As we head into championship season, our cross country teams are hitting their stride at exactly the right time. This week, we are celebrating the dedication, grit, and teamwork that makes cross country such a special sport. We are also recognizing the outstanding academic achievement of our fall sports teams—proof that our student-athletes are champions in the classroom and in competition. Let's go!

Cross country is unlike any other sport. There are no timeouts, no substitutions, and no hiding from the course ahead of you. It's you, the trail, and your determination to push through when your body says stop. But here is the beautiful part: you are never truly alone. Your teammates are out there with you, and in cross country, every single runner matters.

New to cross country? Here is what makes it unique: Teams compete based on the placement of their top five finishers. The lower your team's combined score, the better. If your first runner finishes 3rd, your second finishes 8th, and so on, you add those placements together. The team with the lowest total wins.

Unlike traditional head-to-head competitions, most cross country meets include many schools—most times a dozen or more—all racing together. It is a test of individual performance and team strategy, where pacing, mental toughness, and supporting your teammates can make all the difference.

The season is building toward its most exciting moments:

Mark your calendars and come cheer on our Tides and Seahawks as they chase excellence! Both our Tides and Seahawks programs are ready to compete at the highest level. Let's take a look at how each team is heading into championship season.

Both teams have shown great growth from top to bottom as we enter championship season next week. Brand new runners have gained confidence and found their place and elite returners continue to improve.

Currently ranked #5 in the 3A coaches poll, the Tides boys have been as high as #2 and as low as #9 this season—a reflection of just how deep and competitive 3A cross country is right now.

4th place at Fort Steilacoom Invitational

2nd place at Bellevue Invitational

3rd place at Old School Invitational (competing against three other top-10 ranked 3A teams)

The boys have been led by Gavin McKeegan, Jack Greer, Max Dower, Josh Minner, and Galen Peloquin. This is a group that has proven they can compete with anyone in the state.

The Tides girls have climbed to #4 in the rankings and are rounding into peak fitness at exactly the right time after dealing with minor health issues and illness earlier in the season.

Lejla Carlsson has been dominant, earning wins at the Olympia Invitational and Old School Invitational, plus top-3 finishes at Fort Steilacoom and Bellevue. She's supported by a strong and dynamic group, including Ella Savage, Maya Crane, Ruby Savage, Clarabelle Simmonds, Hadiah Hallam, Laila Flynn, Brynnlie Upchurch, Kalli Roddy, and Abby Minner.

Coach Nugent is excited about what he's seeing from his cross country program this year. This is a team that has truly gelled—training together as a pack, supporting each other through every mile, and pushing one another when the middle of the race gets tough.

"This group is particularly focused and hardworking," Coach Nugent shared. "They pace each other well and really come together when it matters most."

What makes this Seahawks team especially impressive? They are young. The boys' top four runners are all freshmen and sophomores, and the girls have multiple sophomores in their top five. This is not just a strong season, it is the foundation of something special for years to come!

The Seahawks boys are led by an incredibly talented young core:

This group trains like veterans, and Coach Nugent expects them to qualify for state and compete at a high level when they get there.

The Seahawks girls are equally impressive, combining youth with experience:

This balance of underclassmen and senior leadership has created a team culture that supports growth while maintaining competitive excellence.

Being a student-athlete means exactly that—student comes first. As outlined in the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct—which every student-athlete and parent reviews during sports enrollment in FinalForms—our academic eligibility standards exist to ensure that every athlete has the support they need to succeed in the classroom while pursuing their passion in their sport.

To participate in athletics, student-athletes must maintain a 2.0 GPA and pass all classes. Grades are checked regularly, and if a student is struggling, we don't just bench them—we support them. That is what makes our system different. We believe in intervention, accountability, and giving students the tools to get back on track.

If a student-athlete is failing one course but maintaining at least a 2.0 GPA, they are placed on Academic Monitoring. They remain fully eligible to practice and compete, but they must check in weekly with the Athletic Director or Athletic Secretary and submit a signed progress sheet by Friday at 3:00 PM. This keeps everyone—coaches, parents, and students—on the same page and working together.

If a student is failing two courses but maintaining a 2.0 GPA, they are placed on Academic Probation for two weeks. During this time, they can practice but cannot compete. They check in twice weekly and submit progress reports. The goal is simple: help them succeed. If after two weeks they are still failing two or more courses, they become academically ineligible until the next grade check.

These policies are about preparing our student-athletes for life beyond high school. Time management, accountability, asking for help when you need it—these are skills that will serve them in college, careers, and beyond. And the results speak for themselves.

We are incredibly proud to announce that every single fall sports team at both Peninsula High School and Gig Harbor High School earned WIAA Scholastic Awards this season. Let that sink in—100% of our fall programs demonstrated excellence in the classroom.

The WIAA recognizes teams with:

Here's how our teams performed:

These numbers represent hours of studying, late nights balancing homework and practice, and the commitment to excellence our student-athletes bring to everything they do. To our coaches who emphasize academics, to our parents who support their student-athletes at home, and to our student-athletes who refuse to choose between being great in the classroom and great in their sport—thank you!

This is what it means to be a Peninsula School District student-athlete.