Outlaws win first district track title

With "Athlete of the Meet" Benton Urquhart leading the way, the Outlaws boys track team won its first ever track and field district title at the Sky-Em Championships held Thursday, May 14 and Saturday, May 16 at Junction City High School.

Urquhart's victories in both the 3,000 meters (9:19.72) and the 1,500 (4:09.25) boosted Sisters to 147 points, 10 ahead of perennial power Marist, which finished second at 137. Cottage Grove placed a distant third with 97 points, followed by Junction City (76.5), Pleasant Hill (75), La Pine (63.5) and Elmira (62).

"Coming into the meet, we knew that our depth would keep us in the hunt," said coach Bob Johnson. "We were fortunate to pull it off."

Levi Rowe came through with a tremendous performance in the long jump, winning the event with a personal best of 22 feet 7 inches, remarkable for a first-year track team member, according to Johnson. His effort broke a 27-year-old Sky-Em district meet record and launched him into contention for the state title.

"Levi has done great all season, but he shocked everyone with that big jump," said Johnson.

The only other individual champion, sophomore Jared Nelson, cleared 13 feet 4 inches in the pole vault.

Urquhart joined Jeff Wilder, Lee Elder and Jared Henderson in winning the 4x400-meter relay (3:32.06) to conclude the meet. The Outlaws are the defending state champions in the relay and are ranked among the top three this year among 4A teams.

Each of the winners advance to the state meet, along with second-place finishers.

Parker Bennett advanced to state in the 1,500 (4:13.38) with his runner-up finish. Although he placed third in the 3,000, he will advance to Hayward field since the Outlaw coaches have opted to have Urquhart focus on the 1,500 and relay.

Tyler Miller came through with a second-place finish in the shot put (44 feet 3.5 inches) as did Lee Elder in the 400 meters (52.22).

The Outlaws scored in every event except the discus and high jump, including a total of 50 points in the middle and long distances, which kept Marist at bay, according to Johnson.

Among those runners, sophomore Taylor Steele placed an impressive fourth in the 3,000 (9:47.1), while senior Mike Calavan placed in both the 1,500 and 800 meters.

Jared Henderson experienced heartbreak in the 800 meters, finishing third just a stride out of second in 2:02.12

"Our hurdlers really came through as well, with three kids in both the 110 and 300 finals," Johnson said.

Jeff Wilder lead the way, with a close third-place finish (42.8) in the 300 intermediates and fifth in the 110s (16.64). Sophomore Jordan Rudinsky scored in both races as well.

"We'll be taking a very competitive group to the state meet," said Johnson. "Our goal is to be the best we can be and do everything we can to defend our state title in the long relay."

The OSAA 4A State Track and Field Championships take place Friday and Saturday, May 22 and 23 at historic Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus.