ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Molly Mattson and
Lily Tyrrell have been at the front of the pack for the Central Washington University women's cross country team throughout the 2019 season.
"Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever imagined getting to run with my best friend again in a place like this," Tyrrell said.
Best friends since birth, Mattson and Tyrrell have shared a dream of running in college. Now, they compete against one another while helping each other along the way. The pair shares a 17-year long friendship that contains laughs, watching baking shows and pre-race pedicures.
This hasn't always been the case throughout their college careers. After high school, Tyrrell decided to take her talents to Eastern Washington University while Mattson finished up her last year in high school before becoming a Wildcat.
"I looked at Central and Eastern in high school," Tyrrell said. "Eventually, I felt the call to go to Eastern."
During her sophomore season, coaching changes took place. The atmosphere of the team changed, leading her to the decision that Eastern was not the right fit anymore. Looking for change, Tyrrell turned to a familiar resource in Kelly Mattson.
Kelly Mattson, Molly's dad, coached the duo at Selah High School. Mattson and Tyrrell were a part of a team that won the state championship in November of 2016. It was Mr. Mattson who shared his daughter's experience at Central with Tyrrell. The conversation was enough to persuade Tyrrell into visiting CWU.
"Eventually I made a visit to Central," Tyrrell said. "I talked to coach Kevin [Adkisson] and I just knew in my heart that Central was the place I needed to go next. When we were younger, we had always dreamed of going to college together and running together. Coming back together has been really fun and special."
Molly's reaction to her best friend joining the pack made Lily feel welcomed.
"I cried when I heard Lily was coming here," Mattson said.
Describing Lily's return as the best day ever, the two share a bond that is special as they push each other to be their best.
"There have been so many things that I could not have gotten through without her," Mattson smiled.
Molly and Lily's strong friendship transfers over to the course as well, during races their influences on each other keeps them pushing themselves to their most potential. The two have nothing but praise to talk about each other, and it is very apparent that they trust each other.
"She's taught me the importance of hard work; nothing is impossible to her." Tyrrell said while smiling at her best friend. "If I fall off in a race, she's like, come on Lil we got this. Having someone there to push me all the time, who knows me so well is really special and it makes us stronger for sure as a pack and a team."
Molly and Lily travel with the pack to the GNAC Championships this weekend in Billings, Montana, where the two plan on being attached at the hip and leading the Wildcats into the Regional Championships.
