Eisenhower Cross Country’s Top Runners

Kian Compton Makes a Comeback

     Eisenhower’s Kian Compton is finally running varsity - and crushing it - after only running JV last year due to his transfer from West Valley his sophomore year. Compton has seen great improvement since joining the Eisenhower boys cross team, dropping almost 40 seconds in his 5k. His personal record is a 15:18, and he hopes to go sub 15 at state this season. He also hopes to place top 3 at 4A state this year. He has competed with the fastest runners from across the state, and draws motivation from knowing they are getting faster, meaning he has to get faster to keep up with them. His times are leading the Columbia Basin Big 9, and he seated 9th overall in 4A Washington high schools. Compton works hard to achieve his times, and his love of the race helps him perform when needed. After high school Compton plans to run at the NCAA level, and he is clearly on the right track to achieving all of his goals. 

Zophie Hopkins - Finding her Stride

     Training and competing on a team with six girls isn’t easy, considering the fact that for cross country you need at least five girls to score as a varsity team. Eisenhower girls cross country top runner, Zophie Hopkins, hopes to grow the team in the coming years, noting how this year has been difficult due to the lack of people. She encourages people to join cross country because of the amazing community and all of the cool places the team gets to travel. Hopkins has been running for nine years since she first started running for Sun City Harriers in 3rd grade. Her continued running career for Ike cross country has helped improve Hopkins’s technique and mental toughness, she says. Her current best time is a 19:35, and she is training to run a sub 19:25 at the end of the season. She hopes to do well at districts, and drop time at state. Not only does Hopkins run cross country and track, she also is a competitive ski racer during the winter and early spring. Being a tri-sport athlete is not easy, and being good at all of them takes serious time and commitment. Cross is a difficult sport, and Hopkins shows her grit as she fights to get faster even through many challenges.