Asher Danielson and Josie Fale are the varsity captains on both the men’s and women’s sides of the Ida B. Wells Cross Country team. Both are strong leaders on and off the field and both have led the team to countless victories. These victories include the men’s varsity team placing second and women’s placing third overall in the Portland Interscholastic League (PIL) and more recently a third-place finish for the men’s team at the OSAA 6A State Championship. Although these two might seem like regular team captains, both have their own unique stories of how they became the great athletes that they are today.
Danielson, a senior at Ida B. Wells, began running when he was just a freshman. “Usually most start in middle school,” said Danielson, “But I didn’t do any sports before that.” The reason he began running was due to the encouragement of his parents. “My parents ran in college, but they didn’t tell me that actually.” They did not want the pressure of their previous success to bother him.
Being a runner has taught Daneielson to be focused, how to manage mental health, as well as how to become a well-rounded leader. As the captain of the men’s varsity cross country team, his job is to keep the team on track during practice and meets, as well as support the team to do their absolute best.
During his free time, he enjoys art and has designed sports jerseys for Ida B. Wells Athletics. He is currently designing the state jerseys for the cross-country team. Danielson placed first at the PIL District Championship meet on Oct. 25 and finished in 2nd place at the state championship this past Saturday, Nov. 4.
Fale, a senior at Ida B. Wells, began running in 6th grade and raced for years before attending cross-country practices starting in her freshman year at IBW. Fale’s older sister, who graduated from Ida B. Wells four years ago, also ran, which inspired Fale to begin running.
Being the women’s varsity team captain and a student runner has taught Fale that hard work pays off, and how to stay calm and collected even at the most difficult of times. “I’d like to think of myself as a student-athlete before an athlete student because I’m majoring in biology next year,” Fale said. “Academics is gonna take me long term further in life, but right now, I can catch myself prioritizing running.”
Fale has committed to running at the University of Utah, a Division 1 school for running, and is planning to major in biology with an emphasis on anatomy and human function. Currently, she holds the fastest distance times at Wells, and placed 4th place overall at the PIL District Championship meet. She plans on improving her time for future meets and competitions, as well as the upcoming track season.
Both Danielson and Fale continue to be leaders on and off the field and simultaneously work hard on their academic and athletic successes. With the conclusion of the cross country season, both runners have time to improve and solidify their places in time for the upcoming track season this spring.
