Track teams zero in on District

The Wally Ciochetti Invitational at Cottage Grove on Friday, May 5, gave the Outlaws track and field team one last chance to tune up before this week's two-day Sky-Em District Championships, scheduled Thursday and Saturday at Sutherlin High School.

Sabrina Reifschneider came away with two individual wins, including a career best in the 300-meter hurdles in a time of 47.51. Her performance pushed her ranking in the event up to second place among 4A girls. Desirae DeRosiers of Molalla leads the rankings with a very fine time of 45.78. Earlier in the meet Reifschneider won the 100 hurdles 16.25 and ran a leg on the victorious 400-meter relay with Ryliereece Morgan, Erynn Ricker, and Mandy Calavan. That foursome now ranks sixth among 4A teams, with a mark of 50.94.

Morgan came up with a runner-up finish in the long jump with a leap of 15 feet 8 inches and Calavan ran a season best in the 200 meters (27.20). Anna Bartlett had a busy night on her two personal bests. She finished third in the 1,500 meters (5:18.22) and fourth in the 3,000 (11:46.49).

Freshman Jade Anaya increased her personal record to 31 feet 8 inches to place sixth in the triple jump.

"This is a great meet with deep talent, and I felt [that] many of the girls really met the challenge," said Head Coach Jeff Larson.

Highlights for the boys team included Keegan Greaney's second-place finish in the 300 hurdles, where he went head-to-head with Hunter Comyford of North Valley, who placed second in last year's State Meet. Comyford crossed the line in a 4A best of 39.64, while Greaney finished in 40.61. The pair holds the top two times among 4A boys this season.

Keaton Green continued his rapid ascent in the 800 meters, where he lowered his best time to 2:05.61, which earned seventh place.

The only other scorers for the Outlaws came in the final event of the evening when Korbin Sharp, Jose Luquin, Keaton Green and Greaney put together a third-place finish in 3:36.43.

Looking forward to the District meet, Sisters has quite a number of athletes who will be contending for top two finishes, which earn berths to the OSAA State Championships the following week. The Outlaws sport league-leaders in nine of the 17 events and have many others in the top four, which makes them favorites to defend their team title as well.

Seniors Sam Garbrecht, Keegan Greaney, and Sam Lewis appear to be in the best position for state berths, but others have potential to move up as well, including both relay teams.

"One thing's for sure at District," said Larson, "every single event is exciting."