Cross country success

Some coaches wait a lifetime to meet someone like Frank Lagrimanta. For physical education and health teacher Shawn Lawler, it happened early.

Lawler began coaching at Timberlake High School in 2003 and by 2004, he was watching his student win the state cross country championship. The following year, this past October, he watched Lagrimanta take the title again.

“I thought, when I’m 60, I want to remember this moment,” Lawler said. “Frank was unchallenged the entire way. It’s very special to have someone like that in your career.”

Cross country has been a competitive sport for about 40 years in Idaho, yet just six athletes have accomplished what Lagrimanta has in taking the state cross country title two consecutive times. His winning event in Lewiston consisted of 3.1 miles, with much of the route up a dirt mountain trail.

Lagrimanta trains in the Spirit Lake mountains near his home, and his preparation paid off. He was 49 seconds ahead of his closest competitor, and no other racers were anywhere near him throughout the state event. He competes in the 3A division, and his finishing time was fourth for all divisions throughout the state.

“He’s very special,” Lawler said. “He has the tools and the gift. Not only does he have natural abilities, he’s also learned how to work. His best quality is, he’s really a great kid. He’s very humble.”

Lagrimanta, 17, had no idea that he was doing something extraordinary when he crossed the finish line for his second cross country state title. He learned of it from a reporter after winning the event.

“For guys, the older you get, the faster you get,” Lagrimanta said. “It’s hard for someone to win in their junior year.”

But Lagrimanta did win and captured his second title in his senior year after a summer of dedicated training. He clocked in more than 500 miles over summer vacation by running almost daily between six and 18 miles. They are never easy miles; Lagrimanta focuses his efforts uphill.

Lagrimanta didn’t begin to take running seriously until his sophomore year. By junior year, he was a state champion and earned the title of North Idaho High School Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year from the Idaho Hall of Fame. He also placed second in a race against 320 of Montana’s best high school runners this fall.

Despite this early success, Lagrimanta says that finding motivation is always a challenge. He finds inspiration through winning and meeting other runners. Winter doesn’t grant him any breaks; he just trains shorter distances at a faster pace. Breathing is more of a challenge in the cold air, but Lagrimanta finds that the exercise helps him physically and emotionally. He recommends it for anyone in dealing with stress.

“When I took time off from running, I realized how much I needed it,” he said.

Lagrimanta is preparing for spring track season, where he also has shown his talent. He placed first in the state for the one- and two-mile events and set records for his school last year. He hopes to break the state records in those events this year and feels he is closing in on the times.

In addition to those goals, Lagrimanta hopes to earn scholarship money for college and run for a Division 1 university in the future. He’d like to study civil engineering and compete at a NCAA event.

Lagrimanta said that he’s gained modesty through his sport and has learned to balance confidence with overconfidence. Being too self-assured at a race has proved to be a recipe for disaster.

“Those are generally the times that I lose,” he said.

When asked to explain his success, Lagrimanta gives credit to a handful of rituals, mental and physical preparation, eating right, tips from his coach, and God answering his prayers.

“My coach says I’m willing to hurt more than most people,” he said.

That’s apparent in Lagrimanta’s New Year’s resolution. He aims to run more than 2,000 miles this year.