Life on the Mount Si Cross Country team is about way more than just winning. Spontaneity and team spirit also play a big role in the fall sport.

For an example, see the Maori Haka-inspired taunt dance that broke out before both the boys and girls teams ran on Wednesday, Oct. 12, against Mercer Island and Liberty. Or witness girls runner Maddy Esteb’s off-the-cuff use of facepaint on the day of the race. Tribal stripes quickly broke out on everybody’s face.

“It’s our last home meet,” the sophomore said. “We had to go all out.”

“We should scare off half the teams with this,” said Bailey Scott.

After the chant, senior Ryan Olson prepared for the run ahead.

This year’s version of the home course is extra challenging, thanks to sharp turns, gravel and paved sections.

“It’s brutal,” Olson said. “You’ve got to take corners hard, or you’re going to get stuck… you’ve got to fight through the gravel section.”

There are few of the downhill sections that are Olson’s favorite part of cross country.

“People aren’t expected to run PRs (personal records) in here,” he said.

While the team is always competitive, “We’re just going to enjoy it. It’s our last time being here,” Olson said.

“Good job, Mount Si,” cheered Bailey Scott, who led all Mount Si girls runners and then waited at the finish line.

Scott took second overall with 20:13. The sophomore said that was a one-second personal record on the home course. She was 43 seconds behind Mercer’s Katia Matora.

Scott pushed in the last mile to move up from fifth. not quite satisfied, she felt she had saved too much energy for the final mile.

“I used all my juice, (but) I need to spread it out more.”

Still, everyone’s doing very well, the sophomore said.

“They’re all really motivated for league. We’re trying really hard. Shout out to the team.”

Next up for the Wildcats, freshman Angelina Belceto took 14th with 21:25. Then came Erin Rylands at 20th with 22:57, followed by Ashley Jackson with 23:05.

Belceto was one of the exceptions that broke Olson’s rule.

She was also challenged by the course, but tied for her best time. She wants to keep pushing toward her 21-minute goal.

Ben Houldridge was the surprise of the day. He wanted to lock in his spot at league, and fought all the way past the front Mount Si runners to take fourth with a 17:49 performance.

Houldridge passed junior Dom Canady on the way to the finished line, beating him by one second.Richard Carmichael claimed sixth with 17:52. Next through for Si was Tom Kirby at 12th with 18:27, followed by Ryan Olson at 13th with 18:38.

Liberty’s Nich Knoblich had the medal in the race.“I went out hard today,” Houldridge said. He stuck with a few Mercer Island runners who were pacing well, then pushed at about two miles left. His final 400 meters was an impressive burst.

“He’s been training really hard, putting in a lot of extra mileage,” Mount Si Coach Christine Kjenner said. “He’s been peaking… I love the way he races.”

Kjenner was excited about several other times on the day, including Scott’s. Everything comes down to league this week. The girls have a good shot at qualifying as a team. The boys may be a closer call.

• The KingCo championships are Thursday, Oct. 20, at Lake Sammamish State Park.