Washburn athletes enjoy return of XC
By Kevin Sjoberg
Cross country is definitely back at Washburn District High School. After not fielding a team the past seven years, the Beavers established one this fall and the results have been positive, according to coach Mike Waugh.
“As each race has gone by, the kids get more and more enthusiastic about the sport,” said Waugh, who was a standout runner at Presque Isle High School in the late-1990s and recently served as the Wildcats coach before taking the Washburn position this past summer.
Staff photo/Kevin Sjoberg
BEAVER FRESHMAN Carsyn Koch has had a brilliant season in Washburn’s first season with a varsity cross country program in seven years.
“They have also grown more confident, which has added to the excitement for the upcoming races.”
Enrollment numbers make it challenging for small schools to have cross country in addition to soccer, but at Washburn a few athletes are participating in both activities. Of the five female runners on the team, four also play soccer, while on the boys side, two of the five are soccer team members.
Carsyn Koch is the top female runner as a freshman. “She has a lot of natural speed and ability, but she also has a strong competitive drive and a certain level of fearlessness,” Waugh said. “She’s willing to explore her limits, which many runners aren’t willing to do, and she’s only a freshman.”
Koch has the potential to be a top-three runner at Saturday’s Eastern Maine Class C race and could be in contential for a title, according to her coach.
Anna Carlson is a dedicated senior who wanted to give cross country a try this fall and has improved “by leaps and bounds,” according to Waugh, noting “she has set a good example for the team by working hard.”
Freshman Carmen Bragg joined the team late, but has made an immediate impact and has the potential to turn in a fast time this weekend and will be a key runner in future years as well. Sophomore Maegan Fitzpatrick and freshman Nicole Olson round out the girls’ team.
For the boys, Nick Bragg leads the Beavers. Waugh loves the attitude Bragg brings to the team. “He isn’t presumptuous. He’s humble yet focused and determined to do well,” Waugh said. “I know that in every race he’s going to give his best, which usually translates into a good time, and so far he’s met the challenge of stiff competition and challenging courses.”
Waugh is confident the sophomore will turn in a strong effort at this Saturday’s EM meet. “I think he’ll surprise a lot of people,” the coach said.
Twin brothers Cameron and Kyle Huston have brought an upbeat and comedic style to the team, but Waugh said the seniors are always ready to go when the gun sounds to start the race. Freshman Kevin Carlson possesses “a lot of raw talent,” according to Waugh, and has the potential for a strong running career with the Beavers. Junior Kyle McLaughlin is a solid competitor who “leaves everything he has on the course, and you can’t ask for anything better than that.”
Waugh believes the building blocks have been established for Washburn to become one of the better cross country programs among smaller schools and is excited about the potential.
“I’ve actually had some of the kids ask me if we’re still going to have a team next year, because I think they feel this may be a trial run for the program,” Waugh said. “I told them ‘yes, of course’ and they get pumped up. You can tell they are starting to think ahead and that only means good things for the team.
“I think they are starting to believe that a cross country team belongs at Washburn.”
