Summit High School invitational track meet suits Sisters

Competing at Summit High School is the next best thing to a home meet for Sisters, and the Outlaws produced plenty of season bests at the eight-team Summit Invitational on Saturday, April 27, in Bend.

Teams came from throughout the Central Oregon region and beyond on a fine spring day at the Storm's state-of-the-art track-and-field facility, which includes a steeplechase water pit that was put to use in the meet's very first running event of the day. The steeplechase includes five barriers about 40 inches high spaced around the track, including one with a water jump.

Maddi Boettner ran through the 2,000-meter steeplechase just to have the experience.

"I just had to try and it was a lot of fun," she said. "I'd like to try it more seriously now that I have done it once."

Freshman Izaak Kanzig, an 800-meter specialist, was even more enthused as he cruised to victory in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:31. He said afterwards that he might pursue the event if he runs in college.

Coach Josh Nordell commented, "I don't remember the guys I coached at the college level getting over the hurdles so well in their first steeple."

Other highlights in the running events included Jake McAllister soaring 20 feet 3.75 inches in the long jump, his best ever, to place fourth in a very strong field that included state leader Jeremy Derosiers who flew 22 feet 7.25 inches. McAllister also cleared six feet in the high jump for the first time this year to place fourth in that event as well.

Kyle Wattenburg launched the shot put further than ever at 35 feet 2 inches andJadon Bachtold chopped off over 10 seconds in the 1,500 (4:37.12) and another 10 in the 800 (2:15.02).

Ian Baldessari had three personal records for the day. He lowered his 110 hurdles time down to 17.11, bettered his 300-meter hurdles best (46.12), and had the fastest 400 meters of his life in the 1,600-meter relay.

The girls had a load of personal and seasonal bests as well, including a two-second best by Macadia Calavan in the 400 meters (62.81). Zoe Falk found her groove in the 800 (2:22) where she placed third, and in the 1,600-meter relay in which she ran her fastest split of the season. Additionally, she placed third in the long jump as well, with a mark of 15 feet 7 inches on a day that none of the competitors approached their bests.

Aria Blumm rebounded from a tough 1,500 to run her best 800 of the year, coming from behind to win her heat in 2:32.59.

Katelyn Meeter ran season bests in both the 1,500 (5:32.47) and the 800 (2:43.12), and while not hitting personal records, Tessa O'Hern, Olivia Chandler, and Alisha Haken all cleared 8 feet 6 inches in the pole vault.

The Outlaws were missing some key girls to club soccer games and should be more at full strength this week.

"We are now looking forward to some real racing as we get into the month of May," said Nordell. "We are very excited about Friday's Rotary meet at home."

The Rotary meet will be a "twilight" meet this year after many years staging a Saturday contest. Field events begin at 3:45 p.m. and running events at 4:30 p.m. The Rotary Club will be offering a concession stand including snacks, drinks, and barbeque.

Nordell hopes the community will come out and take in the action Friday afternoon.

"With the weather forecast calling for a high of near 80 degrees Friday it should be a great atmosphere to enjoy some great high school competition."

Teams from Gilchrist, Mitchell, McKenzie, Burns, Grant Union, and La Pine will join the Outlaws for the meet.