Facebook Mail RSS Twitter
  • Featured Business
    • Around the House
    • Health Care
    • Local Retail Shops
    • Restaurants
    • Services
  • Everyday
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Aberdeen High School
    • Elma High School
    • Hoquiam High School Sports
    • Montesano High School Sports
    • North Beach High School Sports
    • Ocosta High School Sports
    • Wishkah Valley High School Sports
    • Rec League
  • Food & Art
  • History
  • LocalTalk
  • Activities
    • Adult
    • Family
    • Indoor
    • Outdoor
    • Kids
    • Kids
  • Event Calendar
    • Calendar
    • Add An Event
    • Event Articles
  • Grays Harbor Tourism
    • 1. Winter
    • 2. Spring
    • 3. Summer
    • 4. Fall
  • Community Channels
    • Coffee Shop
    • Grays Harbor Transit
    • Hospital
    • Financial – Credit Union
    • Veterinary Services
  • Travel
    • Day Trips
    • Overnight Trips
Search
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
  • About
    • Team
    • Media Partner
    • Company News
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
    • Advertising
    • Company News
Facebook Mail RSS Twitter
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
GraysHarborTalk
  • Featured Business
    • AllAround the HouseHealth CareLocal Retail ShopsRestaurantsServices
      Kristin Weddle sits at a table with a black cloth that says ABCD Access to Baby & Child Dentistry on the front. Pamphlets and papers are on the table

      Grays Harbor Dental Program Gets Your Infants and Children to the…

      a girl sits at a table on a laptop, a man is next her holding a cellphone and across the table is a young boy holding a tablet

      Comcast Unveils Simpler, Predictable Internet Pricing: What It Means for Grays…

      a small boy looks at a book on a short bookshelf in harbor books

      Harbor Books in Hoquiam Supports Local Authors

      a man and a woman work on putting together something with sticks on a table

      Bank of the Pacific Supports TAALA Fund’s Mission of Financial Inclusion

  • Everyday
    • Humanitarian and influencer Kwabi Amoah-Forson stands at a podium with staff from Evergreen State College sitting behind him. a Banner says "Congratulations Class of 2025 - Evergreen" on the wall behind him

      The Evergreen State College Alumnus Kwabi Amoah-Forson Tells 2025 Graduates to…

      black and white photo of Joe Thomas (front) and his mechanician (believed to be Marcel Treyvoux) racing on the Tacoma Speedway after 1914.

      Grays Harbor History: Early Auto Racer Joe Thomas

      Saints mentor with heart a program designed to help students navigate their goals and challenges and help access resources on campus.

      ‘Saints Mentor with Heart’ Builds Community at Saint Martin’s University

      Saint Martin's University's Andrea Kunder standing in a computer lab smiling

      Saint Martin’s Astrophysics Professor Andrea Kunder Shoots for the Stars with…

      students at computers on a long desk

      Saint Martin’s University Offers New Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree

  • Sports
    • AllHigh School SportsAberdeen High SchoolElma High SchoolHoquiam High School SportsMontesano High School SportsNorth Beach High School SportsOcosta High School SportsWishkah Valley High School SportsRec League
      Theresa Hanson, Saint Martin's University's new athletic director, headshot

      Leading With Purpose: New Director of Athletics Theresa Hanson on Her…

      Grays Harbor County Celebrates Two Local High School Wrestling State Champions…

      Saint Martin’s University Basketball Program Sends Talented Local Student Athletes to…

      Grays Harbor Ailyn Haggard of Aberdeen High School Captures 2A District…

  • Food & Art
    • a person's hand is seen scooping out some ice cream out of a shop counter tub

      Where to Get Ice Cream on the Washington Coast

      four people dressed in lederhosen for Oktoberfest at The Cave Bar, one woman holds a sign that says 'you should be here'

      The Cave Bar in Aberdeen Is a Must-Stop on the Washington…

      Where to Find Locally-Made Beer and Wine in Grays Harbor

      a class of beer next to a plastic cow lying down in some bark mulch

      Where to Find Historic Bars in Hoquiam

      John's River Lodge outside

      Where to Find Historic Bars in Aberdeen

  • History
    • black and white photo of Joe Thomas (front) and his mechanician (believed to be Marcel Treyvoux) racing on the Tacoma Speedway after 1914.

