Voss Wins by a Breath, Olympia Girls by Their Depth at Thrilling Fort Steilacoom Invitational
The air at Fort Steilacoom Park was electric on Saturday as thousands of athletes, coaches, and spectators converged for the 2025 Fort Steilacoom Invitational, one of the premier cross country meets in the Pacific Northwest. The sprawling landscape, covered in a sea of team tents and buzzing with anticipation, set the stage for a day of fierce competition across more than a dozen races, culminating in the highly anticipated Gold, Silver, and Bronze varsity divisions.
The day began with a festive community race, which featured the memorable debut of the "Coach Potatoes," a team of local coaches whose bright yellow shirts and infectious enthusiasm were cheered on by their own athletes. As the morning progressed through middle school, club, and junior varsity contests, the crowds swelled, lining the challenging 5K course. By the time the varsity athletes took to the line, the atmosphere was at a fever pitch, promising a series of dramatic clashes that would define the early cross country season.
A fun role reversal to kick off the day, as local cross country coaches form the 'Coach Potatoes' team. Their own athletes gathered to cheer them on, adding to the vibrant community spirit of the Fort Steilacoom Invitational.
Boys' Gold Varsity Race: A Duel to the Finish
The Boys' Gold Varsity race lived up to its billing, featuring a dramatic duel that came down to the final stride. From the opening gun, a formidable lead pack established itself, featuring Mana Voss of Central Kitsap, Henry Herb of Seattle Prep, and the sensational Olympia freshman, Quenton Lanese. Tucked right behind them were Tahoma's Carson Stafford and Eisenhower's Kian Compton, creating a five-man group that pushed the pace through the grassy fields and wooded trails.
The lead pack emerges from the woods. Henry Herb of Seattle Prep (left), eventual winner Mana Voss of Central Kitsap (center), and standout freshman Quenton Lanese of Olympia (right) set a blistering pace early in the Boys Gold Varsity race.
As the runners emerged for the final stretch, the race transformed into a two-man battle. Voss and Herb broke away from the pack, matching each other stride for stride down the long finishing chute. With the crowd roaring, they pushed to their absolute limits in a neck-and-neck sprint. At the line, it was Mana Voss who found one last gear, leaning across the finish line to seize the individual championship with a time of 15:23.2. Henry Herb was just a breath behind, finishing second in 15:23.7, a heartbreakingly close margin of just half a second.
The duel to the finish line. Mana Voss of Central Kitsap (left) and Henry Herb of Seattle Prep (right) are locked in a head-to-head sprint down the final stretch. In the moments that followed, Voss would find another gear to claim the victory by just half a second.
While the battle for first captivated the crowd, the performance of Quenton Lanese signaled the arrival of a major new talent. The Olympia freshman held his own against the state's best, storming home to a third-place finish in 15:30.4 and making a definitive statement that he is a contender for the state title. The top ten was rounded out by a host of impressive performances, including Carson Stafford (Tahoma, 15:45.2) in fourth, Kian Compton (Eisenhower, 15:46.3) in fifth, and Gavin McKeegan (Gig Harbor, 16:06.4) in tenth.
Girls' Gold Varsity Race: Dominance and Depth
Top contenders Eleanor Wyatt (#266), Jaycee Jenkins (#220), and Latham West (#171) power through the wooded section of the course during the Girls' Gold Varsity 5K.
In the Girls' Gold Varsity race, two distinct but equally compelling stories unfolded: one of overwhelming individual dominance and another of a hard-fought team victory built on depth and resilience.
Bonney Lake senior Latham West left no doubt about who was the class of the field. A perennial contender since her freshman year, West delivered a masterful performance, pulling away from the pack early and extending her lead throughout the 5K course. She crossed the finish line in a blistering 17:58.3, a stunning 42.5 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor, Eleanor Wyatt of West Linn (18:40.8). Behind them, a fierce battle for third place saw Gig Harbor's Lejla Carlsson (18:48.8) narrowly edge out Kamiakin's Jaycee Jenkins (18:49.3) by a mere half-second.
The central drama, however, was in the team competition, where the Olympia Bears executed a perfect display of pack running to claim the team title. The pre-race storyline centered on Olympia's top runners, Sydney Kosa and Carolina Schilter. But in a testament to the team's depth, it was freshman Leah Hennen who stepped up to lead the squad, finishing 13th overall in 19:13.9. Kosa was right behind her in 14th (19:18.7), followed by a crucial pack of Schilter (17th), Gemma Stevick (25th), and Caitlin Lanese (44th).
A picture of determination. Olympia's victory was a true team effort, with talented freshmen stepping up to secure the team title. It was this depth that made the difference in their narrow four-point win.
This tight grouping proved decisive. When a team's top runner has a challenging day, the championship hopes fall to the rest of the roster. Olympia's runners answered the call, securing a narrow victory over a powerful Tahoma team by a score of 107 to 111. The four-point margin highlighted the importance of every single runner, proving that in cross country, championships are often won not by the fastest individual, but by the strongest team. Tahoma, West Linn (146), Camas (155), and Inglemoor (181) rounded out the top five in a deeply talented field.
Lasting Impressions
An explosion of color and motion. A slow shutter speed transforms the thundering start of the race into a work of art, capturing the raw energy of hundreds of athletes bursting from the line.
The 2025 Fort Steilacoom Invitational delivered on its promise of high drama and exceptional performances. The day was defined by a thrilling photo finish, the emergence of a new freshman star, a commanding individual victory, and a team title won by the slimmest of margins. The results from this early-season showdown have reshuffled the rankings and set the stage for what is sure to be an unforgettable championship season in Washington.
