Runners clean up at 3 Course Challenge

The Outlaws boys and girls cross country teams ran with some of the best prep distance runners around at the biggest meet in the Northwest and came away with trophies at the 19th Annual Seaside 3 Course Challenge held Saturday, September 20, at Camp Rilea.

Over 100 schools from throughout Oregon and Washington took part in the meet. The boys team in particular showed its talent, blowing away the competition in Division Four at the meet in which runners randomly draw to determine whether they will run an easy, moderate, or difficult course.

Benton Urquhart and Seth Schneider lit things up in the very first race of the day, finishing 10th and 26th, respectively, out of over 350 runners in the easy course. Urquhart was the top finisher among Division Four runners.

In the moderate race, Jared Henderson busted loose from the crowd and finished fourteenth, while teammates Drew Harrison and Mike Calavan stayed nearby in 21st and 28th, respectively, out of 469 runners.

The difficult race, with an additional hill this year, was a real test of strength, but Parker Bennett and Taylor Steele met the challenge finishing 18th and 75th, respectively, among 368 finishers.

"I didn't get to check, but I think that if we were scored with the bigger schools we would have been right with the top teams there too," said Charlie Kanzig. "The boys just ran spectacularly."

The girls held their own as well, finishing second to Nooksack High School in Division Four. Kirsten Clarke placed 26th and Nicolle Meadors 76th among 356 racers on the easy course, while Nathalie Tresseras and Claire Kanzig paced the moderate course racers with 10th place and 104th place finishes among 428 runners.

Tresseras finished first among Division Four competitors. On the girls' difficult course Emi Conrads and Hayley Palmer finished 36th and 133rd, respectively, among a crowd of 326 runners.

"The girls are getting stronger and stronger and I look forward to the fourth through seventh runners closing the gap on the top three," said Kanzig.

Earlier in the week the Outlaws hosted a 3,000-meter time trial with Regis High School of Stayton. The unscored meet was a chance for the two teams to test their speed on a short course and enjoy a barbecue under sunny skies afterwards.

"The Regis coach and I are long-time friends and this event has become a way for our teams to interact," said Kanzig. "We both have over 50 runners, many of whom are new to running, so having a low-key race worked out just right."

Benton Urquhart won the advanced race in 10:06 and his little brother Seth eked out a victory of his own in the boys novice race in 13:05. On the girls' side, Nathalie Tresseras took top honors in the advanced race in 12:32, while Tia Berg placed first in the novice race in 15:26.

The Outlaws are scheduled to race at Silver Falls State Park Thursday, September 25, against six other 4A teams and a handful of other squads.