Athletes make their marks at State

Culminating one of the best years in the history of Outlaws track and field, Sisters athletes left their marks at Hayward Field at the OSAA 4A Championships held May 17-19.

After going through a season that saw a league championship by the boys and over 50 new entries to the school's all-time top 10 list, the state meet was the final chance to add to the record books for the 2007 season.

Two seniors took that challenge quite seriously and lowered their own school records in their respective specialties. A day after placing seventh in the 800-meter finals at 2:00.1 seconds, Stefan Redfield battled among a very high-quality field of runners to finish seventh in the 1,500 meters with a new best of 4:08.13.

Later in the day Eli Callan completed his high school career with fourth place in the 300-meter hurdles, clocking 40.2 seconds. "Seniors always have a little something extra," said head coach Bob Johnson about the boys. "I am very happy for both of those young men."

Cory McCaffery, owner of the school record in the 100, ran a solid preliminary race but jumped the gun in the final and was disqualified. Travis Myrick, who made the final by nine-ten thousandth of a second, finished seventh in the final at 11.39.

"Travis just had an incredible senior year," said Johnson. "For him to be in the 100-meter final at the state meet was a tremendous accomplishment."

McCaffery may have experienced one of closest contests ever in the boys long jump, as six inches separated the top seven places. Lane Seals of North Bend won with a leap of 21 feet 6.75 inches. McCaffery finished fourth at 21 feet 2.5 inches.

The top finish for the boys team came in the much anticipated 4-by-100-meter relay. Sisters had the fastest times among 4A schools this season going into the state meet and ran the fastest time in the prelims, but South Umpqua had the fastest 4A boy, Gabe Flores, in the meet as their anchor leg. Travis Myrick, Cory McCaffery, Carroll Gryder and Eli Callan comprised the Sisters team.

Sisters had a narrow lead coming into the final leg, but none of the other anchors, including the Outlaws' Eli Callan, had a chance against Flores, who brought the South Umpqua team home to victory. Sisters held on to second by just a hair over Seaside in 44.11.

"This relay team not only set a school record, but every meet we were in they electrified the crowd with their great efforts," said Johnson.

Kelly Crowther, the other individual qualifier for the Outlaws, crashed hard in the preliminaries of the 300-meter hurdles and did not advance to the finals.

"Kelly was so focused on the finish line and was running right with the eventual state champion when he went down," said Johnson. "He's such a competitor and has improved so dramatically. I'm glad he'll get another shot next year."

The boys scored 24 points to finish eleventh among 4A teams. Sky-Em foe Marist eked out a narrow victory over North Bend to win the team title with 62 points to 59 for the Bulldogs. Gladstone finished third with 51, and Molalla came up fourth with 49 points.

Kelsey Neilson scored six of Sisters' seven points for the girls' side with the personal best effort of 34 feet 8 inches in the triple jump to place third.

"Kelsey overcame a lot of adversity with injuries during the year, but it shows what kind of competitor she is to come down to Eugene and uncork the best jump of her life," said Johnson.

McKenzie Williams, ranked 12th going into the preliminaries, muscled her way into the final with a time of 1:02.07 but struggled in the final to finish eighth in 1:04.01.

"MacKenzie finished the season with a tremendous run of success despite a lot of illness the month leading up to the district meet," said Johnson. "I'm extremely proud of her."

The other two qualifiers for Sisters, pole vaulters Cammy Jacobson (nine feet) and Lani Ulmer (eight feet), placed ninth and 12th respectively. Summing up the season, Johnson felt quite satisfied.

"The kids should all have a sense of pride for competing so well all season, and although we are losing some tremendous leaders from the senior class, I think we will be stronger than ever next year," he said.