Submitted by Northwest Christian High School
The National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) named Northwest Christian High boy’s cross-country team the national champions in Division II. Division II includes schools with enrollment under 600 nationwide. This is the third consecutive year that Northwest Christian has won the national championship. The Northwest Christian boys are the first team ever to win the national championship three years in a row. The team also won their third consecutive Washington State 2B Cross Country Championship in 2016.
Aron Taylor, who issues the national championship awards on behalf of the NHSCA, had this to say about the Northwest Christian Lacey program: “Capping a third consecutive WIAA Class 2B State Championship, and third consecutive NHSCA Division II National Team Championship, Northwest Christian-Lacey has separated themselves as one of the unparalleled athletic programs in the nation and a true dynasty. NHSCA recognizes Northwest Christian Lacey as the greatest small school in U.S. history. There has never been a small school program as dominant and of this caliber for boys cross country.”
The Northwest Christian High School girls’ team finished in the top ten in the nation as well, finishing 9th this year. They were 2nd in the nation in 2013 and won the NHSCA national championship in 2014. The Northwest Christian girls team won nine straight Washington State Girls 2B cross country championships from 2006 through 2014, an all-time Washington State Girls record for consecutive state championship wins.
Luke Schilter, the number one runner for the Northwest Christian Lacey team, was ranked as the number two runner in the nation this year for Division II. Schilter also won the 2016 Washington State 2B cross-country title in his final senior year.
Northwest Christian Lacey coach Larry Weber won his third consecutive National Coach of the Year Award this year. He also won the girls National Coach of the Year award in 2014.
“We are grateful for the acknowledgement from the NHSCA about the boy’s national championship,” Weber said. “Every coach, volunteer and parent, past and present, has contributed in some way to these championships over the years and to helping each student-athlete reach their God given potential.”
To learn more about the Northwest Christian High School cross country program, visit the team website online.
