XC runners look to qualify for state

The training is largely complete, the times have dropped week after week, and the Sisters Outlaws cross country team now faces the district meet Thursday, October 28, at which two teams from the Sky-Em league will advance to the OSAA State Championships set for Saturday, November 6.

As a final test before district, the Outlaws traveled to Elmira, where many team members ran to their best times of the season in the 16-team Country Fair Invitational.  

Taylor Steele moved up throughout the race to finish third overall in 16:20, followed by freshman Brandon Pollard who torched the course in a personal best of 17:11, good enough for twenty-second place.

Seth Flanders came through next in 17:28, just ahead of Mason Calmettes (17:58) and fifth scorer Easton Curtis (18:04), who narrowly missed his goal of going under 18 minutes for the first time. David Cowan (18:25) and Trevor Barry (18:29) also ran personal bests.

Josh Seekatz of Philomath took first place in 15:54. He and his team were the only 4A team to beat the Outlaws.

The Outlaws placed fifth in the meet as a team, edging Cottage Grove by four points. Currently, the two teams are co-favorites for the district team title.

The girls' team also had a strong showing, but not without a bit of a calamity. Lead runner Zoe Falk was misdirected with 150 meters left in the race and did not finish. At the time of the error, Falk was among the top 12 runners and on target to run her best time ever.

"The good news is that we know that Zoe can run with the leaders," said coach Charlie Kanzig. "I just felt badly that she ran such a tremendous race and fell victim to poor course management."

Hayley Palmer (22:01), Jordan Richerson (22:18) Katie Stewart (22:38), Kirsten Clarke (23:05), Fabiola Schellworth (23:47) and Tia Berg all ran strong for the Outlaws, according to Kanzig.

"For being the middle of homecoming week, I felt the girls performed well," said Kanzig. "I know they will be ready to race at district."

The girls face a similar situation as the boys in that they are quite evenly matched with Sweet Home, making it likely that just a few points will separate the teams at district.

With copious amounts of rainfall in Eugene over the weekend, the district course at Lane Community College could be a quagmire, according to Kanzig.

"The course starts and finishes in a low-lying field that tends to not drain well, so we are going to practice as light-footed as possible," he said.  "Our team tends not to get too worried about weather conditions."

The Sky-Em League is now down to six teams - Elmira, Sweet Home, Cottage Grove, La Pine, Junction City and Sisters - making the district meet one of the smallest fields the Outlaws will face for the season.

"I just hope our kids can push one another and not get caught in no-man's land on the LCC course, which is a big venue for such a small meet," said Kanzig.

The meet begins with a combined junior varsity race at 2 p.m., followed by the girls varsity at 2:45 p.m. and the boys varsity at 3:30 p.m.