On Friday Oct. 20, the Issaquah Eagles soared to victory in the 4A 5000-meter Boys’ Cross Country race. With individual athletes exceeding their limits, the Issaquah boys managed to take the top spot in the meet. Notably among the top six runners was Redmond’s Zachary Leader placing first, with Issaquah’s 11th grade Connor Rickey taking second place. Joseph Sigall from Redmond was third, and Issaquah’s 12th grade Brennan Rickey, 11th grade Henry Tait, and 11th grade Alexander Yahn taking fourth, fifth, and sixth. Overall, while Issaquah didn’t have the first-place runner, their collective placings allowed them to push past Redmond in this race and secure the top spot in the league, advancing Issaquah to state.
Before the race, there was a noteworthy use of PR (Personal Record) Cream that added complexity to the prerace strategy. As described by Assistant Coach Michael Cobb, “The cream is a substance that is primarily made of baking soda, to make it so you don’t build up as much lactic acid as fast.” One such runner who used the cream was 11th grade Henry Tait (15:59.0 time) finishing a deserving fifth in the individual standings. His pre-race routine also involving the mysterious “Tiger Balm” which was carefully applied to his legs and stomach drew intrigue. He passionately stated, “You just gotta trust me, It’s the greatest thing ever!”
The standout athlete who placed second, Connor Rickey (15:43.2), demonstrated calmness approaching the race. Speaking about his personal goals, he mentioned, “Just to feel it out and have fun with the team because I’m pretty confident with our abilities.” Connor’s remarkable performance showed the Issaquah team’s overall strength and determination to excel in the KingCo league.
Brennan Rickey (15:57.5) took the fourth-place spot in the individual rankings. He emphasized the necessity of thorough readiness in this punishing and painful sport. Brennan’s pre-race nutrition plan was a combination of spaghetti, oatmeal, and light vegetables, and was accompanied by caffeine packets. Coming off a hamstring strain, Brennan said that had he taken the time to properly care for his body through balanced stretching and strengthening exercises instead of always pushing through minor pains, he believes he could have performed better by ensuring all parts of his body were prepared.
Coach Liza Rickey explained their race strategy, saying, “Hopefully you’ll see them working together in pairs or packs and then making moves throughout the race.” This strategy, as described by Tait, involved pairs and trios of runners running together, pushing each other if someone was falling behind, and providing motivation to maintain their competitiveness.
The Issaquah boys, true to their coach’s strategy, worked together in pairs and exhibited remarkable teamwork. Their pacing, motivation and teamwork was evident throughout the race and showcased their unity.
As the race unfolded, the first two miles saw Connor Rickey in contention for the top spot. Although he may have fallen seconds short in the final stretch, his resilience remained unshaken with the weight of Costco Pizza in his stomach and after running the wrong way by accident.
Looking ahead toward upcoming races, the primary focus will be on recovery efforts while also strategizing preparations for state. With lessons learned, such as the importance of rest, nutrition, PR Cream, and route familiarity, these athletes are poised to grow stronger as they chase victory in upcoming competitions.
The Issaquah Boys Cross Country Team’s victory in the KingCo Meet was a testament to their training, teamwork, and unwavering spirit. As the season marches onward, all eyes will be fixated upon Issaquah as they move on to state.
