Taylor Nichols is an eighth grade student at Central Kitsap Middle School, where she participates in cross country and track. She has been a team captain for both sports for the past two years, and loves the competitive aspects of running. She is a strong leader with great work ethic, and she is highly respectful of her teammates, competitors, coaches, and to the sport of running. Nichols continues to improve in her races and often sets personal records in her final competitions. Her competitive nature shines bright in both athletics and academics.

Outside of sports, Nichols holds a cumulative 4.0 GPA, and is a member of the Honors Society. Her academic strengths include high school level Algebra, as well as a few Honors level classes. In her spare time, she tutors sixth grade students who are struggling with math. Nichols also volunteers as a leader in the WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) program, which helps incoming sixth grade students transition into middle school. In seventh grade, Nichols participated in the school talent show, where she performed a singing duet with her classmate. At this time, she was not a member of the school choir, but the choir teacher quickly recruited her. Nichols is now a member of the Advanced choir, and excels as she has in her other activities.

Head Cross Country coach, Dave Keller, speaks highly about her connection with her teammates and coaches.

“It would be easy to say it’s her amazing work ethic and competitive nature,” Coach Keller says, as he considers his favorite characteristics of Taylor. “But for me it is her shy smile and understated way of connecting with fellow athletes and coaches. She is truly a great teammate and an absolute pleasure to coach.”

Tommy Lloyd is an eighth grade student attending Northwood Middle School in Spokane, Wash. He is a member of the cross country, track, and tennis team. Lloyd's passion for running has been demonstrated throughout the past two years running for Northwood, where he has been a part of two second-place team finishes. These efforts placed him on Northwood's Fastest Times chart. Lloyd is respectful and has a positive attitude on a daily basis, which has an inspiring impact on others around him. When Lloyd crosses the finish line at a Cross Country meet he waits for other other runners, from all schools, giving them high fives as they cross the finish line. His small act of kindness led other Northwood athletes to do the same.

Not only is Lloyd a kind young man, he excels in his academics as an honor student, and is a "straight-A" student with zero demerits. Lloyd is also a member of Youth Group in the community.

Lloyd has helped build team chemistry and loves to joke with his teammates, which did not go unnoticed by Head Cross Country coach, Brock Salzman.