Outlaws track team finding its stride

Historically the Outlaws track and field teams have relied on distance runners and jumpers for the bulk of their big points at meets, but this year's squad is enjoying having some sprint speed to add to the team's repertoire.

One such pleasant surprise is exchange student Andreas Pedersen, who is affectionately being dubbed "The Great Dane" by his coaches, based on his performance in the 400 meters. Pedersen uncorked a state-leading 50.14 clocking in a three-way Sky-Em League meet at Sutherlin on Thursday, Aprilâ¯9.

"Andreas is brand new to this sport, which makes his performance even more astounding," said Coach Jeff Larson. "That was only his second 400 of his life!"

Two other surprises are freshmen girls Erynn Ricker and Mandi Calavan, who are providing a lot of excitement - and points -to the girls team.

Sisters athletes won 11 of the 17 meets with the two freshman having a hand in five of the victories.

The meet started with what may go down in the record books as the fastest 400-meter relay time in school history. Ricker and Mandi Calavan joined Macadia Calavan and Michaela Miller in a blazing time of 50.04, which is the fastest 4A time in Oregon this year.

Ricker won the 200 (28.14) and Calavan was second (28.34) and the two frosh finished 1-3 in the 100 as well, with times of 13.44 and 13.74 respectively. The two Calavans, along with Sabrina Reifschneider and Dallas Knopp, captured the long relay in 4:24.5 to conclude the meet.

To cap off her high point day, Ricker won the pole vault, clearing 7 feet 4 inches.

Reifschneider also won the 100 hurdles (18.74) to join other event winners, including Maddi Boettner in the 800 (2:39) and high jump (4 feet 8 inches), Megan Calarco in the 3,000 (13:11.5), and Michaela Miller in the 300 hurdles (48.84) and long jump (15 feet 8.5 inches).

Other winners at Sutherlin included Jadon Bachtold in the 800 (2:06.44), along with the 1,600-meter relay team of Jordan Pollard, Billy Biggers, Cody Martin and Pedersen (3:43.64).

Scores for the meet were not published.

"We definitely saw a team effort at Sutherlin," said Larson. "When kids are willing to jump into extra events to help the team score of few more points it is very heartening as a coach."

A handful of Outlaws competed in the Meet of Champions on Saturday, April 11 at Willamette University. The meet featured athletes from 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A schools who met qualifying mark for entry.

The Outlaws came through with two victories on the day.

Michaela Miller had her best series of jumps of the season on her way to winning the event with a leap of 16 feet 2.25 inches. She also placed third in the 300-meter hurdles in 49.59.

Aria Blumm defended her 3,000-metertitle at the meet with a time of 11:12.5.

Other medal winners for the Outlaws included Erynn Ricker in the 200 where she placed sixth (27,74), Madison Boettner in the high jump (4 feet 8 inches) for sixth,and pole vaulters Erynn Ricker and Tessa O'Hern who placed fifth and sixth.

The relay team of Mandi Calavan, Dallas Knoop, Miller and Ricker placed eighth in 53.31.

For the boys, Pedersen was the sole medalist with a sixth-place effort in the 400 in 53.30.

The busy schedule continues for the Outlaw as they travel to Junction City for a three-way meet with the Tigers and Sweet Home. On Saturday the team will stay in Central Oregon at the La Pine Invitational.