MIHS girls and boys win back-to-back state cross country titles

Published 3:15 pm Sunday, November 9, 2025

Mercer Island High School’s girls and boys cross country squads ruled the state scene for the second consecutive season by once again notching 3A team championships.

At Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco on Nov. 8, junior Sophia Rodriquez led the way for the girls by winning her third straight individual title with a time of 17:24.00 — 27 seconds ahead of second-placer Cassidy Armstrong of Ballard.

Also reaching the podium for the girls were freshman Rizah Despres with an 11th-place mark of 18:52.80 and sophomore Ella Zhang with a 15th-place time of 19:05.30. It is the first time ever at state that MI’s girls have three podium medal winners. Other MI state girls runners were: freshmen Bella Heczey, Sierra Brondstetter and Ava Arnsdorf and junior Dora Cheng.

For the triumphant boys, senior Bodie Thomas took third in 15:18.00, senior Matthew Lawrence placed fourth in 15:21.40 and senior Connor Ward took 19th in 15:57.90 to reach the podium. Other MI state boys runners were: junior Finn Bunker, senior Matthew Greer, sophomore Balen McCarthy and freshman Jake Powell.

MI’s girls bested second-place Seattle Prep (100-114) after finishing second to the Panthers at the 3A SeaKing District 2 meet on Oct. 31. The MI boys finished ahead of second-place Shorewood (104-117) a week after repeating as district champs.

Head coach Susan Empey said that MI is the only 3A school to win back-to-back boys and girls state titles.

“They were really tough, gritty runners yesterday,” Empey said of her athletes. “What it says about the kids in the program is that they kind of put aside their own individual races and were fighting for every single point.”

Empey noted that Rodriguez joins just two other girls in state history to win three individual titles.

“Sophia will have that chance (to win a fourth) next year. Sophia has earned every single title. She is the hardest worker out there,” said Empey, adding that Rodriguez is dedicated to her sport and to the Islander team. “Her maturity level has just grown, too. To see her just continue to get better and better, and the pressure that she must feel is immense. But she handles it all with grace. I am constantly amazed by her.”

Rodriguez gave the Reporter a rundown on her epic race and helping win the team title: “I would say the key to winning states was my mentality the week leading up to the race and trusting all the hard works that I had put in weeks and weeks before the race. My race was solid. I executed the plan well but learned a lot. I wanted to get the lowest stick for the team for us to have the best chance at winning, so I was very happy with my race.”

On the girls’ side, MI’s youngsters played a key role in bringing home the title as they overcame their nerves and the pressure in Pasco, the coach said.

Zhang reflected on what her Islander squad achieved at state: “I think it was especially challenging and it was a lot of pressure. A lot of us were emotional before and after the race because there was a lot of stress to bring home that championship again. Once we did, it was the most amazing feeling ever.”

The young team’s hard work paid off and Zhang is excited to see what’s to come for next year’s squad.

MI’s boys were ranked first all season long and came into state feeling the pressure to repeat, Empey said. Their confidence won out when it was time to race.

“I just love that they approached it knowing that they had work to do but also keeping it fun and as lighthearted as possible,” said Empey, adding that they had a football with them at state and posed on the podium in the Heisman Trophy stance. “The boys just knew what it would take to win. They brought a lot of fun to it that would kind of help cut the pressure.”

For Ward, it was a joyful moment to defend the state championship. It was the Islanders’ clear goal when the season commenced and they trained hard to reach state and finish atop the cross country pack.

“We did it last year and that was super special, and doing it again makes it even more special. (In the race) you have your guys the entire time that you’ve been working with and putting faith in them and having the faith in yourself and then you go out there and you do it,” he said.