Outlaws runners face district

After a solid performance at the Broken Top Run-off in Bend, Rachel Beck looks poised to make a return trip to the state cross country meet.

The qualifying meet for state is scheduled for Friday, October 29.

Beck finished 17th in a high-quality field of 4A and 3A runners in the Broken Top event, held Friday, October 22, at Broken Top Golf Course. The rolling, grassy course did not afford fast times for competitors, yet Beck recorded one of her best times, 21:06, which was sixth among 3A girls.

"Rachel is running better than any time in her career," said coach Charlie Kanzig. "Our conference includes some outstanding individual girls, and Rachel is among them."

Beck place third last year at the district meet.

Jamie Cundiff and Danusha Sawiel joined Beck in the varsity race and both established personal records for 5,000 meters. Official times were unavailable for the two, but both were well below their previous bests.

In the boys' varsity race, Jordan Beck broke through with his best time ever, clocking 18:26, to lead the Outlaws. Koby McCorkle finished next for Sisters in 19:15, followed by Adam Guggenheim (20:04), Logan Godsiff (20:46) and Micah Leis (21:10).

"It was great to see Jordan come through with a good time because he was beginning to get frustrated," said Kanzig.

Zachary Newton paced the junior varsity boys' squad, cracking the 20-minute barrier at 19:56. Brandon Overstreet and Patrick McFarland were next in 21:22 and 21:23 respectively. Seth Perrine (21:52) and Kenny Crain 21:52.9) completed the scoring for the team.

Kalin Emrich, Gray Bushnell, Andrew Hyde, Jimmy McNellis, Sam Davis and Will Stahn all handled the 5,000 meter course well, according to Kanzig.

"These guys have been running three-kilometer races, so I was pleased with how well they stepped up to the longer distance," he said.

Maury Matsuda returned to action after a brief illness to accomplish top honors among Sisters' junior varsity girls. Her time of 25:05 was good enough for 32nd place in a field of 72 runners. Leah Berrey came through in 25:47, and Amy Cretsinger, who took a break from volleyball practice to give cross country a try finished in 26:44.

Lorraine Boro edged her friend Shannon Esterman 27:30.5 to 27:30.8 as both girls lowered their 5,000 meter times significantly.

The district meet is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Friday at Salem's Bush Park.