Washougal senior Amelia Pullen, the all-region girls cross country runner of the year, is pictured with her Black Labrador Cienna on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018. (Alisha Jucevic/The Columbian) Photo Gallery
When Amelia Pullen feels tired and sore, Cienna gives her a nudge out the door.
When it’s raining, Cienna helps Pullen power through.
And when Cienna wants to run faster and longer, sometimes as far as eight miles, Pullen has to keep up.
Pullen won the Class 2A state cross country championship earlier this month because of her strength, determination and support of teammates and coaches.
But the Washougal senior wouldn’t be so dogged about running without her black Labrador retriever of seven years, Cienna.
“She is definitely my motivation,” Pullen said. “Whenever I feel like I might not have the motivation to go on a run, she’ll always let me know ‘Ok, it’s time to go on a run now. Let’s go. Let’s go.’ ”
Pullen is The Columbian’s All-Region girls cross country runner of the year. But she is quick to share the credit with Cienna.
As a child, Pullen had done a few fun runs. When Cienna joined the family, the pup’s boundless energy needed an outlet.
Cienna wanted to run every day. Pullen was more than happy to oblige her new best friend.
Those runs grew to four miles. Cienna was getting faster, and so was Pullen.
“She definitely doesn’t slow down,” Pullen said. “When I’m slowing down, she’ll pull me along and encourage me throughout the run.”
By her sophomore year, Pullen had become one of the faster runners Clark County. She placed fourth at the district championships and 20th at state.
As a junior, Pullen won seven of her 10 races, including districts, and finished third in state.
This year, Pullen knew she would have a shot to be among the state’s best. But she wasn’t focused on beating other runners. She just wanted to push herself to be faster than she had ever been.
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When her final state meet arrived, she was mostly focused on beating her personal best of 18 minutes, 5 seconds for 5,000 meters.
Pullen beat that time by one second. That just happened to be 25 seconds faster than anyone else in the race.
“I came in with an open mind and was just going for a PR,” she said. “But getting first was extra exciting because I wasn’t really planning on it.”
Pullen is also keeping an open mind about her future of competitive running. While she’s received offers from Division-I programs, her main goal is pursuing an education in veterinary medicine.
“It’s going to be a tough path academically,” Pullen said. “It’s going to be hard, but rewarding.”
When Pullen graduates in the spring, she will have two years of Running Start at Clark College under her belt.
She’ll also have a state title and miles of memories with a special friend.
The Rest of the All-Region Team
Aspen Ashcraft, Camas
Junior placed sixth in state and second at 4A district meet. Her 5K PR of 18:22 was 1:23 faster than prior year.
Meri Dunford, Prairie
Junior led her team to 3A district title with runner-up finish. PR of 18:29 for 5K. Placed 16th at state.
Sydnee Dyer, Seton Catholic
The sophomore won her second district title and placed seventh in the 1A race at the state meet.
Halle Jenkins, Camas
Junior was 4A district champion and placed 12th at state, where her team finished third. PR of 18:14 for 5K.
Allyson Peterson, Hockinson
Sophomore placed eighth in state for 2A. Led Hawks to first district title with runner-up finish.
Emily Phelps, Fort Vancouver
Senior led her team to its first state qualification and league title. District champion finished 13th at state meet for 3A.
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