Every year there is one thing you can count on when it comes to the Auburn Riverside track and field team: the long distance runners are going to be among the best in the state.
And this year’s team, which boasts a trio of the state’s best distance runners in seniors Julian-Blake Cowan and Kalee Cipra and junior Kenny Krotzer, is no exception.
“I guess it’s just the program,” Cowan said. “Our coach (Bill Sumner) has just fostered a really good team. We’ve had a good legacy with all the good runners we’ve had come through here.”
According to Cowan, the team has built on a legacy that started at the school with Carl Moe.
“That led to Jordan McNamara who led to Andy Edick and Joe Churchill,” he said. “And that led to me and now Kenny. It’s just been about going on and inspiring each other.”
Sumner agreed.
“To be honest with you, I think it’s just a commitment on the kids’ part,” Sumner said. “I think they’ve watched other athletes that have excelled in the sport and they’ve seen what it takes to be a top runner, and it’s just trickled down over the years. It just seems to be continuing.”
This season the standard of excellence rests firmly in the legs of Cowan, Krotzer and Cipra.
This season Krotzer, who finished seventh in the 800 meters and 14th in the 1,600 last year at the state meet, has posted a state best time of 1:55.17 in the 800. Krotzer has also posted a career best in the 1,600 this year with a 4:18.60, paring more than 11 seconds off his state time from last year.
“Obviously, one of my goals is to win state in the 800 or the 1,600,” Krotzer said. “And I want to drop four more seconds off on the mile and get down to a 4:14. And I want to get down to at least a 1:54 (in the 800). I know if I have the right competition, I can do that.”
Competition will not be a problem for the Ravens, with the team jumping up from the South Puget Sound League 3A Division to the SPSL North 4A this year.
“As long as there is somebody there to pull me along, I can run anything,” Krotzer said. “And I know I have one of the best kicks probably in the state right now. So I know if it comes down to it, I know I can out-kick anybody.”
Cowan, who finished seventh in the 1,600 and eighth in the 3,200 last season, is also on pace for a record year this season. So far the senior has shaved more than five seconds off his state 3,200 time, posting a 9:21.38, the best in the state so far this year.
“My goals are huge, this is the culmination of everything, so they’re going to be as big as they ever were,” Cowan said. “I definitely want to be a state champion. It’s kind of eluded me for four years, so that would be a great way to finish off high school.”
For Cipra – who had a monster year as a sophomore with career bests in the 800 (2:20.43), the 1,600 (5:18.75) and the 3,200 (11:45.9) – this season has also brought improvement over last year.
Her 800 time of 2:23.13 is the sixth fastest in the state this season.
“I want to make it to state this year,” Cipra said.
Krotzer attributes the team’s success to Sumner’s coaching.
“Mr. Sumner is a really good coach and he knows everything,” he said. “He’s got his programs laid out months ahead. I guess he really just hammers in dedication and how you have to run every day. And he knows the technique. I think he’s the reason why we have such a good team.”
“I think it’s because we’ve got such good workouts and a good coach, Mr. Sumner,” Cipra agreed. “He’s always pushing us to go faster and pick up the pace for the next week.”
