Outlaw runners steal the show at Cascade

The Outlaws celebrate their outstanding performance at the Darrell Deedon Invitational at Cascade High School.

A hot day and hectic schedule did nothing to deter the Outlaws cross country teams as three of the four squads raced to team victories at the Darrell Deedon Invitational at Cascade High School Thursday, September 12.

Temperatures hovered near 90 degrees on the flat, treeless course, so coach Charlie Kanzig wasn't expecting stellar performances from his teams.

Yet the varsity girls, varsity boys, and junior varsity girls all won.

"I had actually considered canceling the meet because so many of the kids were looking worn out by Wednesday night," said head coach Charlie Kanzig.

The team assisted Cycle Oregon to raise funds for the program.

"They had hauled bags all afternoon and evening for Cycle Oregon Wednesday in the heat," Kanzig said.

The junior varsity girls got things rolling for the Outlaws in the first high school race of the day.

Gretchen Addison made a strong move in the second half to catch everyone but the leader to finish second in the race.

Kaitlin McAlister, Marigrace Marshall, and Amber Craigg finished third, fourth, and fifth and Crystal Metcalf came in 12th giving the Outlaws an overwhelming victory.

The junior varsity boys were led by Byron Womack's 31st place finish and ended up seventh among 11 teams.

"The JV boys were missing some key runners and I didn't have the kids as prepared as I should have for their first team race," said Kanzig. "They'll do much better in the upcoming weeks."

The varsity girls packed nicely with five girls in the top 10 to easily outdistance Cascade for the team title among 11 varsity teams.

Patience paid off as Resa Hodson (21:03) and Anna Morton (21:08) moved up throughout the race to wind up third and fourth respectively. Iris Powell (21:31), Rikki Glick (21:52) and Lindsay Chick (22:05) went 8, 9, 10 to score 34 points for a fifteen point margin over Cascade. Amy Cretsinger (23:17) placed 21st and Melissa Little (23:24) finished 22nd in helping the Outlaws' cause.

Tanja Neuman, a foreign exchange student attending Yamhill-Carlton High School won the girls' race in 20:15.

The boys' varsity team followed the girls' example and ran very controlled through the first mile of the 5,000 meter course and moved up during the latter stages of the race.

Alex Templar (17:16) and Jordan Beck (17:25) placed fourth and fifth respectively. Koby McCorkle was right on their heels, placing eighth in 17:32.

Wes Hodson (18:06) came in 13th and David King (18:27) 19th, to complete the scoring for Sisters.

Justin Thomas (19:09) and Devon Pelkey (19:16) completed the varsity placing for Sisters.

"I am pleasantly surprised with the competitiveness the kids showed this early in the season," said Kanzig. "Now it's my job to keep them healthy and well focused for the next few weeks."

The Outlaws run at home September 18 at Cold Springs before venturing to Seaside Friday for Saturday's Three Course Challenge.