On a sun-soaked afternoon in Steilacoom, the Bonney Lake Panthers Cross Country team made their mark at the BROOKS Fort Steilacoom Invitational, a meet that was equal parts competition and community festival. With 79 schools in attendance, the scene felt more like a sprawling tailgate party than a traditional race. Pop-up tents, grilling stations, and food trucks created a festive atmosphere, while the real action unfolded on the course. Throughout the day, race after race kicked off, each met with cheers and camaraderie.
The weather, while beautiful, pushed some runners to their limits, with the heat creeping into challenging territory. Despite this, Bonney Lake’s athletes pushed through, showing grit and determination in a highly competitive field.
Leading the charge for the Panthers was standout runner Tegan Holme, who put together a remarkable performance in the 5,000-meter Silver Varsity run. Holme stayed near the front of her pack, securing a 15th-place finish with an impressive time of 20:41.8. Her effort set the tone for the girls’ team, which finished 9th out of 18 participating squads.
Holme was backed up by Violet Overla, who crossed the line at 20:56.1, and Alice Guo, who clocked a 22:36.3. Bella Fulton (23:23.4), Isabella Manges (23:33.0), Corinne Zimnisky (23:19.0), and Lacey Coleman (24:15.9) rounded out the varsity efforts, all of them showing the tenacity needed to compete on such a challenging day.
On the boys’ side, the Panthers took 12th out of 23 teams, with a lineup that delivered solid times across the board. Sedrick Swai led the Bonney Lake boys, finishing with a time of 17:51.9. Right behind him were Simon Swai (18:03.5), Bennett Robinson (18:13.9), and Luke Brown (18:36.0). Matthew Anderson (18:50.6), Eric Manges (19:09.0), and Zackary Zbinden (19:21.1) rounded out the varsity lineup.
As the day wore on, the vibe at Fort Steilacoom remained celebratory, with runners, coaches, and spectators enjoying the extended event. For those who’ve never been to a cross country meet, it’s an all-day affair worth experiencing—a unique mix of athletics, food, and fun.
The Bonney Lake Cross Country team will next compete in the SK SPSL 5K on Friday, September 27th, at Cedar Heights Middle School. Expect them to build on this momentum as the season heats up.
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