Outlaw runners take district title

The Sisters Outlaws girls cross country team won its third consecutive district title -- by the narrowest of margins.

The squad nipped the Molalla Indians on a tiebreaker at the Friday, October 24, meet at Bush Park in Salem.

The two teams tied with 41 points, but Sisters' Kaitlin McAlister placed ahead of Molalla's sixth runner to secure the trophy for the Outlaws.

"I felt it would be a very tight race, but it was a little too close for comfort," said coach Charlie Kanzig, who was named the Capital Conference Coach of the Year by his peers following the meet.

Cascade finished third with 53 points, followed by Sweet Home with 109 and Stayton with 132. North Marion was incomplete.

Iris Powell led the team with her fifth place finish in 20:31. She was followed closely by Erin Gough in sixth (20:37) and Rikki Glick seventh (20:40) as all three made the First All-Conference team.

"Erin had a great race, and Rikki came through with her typically strong effort," said Kanzig.

Lindsay Chick, who is usually the number-two runner for the team, overcame severe shin splints to place 11th in 21:37 and Gretchen Addison was next in 12th just four second back in 21:41.

McAlister was timed in 21:50 for 15th place and Jenna Perry hit 22 minutes flat for 17th place. Both girls beat Molalla's sixth runner.

"Our depth has long been the strength of the girls' program," said Kanzig. "Both Molalla and Cascade were gunning for us, but the girls held together."

The team's depth became more evident later when the junior varsity race results came in. Sisters placed seven runners in the top eleven to easily claim its fourth consecutive team trophy.

Freshman Cathryn Powell set a district junior varsity course record, previously held by the Outlaws Amber Craigg, on her way to first place in 21:36.3.

The Outlaws, ranked fourth in the latest state polls, are scheduled to run at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, at Lane Community College in the 3A State Championship Meet.