Amazing Day in Pasco, WA with the Layne and the Family

This is how it all started.  A parade through the halls of Deer Park high school featuring Layne and Ali the Friday before they headed to the State XC meet in Pasco, WA.  Kind of made me teary eyed.  Layne is holding the trophy from 2019 when Deer Park won the state XC meet.  Click to watch the video.

Mike and I missed the State XC tournament in 2019.  There was no state meet in 2020. I am so glad we got to experience it this year.  What a day.  It started with Layne's cheering squad planning how we were going to watch Layne run by watching the race before hers.  We had a plan.  There wasn't a lot of opportunities to take pictures because of the way the course was set up.  I got some good pics though. The start line!

Layne and Ali took some short warm up runs.  

Getting closer the gear came off!

Stretch!!!!!

Off they go! 

I wasn't in the same place as the rest of the family but we found each other after the race.  

This was the first loop around and pretty much the only place I could get pictures. Layne is the the yellow toward the back of this pack. This pack was in the front of the race.  I think she was about 10th here.  I met a nice man that showed me the WIAA app and I could follow Layne more closely.  

The people I was around became a great cheering squad for Layne. 

The runners took another lap and the third time we saw them at this spot was the race to the finish line.  

I saw the runners come up over the last hill and there was Layne in 4th place.  So exciting.  Here is Layne's finish.  

Layne finished at 19:20 in 4th place.  It is so exciting to see the success Layne is having in her XC running.  Words on a page can't explain how happy and excited we all were for Layne.  Kristin said Layne wanted to finish on the podium.  Well, she did!  In the top 5 on the podium!  Time to go find the rest of Layne's cheer squad.  

This is what I saw when I found everyone.  Mike whispered to me that a college coach was talking to Layne.  She was pretty amazed and certainly showed it after he left.  

Layne and Ali finishers.  

It was nice that they had the awards not long after the race. We didn't have wait long. I think Layne got the loudest cheers when her name was called.  Pretty sure she did.  Maybe it sounded that way because I was standing with all Layne's cheering section.  Maybe, but I think it was really the loudest.  

Medal time.  

And the cheering section!  Just looking at this picture makes my heart happy.  What great support Layne has!  We wouldn't have missed it for anything this year.  

I just love the support Lucy gives Layne.  Layne does the same for her at her softball games.  They are great sisters.  These two sisters are amazing.  

Not sure what the Lathrops were looking at in this picture.  Especially Kristin and Layne. I didn't take it but I know who did. 

And this is how it ended with one happy 16 year old who was all smiles! 

District XC Meet in Chewelah, WA , Layne

Off to Chewelah to watch Layne at her district track meet.  We were way early because the race was delayed. There was frost on the grass and running on it would kill it.  Who knew!  Mike and I found people to talk to and it made the extra time go by fast.  

Layne is getting ready to warm up with her stat tattoo ready to go. 

Checking her watch to see how the warm up went.  

It was a gorgeous day.  At times a little chilly for the spectators.  Since I am not a runner I have no idea how the runners felt about the weather.  I am sure very little wind and no rain is a plus for them.  Line up time. 

Not sure if you can see the red line in the shadows on the grass.  It is on the right had side of the pictures below the Deer Park team in their blue jackets.  It's the every race huddle before they start. 

Mike got a prime spot to watch the start! 

Ready, set 

GO!

508 is Layne!

Then our turn to do a race, sort of.  A jog to find the next spot we can see Layne run.  Where should we go?  Fortunately, Kristin knew where to go because Layne ran here when she was a freshman.  We weren't there because we were on the coast at a meeting. BOO! 

Great scenery! The race was on a golf course. 

This is right around mile 2.  You can see the number one and two runners.  Layne is right behind the number one runner.  It's close. 

This if the finish line.  Layne came in second!  AMAZING!  What a great run she had!  She was 1 second of a personal record.  

All done and getting her congratulations.  

Unfortunately, I asked to take this picture right after Layne's teammate had finished her race.  I think her name is Ali.  She looks a little worn out.  I should have waited a few minutes. She is going to state with Layne. 

The top 14 go to state and here is Ali being recognized for making it to state. 

The top 5!

Our super star!!!!  We are so proud of you Layne.  

1,2 and 3!

The two Deer Park girls headed to state. They are refueling with cookies.  

The cheering team! 

What's next? Heading to Pasco, Washington to watch compete in the state XC meet.  No matter what the results are we are so proud of Layne and her persistence, drive, endurance and commitment to cross country running.