Through the years, Prairie coach Phil Phimister has had his share of talented runners come through his girls cross country program.
And while there have been Falcon runners at the front of the pack, filling out the roster has been a problem.
“I’ve had some girls come out for cross country late in their high school careers,” Phimister said. “Many of them come over from other sports. … And it just makes me wish I’d had those runners for one more year.”
RUNNERS TO WATCH
Priscilla Timmons, sr., Skyview; Megan Napier, so., Camas; Jadyn Gourley, jr., Hockinson; Nicole Tester, sr., Battle Ground; Taylor Guenther, jr., Prairie; Lindsay Tompkins, so., Prairie; Amanda Blankenship, sr., La Center; Julie Yoshioka, sr., Skyview
RUNNERS TO WATCH
Priscilla Timmons, sr., Skyview; Megan Napier, so., Camas; Jadyn Gourley, jr., Hockinson; Nicole Tester, sr., Battle Ground; Taylor Guenther, jr., Prairie; Lindsay Tompkins, so., Prairie; Amanda Blankenship, sr., La Center; Julie Yoshioka, sr., Skyview
LEAGUE OVERVIEW
Skyview remains the class of the 4A GSHL. The 3A GSHL still is a deep and talented league. Prairie and Camas are ranked by the state's coaches and Columbia River also received some consideration. All three could reach state. Gourley and Chantelle Blundell make Hockinson the favorite in the 2A GSHL, while La Center is ranked fifth in Class 1A and is taking aim at another high placing at state.
LEAGUE OVERVIEW
Skyview remains the class of the 4A GSHL. The 3A GSHL still is a deep and talented league. Prairie and Camas are ranked by the state’s coaches and Columbia River also received some consideration. All three could reach state. Gourley and Chantelle Blundell make Hockinson the favorite in the 2A GSHL, while La Center is ranked fifth in Class 1A and is taking aim at another high placing at state.
Last year, Phimister’s wish came true. And this year, it could help produce the best season for girls cross country at Prairie.
Taylor Guenther, a former soccer player and track and field sprinter, tried her hand — or more precisely, her feet — at cross country during her sophomore year in 2009.
Guenther quickly developed into Prairie’s No. 2 runner behind then-freshman Lindsay Tompkins. Those two helped Prairie reach the Class 3A state meet as a team for the first time in school history.
Emboldened by her first year of cross country, Guenther dedicated herself to distance running over the summer.
“I put in a lot of work over the summer, running 50-60 miles a week,” Guenther said. “That’s really made a big difference this season.”
Guenther’s times this fall have dropped dramatically, and she has pushed passed Tompkins as Prairie’s No. 1 runner. Guenther’s time in the season-opening Capital Invitational in Olympia was almost a minute faster this year than last year.
“You could tell last year that Taylor was a runner,” Phimister said. “She just needed to commit herself to it, and now she’s seeing that work pay off.”
If running in the No. 2 spot this year bothers Tompkins, she isn’t showing it.
“Running with Taylor is going to make me better,” Tompkins said. “And it makes the team better. I think it’s great. We just push each other.”
Tompkins’ time at the Capital Invitational this season was 22 seconds better than last season.
Guenther said: “Having Lindsay right there pushes me to run better. And when I go the wrong way, she’s right there to yell at me.”
Ah yes, Guenther is still learning how to run as the trail blazer in a cross country meet. It may seem a bit odd for a junior to lean on a sophomore for experience. But for Guenther and Tompkins, it works.
Phimister knew Prairie would have a solid lineup this fall with Guenther and Tompkins returning. But he got an added bonus when freshman Nicole Goecke showed up for the first day of practice last month.
“Nicole has only been running with us for four weeks,” Phimister said. “She’s really just scratching the surface of her potential.”
Goecke is a basketball player who is making a big impact as a freshman cross country runner. She finished second in the freshman race at the Capital Invitational, and she has been running a solid No. 3 behind Guenther and Tompkins.
“In middle school, we ran the mile in P.E.,” Goecke said. “It was mandatory. So I ran it and did pretty well. After that, my mom said that maybe I should try cross country and track, so I was like ‘OK’ ”
Junior Erin Russell and senior Annelies Buck round out the top five, making the Falcons a formidable squad heading into district, regional and state next month.
“We need to get our Nos. 4 and 5 runners to move up a bit, but we’ve got a good team,” Phimister said. “I’ve looked at the times and our No. 5 runner matches up well with other No. 5 runners from around the state. “
Prairie is ranked No. 8 in the most recent state coaches poll, and the Falcons will get a good test this weekend at the Harrier Classic in Albany, Ore. But if all goes well and the Falcons stay healthy, they could put together a big season at Prairie.
“It’s exciting, with these top three we have leading us,” Phimister said. “We could have a big season this year. And they’ll all be back next season, too. And who knows, maybe other girls will see what these girls are doing this year and want to join us next season.”
Here’s to wishful thinking.
