Longtime cross country coach at Redmond High School (RHS), Denis Villeneuve, loves to share his passion for running with the young Mustangs heading through his program every year.

In his 21st season, Villeneuve had another very strong turnout of 70 kids, with about a 2-1 ratio of boys to girls.

Although smaller than in years past, his girls team looks especially deep, led by senior co-captains Holly Young and Allie Nichols, and a very talented crop of underclassmen including Kelsey Dunn, who placed in the top 12 at last season’s Kingco meet before having a tough state race. Lila Rice, who transferred from Seattle Academy last fall and made the 4A state meet as a sophomore, will be another key contributor.

“We have a really deep girls team and some new people, so we’re looking really, really good,” Villeneuve said. “It’s exciting.”

Things are much more up in the air on the boys’ side, however, as the guys have a pretty well defined top three in junior Johnathan Stevens, sophomore Zach Kirwan and senior co-captain Max Dunn.

But it takes the top five to score a league cross-country meet, a fact that coach Villeneuve is well aware of.

“What we need to do is find two more, and there’s a group of guys there, so we’ll see,” he said. “I think we have enough talent to find two more to get kind of close, but how close they get depends on how good we’ll be. There’s a little more uncertainty there.”

One of those vying for a scoring spot is junior Lex Mundell, who shattered his personal best at the 4A Kingco meet last year, running an 18:39.

“I feel there is a lot more dedication this year towards trying to make it to state, and not taking any opportunities we have for granted,” he noted.

Added Dunn, “We’re going to have to really work hard and get some good practices in to get to the physical ability we need to be, at that state-competing level.”

Villeneuve admitted having slots open for audition may be a blessing in disguise, as a number of boys will be working extra hard to put their name in the hat.

“Everything’s set up for them, but they have to be hungry and want it,” Villeneuve explained. “People will compete with each other, and that helps everyone get better.”

On the girls’ squad, co-captains Young and Nichols have worked on team camaraderie, getting to know all the girls and encouraging them to come out this fall.

And with the talent they have, the girls look to keep their streak of 4A state meet appearances going, which has now reached 13 consecutive years.

“The girls want to try to do really well at Kingco and Districts, and top four at state is our goal,” Nichols said. “We have lots of potential, lots of new girls.”

But no matter how fast or slow his athletes are, Villeneuve (right) implements a no-cut policy in his program, meaning that everyone gets a chance to develop their skills and spend time with their RHS running family.

“I still run myself, I love the sport of cross country. It’s so egalitarian, senior to freshman, boy or girl, fast or slow, we’re just one big happy group. They’re just nice kids, and I love watching everybody improve and appreciate running and racing, not only from week to week but season to season. Our four captains… I remember when they came and didn’t know anything. Now they’re captains, they know the system, and they are teaching all the young people.”