Outlaws cross-country runners burning up the trails

The Outlaws cross-country teams have shifted into a higher gear now that October is here, with nearly every member of the boys' and girls' teams setting personal records last week for the 5,000-meter distance.

Sisters swept the team races at the Stayton Invitational on Thursday, September 29 with top places in both the junior varsity and varsity races.

"It's a boost to every member of the team when all four teams win team titles in a meet like this," said Coach Charlie Kanzig. "It's important to experience running in the front at meets as we get prepared for the district and, hopefully, state meets."

Jake Miller stepped down to the junior varsity race from varsity status so he could enjoy that experience, and it worked like a charm. He took charge of the race at the mile mark and went on to victory in a personal best of 19:30, helping the Outlaws edge Philomath.

The junior varsity girls placed five girls among the top 12 to win as well.

"It was great for Emily Ford, Fabiola Schellworth, and Natalie Marshall to run near the front of a pack, pushing each other," said Kanzig

The girls' varsity team sent a message to the rest of the 4A teams in Oregon with a great leap forward at Stayton. Zoe Falk (20:06), Frances Payne (21:01) and Maddi Boettner (21:26) swept the top three places in leading the Outlaws to a decisive victory with just 22 points.

The race featured the debut of senior Shelby Duncan, who finished fifth for the team in 22:56.

"Shelby is the epitome of what you want in a competitor," said Kanzig. "She is strong physically and mentally and has really taken the challenge to become a varsity-level runner."

Kanzig is cautiously optimistic as the girls' team continues to rise in the weekly coaches' poll, where they were ranked fourth last week.

"Of course, the season's barely past the midpoint, so a lot can happen, but we are progressing quite nicely," said Kanzig.

The boys were led by a thrilling win by senior Mason Calmettes, who drew even with Boone McCoy-Crisp of Philomath in the final half-mile and outkicked him for the win in 17:23.

Sisters edged the reigning champion Warriors, 39-42.

Saturday's meet, the Harrier's Classic at Bryant Park in Albany, offered an entirely different sort of setting for the Outlaws, as the meet featured 50 teams on a very fast course.

The result was personal records for nearly every member of the team, including breakthrough performances by a number of varsity girls.

Zoe Falk dipped under 20 minutes for the first time in her career on her way to a 30th-place finish in 19:50. Frances Payne followed close behind with a lifetime best of 20:11. Two freshmen, Maddi Boettner (20:46) and Aria Blumm (21:15), lowered their times significantly as well, as did senior Jordyn Clymens, who finished in 22:47.

"Jordyn is a great example of hard work paying off," said Kanzig. "She has improved her 5,000-meter times a full two minutes from last year."

The girls' team placed eighth among 36 complete girls' teams, second among 4A girls behind top-ranked Klamath Union.

Brandon Pollard, plagued by asthma problems in his previous two races, led the Outlaws on his way to a personal best of 17:07.

Sisters placed 29th in the team race, due in part to the absence of seniors Jared Schneider and Easton Curtis, who are nursing injuries.

"The boys are actually showing a lot of potential as we are getting steady improvement from Easton Curtis, Colton Cooper, Trevor Barry, Ian Baldessari, Jake Miller and Seth Urquhart," said Kanzig. "If they can drop their times another 30-40 seconds at or before District, we will be quite competitive."

The Outlaws get a chance to test their mettle against some of the best 4A teams at the annual Paul Mariman Invitational at Philomath High School on Saturday, October 8.