Girls finish second in state race

Resa Hodson sets a record pace. Photo by Sue Beck

Resa Hodson's record breaking performance led the Sisters girls cross country team to a second-place finish at the OSAA State Championships held Saturday, November 2 at Lane Community College in Eugene.

Hodson smashed the school record for 5,000 meters, cruising through the course in 19:52 to place sixth and earn first team all-state honors.

Hodson's effort and that of her team mates wasn't enough for the Outlaws to capture the top prize that they wanted so badly, according to coach Charlie Kanzig.

After being ranked first in the state all season, Sisters couldn't overcome an amazing effort by the Baker Bulldogs or the virus that knocked sophomore star Lindsay Chick out of contention.

Baker finished fourth and Sisters third at last year's state meet, but this year Baker was considered a darkhorse at best after losing its star runner Danielle Jordan, who transferred to North Medford.

Baker placed five runners in the top 35 win convincingly with 65 points.

Sisters scored 96 for second, Sherwood third (109) and Wilsonville fourth (172).

"Going into the meet, I thought we'd score between 60 and 70 points, so with Lindsay healthy it would have been a real barnburner," said Kanzig. "But the way Baker ran, I think we would have still come up a little short."

Chick, who had led the team as the number one runner the second half of the season, fell ill Thursday evening and was still nowhere near full strength by race time Saturday.

"She gave it her best shot," said Kanzig. "It was obvious early in the race that she was suffering."

Iris Powell (20:47) and Anna Morton (20:51) paired up to finish in 24th and 27th places respectively, while the remaining four Outlaws all finished within 15 seconds of one another.

Rikki Glick (21:21) finished 41st, Lindsay Chick (21:28) 44th, Amy Cretsinger (21:32) 48th, and Melissa Little (21:36) 51st.

Brianna Anderson-Gregg of Philomath defended her state title to win in 18:49.