Cross country team takes third at state meet

The Sisters High School boys cross country team earned its highest place in school history with a third-place finish at the OSAA State Championships Saturday, November 1, at Lane Community College.

The team had its sights on at least a runner-up finish, so there was a little disappointment among team members that both Hidden Valley and Phoenix beat the Outlaws, according to coach Charlie Kanzig.

"We were ranked second all year and had not lost to anyone but Hidden Valley, so Phoenix sneaking by us was a little bit of a surprise," he said. "We ran very well, but so did the other two teams."

Hidden Valley dominated the team race, winning with just 37 points, followed by Phoenix with 73 and Sisters with 87. Siuslaw, the final trophy winner, was a distant fourth with 150 points.

Underscoring the quality of the top three 4A teams, the overall winner, Elliot Jantzer of Phoenix, had the top time of the day among all high school classification, and the times Sisters posted would have earned a trophy at the 5A level.

"We have nothing to be ashamed of, that's for sure," said Kanzig.

Benton Urquhart finished his career with a 10th place finish, clocking 16:37, his highest placement in four years of running at the state meet. Junior Parker Bennett pushed hard to stay close to Urquhart and finished 14th, in 16:48.

The remainder of the Sisters pack finished within 20 seconds of one another as Seth Schneider placed 28th in 17:20, Drew Harrison 30th in 17:21, Jared Henderson 36th in 17:31, Taylor Steele in 17:37, and Mike Calavan 45th in 17:40.

Hidden Valley placed three runners among the top seven, five among the top eight and five among the top 23, while Phoenix scored low thanks to Jantzer's win and having three others in the top 20.

"I really thought their fifth scorer would be further back, but he ran 17:42 and kept them ahead. Score all seven runners and we win," said Kanzig. "Our depth is superior to every other team in 4A by far, but you only get to score five so kudos to Phoenix."

The team was fourth last year for the school's first trophy, and with six of seven runners back, there was reason for high expectations, according to Kanzig.

"These boys are both tenacious and resilient, so although they gave it everything they had and still came up short, they are not defeated," said Kanzig.

The team found out Saturday that they also placed third among 4A teams in the Dairy Farmers of Oregon Scholars program with an average grade point average of 3.82, bolstering Kanzig's high opinion of the team.

"I sincerely count it a privilege to coach these guys," he said. "They are well-rounded, fun-loving, hard-working intelligent young men and I'm glad that I get four of them back next year."

Two girls represented the Outlaws at the state meet and both met their objectives as Emi Conrads placed 20th (21:04) and Kirsten Clarke 39th (21:47).

"I think both these girls are anxious to have the rest of the team with them next year, but they did a solid job as individuals," said Kanzig.