Cougars’ Trey Parry goes the distance

Like many fifth-graders, Trey Parry looked up to his older brother. So much so that he started running because his brother, Dylan, did.

Dylan went on to become a good runner at Bothell High, breaking 2 minutes in the 400 meters and about 4 minutes, 30 seconds in the mile.

While Dylan was a solid runner, Trey has a chance to become simply spectacular.

Trey Parry, now a junior at Bothell, was Bothell’s best distance runner as a sophomore last year at 800 meters, 1,600 meters (one mile) and 3,200 meters (two miles). He made it to state during the cross-country season, is on the 4A Kingco leaders’ list in the 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200, and is now eyeing multiple state berths this spring for track. (All rankings are through last Friday.)

“My goal is to make state in two (events),” Parry said, with his best two chances coming in the one mile and two mile. “It’s a lot harder to get to state in track than in cross country. It would mean a lot to me.”

Getting to state in his junior year in two events is a good goal for him, said cross-country and distance track coach Robert Eichelsdoerfer. But Parry is eventually capable of a lot more. Eichelsdoerfer said Parry has a chance to become the greatest runner he has ever had in his 23 years as distance coach, or 13 as cross country. The best he has ever coached is Jason Fryberg, who placed third in the 3,200 meters and fourth in the 1,600 meters in 1996.

“If I look at Trey compared to Jason in their junior year, Trey is right there” Eichelsdoerfer said. “He’s on par.

“I see no reason why he couldn’t be on the podium in cross country, which is the top 12,” Eichelsdoerfer continued. “And in track, make it to state in a couple events, and make it to the podium, which is the top eight.”

While Parry said he doesn’t anticipate being able to place this year, his numbers halfway through the year suggest it isn’t as outlandish as he may think. He is ranked eighth in the 800 meters (1:58.4), eighth in the 1,600 (4:23.5) and is just two seconds outside the top 10 in the state in the 3,200, as well.

Parry said the idea of state is less intimidating because of his experience in cross country. Parry placed seventh at the 4A Kingco championships, 11th at districts and 26th at state, which has many of the same runners that are among the state leaders in track.

“Mentally, it makes me feel good knowing that I’ve raced most of those kids already,” Parry said.

Parry’s eyes get wide when he talks about the possibility of reaching an elite level, but he knows he has a lot of work to do to get there.

“I would love to get my name up there (on the records board),” Parry said. “But it definitely is going to require a lot more hard work, which I hope to put forth. And I hope to stay injury- free, which will help me continue and finish the season.”

Talent is important. Avoiding injuries is obviously a must. But Eichelsdoerfer said the mental aspect is just as important, and that’s where Parry really shines.

“He’s very coachable,” the longtime coach said. “He’s a very, very hard worker. He’s seen what hard work has done (for him) and he’s asking to do more. He’s looking to do more. And I think between cross country in the fall and track, he’s kind of taken it to another level and it’s starting to show.”

Parry said he and his friends discuss the pros and cons between track and cross country a lot, and both have their sets of advantages. But certainly in track, Parry thinks you have to love running to do well.

“We run around a circle, so you really have to have that desire to come out here and actually run,” Parry said with a chuckle. “But in the end, it pays off. There’s nothing better than when you cross that finish line and the feeling you get.”