Don't think that the second place girls 4A cross-country state finisher, Thomas Jefferson, wanted to be apart from each other in the team picture. And don't think that Kenna Patrick will state her rigorous training schedule as the sole source for her taking first place in the state championship meet held in Pasco Nov. 3.

"We are like peas and carrots, like a tomato and a...like a salad," said Patrick of her and her cross-country teammates. "I couldn't have done it without my team. They are like ideal training partners and they are all amazing people."

And your coaches, Paul Ruston and Lori Matthews?

"They really know what they are doing," said Patrick.

The girls posed in different areas of their school cafeteria for a newspaper photo a few days after the state meet, all in street clothes. And although it's this picture that you see now, the one picture they all agreed upon, was the one of them all together, sitting on top of an eating table, all chummy, smiling, happy together, putting up two fingers signifying their second place state finish in 4A. And a nice touch was all the school trophies behind them that would be getting added one more once it made it's way that way.

"Yeah, we like this one," one said and the others all agreed. "Yeah, yeah...."

Yes, TJ did well and Kenna Patrick did best of all.

First off, let's say that the TJ team finished best ever for their TJ school, under coaches Ruston and Matthews. They were fourth two years ago and third last year. So the natural progression will be first next year, but that's a ways off even though there is reason to believe that could happen if all goes according to plan. A lot of talent returns even with the school's best, not to mention the state's best, graduating in the springtime.

So, Kenna, what about first place? First place is tough to get.

"It's exciting," said Patrick, whose teammates were doing well enough to help the maroon, gold, white colors school finish just behind Gig Harbor by a scant 13 points. Gig Harbor had 81 and TJ 93 and Eastlake (Bellevue) had 110.

It's been a nice progression for Patrick's time running. Fifth place at state as a sophomore to third as a junior and now, first as a senior.

She has teammates to thank most, like second finisher on the Raiders team, Vanessa Bennum, a sophomore who took 16th overall at state in a time of 19:32. Like junior Cassidy Robey, third best on the team and 27th overall in 19:53. Like Kenna's sophomore sister, Camryn, 33rd in 19:58. Not too far behind them was senior Alicia Clarke in 20:46 for 70th. Right behind her was sophomore Rosemary Angeles, in 72nd.

Whitney Nelson did not run but was an alternate and definitely an important part of this team. Someone Kenna really likes.

"We've been best friends since seventh grade," said Patrick. "This is her first year on varsity. We stayed in the same room at state. She is the one that could keep me calm if I was nervous (before a race). We roamed together at the hotel, had a lot of things to talk about. We are both in the IB (international baccalaureate) program at school."

Then there are other seniors like Clarke that helped Kenna get where she is.

"She has an amazing personality and sense of humor," said Patrick. "I love hanging out with her and talking to her. We always have a blast when we are together. She was like a real leader, one that makes the team fun as a whole together."

And next would be Robey:

"We've done everything together the last three years," said Patrick. "She also gives her best and strives to do what is right for the team. She genuinely wants to do well and shows a great work ethic."

Bennum, of who Patrick says helped her said, "She amazes me because she is really, really fast. She is running similar times to when I was a sophomore. So it is kind of neat to see her run and see how I looked back then."

And Rosemary Angeles' presence has been felt in the state of Washington this year, with Bennum saying, "She is the sweetie of the team. She is very nice, does whatever she needs to do. She always has a smile"

Of the sophomores -- Bennum, Camryn, Angeles and Robey -- who will lead this team next year, Patrick said, "They keep us laughing all the time. We upperclassmen intermingle with them and keep us having fun. We help them, making sure they are training hard. That combination works well together."

And then there is Patrick's sister, Camryn.

"First of all, she is my little sister," said Patrick. "So we have the bond of sisterhood. She always pushes me at the end of workouts. She will look at me and smile at the end of the workout. She always encourages me. I think she has a lot of potential and I love her because she is my sister. I love the whole team but I love her in a different way."