casey Devine
EPHRATA — This fall, Ephrata cross country brings back six runners with state meet experience, four of them on the girls side. And the Tiger boys open the season with what the program says is the largest turnout in its history, 52 runners.
Head coach Lyndsy Roberts begins his fourth year leading the program, joined by returning assistant JoElle Malone and new assistant coach John Fitts.
"(John) brings a great positive energy and enthusiasm to the team that will benefit all of our runners," Roberts said.
Roberts said the goals are the same for both squads — to build a positive culture, work consistently, celebrate every runner's growth, compete for a district title, and claim a trip to the state race.
The Ephrata cross country team breaks into a run across the outfield at Johnson O'Brien Stadium during an early-season practice.
Five Tigers ran at last year's state meet, and senior Abigail Chamberlain's return from injury makes six with state experience.
"It points to the strong leadership returning this year. They will set the example for the rest to follow," Roberts said. "Bottom line: high expectations and hopes. The challenge will be to build on that momentum and bring others along with them."
Junior Caleb Fitts, a first-team All-Central Washington Athletic Conference selection in 2025, leads the boys. Over the course of his sophomore season, Fitts improved his 3-mile time by over a minute, placed seventh in the CWAC District Championships, and finished 42nd in a field of 160 runners at last fall's Class 2A state meet. This spring, Fitts earned a sixth-place medal in the 800 at the state track-and-field meet.
Roberts describes junior Niko Diaz, a second-team All-CWAC pick a year ago, as "a bit of a silent warrior." Diaz, said the Tiger coach, has been “incredibly clutch in big races. One I can always count on in the biggest moments."
Junior Cale Fronsman and sophomores Caleb Schooler and Louden Leenhouts also return with experience. But freshmen Mike Jimenez, Seve Molitor, Sam Goldy, Ransom Springs, Eli Leenhouts and Conrad Nelson could push into the varsity mix right away.
"Many of our freshman showed up daily to summer workouts and made tremendous growth over the last two months," Roberts said. "Similar in many ways to the group a few years back that led the boys' team to multiple state berths."
On the ladies side, Chamberlain returns after missing last season with an injury, bringing first-team All-CWAC honors from 2023 and 2024.
Eden Morris, Zoe Grubb, Harmony Keen, Rebecca Wiser and Savannah Harper settle into pace at an early season practice.
Senior Hannah Malone was a first-team all-league pick in 2023 and 2025, with second-team honors in 2024. Junior Savannah Harper made second team in 2024 and first team last year. Junior Rebecca Wiser earned second-team recognition in 2025 in her first season as a Tiger.
Freshman Zoie Grubb headlines the newcomers. Grubb is "incredibly talented and a hard worker," Roberts said. "She will make an immediate impact with the team this year."
Additionally, fellow freshmen Eden Morris and Paisley Graaff will compete for varsity spots.
Roberts credited the athletes themselves for the spike in turnout.
"We've got great kids on the team. They genuinely like hanging out with one another and have discovered X-C is more than just 'running,'" he said. "When they share stories in the hallways and talk about practice in a positive manner, it gets noticed by others."
Younger siblings of former runners seek out the program, the sport is easy to pick up, and everyone — from the fastest athlete to the newest runner — improves, Roberts said.
A core group of Tigers logged heavy mileage from mid-June through late August in Ephrata's summer running program. Roberts said the top distance programs no longer take many days off, and keeping runners healthy through it is the key.
"How do we get the most out of each athlete while making sure we are protecting them at the same time?" he asked rhetorically. "If it all comes together, this could be a season to remember."
The team spent three days at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon for camp, with 15 runners making the trip. The 9,000-acre park southeast of Salem is known for its Trail of Ten Falls, a 7.2-mile loop past 10 waterfalls.
"Beautiful runs, gorgeous hikes, but most importantly lots of team time," Roberts said. "Nothing improves a team more than building a shared positive culture. The time spent making memories around a campfire or on the long drive will be just as important as all the miles we put into the athletes' legs."
Ephrata hosts two "home" meets this fall at Lakeview Golf & Country Club — Thursday, Oct. 8 and Thursday, Oct. 22. The Tigers also run the Nike Bob Firman Invitational Sept. 25-26, one of the Northwest's largest meets and one of the first races held at The Course, a Spokane Valley venue built for cross country that opened in August.
Roberts said the terraced hill at the Sunfair Invite at Franklin Park in Yakima is another tough course.
"A true mental test. I love watching kids take on that challenge," he said.
Roberts expects Ellensburg and Selah to be the toughest teams, both boys and girls, in the CWAC again this fall, but expects his Tigers will run with anyone in the league.
They open Friday, Sept. 11 at the Ellensburg Invitational Relays; races begin at 4:45 p.m.
