There may have been faster teams at state, but there weren’t many closer teams than the Hazen boys cross-country group.

A senior core led the team that placed 12th at the state meet Nov. 7, and while close as friends, the group was also close in ability.

At the Curtis Invite Oct. 3 all seven varsity runners finished within a 13-second window. That’s seven runners among the 18 teams, 131 runners and almost eight minutes of time difference in the varsity race.

The group made an easy target for opposing coaches as it progressed through the race.

“We had these new striped uniforms and since we were in this huge pack the other coaches were yelling, ‘Get those stripes!’” said Peter VanNuland, one of the senior runners.

It was a victorious moment for the Highlanders as they realized something special was happening.

“I’m a little bigger guy then the rest of them and I don’t like running as much as they do,” said senior Clay Strom. “That was the only cross-country race I’ve finished where I was happy. Usually I finish and I just feel like I’m going to barf.”

As the season progressed, Hazen solidified its spot as one of the Seamount’s best teams. The Highlanders placed second at the league meet and sixth at the district meet to qualify for state.

This despite not having “the stud team,” as Strom puts it.

“We don’t have anybody way faster than anyone else,” he said. “It was cool to have this team of everyone running a decent time. It’s something I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.”