Track teams shake off rust in non-league meet

The winter snows receded just in time for the Sisters Outlaws track and field teams to undertake the first meet of the season, a dual against the Lava Bears of Bend High on Wednesday, March 16.

As is the case in all early season contests, the meet gave athletes the chance to shake off the rust and loosen the kinks out in what really amounts to a dress rehearsal for the season ahead, according to head coach Jeff Larson.

That is not to say that there was any lack of competitiveness by the Outlaws based on some of the efforts witnessed by the coaches and the marks produced by the athletes.

A couple of athletes started the season with mid-season-level performances. Jordan Pollard won the 1,500 in personal best of 4:27, which is his career best. He cruised through to victory in the 3,000 as well in 10:21, and added a win in the javelin with a throw of 105 feet 8 inches.

"He's well known as a runner, but he actually has great technique in the javelin," said Larson.

Ryliereece Morgan, one of many freshmen on the team, won the high jump, clearing 5-feet-1-inch to win, and also popped a long jump of 15 feet 10.5 inches to place second by a quarter of an inch.

"Those are marks that will score points all season long," said Larson.

Coming off a knee injury often leaves athletes very tentative, especially early in the season, yet Julianne Meeter was very close to where she began last year, winning the javelin with a toss of 109 feet 8 inches. Her lifetime best came at the same meet last season when she threw 115 feet even.

Sprint and hurdle times tend to increase dramatically as the season warms up, so none of the clockings at this mid-March, windy meet were anything to write home about, but some of the veterans at least found themselves at or near the front of the standings.

One was senior Sabrina Reifschneider who won the 100 hurdles (17.20) and the 300 hurdles (52.45), while also anchoring the winning 400 meter relay team (55.14) with teammates Bri Bachmeier, Erynn Ricker, and Mandi Calavan.

Senior Keegan Greaney skipped his specialty in the hurdles, but won the 200 meters in a personal best of 23.85. Fellow senior Sam Garbrecht ran the 100 (12.20), but pulled out of the rest of the day with a sore hamstring. Sophomore Korbin Sharp was right on his heels with a time of 12.22.

Amy Hills ran within four seconds of her high school best on her way to second place in the 800 meters (2:42.39), while senior Sam Lewis cleared 11 feet 6 inches in the pole vault, just six inches below his career best after establishing a personal best of 5 feet 6 inches in the high jump.

Brady Wessel began his season with a personal best of 36 feet 6 inches in the shot put on his way to second place. His teammate David Perez also PR'd in the shot (35 feet 7.5 inches) as well as in the discus (111 feet 6 inches).

"We are very excited that our throwers are looking competitive right at the outset of the season," said Larson.

Sophomore Keaton Green had the third fastest 1,500 time of the day (4:40.5) in his first high school meet and came back minutes later with the second fastest 400 of the day (59.0 seconds).

"We held out a number of athletes from the meet, knowing they will be more prepared in the weeks ahead," said Larson. "We are excited about the turnout on the team and can't wait to see how they develop as individuals and as a team," he said.

Larson is also excited about the Outlaws' first home meet on the new facility at Reed Stadium. "It's been a long wait, but we are all so thankful that we have a brand new track to make use of and to enjoy," he said.

The first home meet in three years took place Wednesday, March 22. The five-way meet included teams from Gilchrist, Crook County, La Pine and Madras.

"I want to personally thank our community for our wonderful new track," said Larson.