Jacob Dimond / jake@yelmonline.com
Following a successful showing at Chambers Bay in the state qualifier meet on Saturday, Nov. 1, 11 cross country runners from Yelm High School have qualified for the state championship cross country meet on Saturday, Nov. 8, in Pasco.
Nine athletes under boys cross country head coach Alex McIntire’s guidance qualified for the state championship competition, including: Patrick Walsh, Marcos Andujar, Peter Robbins, Brian Hartwell, Ethan Stewart, Kingston Farmer, Alejandro Silva, Shaun Stewart and Nicholas Cox.
Two athletes under girls cross country head coach Jolynne Hopkins’ leadership qualified for the 2025 cross country state championship competition, including four time state competitor Kailey Slevin, and first time state competitor DeeJay Taylor.
McIntire told the Nisqually Valley News that he’s very proud of the accomplishments the team has experienced throughout the course of the 2025 season. He noted that sending 11 total athletes — nine total boys competitors — to the state competition “doesn’t happen by accident.”
“This group of boys has worked very hard for one another and embodies characteristics of discipline, sacrifice, and consistency,” McIntire said. “Yelm will go into the state meet this weekend with the same mentality that they have had this entire season. They will go to race for something bigger than themselves. They race for the team. We focus on what’s in our control and race with heart. If they can walk away from the state championship race knowing they did everything they could for their team during those five unforgiving kilometers, then we can live with any result. It’s never been about outcomes and has always been about the work — and these boys know how to work.”
Hopkins added, her two runners at the state competition will not only run for themselves in Pasco, but they’ll be running for each other.
“It is very exciting to have two qualifiers to state - that hasn’t happened in a long time for our Yelm Girls Team,” Hopkins said. “Kailey has had her goals set on State all season. She knew what she had to do and went after it. DeeJay is new to cross country this year — after Kailey convinced her that cross country would be more fun than soccer. DeeJay fought through some injuries this season, but she was able to make a comeback and qualify for state. She is a strong runner and an amazing athlete. She has that ‘can do’ attitude.”
Nisqually Valley News will have an update in the next edition on the results of the 11 Tornados competing in Pasco in the 4A cross country state competition.
