Track season is underway in Sisters Country

With a strong crew of distance runners as a core, the boys and girls track teams both look very competitive as the Outlaws get the track and field season underway Wednesday at the Mountain View Icebreaker.

Zoe Falk, who signed on to run for Northern Arizona University earlier this winter, comes into the season with three years of state-level experience bringing a variety of talents to the squad. As the school record-holder for 800 (2:15) and 1,500 meters (4:48), the sky is the limit for her as an individual, but she will also likely anchor the 1,600-meter relay team that will also be gunning to return to Hayward Field the last weekend of May for the state championships.

Joining Falk in the middle distances and the relay will be two-time state qualifier Aria Blumm, a junior, who competed at state last year in both the 800 (2:27) and 1,500 meters (5:10).

Sophomore Macadia Calavan, also a part of last year's 1,600 relay, is expected to provide plenty of points in the open 400, along with fellow sophomore Michaela Miller who competed at state last year in the 300 hurdles and placed sixth in the long jump.

While Coach Josh Nordell prizes his state returnees, he is equally excited about the rest of the girls' team, which includes some solid scorers from last year, such as Olivia Chandler, Danika Wagner, Maddi Boettner, Katelyn Meeter, Megan Calarco, and Betsy Ausman, along with a number of fresh faces.

The girls placed second at last year's Sky-Em District meet behind Cottage Grove, and look to be in the thick of the team race again this year.

On the boys' side, senior Brandon Pollard returns as the top performer looking for an injury-free year and an improvement on his third-place finish in the 1,500, where he lowered his personal record to 4:04 on his way to third place overall. He raced at state in the 800 meters, where he ran a personal record of 1:59.1 in the prelims and finished fifth in the finals.

"Brandon missed all of April and the first week of May last year, but worked so hard in the pool and doing other alternate activities in order to make it back to state, so it is super-exciting to see what he can do this year," said Nordell.

Sophomore Dyut Fetrow figures to be a factor in the 1,500 (4:25), where he placed third at district last year, and, after a stellar freshman season last year and continued improvement in cross-country, he should also be a threat in the 3,000 meters.

The sprint squad has boosted its depth with the addition of Sam Garbrecht and Conner Gellings to join senior Jake McAllister and others.

McAllister looks to return to state in the long jump, where he placed ninth last year (20 feet, 6.75 inches), and to make it in the 300 hurdles after a fall at district last year snuffed out that chance. He also figures to be among the leaders in the high jump, where he holds a career best of six feet.

Other top returnees include Ian Baldessari (hurdles), Jonathan Luz (horizontal jumps), Kyle Wattenberg (throws), Jadon Bachtold (middle distance), Gabe Rice (distance), and Gabe Willitts (jumps).

With the added depth, Nordell expects the boys to move up from their fifth-place district finish last year.

"Having some more help in the sprints is vital to our team success," said Nordell. "Traditionally we have been very strong in the distances and the jumps, but it's hard to win meets without sprinters, so I am excited about that."

Nordell's greatest joy comes from seeing all the kids on the team, from veterans to beginners, improve week after week.

"We will have some champions, but we also will have those kids who put their heart and soul into improving during the course of the season," he said. "That is what is so satisfying when coaching track and field."

Nordell is assisted by a cadre of experienced coaches including the legendary Jim Anderson (pole vault) who has been at it for 20 years in Sisters and over 50 years overall. Also returning are Carlos Garcia (sprints), Jeff Larson (sprints), Dennis Dempsey (high jump and distance), and Eden Miller (throws). Newcomers include Brittany Baldessari (jumps and strength), and Kelly Crowther (long sprints).

The Outlaws host two meets during the regular season, including the annual Sisters Rotary Twilight Meet on Friday, May 2.