Sisters grads continue running careers

Four Sisters High School graduates are continuing their cross country and track careers in college for the 2009-2010 school year.

Stefan Redfield, a 2007 graduate, has been part of the Willamette University program for the past two seasons and has made steady improvement in that time. Willamette, a NCAA Division III school located in Salem, has a long tradition of running success and last season was no exception.

Redfield was part of the team that competed at Nationals where the Bearcats finished in the middle of the pack. Redfield has posted personal records of 3:57 for 1,500 meters and 15:07 for 5,000 meters thus far in his career.

Division III schools are not able to offer athletic scholarships, yet Redfield is very satisfied with the school and its support.

"I really like the school and our coach, Matt McGuirk is incredibly knowledgeable," said Redfield.

Jena Rickards, a 2008 Outlaw graduate, ran for the Belmont Bruins in Tennessee last year as a freshman, but her season was cut short due to injury. She has fully recovered and has been training in Sisters all summer to be fit and ready for the upcoming year.

Despite her injury, Belmont awarded her a partial scholarship as a runner, much to her delight.

"It's definitely a motivator to know that your school is supporting you financially as an athlete, so I am really hoping to contribute this season," she said.

A pair of 2009 graduates will begin their collegiate careers this fall right here in Oregon. Benton Urquhart, who placed tenth in the 4A Cross Country State Championships as a senior and fifth in the 1,500 in track, will be competing for the Northwest Christian University Beacons in both sports. Urquhart is excited about being in Eugene, the unofficial "Track Capital" and being able to study at a small Christian university.

"It's the best of both worlds," he said.

As a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) the school was able to offer financial support to Urquhart based on his prep running record. Micheal Calavan plans to run for the George Fox Bruins in Newberg, Oregon.

He and Urquhart were teammates on the past two state-trophy winning cross country teams for the Outlaws.

Calavan competed in track all four years of high school as well as a middle distance runner. George Fox University is also an NCAA Division III school, which is a member of the same athletic conference as Willamette.

It is likely that Urquhart, Calavan and Redfield will compete against one another in the upcoming seasons.