- - -
While we begin to shift our focus onto high-stakes postseason racing, every week of racing becomes more integral to training as both the in-state and national championship seasons are just around the corner.
This weekend, many of the Northwest's best programs will converge at the 2025 Nike Hole in the Wall XC Invitational, a meet that annually draws national-level talent and serves as one of the final major checkpoints before the championship season begins.
NO. 5 COEUR D'ALENE CHASING THIRD-STRAIGHT TITLE, SET TO CLASH WITH NO. 10 JESUIT
- - -
We've got ourselves a top-10 battle on our hands this weekend, as No. 5 Coeur d'Alene (Idaho) looks to secure its third-straight victory at Nike Hole in the Wall, as well as its third consecutive win over Jesuit (Ore.) at this meet.
It hasn't been easy the last two times, and this year might be one of the Vikings' biggest challenges in recent memory.
For starters, Jesuit is absolutely stacked from one through seven, boasting a sub-15 quartet of Kellen Williams (14:28.1), Jackson Welsh (14:44.6), Matthew Wroblewski (14:54.7), and Brayden Fletcher (14:56.2).
Behind them, Jack Lavier (15:05.1), Liam Donnelly (15:13.3), and Brady Lukasiewicz (15:16.8) round out one of the deepest lineups in the Northwest - a true national-caliber squad.
For Coeur d'Alene, this appears to be the first time they'll race their full lineup in over a month, which makes their ceiling difficult to predict.
Led by Wyatt Morgenstern (15:22.3) and Rowan Henry (15:25.5), the return of Wyatt Carr (15:36.7) should give Coeur d'Alene an extra boost. Mitchell Rietze (15:46.4), Blaise Howard (16:14.1), and Gabe Heule (16:21.2) will likely complete their top six, but they'll need to tighten the gap behind their front three to keep pace with Jesuit.
The Vikings put together a solid showing at the 44th Annual Woodbridge Classic a few weeks back, as Morgenstern and Rietze used their top-15 finishes to help the team place eighth overall. They'll look to draw on that experience as they take on another deep, competitive field this weekend.
Sehome (Wash.) could also factor into the mix, showing off an impressive 26-second spread between Dylan Hill (15:20.3), Judson Berreth (15:30.4), Aidan Batt (15:36.6), Ezra Bubb (15:39.1), and Luke Zollner (15:46.8).
Both Sehome and Jesuit have already met once this season, as Jesuit claimed the win handily, 55-228, at The Mook XC Invite at Alderbrook.
At the front of the race, expect Gonzaga Prep's Miro Parr-Coffin (14:29.6) and Zach Frazier (14:32.2) to challenge early, along with Franklin's Kingston Shillito (14:32.8), Cedar Park Christian's Oliver Zimmerman (14:35.3), Camas' Cohen Butler (14:40.8), and Anacortes' Dylan Rowell (14:43.8).
NO. 21 SEHOME LOOKING TO KEEP BUILDING MOMENTUM AGAINST LOADED FIELD
Photo: Jen Jardeleza/MileSplit Colorado
- - -
While there are plenty of contenders in the Girls Elite field, all eyes will be on the in-state favorites, Sehome (Wash.), who came in at No. 21 in the latest batch of the COROS MileSplit50 rankings.
Their last major test came at The Mook XC Invite at Alderbrook, where the Mariners dominated the field, cruising past Jesuit (Ore.), Sherwood (Ore.), and Mercer Island (Wash.) by a convincing 31-80-105-131 margin.
Last month, Sloane Clines, Kjirsten Ludeman, Lil Desler, and Samantha Knipp finished fourth through seventh, posting lifetime bests of 17:05, 17:11, 17:30, and 17:39, respectively.
The four-time defending Washington 2A state champions continue to thrive on their hallmark pack-running style - a weapon that's carried them to dominance in recent years. That depth extends even further with Johnny Eggert and Paige Ricks, who have both broken 18:30 this fall.
Of course, a meet of this caliber brings no shortage of challengers, including familiar foes Jesuit (Ore.), Issaquah (Wash.), Camas (Wash.), and Redmond (Wash.).
Jesuit, who Sehome has already beaten this season, enters as the defending champion from a year ago after edging out Sehome, 115-125.
Alongside Sehome's formidable quartet, expect Sloan Dickson (Lynden), Latham West (Bonney Lake), Callie Orcutt (West Valley), Maeve O'Scannlain (Jesuit), and Aubrey Wilems (Eastlake) to keep the pace honest up front.