Outlaws athletes continue to topple records

Rain and cool temperatures had no adverse effects on at least two Outlaws track athletes as two more school records fell at the 14-team Wally Ciochetti Invitational, held at Cottage Grove High School Friday, May 9.

Brandon Pollard, who broke the school record in the 1,500-meter race earlier this month, continued his assault on the Sisters High School middle-distance record-book with a wire-to-wire win in the 800, clocking a 4A best time this season in 1:55.92. His victory came over rivals Seth Campbell (1:56.96) and reigning state 1,500 champion Mack Marbas (1:57.29), both of Siuslaw.

Pollard went out a little hard, according to his coaches, then settled down for the middle 400 meters and gutted out the last 200 meters for the victory.

"He did it the hard way, which shows just how tough and fit he is right now," said Coach Josh Nordell.

Later in the meet, under a downpour, Aria Blumm ran with similar intentions in the 3,000, taking the lead from the starting gun and never being challenged. Her time of 10:44.07 put her at the top of the record board over her friend and former teammate Frances Payne, who ran 10:47.89 in 2012.

Blumm now has the fifth-best 3,000 time among 4A runners.

"Aria just reached down deep in her final 400 meters to earn the record," said Nordell. "She was just awesome!"

Some other Outlaws also showed they are sharpening up for district and state. Jake McAllister had a breakout race in the 300-meter hurdles as the top three boys finished within .08 seconds of one another. McAllister finished third in 40.88, his best time ever. The three are now ranked second, fourth, and fifth among 4A athletes in the event, with no one under 40 seconds yet this year and all five within .15 seconds of one another.

Earlier in the meet, McAllister won the high jump at 5 feet 10 inches and finished third in the long jump with a mark of 19-7.5. His teammate, Timothy Streeter placed eighth (18-9.5).

Jacob Glatz placed eighth in the triple jump with a measurement of 37-1.75.

Jadon Bachtold lowered his 3,000-meter best to 9:31.60 to lead a 2, 4, 5 finish for the Outlaws with Dyut Fetrow (9:46.0) and Devon Calvin (9:48.2).

Fetrow's time was also a personal best. Bachtold and Calvin ran the 1,500 meters earlier in near-best times, making their effort in the 3,000 even more impressive.

"Those distance boys deserve kudos for sticking together and running hard in their second event in miserable conditions when it would have been easy to make excuses," said Nordell.

Zoe Falk finished second in the 800 with her time of 2:22.9. Teammate Katelyn Meeter ran a big personal best in the race, clocking a time of 2:34.09 after dropping over six seconds from her best 1,500, in which she ran 5:17.66.

"Katelyn is so impressive as a senior, lowering her personal bests bit by bit," said Nordell. "She scores a lot of points for us."

Maddi Boettner scored in two events, placing sixth in the high jump (4-8), and eighth in the 1,500 (5:28.95), while Tessa O'Hern captured her sixth second-place finish of the season in the pole vault with a clearance of 8-6.

"Tessa has been very consistent," said Nordell. Olivia Chandler placed fifth in the event at 8 feet even.

Long jumpers Miller and Falk placed third and sixth with marks of 15-3 and 15-1 respectively.

Natalie Ambrose posted a season best in the 200 (26.77) on her way to fourth place, and later joined Falk, Macadia Calavan, and Michaela Miller to a big win in the 4x400-meter relay, recording the best time among 4A teams this season at 4:06.00.

"That relay team is really starting to make some noise, now," said Nordell. "No other team is within three seconds of them yet."

The Outlaws face the rest of the Sky-Em League at the district meet Thursday, May 15, and Saturday, May 17 at Elmira. Individuals and relay teams will be vying for berths at the OSAA State Championships the following week. The top two placers in each event, along with any athletes meeting qualifying marks, will move on to state.

"We have a strong tradition of showing up ready for district, so I am excited to see the entire team perform," said Nordell.