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All-Region Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year

Kyle Boe, Columbia River

The Columbian
Published: December 23, 2009, 12:00am

For Columbia River’s Kyle Boe, running is more about camaraderie and the bond among like-minded teammates than it is about speed.

But that does not mean Boe is not a fan of running fast. And the fleet-footed cross country athlete did just that this season, dominating the 3A Greater St. Helens League while winning the district and regional meets.

Boe then took fifth place on Nov. 7 in the WIAA Class 3A cross country state championship with a time of 15 minutes, 30 seconds. His impressive showing left him just two seconds out of third place.

“I was really pleased with my finish,” Boe said.

The Chieftains’ senior said he hopes to continue his running career while attending college, and listed Washington State, Eastern Washington and Gonzaga as possible collegiate choices.

But The Columbian’s All-Region boys cross country athlete of the year said he will always hold a warm spot in his heart for his time spent running — and bonding — with his Chieftains teammates.

“Relationships last forever,” Boe said.

What is your most memorable moment from this season?

I’d have to say in the Brooks Harrier Classic, where I (ran) my fastest time (15:22).

What would be your advice to an up-and-coming cross country runner?

I would say your foundation is the most important; starting out with a good base. Going out and running 70 miles a week and killing yourself right off the bat — it can work for some people, but it’s typically not the best. Get a good foundation where you’re doing 30-40 miles a week. Continue to improve, and just continue to do that and stay injury free.

What was it like to run for Columbia River and represent the school in such a positive manner?

Oh, it’s just been so great all four years. I’d have to say, Jaysun Pyatt, our coach, always gives us a great perspective on things. Really level-headed; doesn’t make us go and just kill ourselves. He tends to those who have injuries. Keeps things interesting and fun for running. I’d have to say, in that arena, he was the best thing about River.

What was the best thing you accomplished during your career?

What happened off the course. The team; our guys were just so tight over the last year. The close bonds and stuff like that. You can’t put a price tag; there’s no real value you can place on that.

It was just so great. It’s so tough to know in a year you’re going to be apart from that team and onto something else. Because growing up with those guys, they’re like brothers. All those guys are brothers to me.

How did you get into cross country?

That’s really funny. I actually had not run up until freshman year. I mean I ran track in eighth grade — I went to a smaller private school: King’s Way. … And so I ran track eighth-grade year. But there weren’t very many of us on the team, and it wasn’t, like, a very high-intensity program, to say the least. And so I’d never really run. I’d played soccer for eight years, leading up to my freshman year. So, soccer was my big thing. I was just running cross country to stay in shape for soccer. Funny how it all works out in retrospect. And so I ran cross, and Pyatt was, like, ‘Hey, you’re kind of good at this. You should run distance track.’ And I was, like, ‘No, I really like soccer.’ He was, like, ‘Come on, Kyle. You need to do this,’ and whatever. Blah, blah, blah. And I was, like, ‘OK. Fine. I’ll do track just freshman year. And if I don’t like it whatsoever, I’m doing soccer for the rest of my career.’ And so, after running track my freshman year, doing pretty well, I don’t know — I was hooked. Endorphins, you know?

What is something that you do as a hobby that people might be surprised to learn about?

I try to say this in the least nerdy way possible, but I’m really into computers and stuff like that. Not in, like, a play World of Warcraft for 20 hours a day kind of way. But, for example, I really want to major in information technology, data systems management … building computers, servers, stuff like that. That’s one of my hobbies. I built my own computer at home. Not that I don’t play video games — it is my gaming rig. All that stuff really intrigues me; the hardware, as opposed to, ‘Oh, I play video games all day around.’ Obviously, I wouldn’t have a chance to run if I did that.

What did running cross country mean to you in high school?

I could write you a long essay on this. … To be on a cross country team and that bond — it’s indescribable. When you’re running together as a team, it forces conversation. And so, there’s no way not to get to know each other.

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Kyle Boe, Columbia River, sr., 3A GSHL runner of the year; 3A district champion; placed fifth at state meet.

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Rest of All-Region team

Dylan Croeni, Washougal, jr., 2A GSHL champion; placed third at district and fourth at 2A state meet.

Cameron Falkner, Hudson’s Bay, sr., 3A GSHL first-team pick; placed third at district meet.

Chase Horrocks, Skyview, sr., 4A GSHL runner of the year; 4A district champion.

Roman Kirkov, Union, so., 3A GSHL first-team pick; third-fastest local at regional meet.

Brian Piette, Columbia River, sr., 3A GSHL first-team pick; placed fourth at district meet.

Josh Reiter, Camas, sr., 3A district runner-up; third in regional meet.

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