By Kristine Thomas
Kennedy High School junior Lauren Stokley could have been playing basketball in a warm gym if it weren’t for Silverton High School sophomore Maddie Fuhrman.
Instead, Stokley has been running in the pounding rain and freezing temperatures.
Her friends have inquired if she is “crazy” for training in the winter, while in the next breath congratulating her and wishing her luck. Stokley appreciates Fuhrman for encouraging her to continue training and competing for cross country meets.
Sitting at a table at Stone Creek Café in Silverton on a chilly Friday afternoon, Fuhrman and Stokley chatted excitedly about qualifying to compete in the USATF Junior Olympic Cross Country on Dec. 14 in San Antonio, Texas.
Although they attend different high schools, Stokley said they became friends through mutual friends and met at a track meet.
“We are both runners and it’s cool to have a friend who has the same passion as I do about running,” Stokley said.
It was during an exchange of text messages that Fuhrman shared with Stokley information about Junior Olympic cross country meets.
To qualify for the national race, they had to first finish in the top 30 runners at the state meet and then in the top 30 at the regional. Fuhrman took first at state and third at the regional meet. This is her second time qualifying for the national meet. Stokley took sixth at state and 14th at regionals. This will be her first time at nationals.
Both Fuhrman and Stokley had successful cross country seasons with Fuhrman placing third in the 5A Mid-Willamette Conference meet and 20th at the 5A OSAA state meet. Stokley was district champion at the 3A/2A/1A-SD2 meet, 17th at state.
Silverton High senior Jonathan Sisley and junior Alley Ridling also qualified for the national meet but chose not to go. Sisley competes on Silverton’s swim team and Ridling has begun training for track season.
Stokley and Fuhrman are grateful for their coaches – Erik Cross at Silverton and Steve Ritchie at Kennedy – for their inspiration.
“It’s great to have someone who believes in you and wants you to get better and is willing to spend the time to help you achieve your goal,” Fuhrman said.
Even when they are in Texas, both Stokley and Fuhrman know their coaches will call for a pep talk and advice on the course.
Cross and Ritchie are proud of their athletes.
“When Lauren learned about the Junior Olympic cross country meets and what it took to qualify for nationals, she immediately set her sights on that,” Ritchie said. “We ended our four-month long cross country season on Nov. 2. She took three or four days off, and by Nov. 6, she began training for the Junior Olympic state and regional meets. She’s been out running nearly every day, doing tough workouts on her own in freezing cold, windy and wet weather. You have to admire that kind of person.”
Cross said Fuhrman is one of the hardest working, most motivated, and dedicated athletes he has coached. Still early in her career, she has holds several school records.
“But beyond that and more importantly, she is a positive teammate and an excellent student,” Cross said.
When she went on her own last year, Fuhrman said she was nervous. This year, she said, she’s excited because she has a friend sharing the adventure.
“It’s great to have a friend who is crazy as I am and still training,” Fuhrman said.
