Submitted by Pope John Paul II High School
The Pope John Paul II (PJPII) boys and girls cross-country teams recently got off to a good start in the 2024 cross-country season. Both teams won the 10-team Eagle cross-country Invitational.
The Lady Eagles were led by Ruby Henry, the defending state individual cross-country champion who won the race overall.
Ruby won the state cross-country individual title as a freshman in 2023, becoming the first freshman in Thurston Country history to win an individual state championship.
The Eagle men were led by Sophomore Kevn Hu, who won the race after improving substantially since his freshman year.
The JPII Girls have won four straight Washington State Cross-Country championships in Pasco, Washington, home of the state championship course in their division. In 2023, The JPII boys placed second in the state for the fifth consecutive year at Pasco.
About 40 percent of the school’s student body came out for cross-country at JPII this season. Many new runners and veterans are running well and ready to give their all in the season ahead. Both teams are optimistic about pursuing their God-given potential on and off the racecourse in 2024.
Pope John Paul II Team Captain Adeline Hecht articulated a vision for the 2024 team that moves beyond athletic accomplishments: “My goal for our team is that we all work to reach our God-given potential and can feel proud of ourselves as we run for the glory of God during the 2024 season.”