Outlaws athletes headed to state

The Sisters Outlaws track and field athletes went beyond the script as the team advanced 10 athletes to the 4A State Championships set for May 25-26 at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus.

The Outlaws girls dominated the district championships, sweeping to their second consecutive district team title with 178.5 points. Sweet Home finished second with 126, followed by Cottage Grove (116), Elmira (105), Junction City (76) and La Pine (52.5).

"The girls have been amazing competitors all year, and they really put on a show at district," said Head Coach Charlie Kanzig. "I expect they'll carry that on to the state meet."

The Outlaws' small but talented squad of girls had five girls qualify in more than one event.

Alisha Haken was named the field athlete of the meet following a stellar performance in which she won the triple jump (34 feet 2 inches), placed second in the high jump (5 feet 1 inch), and placed fourth in the pole vault (7 feet 6 inches). In addition, she finished second in the 100-meter hurdles (16.67).

"Alisha was on fire," said Kanzig. "Her triple jump was her career best by nearly two feet and she put everything she had into the high jump and hurdles."

Chelsea Reifschneider, who was presented a special coaches' award for her contributions to the team at the start of the meet, won both of the hurdles races in career-best times, dipping under 16 seconds in the 100 hurdles (15.96) and following up with a 47.21 effort in the 300 hurdles. Reifschneider also ran a good opening leg of the 1,600-meter relay, which placed second to advance to state.

"She's really good, and somehow she keeps getting better," said Kanzig.

Another multi-event qualifier, Zoe Falk, won the 1,500 (5:03.83) and the 800 (2:25.25), placed second in the long jump (16 feet 1 inch) and ran the anchor on the 1,600-meter relay.

"Every team wishes they had a Zoe because she can do just about any event well," said Kanzig.

Falk looks to defend the 800-meter state title, which she won last year as a freshman.

Senior Sara Small will also be seeking her second state title, as she won the pole vault, clearing 11 feet even.

Frances Payne showed her strength as she advanced by placing second in both the 1,500 (5:04.32) and the 3,000 (11:09.9) and Aria Blumm, a freshman, qualified with a gutsy second-place finish in the 800 (2:27.14).

Bailey Bremer joined Reifschneider, Blumm, and Falk in placing second in the 1,600-meter relay, which placed second in 4:08.46.

The district title was a team effort, according to Kanzig.

"We have some real stars on the team, but it took the efforts of all the girls to rack up all those points," he said. "For example, Danielle Lovegren had huge personal bests in both hurdles races, and Emily Ford surprised everyone by placing third in the long jump."

The boys' team will be sending four individuals to state thanks to the dramatic finishes of two jumpers and the strong efforts of two middle distance runners.

Jake McAllister fulfilled his dreams of clearing six feet this season in the high jump, which he won, while Jacob Richerson qualified for state in the triple jump with a personal best of 41 feet 2 inches.

"Both of those boys showed incredible composure and competitiveness when it counted," said Kanzig. "It was downright impressive."

Easton Curtis will return to the state meet in the 800 meters, where he placed fifth last year. He finished second in very close race with Cottage Grove's Austin place in 2:01.6.

Sophomore Brandon Pollard qualified for the second year in the 1,500, leading from wire to wire to claim the crown in 4:19.28 despite missing over a week of training due to a foot injury.

"My lungs were burning after that fast first lap, but I just couldn't help going out fast," he said.

The boys finished fourth in the team competition (88 points) behind La Pine (172), Cottage Grove (140), and Sweet Home (129). Elmira placed fifth (78) and Junction City sixth (47).

"We got just about all the points we could hope for from the boys," said Kanzig. "Injuries to some key athletes took a toll, but the future looks very bright with some very hard-working and talented kids coming back next year."