Track team back in action

In what head coach Bob Johnson called a "complete group effort," the Outlaws track squads competed very strongly at the annual Elmira Relays held Saturday, April 10.

Not knowing quite what to expect after having two consecutive meets cancelled due to weather, the Outlaws boys came through for Johnson with the team trophy at Elmira in a meet that is comprised entirely of relay events, most of which are not commonly contested.

The boys won the meet with 102 points, six better than second place Philomath.

Despite being a bit short-handed, the girls team scored well also, finishing second to perennial power Philomath 126-92 among eight teams.

Sisters won the boys 4x200 meter relay, 4x400 meter, 4x1,600 meter, hurdles relay, and sprint medley (100, 100, 200, 400), and placed a close second in the 4x800 relay. Top competitors included Jeff Wilder, Easton Curtis, Drew Harrison, Taylor Steele and Parker Bennett who played key roles on a number of relay teams.

The girls scored victories in the 4x200 meter relay and the sprint medley, and placed second in both the 4x400 meter relay and the 4x200 meter relay. Stalwart efforts came from Hayley Palmer, Courteney Satko, Annie Mutchler, Chelsea Reifschneider, Karah Herr and Jodie Reoch.

Individually, Annie Mutchler cleared a personal best of five feet even to place second among high jumpers and placed third in the triple jump with an effort of 33 feet 1 inch.

To make up for the lost meets, the Outlaws have booked two new meets including the Meet of Champions set for Saturday, April 17 at Willamette University and the Summit Invitational the following

Saturday.

"We are continually getting stronger, and I look forward to the next two weeks to see the kids' hard work pay off," said Johnson.