The book is almost closed on the 2011 cross country season and on Anthony Armstrong's high school XC career.

It was interesting talking to him recently for the Herald's All-Area team story -- he was named boys runner of the year for the third straight season -- and he recalled what it was like being the new kid as a freshman.

"I had no idea I would be a state champion," he said. "I told coach I wanted to run fast, like all normal freshman do. It didn't hit me until my sophomore year and I got third (in state) in track and was like, 'OK, I have a really good shot.' That's when I got serious."

He remembers running in some big shadows his first fall wearing Kamiakin colors.

"Andrew Gonzales (of Southridge), as a freshman I remember thinking, 'Dang, this kid is ridiculously fast,' " Armstrong said. "The year after that, my sophomore year, gradually I came closer to his times, and I started thinking I could beat his times. By junior year I was breaking his records."

And then it was the likes of Mead legend Matt Davis and Central Kitsap's Shane Moskowitz, who won five state titles between track and cross country and is running at Oklahoma State.

If Armstrong repeats his state double in the mile and 2 mile this spring, he'll match those five titles.

"It's been a little weird because my freshman and sophomore years, I looked up to Shane and was like, 'I want to be like that kid some day,' " Armstrong said. "Coach would tell me about Matt Davis, and he's super fast. To be up there, it's definitely a big part of my goal. But it's not over yet. And hopefully I can inspire kids, freshmen and sophomores, to follow their dreams just like I did."