Outlaws run among the best

The Sisters Outlaws boys cross country team earned the highest place among Central Oregon teams in the Elite Division of the Puma Classic, finishing sixth at the meet held on Saturday, October 6, in Drake Park.

The only two Oregon schools to beat Sisters, North Medford and Grant, are ranked third and sixth respectively at the 6A level. Teams behind Sisters included four of the top 10 ranked 5A teams.

"I didn't have to tell the boys not to be intimidated," said Coach Charlie Kanzig. "When the gun goes off, they compete regardless of who is in the race."

Benton Urquhart battled back from a bout of tightness to finish sixteenth in 16:46 to lead the tight Outlaw pack. Parker Bennett ran a personal best (17:05) to place thirty-third as the Outlaws' second runner.

"Parker just keeps getting better and better," said Kanzig. "He'll be under 17 minutes soon."

Just 17 seconds later, Lucas Glick crossed the line (17:23), followed by Mike Calavan (17:36), Seth Schneider (17:39) and Jared Henderson (17:42). Drew Harrison was the seventh finisher for Sisters in 18:15. Seth Schneider lopped 36 seconds off his previous best time, giving the Outlaws' tight pack yet another member.

"I actually thought Seth dropped out of the race at the two-mile mark because I couldn't find him in the crowd," said Kanzig. "I was pleasantly surprised to see him right with Mike (Calavan) at the finish. His final mile must have been at least 20 seconds faster than his other teammates."

Not all of the runners were happy.

"Some of the times were disappointing for the boys compared to what they have run, but, the fact is, the pace was so fast through the first mile, everyone dropped off, not just the Outlaws," said Kanzig. "The fact that none of our scorers lost positions in the last mile proves we were hanging on better than most teams."

Shane Geiger of Camas, Washington, won the race in a blistering 15:46, while Snohomish, a powerhouse Washington team, claimed the team title with 75 points. Camas (81), Grant (99), North Medford (113), Borah, Idaho (143), Sisters (172), Ashland (185), Summit (194), Heritage (195) and Bend (221) comprised the remaining top 10 team finishers.

The Outlaws girls had their hands full in a deep field of high quality teams, managing an eighth place team finish and a number of season best times.

Emi Conrads ran her best time of the year and second best of her career to place 24th in 20:16. Kirsten Clarke continued her fine freshman campaign to nab 36th place in 20:39, while Jena Rickards (21:09), Claire Kanzig (21:22) and Ryanne Conrads (21:41) followed in season-best times. Tia Berg and Lani Ulmer battled each other and were both timed in 23:03.

"Considering everything, I feel very pleased with how the girls did,"said Kanzig. "Jena was the homecoming queen, Ryanne was part of the court and took the SAT before the race, and everyone was a little preoccupied with homecoming festivities," he said.

"I'm pretty confident that Jena (Rickards) was the fastest homecoming queen out there."

Nicole Neilsen of Borah, Idaho, lead from start to finish to win in a dazzling 18:22, but it was Snohomish that came through with the team title with 79 points to out-duel Summit, which was second with 93 points. Crater (96), Molalla (116), Ashland (137), South Medford (152) and Borah (206) finished ahead of Sisters (210), among 14 teams.

The Outlaws face an even larger and deeper field of teams at next Saturday's Adidas Cross Country Classic at Fernhill Park in Portland. Many of the top 4A, 5A and 6A squads from around the state will attend.