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Six state runners return for Ephrata XC; boys turnout largest in program history
Abigail Chamberlain, Hannah Malone, Savannah Harper, Rebecca Wiser, Caleb Fitts and Niko Diaz all bring state meet experience back to the Tiger lineup this fall.
EPHRATA — This fall, Ephrata cross country brings back six runners with state meet experience, four of them on the girls side. And the Tiger boys open the season with what the program says is the largest turnout in its history, 52 runners.
Head coach Lyndsy Roberts begins his fourth year leading the program, joined by returning assistant JoElle Malone and new assistant coach John Fitts.
"(John) brings a great positive energy and enthusiasm to the team that will benefit all of our runners," Roberts said.
Roberts said the goals are the same for both squads — to build a positive culture, work consistently, celebrate every runner's growth, compete for a district title, and claim a trip to the state race.
Five Tigers ran at last year's state meet, and senior Abigail Chamberlain's return from injury makes six with state experience.
"It points to the strong leadership returning this year. They will set the example for the rest to follow," Roberts said. "Bottom line: high expectations and hopes. The challenge will be to build on that momentum and bring others along with them."
Junior Caleb Fitts, a first-team All-Central Washington Athletic Conference selection in 2025, leads the boys. Over the course of his sophomore season, Fitts improved his 3-mile time by over a minute, placed seventh in the CWAC District Championships, and finished 42nd in a field of 160 runners at last fall's Class 2A state meet. This spring, Fitts earned a sixth-place medal in the 800 at the state track-and-field meet.
Roberts describes junior Niko Diaz, a second-team All-CWAC pick a year ago, as "a bit of a silent warrior." Diaz, said the Tiger coach, has been “incredibly clutch in big races. One I can always count on in the biggest moments."
Junior Cale Fronsman and sophomores Caleb Schooler and Louden Leenhouts also return with experience. But freshmen Mike Jimenez, Seve Molitor, Sam Goldy, Ransom Springs, Eli Leenhouts and Conrad Nelson could push into the varsity mix right away.
"Many of our freshman showed up daily to summer workouts and made tremendous growth over the last two months," Roberts said. "Similar in many ways to the group a few years back that led the boys' team to multiple state berths."
On the ladies side, Chamberlain returns after missing last season with an injury, bringing first-team All-CWAC honors from 2023 and 2024.
Senior Hannah Malone was a first-team all-league pick in 2023 and 2025, with second-team honors in 2024. Junior Savannah Harper made second team in 2024 and first team last year. Junior Rebecca Wiser earned second-team recognition in 2025 in her first season as a Tiger.
Freshman Zoie Grubb headlines the newcomers. Grubb is "incredibly talented and a hard worker," Roberts said. "She will make an immediate impact with the team this year."
Additionally, fellow freshmen Eden Morris and Paisley Graaff will compete for varsity spots.
Roberts credited the athletes themselves for the spike in turnout.
"We've got great kids on the team. They genuinely like hanging out with one another and have discovered X-C is more than just 'running,'" he said. "When they share stories in the hallways and talk about practice in a positive manner, it gets noticed by others."
Younger siblings of former runners seek out the program, the sport is easy to pick up, and everyone — from the fastest athlete to the newest runner — improves, Roberts said.
A core group of Tigers logged heavy mileage from mid-June through late August in Ephrata's summer running program. Roberts said the top distance programs no longer take many days off, and keeping runners healthy through it is the key.
"How do we get the most out of each athlete while making sure we are protecting them at the same time?" he asked rhetorically. "If it all comes together, this could be a season to remember."
The team spent three days at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon for camp, with 15 runners making the trip. The 9,000-acre park southeast of Salem is known for its Trail of Ten Falls, a 7.2-mile loop past 10 waterfalls.
"Beautiful runs, gorgeous hikes, but most importantly lots of team time," Roberts said. "Nothing improves a team more than building a shared positive culture. The time spent making memories around a campfire or on the long drive will be just as important as all the miles we put into the athletes' legs."
Ephrata hosts two "home" meets this fall at Lakeview Golf & Country Club — Thursday, Oct. 8 and Thursday, Oct. 22. The Tigers also run the Nike Bob Firman Invitational Sept. 25-26, one of the Northwest's largest meets and one of the first races held at The Course, a Spokane Valley venue built for cross country that opened in August.
Roberts said the terraced hill at the Sunfair Invite at Franklin Park in Yakima is another tough course.
"A true mental test. I love watching kids take on that challenge," he said.
Roberts expects Ellensburg and Selah to be the toughest teams, both boys and girls, in the CWAC again this fall, but expects his Tigers will run with anyone in the league.
They open Friday, Sept. 11 at the Ellensburg Invitational Relays; races begin at 4:45 p.m.