Track and field teams underway

It's too early to make predictions about how the boys' and girls' track teams will fare this season, but head coach Bob Johnson is pleased with the work in progress so far.

The teams have been practicing for more than three weeks now.

"We have only been on the track about three times because of the weather, so most of our workouts have been in the gym," Johnson said last week. "The kids are working hard as a team and the attitude has been excellent."

The girls' team claimed the district title last year over Cascade by a point, and Johnson understands fully what it will take to beat the Cougars this year.

His team lost some key scorers to graduation, but the group of returning athletes, along with some newcomers, gives him reason to smile.

Sophomore Amy Cretsinger qualified for state in four events last year, including the long jump, triple jump and 400-meter dash.

Nicolette Callan (hurdles and triple jump), Krista Gardinier (800 meters, high jump, and 1,600-meter relay), and Macy Campbell (hurdles) also have state meet experience.

Tiffany Stevens leads a group of distance runners that should score a lot of points for the Outlaws during the season. Stevens, who scored at last year's district meet and qualified for state in cross-country last fall, is one of the top returnees in the 1,500 and 3,000 meter events.

Sophomore transfer Resa Hodson bolsters an already strong group of sprinters, along with a promising group of freshmen and transfers.

After some glory years for sprinters, including a state championship by the 400-meter relay team last year, the strength of the boys' team has shifted to the middle and long distances.

Koby McCorkle, Jordan Beck and Casey Glick return to cover the 800, 1500 and 3,000 meter races. Senior Ben Shelton, a contender in the 400 and 800, has emerged as a team leader for the Outlaws.

Robin Hoagland, a sophomore, should score in every meet in the hurdles and the triple jump, according to Johnson.

Sophomore Kalin Emrich returns in the pole vault and junior Chris Mintiens will be trying the throwing events and possibly doing some running.

"About two-thirds of the team are new, including 17 freshman, so I truly don't know what to expect," said Johnson. "Our focus is being a class act, competing to the best of our ability, and improving."

Johnson says he'll get a little better picture after the first meet, the Tigard Icebreaker, scheduled for March 14. The meet, featuring teams from West Linn and Wilsonville, as well as the host Tigers, is a full meet, but is not scored, giving kids a chance to transition from training to competition.

With a two-week spring break, individual discipline and commitment become more important than ever.

Johnson will run practices for all athletes during vacation for kids who are in town and hopes that those traveling with their families will train on their own to stay in condition.

"It's vital that they continue conditioning through the break," he said.

The Outlaws' first real test will come the week following spring break when both boys' and girls' teams will travel to southern Oregon for the 24 team Sutherlin Invitational on April 7.