Season Feature — 2025–26
Gig Harbor High School
MAX
DOWER
Cross country at heart, sharpened by the track.
January 2026
Before Track
For Max, track has never been the main event — it's the sharpening tool. A cross country runner first, he carries the long, quiet miles of fall into a season built on faster paces and louder crowds.
I like that track centers on faster paces and has high-energy crowds, but I also enjoy the long quiet miles that exist with cross country.
State Qualifier
By an Inch
Ranked ninth heading into the race, Max had every reason to think this might be his last of the season. Instead, it became the one that mattered most.
That flipped a switch and I decided to chase the guy down, eventually catching him on the line.
The Story
In His Words
On Two SportsCross country and track
First, cross country and track are pretty different, the races, training plans, and season goals vary significantly. I think that these differences keep me from burning out and allow me to maintain my focus on the future. I like that track centers on faster paces and has high-energy crowds, but I also enjoy the long quiet miles that exist with cross country.
On the BreakthroughThe race for state
I was ranked 9th going into the race and knew that it would be a stretch to qualify. Thinking that this would probably be my last race of the season, I just wanted to have fun and race my hardest. Once the gun went off I tried to maintain my position in the group and even split the miles. It wasn't until the last two laps that I thought I had a chance to make it. With six hundred meters to go, the only thing going through my head was "how bad do you want to go (to state)." That flipped a switch and I decided to chase the guy down, eventually catching him on the line. Once the race finished I definitely felt satisfied with my performance.
WIAA Cross Country State Championships, 2026
On BrotherhoodRacing as a team at Brooks PR
I think that getting the opportunity to run at Brooks PR with a relay team is very special. The four of us spend all year together, whether we're training or not, so being able to end the season while racing as a group means a lot to me.
The four of us spend all year together, whether we're training or not, so being able to end the season while racing as a group means a lot to me.
On AdversityThe hardest part of the season
The hardest part of this year was the first couple workouts of the track season. I struggled to keep up with my teammates during these practices but I knew that if I kept running hard I would regain my fitness.
On Why He RunsWhat running gives him
Running definitely gives me an escape from the stresses of school and life. I get to exist in the moment and forget about everything else. Running also gives me time to digest everything that's been happening. Between school, sports, and other activities I stay pretty busy so it's hard to find time just to think.
On His Support SystemThe people in his corner
All of my coaches, teammates, and family have been there to support me this season. Everything that they do has an impact on me and I am grateful for all of their time and energy. From Coach Patty writing up workouts to my mom cheering in the stands, without them I wouldn't be the athlete, student, or person that I am today.
From Coach Patty writing up workouts to my mom cheering in the stands, without them I wouldn't be the athlete, student, or person that I am today.
Looking AheadWhat's next
Right now I am just focusing on the upcoming XC season. I think that we will have a good team and some strong competition and I am looking forward to racing again. I am unsure if I want to continue running in college so I'll make sure to give it all while I can.
