By Tom Rohrer
Consistency in sports, like in all avenues of life, will lead to victories, especially if the individual or team focuses on improvement over time.
Heidi Perry, head cross country coach at North Thurston High School since 2001, uses the message of consistency as a foundational pillar for her runner’s development.
“Whatever level you run at, work hard every day to eventually improve enough to reach that next level,” said Perry. “Don’t worry about the runners running at a higher level, just keep working hard, focus on yourself. That’s where consistency comes in. You get into a routine, you start to notice improvement, and then you get to a higher level, and keep that process going.”
“Consistency here is working hard every day and showing up every day,” said junior Tyler Reece. “You win races because of the months and years of training. You don’t win on that day.”
This process has been working well for both the Rams girls and boys cross country teams. The two teams finished sixth and third respectively at last weekend’s Westside Classic 3A District Championships at the American Lake Golf Course in Lakewood. The week prior at the 3A Narrows League Championship at Fort Steilacoom State Park, the Ram boys took first as a team while their female teammates finished second behind Shelton High School. Now, both teams will be sending runners to Pasco this weekend for the WIAA State Championship Cross Country meet at Sun Willows Golf Course.
Perry says the amount of talent and depth between both teams has been unmatched during her 13 year tenure.
“I’ve never seen this much in terms of talent, experience and depth over the two teams,” said Perry. “I’ve had strong individuals certainly, but not four-to-five high caliber runners on both teams.”
Who are the two individuals leading the way for the Rams? On the boys team, it’s senior James Jasperson, while his classmate Hallie Whitley sets the example of excellence for the lady Rams.
Both Jasperson and Whitley each won individual 3A Narrows League championships this year. Whitley recorded her second consecutive league championship. The duo have each been to the WIAA State Cross Country Championships at least twice. The two are clearly talented runners, but it’s their work ethic that has allowed them to succeed and become lightning rods of success for the NTHS program.
“They really set the example and just have shown what that consistency can bring,” said Perry. “We’re not a cross country school per se, so we need talented kids like this to raise the competitive sprite and the drive of their teammates. Both James and Hailey have done that.”
A consistent work out regimen has helped Jasperson become a state championship contender, which in turn has provided the blueprint for success to the younger Ram runners.
“On weekdays I usually wake up at 4:30 a.m., go to gym until about 6:30, then go to school and practice after,” said Jasperson, who has gone to the state championship meet the last two years. “If I’m not working, I’ll do a small workout or lift after I’m done with my homework.”
Almost as tiring as Jasperson’s daily schedule is the pace required to keep up with Whitley. At the league championships, Whitley’s time of 20:06.12 was forty seconds faster than that of the second place finisher, and the three time state championship participant feels she is hitting her peak heading into the race following an injury riddled season in 2012.
“Last year was off for me. I was injured during the summer and my training and endurance were both behind,” said Whitley, who finished 62nd at the state meet last year following consecutive 28th place finishes at the 2A level her freshmen and sophomore year. (During those years, the Rams competed in the 2A Evergreen League.) “I wasn’t super thrilled with how I ran at league, but I won, and I just feel more comfortable this year. It’s nice to be healthier.”
While the strides of Jasperson and Whitley help drive the North Thurston engine forward, they will be joined by a host of other talented Ram runners in Pasco. Joining Whitley will be juniors Alexis Ross and Katelyn Kern, seniors Caitlyn Goodwin, Emma Baldwin, Cheyenne Watler and Brenna Gammell and sophomore Ashley Winterrowd. On the boys side, Jasperson will be joined by Reece, senior Jacob Tollefson, sophomores Peter Allegre, Jameson McFarland and Christian Clark and freshmen Dylan Willis, Charlie Jellison and Thomas Johnson.
It is only the second time in school history that the North Thurston girls team has qualified for the state meet, while the boys team is trying to parlay their third place finish at districts into a successful showing at the championships
“We’ve had a great year, going undefeated during season as a team and then winning league,” said Reece, who finished 35th at the Westside Classic and 4th overall at the Narrows League championship “Everyone is holding everyone accountable, and everyone expects a lot from one another. We are pretty confident and that just comes from a lot of work together.”
“This team is led by seniors and I think that has been a huge part of our success,” noted Alexis Ross, the 20th place finisher at the Westside Classic. “A lot of us have raced in these big events, and we know what to expect.”
The standout performances of upperclassman have been complemented by a youth movement in the program, especially on the boys side. Leading the way for the younger Ram runners is Allegre, a state championship participant a year ago who finished third and eighth at the league and district championships respectively. His work ethic has caught the eye of the older Ram striders. Allegre is quick to credit Reece and Jasperson for this dedication.
“I was telling Peter at (the league championship) that I would turn a corner and see him right behind me,” said Jasperson, who plans on running cross country in college next year. “He’s a talented runner, and he pushes himself a lot.”
“James and Tyler, those guys are like brothers to me,” said Allegre. “Training with them in the summer, seeing how hard they work, it’s very motivating. I want to improve like they have.”
The improvement of runners in the NTHS program can always be traced back to Perry’s message of consistency, and the freedom she allows runners to find their peak stride.
“The coaches give you what you need in terms of a plan, but you need to push yourself,” said Jasperson, the boys team captain. “You develop that self-strong mindset.”
“It’s a process over four years in terms of developing as a runner. Coach Perry does a great job of not letting you move ahead too quickly in the process,” said Whitley, who will be attending a college through the ROTC program next fall. “You work hard, but you don’t hurt yourself or damage your confidence.”
Perry is quick to credit the work of her athletes, especially that of her senior class.
“I cannot emphasize how important the leadership on the team has been,” said Perry. “There is something about the personality of our kids we have now, especially the seniors. They set that level of expectations and have not been afraid to dream big.”
As the Ram’s cross country team has shown all year, consistency can lead to accomplishing dreams, and the North Thurston Runners don’t appear like they want to wake up anytime soon.
