Cross country squad exceeds own expectations

In its race to field a competitive program, Liberty High School's girls cross country team is well ahead of the pace.

This is the school's third year, and the first time the team has had enough depth to field the requisite five runners in every race. Despite running a team composed entirely of sophomores and freshmen, the Lions have posted a good record, going 13-2 in smaller meets.

"Coming into the year, I had no clue we'd do this well," said girls coach Mark Rituper.

Liberty's good results continued Wednesday as the girls defeated Cactus and Peoria in a meet at Rio Vista Park. Sophomore Ashley Kealamakia and freshman Nysa Swanson placed first and second, respectively, for the Lions.

The coach and his team have re-evaluated their modest preseason goals, which had more to do with work ethic and building a foundation for the future. Given its early success, the team is shooting for something bigger - a berth in the state 4A-1 meet.

"I don't think any of us thought we'd do this well this year," said sophomore Kelsie Lemhkuhl.

While a berth in the state finals is possible, both coach and team remain realistic. They know the road will get tougher, starting Saturday at the Boulder Creek Invitational in Anthem. Top 4A teams like Sandra Day O'Connor and Scottsdale Saguaro, as well as 5A-II contenders Phoenix Pinnacle and Boulder Creek figure to show Liberty how far they still have to go.

More tests await this month, at the Thunderbird Invitational Oct. 18 and the Peoria Unified School District meet Oct. 22 at Paseo Park Canal in Glendale.

Then on Nov. 1, Liberty will try to outdistance Cactus and Peoria - along with four other rivals - at the West Valley Region meet in Lake Havasu City. If the girls team places in the top three, they'll compete in the state meet Nov. 8. The Lions already faced region kingpin Goodyear Millennium this year, losing by three points. Lake Havasu, Cactus and Agua Fria figure to be in the mix with Liberty for the other state berths.

"If we get a team  to state with just freshmen and sophomores, as a coach I would just be ecstatic," Rituper said.
The formula that can get them there is equal parts young talent, work ethic and competition. After making do with four runners in 2007, Liberty now has 13.

Among the program's newcomers are freshmen Swanson, Lauren Martin and Emma Power. Swanson in particular has been a force as the team's No. 2 runner. She had Liberty's best showing in the team's lone big meet so far, the Four Corners Invitational in Flagstaff.

While the talent of Swanson and her classmates was apparent from the start, the hard work of the freshmen and returnees is a big reason for the team exceeding expectations. They're also getting help from the boys team in practice.

"My girls get along with the boys team very well and they run very hard and are competitive with them," Rituper said.
Going through the surprising success and tough challenges against more experienced competitors has helped the young team bond.

"We're always helping and encouraging each other," Martin said.

The girls also know they will be in this together for a long time. Although neither the coach nor the runners want to look too far ahead, its hard not to project the program as a contender once they're upperclassmen.

Rituper said as this crop of runners matures and some of the accomplished young runners in north Peoria come to the school, Liberty has a chance to be very good.

"It's fun getting into a whole group and knowing how good we can be in future years," said Kealamakia, Liberty's No. 1 runner and team leader.