Girls Season Preview 2021

Fort Vancouver High School Cross Country

Season Preview 2021 #TimeToShine

On March 18th, 2021, after the longest season ever had finally concluded, there stood the Trapper girls, smiling under their masks after finishing 2nd at the District Championships and qualifying for the State Championships for only the second time in school history. The State’s number #1 ranked team Washougal the only team ahead of them, there was a lot to be proud of even though the season would not actually conclude at the State Championships like planned after the COVID-19 pandemic had already canceled the 2020 State Cross Country Championships.  Still, the girls had completed an incredible season and got to #HangABanner for their State qualification.  Luckily for this team, and unluckily for the rest of the State, the entire top seven from that evening’s race have returned this season with big goals and unfinished business for the 2021 season.  When you throw into the mix three talented freshmen, this year’s girls’ team is by far the deepest and most talented team in school history.  Let’s meet the girls!

One of the things that has allowed the girls cross country program to continue to grow and #MakeHistory has been the amazing leadership the program has had over the years.  This year’s team has two of the most experienced and accomplished team captains ever in seniors Shelby Willett and Emma Cortez.  As freshman in 2018, Willett and Cortez were a part of the school’s first ever League Championship and State qualifying team in school history.  Now, after last year’s team also qualified for State, they have the opportunity to be the first athletes, male or female, in any sport, to be a part of three State qualifying teams in the history of Trapper athletics. Willett figures to be one of the top returning runners in the league after earning 2nd team All-League each of the past two seasons and finishing with a personal record time of 21:47. Cortez, who had a standout freshman season and finished fifth on the team at State with a personal best time of 23:25 in 2018, was sidelined by an injury for most of her sophomore season but returned last year to help the team qualify for State.  After running nearly 300 miles this summer- most on the team- Cortez is feeling the strongest and healthiest she’s ever been. Her positive outlook on this season after all that she’s been through was the inspiration for this year’s team motto of #TimeToShine.  She will smash her previous personal best of 23:25 this season.  Book it! Rounding out the senior class is Cindy Ayala-Cruz.  Cindy has several races under her belt in her two years in the program.  She will help lead the next wave of runners. 

The junior class is small once again this year but also the Trappers most talented group. Returning two time First Team All-Leaguer Dani Buttrell will lead the charge as the team’s number one runner for the third consecutive season.  Last season Buttrell finished 7th at the District Championships and figures to be one of the top 20 runners in the State this season.  If she can exceed her personal best time of 19:41, which she ran her freshman year to become the fifth fastest Trapper girl ever, this team becomes a lot more dangerous.  The only other junior in the program is Briana Vargas. In a season of pleasant surprises last year, Bri was one of the biggest, earning Honorable Mention All-League accolades for her top 25 finish at the League Championships in just her first season of cross country.  

Speaking of pleasant surprises, last year’s freshman class was full of them.  Now sophomores, the group is looking to build on their successful first season where they became the first trio of freshmen to crack the varsity top seven in program history.  At the top of the list is Pamela Melchor-Burgos, who’s quickly established herself as one of the hardest working and most determined runners in the program. Melchor-Burgos earned 2nd Team All-League last season after a top 15 finish at the League Championships.  Her time of 21:41 was just outside the Trapper all time top ten for 5K times. Right behind her for most of last season was Ava Arroyo. A converted dancer who attends Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, Arroyo also earned 2nd Team All-League finishing 16th at the League Championships in a time of 21:42.  The final sophomore who returns from last season is Athiena Ghormley.  Ghormley cracked the 23:00 minute mark at the District Championships last season when she finished 37th in a time of 22:58. One of the Trappers most competitive athletes, Ghormley is a hard nosed runner who has a shot at returning to the top seven. Monica Campos also has varsity experience after running in two races last year including the League Championships.  Adding depth to the large sophomore class are returners Evelyn Leal and Madelyn Kirkpatrick. Although neither ran in a race last season, the duo is among the most improved runners in the program this season.and finished 10th and 12th at the team time trial last week. Rounding out the large sophomore group is newcomer Heidi Williams. Williams finished 9th at the team trial and brings incredible work ethic and dedication to the team.  She will undoubtedly push for a varsity spot due to her consistency.  

As talented as last year’s freshman class was, this year’s group could very well be even better. This is not a shock to anyone around the program who watched this year’s freshman compete in middle school.  Former McLoughlin Middle School standout Molly Malone has been a part of the Trapper program for years, joining the team for workouts during optional offseason training and summer runs since she was in the 6th grade. She was one of the top five runners at the middle school level in the area and has jumped right into the varsity top five with a fourth place finish at the team time trial.  Alongside her in the top five in middle school was another standout, Nola Morrisey. Nola joined Malone in the varsity top six at last week’s time trial, earning a coveted varsity spot.  A tireless worker and disciplined athlete, Morrisey was named Runner of the Week in her first week of the season.  The biggest eye opener of this year’s freshman class is Sarah Gardner.  Gardner was relatively unknown after not running cross country in middle school and seemed to be in the shadows of Malone and Morrisey, but has established herself as the top runner in this talented class.  Her success this summer and third place finish at the team time trial has forced coaches to draw comparisons between her and two of the best freshmen in Trapper history, Emily Phelps and Dani Buttrell.  Can Gardner push those two to become the fastest freshman ever? Early returns say it’s possible as Gardner continues to gain confidence and put together top times. The final freshman this season is Anneliese Heberle. Anneliese has improved a ton so far this season and is growing each day as she continues to train.   

Leadership, experience, talent, depth, work ethic, this year’s girls cross country team has it all.  If things come together they could find themselves back in the mix for not only a State Championship berth, but a top 5-10 finish and the honor of greatest Trapper girls cross country team of all time.