Track runners compete indoors

Five runners from Sisters High School traveled to the University of Portland on the evening of Tuesday, February 7, to compete in the third session of the "Tuesday Night at the Races" sponsored by the Oregon Chapter of the United States Association of Track and Field (USATF).

Running under the tutelage of long-time track coach volunteer Kris Kristovich, the athletes have been training for the upcoming outdoor season and have had enough quality training to jump into competition.

Zoe Falk, the defending 4A state champion for 800 meters, won the women's race at that distance in 2:27.36 over a field of adults and high school runners. Freshman teammate Maddi Boettner placed sixth in 2:44.03.

The challenge of running indoors includes getting accustomed to running on a 240-meter track with tight, banked turns.

"I had a little trouble with pacing since the track is short, but it was still a fun experience," said Boettner.

In the men's 800 meters, senior Easton Curtis flexed his muscle with a fine early season time of 2:04.75 to place fifth.

Curtis, a state qualifier in the 800 last season, has his sights on another state berth this year along with a shot at the Sisters High School record, which he approached last year with a career best of 1:59.19.

"I think I could have gone faster, but it was a good starting place for me," said Curtis.

Joining Curtis in the 800 was sophomore Brandon Pollard, who is better known for his prowess in the longer distances. He came through with a time of 2:14.08, which is the second-best time of his high school career behind his personal record of 2:06.6 set last spring.

Shea Krevi, a freshman, competed in the 1,500 meters, and came through with a time of 4:49.99, which should establish him as one of the top new runners in the Sky-Em League this year.

The official start of the outdoor track season is Monday, February 27, but it is clear that some of the team is ready to compete, according to Kristovich.

"We've been conditioning for about 12 weeks, and it was about time that we put the pedal to the metal, so when I heard about the indoor meets I thought it would be a challenge for the kids," he said. "It was a good experience for them."