Fort Steilacoom Showdown: A Preview of the Varsity Gold Races
The Fort Steilacoom Invitational isn't just another cross country meet; it's a pillar of the Pacific Northwest running scene. Since 1998, it has become a massive early-season benchmark, drawing dozens of top high schools from Washington, Oregon, and beyond. The energy is electric, with up to 19 races packed into a single day, creating a championship atmosphere that serves as the first true test for the region's best.
The spotlight will be on the elite Gold Division races, held on a grueling 5,000-meter course known for its strength-sapping hills in the middle and later stages. This is where contenders are separated from pretenders, and two major storylines are set to unfold.
Bonney Lake’s Latham West (SR) who finished in 3rd Place at the State Championship last year
The Freshman Question: Can Quenton Lanese Conquer the Big Stage?
The most intriguing narrative in the Boys' Gold Varsity race is the top seed: Olympia High School freshman Quenton Lanese. He enters the race with a stunning 5,000-meter time of 15:31.4, a mark that makes him the second-fastest runner in Washington's 4A classification, regardless of age. He clocked that time against elite upperclassmen at Oregon's The Ultimook Race, finishing third and proving he belongs at the front of the pack.
Quenton Lanese (FR) at The Ultimook in Tillamook, OR where he finished in third place.
While his age might suggest inexperience, Lanese is a seasoned competitor with a decorated history. He is a multiple-time USATF National Junior Olympic Champion and a national record holder in middle school track events. The "big stage" is familiar territory for him. The real test at Fort Steilacoom will be the course itself. The challenging hills will test his strength over the 5K distance against older, more physically developed athletes. His performance will answer a simple question: is the phenom ready to dominate high school's toughest races?
The Olympia Ascendancy: A Girls' Dynasty in the Making?
Sydney Kosa is Olympia High School’s front runner and leader. Saturday will be a good test for her as she lines up with some of the states fastest girls.
In the Girls' Gold Varsity race, the focus shifts to the rise of a potential team powerhouse: the Olympia High School girls. The squad is built on a powerful combination of veteran leadership and a wave of game-changing freshmen.
The team is led by senior Sydney Kosa, one of the state's best. Her personal record of 18:16.5 earned her a 5th place finish at the 4A State Championships, and her elite track speed makes her a threat in any finish. She's backed by reliable junior Carolina Schilter, who has experience on this course.
Sydney Kosa and Carolina Schilter pose for a photo at the WIAA State Championship after finishing a tough race.
What makes Olympia a potential dynasty is the "stable of speedy freshman" who have immediately filled out the varsity roster. At a recent meet, freshmen Gemma Stevick, Caitlin Lanese, and Leah Hennen finished as the team's #2, #3, and #4 runners, respectively. This young talent has transformed the team into a state title contender. Their biggest challenge will be closing the time gap to their fifth runner, a key factor in elite team battles. A strong showing here could be the first chapter in a multi-year run of dominance for the Bears.
This meet is where preseason hype meets reality. For Quenton Lanese, it's a chance to validate his prodigious talent. For the Olympia girls, it's the first major test of their championship formula. When the gun goes off, the true story of the season begins.
