Cross-country running with the best

The Outlaws cross-country teams hit the road over the mountains for the annual Molalla Invitational and came away with a very strong showing in a field that included some of the top 4A runners in Oregon.

Two-time defending 4A champion Siuslaw notched the team victory, edging the Outlaws by just 14 points. The Outlaws' score is the closest anyone has come to the Vikings in quite some time.

The Vikings' 1-2 punch of Mack Marbas (16:11) and Mitchell Butler (16:23) ensured the victory, but Brandon Pollard closed well to capture fourth place in 16:48 to lead the Outlaws.

Devon Calvin put in a stellar effort as well to place 11th (17:34), while Dyut Fetrow held on after a quick start to place 22nd in 18:15. Ian Baldessari (18:47) and Shea Krevi (18:56) placed 32nd and 36th to complete the scoring for the Outlaws.

Notably, the Outlaws' sixth runner, Gabe Rice (19:28), placed within seconds of Siuslaw's fourth and fifth runners in 46th place among 109 finishers, which was a very good sign according to coach Josh Nordell.

Caleb Johnson struggled a bit, completing the course in 66th place in 20:17.

Siuslaw scored 89 points to 103 for Sisters. Sprague (120) and South Albany (138) finished third and fourth among 16 complete teams.

The Outlaws girls performed equally well, taking the runner-up spot to Molalla, which returns most of its team from the third-place state squad from last year.

The Outlaws scored well despite being without the services of veteran runner Aria Blumm, who pulled out during the race to protect a sore ankle.

Zoe Falk ran a strong, controlled race according to Nordell, to place sixth in 20:50.

Maddi Boettner led a pack of five women in black who placed within 41 second of each other, which is something the team has been working on.

Boettner (22:01) placed 17th, Natalie Marshall (22:25) 21st, Macadia Calavan (22:29) 22nd, Mary Stewart (22:39) 26th, and Betsy Ausman (22:43) 28th, as the Outlaws tallied 72 points. The host Indians, led by Emily Bever's win in 19:20, totaled 49 points.

Lebanon (101) and Siuslaw (101) took the next two team spots among 11 complete teams.

The junior varsity teams gave Nordell further reason to smile as the younger runners showed grit and competitiveness in their respective races. Highlights included freshmen Sophie Borders' fifth-place finish (15:26), with McKenzie Banks (15:39), also a freshman, and Megan Calarco (15:40), a sophomore, right behind in 11th and 12th place respectively.

Jamesynn Mendez (13:42) and Will Werts (13:52) showed that they are ready to compete as well, as the two frosh came through with the top two times for the Outlaws' junior varsity team.

"The kids are working hard and look forward to the fun and challenge of the Seaside Three Course Challenge next weekend," said Nordell.