Nordell takes over Outlaws track program

Josh Nordell has taken over the track-and-field program at Sisters High School (SHS) and he and his posse of assistants are already off and running - and jumping, hurdling and throwing.

Nordell, a special-education teacher at SHS, took over for Charlie Kanzig, who stepped in as an interim coach last season and decided not to continue due to work and family commitments.

Since coming to Sisters, Nordell coached the middle school team for two years and assisted the high school program last year. Previously he coached at the University of La Verne, a Division III school in California, as an assistant in track and as a head coach in cross-country.

Nordell is very passionate about making the track season positive for the Outlaws.

"I want the kids to have fun and I want fitness to improve and the athletes and coaches to love the sport," he said. "I want to create lifelong athletes who value health and fitness. Personally, I look forward to positive relationship with coaches and athletes. I am thrilled to be getting to know these great young adults and watching them give everything they can give in competition."

The Outlaws girls return a number of key members to last year's district championship and third-place state team, including Zoe Falk who scored in four different events at the state meet for the second year in a row and set school records in the process.

Falk is now the school record-holder for 800 (2:16.35) and 1,500 meters (4:48.96) and hopes to lower those standards even further this season.

Joining Falk as returnees from the state meet include Alisha Haken, voted the Sky-Em Field Athlete of the Year last year after winning the triple jump and placing second in the triple jump, and fourth in the pole vault. She also placed second in the 100-meter hurdles to qualify for state.

Sophomore Aria Blumm also qualified for the state meet in two events last year (800 and 1,600 relay) and looks to return.

The Outlaws look to overcome the loss of Sara Small, Chelsea Reifschneider and Frances Payne to graduation with some returnees and freshmen. At the state meet, Small won the pole vault, Reifschneider placed third in both hurdle races and Payne placed in both the 1,500 and 3,000 meters. In addition, junior Natalie Ambrose, one of the top 400-meter runners in the 4A ranks, has chosen to focus on soccer this spring and will not be

competing.

Nordell remains optimistic and sees tremendous potential on the team.

"I am impressed with our freshmen - the girls and boys compose a very strong group," said Nordell. "And we've seen some great leadership from the more experienced team members."

The boys will be led by senior Andrew Snyder who is returning from a significant knee injury suffered while pole vaulting in practice last season. He has decided to forgo the vault and concentrate on sprinting.

Brandon Pollard hopes to improve on his seventh-place state meet finish in the 1,500 meters (4:07.99), which he achieved as a sophomore last season. Jake McAllister will provide power in the jumping events and perhaps the hurdles, while Kyle Wattenburg returns to lead the throwing crew.

Assisting Nordell are a mix of paid and volunteer coaches, including Jim Anderson, Carlos Garcia, Franco Casiean, Jeff Larson, Eden Miller, Kris Kristovich, Nick Gill and Steve Blake.

"All of these folks bring expertise and passion to practice every day," he said. "I am pleased that we were able to split some of the stipends to accommodate more coaches to help the team."

Nordell believes his squad will be competitive wherever they go.

"We will compete hard against everyone we face," he said. "We can't control what other teams do, but we can control our attitude and effort."

A big change for the Outlaws' schedule includes the annual Sister Rotary Meet moving to a Friday night twilight meet set for May 3.

"We think it will be really cool to have a meet that finishes under the lights in the beauty of springtime," said Nordell.

The Outlaws open the season Wednesday, March 13 at the Mountain View Icebreaker in Bend.

Fans who want to support the team are invited to a special fundraiser at The Open Door, which will be held Friday, March 17 from 4 to 6 p.m.