PASCO — Things broke the Rainier High School girls cross country team’s way last fall.
Rarely were they bitten with the injury bug. Their core group of scoring five runners were consistent and getting better each race. It all led to the first state championship in program history.
Going back-to-back was going to be challenging. And lady luck wasn’t on the Mountaineers side.
“All these girls had an injury flare up throughout the year,” head coach Rob Henry said. “They never used it as an excuse, never looked for the easy way out.”
Rainier put it all together on Saturday to return to the podium.
Komaire Robles, Jazzy Shumate and Alexis Myers all placed in the top-15 to earn individual medals and catapult the Mountaineers to a fourth place team finish with 111 points to snag their second straight state trophy at Sun Willows Golf Course.
Liberty Bell cruised to the Class 1B/2B state title with 94 points. Chewelah and Pope John Paul II tied for second with 106 points. Rainier’s celebration was just as joyful.
“We knew there was going to be competition and the chances were going to be a little slimmer,” Shumate said. “To place is a great accomplishment.”
Knee and hip injuries have been the primary ailments. They’ve come and gone, but Henry stated he can see the pain on his girls’ faces over the course of 5,000-meters. Still, most of the roster didn’t miss more than a race, if that.
From winning the C2BL and District 4 championships once again, success has been sustained despite the injuries.
“Probably the most resilient group of girls I’ve had,” Henry stated. “They just kept battling. It is remarkable to watch and truly inspiring.”
The Mountaineers star-studded trio were all in the top-10 through the opening mile, with Robles running solo third. The sophomore dropped a couple spots at the second mile and finished with just enough of a kick to run 19 minutes, 40.50 seconds, a new PR.
A year after storming onto the scene, Robles followed it up with her third race running under 20 minutes.
“In retrospect, the second half of the course, I would run it differently next year,” Robles said.
Shumate ran the exact time at districts as she did at state to snare her second medal in as many years running cross. She summed up her brief career as “unexpected.”
“Having such a great group of girls really helped me train and become the person I am and as good as I am,” Shumate added. “It has been such a great opportunity. To be able to go out like this is such an amazing feeling.”
Myers was just off the individual podium a season ago, but turned in a 20:29.90 time that was 20 seconds faster than her freshman campaign and earned her second career medal in any sport.
She was level-headed in terms of placement all season, never finishing outside the top-10 until Saturday.
“I knew after this race, I get my rest and I gave it my all,” Myers said.
Kinsley Barlow placed 38th and Ruby King placed 97th to round out Rainier’s scoring five. All of them return except Shumate, who Myers said she’s "probably (not) replaceable." Still, there is confidence the program can make it three straight trophies in 2026.
“We’re going to try to rise above it and do the best we can,” Robles said. “We’ve all gained a lot of wisdom the past two seasons, seeing people come and go and being able to support others is such a beautiful thing to be a part of.”
Up in Class 4A, Yelm’s Kailey Slevin secured 37th place in her final cross country meet of the season. She capped her career as a four-time state qualifier and she set a new career mark in state placement and time at 19:21.90.
Still, she wasn’t overly thrilled with her performance. Two of her primary goals – finishing top-16 to garner a medal and setting the school record – weren’t checked off.
“After my race, I cried a little bit; there were a lot of emotions,” Slevin said. “I know it is pretty special to compete here four times. Post-race, I appreciated the journey.”
Slevin is one of the rare runners in the state to run in Washington’s two highest classifications. She crossed the finish line 109th last fall in the Tornados’ first season in 4A. It was an eye-opener for their top runner.
“It was a shock,” Slevin said. “It was like ‘Oh, where do I fit in?’ and this year, I belong here.”
Running is likely in Slevin’s future once she graduates, but her destination isn’t final. She’s still got her senior track and field season, but the memories made in cross country aren’t ones she’ll forget. Yelm’s Deejay Taylor, one of Slevin’s best friends, placed 83rd.
“I couldn’t imagine doing anything without running, it means so much to me,” Slevin said.
