XC team features fast paces, new faces

The 2011 edition of the Sisters Outlaws cross-country team includes a lot of new faces among the 50 team members on the boys and girls teams.

The team faces its first competition of the season this Saturday at Molalla, so coach Charlie Kanzig expects to know a lot more afterwards.

"We have a good core of boys and girls back along with a fantastic group of freshmen, transfers, and other first-time team members, so I am excited to see how they perform," he said.

Returning on the girls' side is sophomore Zoe Falk, who placed fourteenth in the State Championships last November and then won the state title in the 800-meters in May. Other returnees from the state meet team, which placed twelfth, include junior Katie Stewart and senior Fabiola Schellworth.

Senior transfer Frances Payne, an accomplished runner who moved back to Oregon from Minnesota, should really help the team up front since she brings personal bests similar to Falk's.

"It's great for Zoe to have another girl to train with, especially one like Frances with so much varsity running experience," said Kanzig.

A lineup of other girls expect to step into varsity positions, including senior Jordyn Clymens, who ran at the varsity level last year, and a number of freshmen.

"I honestly can't wait to see how the girls run together Saturday," said Kanzig. "From what I have seen in practice the past three weeks, they look ready to test themselves Saturday."

The boys intend to return to the state meet as well after being thwarted last year with a narrow loss at the district meet in which Sweet Home edged the Outlaws for the second berth based on a tie-breaker.

"We have vowed to not let that happen again," said Kanzig. "The boys are hungry to show themselves worthy of the state meet, especially seniors Mason Calmettes and Easton Curtis, who ran as part of the third-place State team as sophomores."

Curtis represented the Outlaws in last year's state meet in the 1600-meter relay and the 800-meters, where he dipped under two minutes.

Sophomore Brandon Pollard hopes to follow a stellar frosh season, which included state qualification in the 1,500-meters last spring, with an even strong showing as a tenth grader.

"Brandon has repeatedly met his goals and even surpassed them, so I'd bet on a great year for him," said Kanzig.

According to Kanzig, Calmettes has shown good growth after a solid summer of training, along with Jared Schneider, another senior with tremendous potential.

"The seniors - Calmettes, Curtis, Schneider, Garrett Trahern and Jake Miller, provide the entire boys team with leadership in every area of team life," said Kanzig. "I have to say that I expect great things from them."

Sophomore Trevor Barry also returns to the varsity squad and Ian Baldessari, a fellow sophomore, is knocking on the door of the varsity level. Junior Colton Cooper has shown good early season form as well, according to Kanzig.

"And then there are a dozen or more other boys who are untested and chomping at the bit to prove themselves," said Kanzig.

The Outlaws will face some fine 4A teams at Molalla, including the host Indians, Siuslaw, Scappoose, Banks and Estacada, all of which are in the top 10 in the pre-season coaches' poll, along with Sisters.