News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
It couldn't have been any better.
The Sisters Outlaws track team had high hopes going into the state finals at the University of Oregon May 24-25; they were peaking at just the right time in the season and each athlete was primed to turn in his or her best performance.
They succeeded beyond their highest expectations.
The team took second place overall in the state and T.K. Phelps, Adam Haynes and the boy's 1,600-meter relay team all returned to Sisters as state champions in their events.
"The kids did as well as possible," said Head Coach Dennis Dempsey. "They couldn't have done any better. Everybody that went placed (in the finals)."
Phelps was at the top of his form for the high-jump finals Friday, clearing all of his jumps on the first attempt. He was one of five to clear 6-feet-6-inches and won the championship with a 6-foot-7-inch leap.
Danny Kemp flashed out of the blocks in the 3,000 meter race Friday, keeping pace with Junction City's star distance runner Billy Harper. Kemp was unable to keep up with Harper, but his strong start was enough to capture third place. He will be back next year to race for the title, Dempsey said.
After outstanding performances in the preliminaries on Friday, the Outlaws surged into second place overall in the finals Saturday.
According to Dempsey, a key to the Outlaws high overall finish was the fifth-place finish of the 400-meter relay team of Josh Keyes, John Justin, Nick Fouts and Adam Haynes. Their best-ever time of 44.5 and their strong finish garnered the squad crucial points that allowed the Outlaws to hold the number two spot.
Haynes blasted from the starting line in the 400-meter race. He led from the beginning and crossed the finish line in 50.2 as the new 400-meter state champion.
Susan Hyde, continuing a strong comeback from a leg injury to take fourth in the 800-meter girl's race.
"Susan only practiced four weeks," Dempsey said. "To take fourth in state was unbelievable."
The meet came down to a dramatic finish, with Sisters facing a must-win situation in the 1,600-meter relay to maintain the number two spot.
The Outlaws lined up in lane four. Josh Keyes led off with a 51.9 leg to take the early lead; Phelps held on to it with a 51.5 leg.
Nick Fouts was eclipsed for the lead by Coquille's fastest man, running in the number three spot, but he dueled with Junction City's ace Billy Harper and beat him, setting up anchor Adam Haynes for the final leg of the relay.
Haynes caught and passed the Coquille leader to win the state championship and hold on to the Outlaws' overall second place trophy.
"The big key was that Fouts held off Billy Harper," Dempsey said.
Assistant Coach Bob Johnson reported that the Outlaws 3:24.5 1,600-meter relay time is the fifth fastest time in the 40- year history of the 3A finals competition.
The Outlaws performance was an exhilarating climax to an exciting season and Dempsey noted that the excitement infected the crowd of 50 Sisters parents and fans who came to the finals and were the loudest cheering section in the University of Oregon stadium.
Dempsey credited his coaching staff of Bob Johnson, Sally Taylor and Jim Anderson with helping to make the track season such a resounding success.
"Having those guys here with their wealth of experience made a difference," he said.
The track trophy is Sisters' first state place trophy. In one year, the Sisters Outlaws have gained the respect of their sports rivals and established a legacy of track and field achievement to leave for the younger students who will move up to fill their shoes.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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