      Grays Harbor History: Early Auto Racer Joe Thomas

      ‘Postmarked Washington’ Sheds Light on Grays Harbor History

      Hotel Hoquiam in the 1900s

      The History of the Hotel Hoquiam: A Cornerstone of Grays Harbor…

      Grays Harbor County 7th Street Theatre in Hoquiam Continues to Shine…

      Aerial short of the Westport Lighthouse surrounded by trees

      Grays Harbor Westport Lighthouse Is Iconic Symbol of Washington Maritime History

  • LocalTalk
    • grays harbor Burn-Ban

      Grays Harbor Burn Restriction in Place

      Quinault Beach Resort Casino clam diggers on beach

      WDFW Approves 6 Days of Coastal Razor Clam Digs Beginning May…

      Paul G Allen Family Foundation Awards South Beach Arts Association Grant…

      Olympic National Forest Summer 2025 Operations

      razor clam

      WDFW Approves Eight Days of Coastal Razor Clam Digs Beginning April…

  • Activities
    • AllAdultFamilyIndoorOutdoorKids
      People on the shore at Tolmie State Beach during low tide, with an island in the distance and clouds in the sky

      State Park Near Olympia-Lacey That’s Great for Picnicking, Walking and More

      a man fishes in a small boat on Lake Sylvia, trees cover the bank on the other side

      Visit Washington Coast’s Lake Sylvia

      man in a blue sit-in kayak on the Black River. A bridge over the river can be seen in the distance

      Kayaking, Stand Up Paddleboarding and Canoeing Near Olympia: Black River Gate…

      a group of kids in a circle on a basketball court at Saint Martin's University, some holding balls. A coach is talking to them, also holding a ball

      Give Your Young Athletes a Summer Boost with Saints Sports Summer…

    • Kids
  • Event Calendar
    • Calendar
    • Add An Event
    • Event Articles
  • Grays Harbor Tourism
    • All1. Winter2. Spring3. Summer4. Fall
      a man fishes in a small boat on Lake Sylvia, trees cover the bank on the other side

      Visit Washington Coast’s Lake Sylvia

      a band performs on an outdoor stage to a large crowd at the Come As You Are Music Festival

      Celebrate World Music Day at the ‘Come As You Are Music…

      rialto beach

      While Visiting Olympia to Watch FIFA World Cup Soccer, Head to…

      Hubble House Inn front view

      New Hubble House Inn in Montesano Is Your Gateway to a…

  • Community Channels
    • Coffee Shop
    • Grays Harbor Transit
    • Hospital
    • Financial – Credit Union
    • Veterinary Services
  • Travel
    • Day Trips
    • Overnight Trips
Home High School Sports Montesano’s Cross Country Teams Willing To Put In The Hard Work

Montesano’s Cross Country Teams Willing To Put In The Hard Work

By
Gail Wood
-
montesano cross country
The Montesano Bulldogs cross country team knows all about hard work.
FacebookTweet

 

By Gail Wood

les schwabAs coach of the Montesano High School’s cross country team, James Edwards’ recipe for improvement is simple.

“I tell the kids, all the time, if you want to go to the next level you have to put in the time,” Edwards said before a recent practice. “It doesn’t happen magically.”

montesano cross country
Coach James Edwards talks with his Montesano High School cross country team before they ran intervals.

Running hard in practice equals faster times in meets.

“The clock doesn’t lie,” Edwards said.

Neither do aching lungs. Just ask Jake Mustard, a junior and Montesano’s top runner. At the recent Montesano Invite, Mustard ignored his aching lungs and cut nearly 40 seconds off his personal best, finishing the 3.1-mile run in 17:29 seconds and placing third. To go faster, Mustard, following the instructions of his coach, fought the urge to go out too fast. Going out too fast usually means burn out, tiring near the finish and slowing down.

“I wanted to pace myself,” Mustard said. “What I did was follow the second place runner and kept up with him.”

It’s like sitting next to the smartest student in class during a test – just do as they do.

“I just stayed with him,” Mustard said.

montesano cross country
Jake Mustard is the Bulldogs top runner this season.

