For both the boys and girls teams, La Salle’s cross country runners have created an amicable environment with many students working on both improving themselves while also improving their teams.   

Cross Country Head Coach Mr. Mikel Rathmann stated that one of the team’s top goals is making it to the state meet. “The girls have been there the last two or three years, and they’ve been in the top 10 the last two years,” he said. However, another top priority is to “continue to support each other, be positive, be a family, persevere, and become stronger.”

The total number of athletes participating this year is more than 30; moreover, on Oct. 30, the district meet, Northwest Oregon Conference Championships, took place. For the girl’s team, senior Maya Crimin placed third, and for the boy’s team, senior Gordon Thomas placed fourth. 

As the season of cross country is ending, the state meet is coming up soon on Nov. 9, and Thomas, Crimin and senior Melly Riel will all be attending.  

The boys and girls teams may also have a chance to compete after the final lineup of teams are announced. 

For junior Emma Smith, participating in La Salle’s cross country team comes naturally and is a lively sport she knew she would continue doing since elementary school.

“I started in third grade, and I think it’s always just a way to make myself feel better,” Smith said. “If I’m having a bad day, I’ll just go for a run, and I’ll clear my head.”

Smith said that the team is committed to improvement. “Everyone’s really working to get better, and I think that’s shown through each race,” she said.

Smith finds the team atmosphere to be friendly and have great sportsmanship. “As a team, we’re very close, and I think most of that is due to a lot of the trips we’ve taken… it’s definitely an individual sport, but I feel that the team still rallies around each other and supports everyone,” she said.

For Thomas, La Salle’s cross country team has been a part of his life since his sophomore year, and he envisions  himself continuing to run in college. Originally, Thomas joined cross country because he transferred schools after moving from Belgium and wanted to make friends for the fall.

Now, Thomas has made strong friendships, especially with two previous members of the team who graduated last year, Dylan Ryznar and Sean Snow, who he still talks to even though they are in college.

“They were my training partners last year,” Thomas said. “They were probably the two best distance runners in the school… and they’re two of my best friends… right after I broke a really big barrier for myself, I called both of them.”

Although Thomas and Smith joined La Salle’s cross country team for different reasons, they both express that cross country is a place where they have grown and where great sportsmanship can be clearly spotted.

Smith said that she and her teammates have a tradition of writing positive comments on their arms with Sharpies before their races. 

“All of my teammates have really been supportive and really try and push each other during workouts and in practice… talking to each other and just making sure everyone feels confident and capable enough to go out there and [break] a PR,” Smith said. 

“And at the end of the day, whoever won, there’s no hard feelings, because we’re all in the same team, and we want to win together,” Thomas said. He reveals that the boys team tradition is to have team dinners at restaurants after their hard work during meets.

Thomas expresses that the coaches have a good impact on him and athletes, as they are supportive and helpful toward each individual. “They really focus on helping us stay healthy, not getting injured,” Thomas said.

As for practice sessions, Thomas reveals that the coaches create a well thought-out plan to strive for good results.

 “[They are] maximizing how good we can be by giving us really good workouts and by making sure we take care of ourselves and then also helping us with strategies,” Thomas said. 

Coach Rathmann agrees that the team is well connected. “I think that what makes it a family is that we all want to see each other improve,” he said.  

When reflecting on being a part of this team, some aspects came to mind quickly for Smith. 

“If you have any want to start running, definitely join the team,” Smith said. “It’s something that anyone can do. It’s a really fun environment — I look forward to going to practice every day and being with my teammates.”