Outlaws finish mid-pack at State

The final rankings in the coaches' poll for the 2013 season turned out to be almost prophetic: The Outlaws cross-country teams both placed just about where they were predicted to at the OSAA State Championships held Saturday, November 2, at Lane Community College in Eugene.

Going in, the girls held the number-four ranking behind Molalla, Phoenix, and Siuslaw, but Philomath's girls bumped ahead in the meet to snag the fourth and final trophy among the 14 qualifying 4A teams.

Zoe Falk capped her career leading the team as the lone senior on the squad, finishing 26th in 20:25 in her fourth appearance at the meet.

Sisters' next six finishers all ended within a minute of one another in close order. Aria Blumm led the pack (21:19) and was followed by Macadia Calavan (21:24), Mary Stewart (21:29), Megan Calarco (21:51), Madison Boettner (21:59), and Natalie Marshall (22:10).

Calarco clocked a lifetime best after winning a spot on the varsity team in her performance at the district meet in the junior varsity race a week earlier.

"Megan ran such a great race, which is proof of the depth of this team," said Coach Rima Givot. "It's inspiring when kids run their best times at state, because it's really hard to do."

Coach Josh Nordell said, "We had the attitude of having fun going into the meet, and it was in the realm of possibility for us to eke out a trophy, but the girls ran hard against some strong competition."

Shaylen Crook of Marshfield ran uncontested, winning with a fine time of 18:28, a full 30 seconds ahead of Emily Bever of Molalla.

For the boys, Brandon Pollard found himself on the podium after earning a medal for 10th place in his final state cross-country meet appearance, making it his best time and place in three trips at 16:38.

Devon Calvin ran in the second position (17:43), while runners three through seven bunched together closely, with just 20 seconds separating the pack. The group included Shea Krevi (18:10), Caleb Johnson (18:11), Dyut Fetrow (18:21), Gabe Rice (18:27), and Ian Baldessari (18:30).

Johnson, typically the seventh man for the Outlaws, ran a lifetime best as the team's fifth scorer.

Mitchell Butler of Siuslaw won the race in 15:37. La Salle ran away with the team title with 54 points. Siuslaw finished second (89), Phoenix third (126), and Marshfield fourth (135). Tillamook surprised everyone in sixth (150), Philomath took sixth (151), and Sisters finished a distant seventh (205) among the 14 teams.

The Outlaws look to reload in 2014 with six of the varsity girls and four of the varsity boys returning, not to mention a crop of improving teammates.

"The program is in good shape looking to the future," said Nordell. "Rima and I are proud of all of them."