What impresses Edwards about his boys team, which got off to a 4-1 start in dual meets, is their depth. Usually finishing 10 or 15 seconds behind Mustard is Logan Clements. Kyle Cox and Conner Parkinson aren’t too far behind him.

“They’re all working good as a team,” Edwards said. “All of them are really close time wise. That’s what we’re working on. We really don’t have an ace standout. We have a good solid team.”

This is a senior-less team. Edwards is a junior and is in his third year of cross country. He never turned out for sports until eighth grade when he started to run track and cross country. Last year as a sophomore, Mustard qualified for state for the first time but didn’t race well because of cramps.

“I finished,” Mustard said. “But I didn’t run well. I hope to do better this year.”

montesano cross country
The Bulldogs begin a half-mile run during a recent interval workout.

At a recent practice, Edwards had his team run timed half miles as part of their interval workout. During the season, they progress in their interval workouts from 400 yards to 600 yards to 800 yards and finally to 1,000 yards. He shouted out their times as they did a quarter mile lap and again as they finished the last lap. Their goal was to finish faster than last time. To do that, they have to be able to endure a quicker pace.

“The first objective is pain tolerance,” Edwards said. “Putting in the extra miles, working hard on the intervals and pushing yourselves. And when you’re tired pushing through that pain. That’s what it takes.”

Edwards knows what he’s talking about. In addition to being a longtime coach – this is his eighth season as the Bulldogs head cross country coach – he also ran at Montesano High School back in the mid 1970s. He then walked on at Eastern Washington University and ran there, too.

montesano cross country
Bailey Roble (right) and Madelyn Prall go the extra mile for the Bulldogs.

Edwards is impressed with his team’s work ethic. The team runs between 30 and 40 miles a week. Even though he’s got a young team, Edwards doesn’t change his approach. It’s still a matter of putting in the miles.

“You’ve basically got to pull the reigns in when you first get them,” Edwards said. “I don’t want to be a babysitter out here. If you’re going to come out here, you’re going to come out and work hard and get something out of it. That’s what running is about. It’s you and time.”

Bailey Roble, a junior and the top runner on the girls team, knows about “paying the price.” She runs throughout the year, running on her own during the summer and winter, doing 40 to 50 miles a week. In the spring, she runs distance events in track. She’s run the 800 in 2:27.

“I run 24-7,” Roble said.

montesano cross country
The Montesano Bulldogs cross country team knows all about hard work.

Roble reached state as a freshman and as a sophomore, placing 25th last year and 21st two years ago. Because of running, she’s learned how to push herself whenever she’s working on a project, whether it’s in sports or in school work.

“You learn how to push yourself through the pain and how to overcome that pain and mental toughness,” Roble said.

After having nine on the girls team last year, the Bulldogs have only three girls turning out this year. Madelyn Prall is the Bulldog’s No. 2 runner. Roble sees a good-bad side to the small turnout.

“I miss the team aspect, but then again I like just having the three of us,” Roble said. “We get to know each other better. We’ve turned into good friends.”

They do things together.

“With nine girls it’s harder to do that,” Roble said. “But I do miss the team aspect though.”

Prall, a sophomore, looks up to Roble. That’s because Roble is the fastest on the team and Prall is only 4-foot-11, nearly nine inches shorter than Roble. To compensate, Prall increases her RPMs. She has that mental toughness to meet the challenge.

“I like the way cross country challenges us mentally and physically,” Prall said. “We really have to push ourselves.”

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
FacebookTweet
Previous articleHoquiam Teacher Kara Trimble Lives a Legacy
Next articleYour Healthcare Connection: Oly Ortho Welcomes Sports Medicine Specialist Dr. Dominic Femiano
Gail Wood

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Theresa Hanson, Saint Martin's University's new athletic director, headshot

Leading With Purpose: New Director of Athletics Theresa Hanson on Her Vision for Athletics at Saint Martin’s University

Grays Harbor County Celebrates Two Local High School Wrestling State Champions From Elma and Hoquiam

Saint Martin’s University Basketball Program Sends Talented Local Student Athletes to the Pros

