Track athletes have outstanding meet

It took 12 years, but the Sisters High School boys' 1,600-meter relay team is the reigning state champion.

Max Gruettner, Lee Elder, Jared Henderson and Cory McCaffrey (3:24.31) not only matched the feat of the 1996 foursome, but actually broke the school record set by Nick Fouts, Adam Haynes, T.K. Phelps and Josh Keys (3:24.5).

The event concluded the three-day OSAA State Championships on a high note for the Outlaws. "These four boys pulled it together and showed that they were the best," said Coach Bob Johnson. "We said we had a mission to be state champs again."

Gruettner, a German exchange student, led off the first leg with a solid 51.3 split and handed off to Elder, who put the pedal down to a personal best of 51.4 seconds, keeping the Outlaws in the lead.

Jared Henderson, who joined the foursome late in the season, had his work cut out for him. Marist's Matt Hollander chased him down, along with a runner from Illinois Valley, but Henderson not only held them both off, he pulled to a five- or six-meter lead before handing off to McCaffrey, who cruised to the win.

"In our other races, we've always had to come from behind, so to have the lead when handing off to McCaffrey was beautiful," said Johnson.

The Outlaws girls relay team was also impressive, breaking the school record on their way to a satisfying fourth-place finish in 4:03.02. Brandi Palmer, Jessica Head, McKenzie Williams and Courtney Satko saved their best for last in a dramatic improvement over last year when their best was 4:16.

"These girls proved that hard work and believing in your potential can make all the difference," said Johnson. "They did amazingly well."

Henley won the event in a new meet record of 3:56.83, which pulled the Outlaws and the second-and third-place teams to their best times of the year.

McCaffrey brought home an individual state title in a coast-to-coast victory in the 100 meters in 11.02.

"He had the best start and nobody was going to catch him after that," said Johnson

McCaffrey finished second in the long jump, 11 inches behind the winner, with a leap of 22-feet-5-inches.

"Cory has been a treat to coach over the years," said Johnson. "He is dedicated to his team, his school and to himself in becoming the best he can be."

Gruettner faced one of the fastest 400 fields in recent years and finished fifth in 50.83. Satko made some noise of her own, finishing fifth in the 200 meters with the third best time ever by an Outlaw sprinter in 26.49.

Three of the girls ahead of her were also from the Sky-Em Conference. Kelsey Neilson finished her fine athletic career, placing fourth in the high jump (5-feet-1-inch) and sixth in the triple jump (33-feet-11-inches).

Lani Ulmer, another senior, placed eighth in the pole vault (nine feet) to give coach Jim Anderson the first female state meet pole vault medalist of his long career.

Andy Stahn ran the 200 meters in a personal best of 23.79, but did not qualify for the finals.

"The team was on fire at the state meet," said Johnson. "It was so exciting for the fans, the coaches and the athletes. The way things ended was right up there with the most thrilling moments in my 40 years of coaching."

A few of the athletes will run one more meet this season: an all-comers meet at Lewis & Clark College on Saturday, May 31. McCaffrey plans to run the open 400 meters in an attempt to break Adam Haynes' school record from 1996. Team awards night is scheduled for June 4.