Upcoming Events

Jul
9
Wed
10:30 am Family Storytime @ Elma Timberland Regional Library
Family Storytime @ Elma Timberland Regional Library
Jul 9 @ 10:30 am – 11:00 am
This engaging program includes rich stories, rhymes, songs, and movement games for the whole family! All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.
6:30 pm Summer Concert Series @ First Presbyterian Church of Aberdeen
Summer Concert Series @ First Presbyterian Church of Aberdeen
Jul 9 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Summer Concert Series @ First Presbyterian Church of Aberdeen
Aberdeen First Presbyterian Church will hold four concerts this summer as part of our summer lawn concert series. The performances will be held Wednesday, July 9, July 23, August 13, and August 27 at 6:30 PM.[...]
Jul
12
Sat
11:00 am North Beach PAWS Low-Cost Dog an... @ The Grange
North Beach PAWS Low-Cost Dog an... @ The Grange
Jul 12 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
North Beach PAWS Low-Cost Dog and Cat Vaccination Clinic @ The Grange
Vaccinations and microchips are $20 each. Core vaccines include rabies, DAPP, and Bordetella for dogs, and rabies and FVRCP for cats. Parasite treatment for cats to prevent fleas, ticks, roundworms, hookworms, and ear mites will[...]
1:00 pm Saturday Matinee @ McCleary Timberland Library
Saturday Matinee @ McCleary Timberland Library
Jul 12 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Join us each Saturday for movies at the library on the big screen. Bring a comfy pillow and bottled water. Popcorn will be provided. Call or stop in for this month’s titles. For all ages.
Jul
16
Wed
10:30 am Family Storytime @ Elma Timberland Regional Library
Family Storytime @ Elma Timberland Regional Library
Jul 16 @ 10:30 am – 11:00 am
This engaging program includes rich stories, rhymes, songs, and movement games for the whole family! All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.
View Calendar

Local Community Sponsors

STAY CONNECTED

13,753FansLike
970FollowersFollow

Business

Kristin Weddle sits at a table with a black cloth that says ABCD Access to Baby & Child Dentistry on the front. Pamphlets and papers are on the table

Grays Harbor Dental Program Gets Your Infants and Children to the...

Often the fear of seeing the dentist starts when we are young, which is one of the reasons why it’s so important to get...
a girl sits at a table on a laptop, a man is next her holding a cellphone and across the table is a young boy holding a tablet

Comcast Unveils Simpler, Predictable Internet Pricing: What It Means for Grays...

a small boy looks at a book on a short bookshelf in harbor books

Harbor Books in Hoquiam Supports Local Authors

Trending Now

Grays Harbor Community Hospital Nurse Practitioners Ron and Katha

Nurse Practitioners Increase Access to Health Care in Grays Harbor

Grays-Harbor-Community-Hospital-new-primary-care-staff-east-campus

Welcoming New Providers to the Harbor Medical Group Family

Harbor Regional Health-orthopedics-Breanne-Murray

Quality Orthopedic Care at Harbor Regional Health

Editor Picks

a man fishes in a small boat on Lake Sylvia, trees cover the bank on the other side

Visit Washington Coast’s Lake Sylvia

grays harbor fireworks

Where to See 2025 July 4th Fireworks in Grays Harbor

a group of kids in a circle on a basketball court at Saint Martin's University, some holding balls. A coach is talking to them, also holding a ball

Give Your Young Athletes a Summer Boost with Saints Sports Summer...

Recent Posts

  • The Evergreen State College Alumnus Kwabi Amoah-Forson Tells 2025 Graduates to Remain Hopeful and Empower People in Need
  • Grays Harbor Burn Restriction in Place
  • Grays Harbor Dental Program Gets Your Infants and Children to the Dentist Early
  • State Park Near Olympia-Lacey That’s Great for Picnicking, Walking and More
  • Comcast Unveils Simpler, Predictable Internet Pricing: What It Means for Grays Harbor Residents
ABOUT US
GraysHarborTalk is a community social network delivering positive stories about what it’s like to live, work and play in Grays Harbor County, including Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Montesano, Elma, Ocean Shores, Westport and the surrounding area. Advertise with GraysHarborTalk. Brand your business and tell your story to your target market.
Contact us: info@graysharbortalk.com
FOLLOW US
Facebook Mail RSS Twitter
  • About
    • Team
    • Media Partner
    • Company News
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
    • Advertising
    • Company News
© GraysHarborTalk, Inc.