Track team breaks the ice at Bend

A three-way meet in Bend in cold conditions was not the type of competition where coaches and athletes expect great marks, but the Sisters Outlaws saw some bright spots in the first outing of the season. Teams scores were not kept for the meet.

Jordan Pollard provided two of the highlight wins for Sisters within the first four running events of the meet. The senior followed a strong 1,500-meters performance (4:22.81) with a stellar time in the open 400 minutes later in 52.47.

"I honestly couldn't believe it when I saw his time," said distance coach Josh Nordell. "He looks ready for the season ahead."

The Outlaws were a bit shorthanded due to a scheduling conflict with a senior trip that was part of the school's "Interim Day." Pollard was the only senior who competed for the team at the meet.

Also in the 1,500, freshman Ethan Hosang nipped his fellow frosh John Peckham 4:44.09 to 4:44.33 as the pair finished fourth and fifth respectively.

"I knew those guys would race one another," said Nordell. "It was fun to watch."

Keaton Green picked up third place with a good effort in the 800 meters, finishing in 2:11.43. Skylar Larson came up with a personal best in the high jump, clearing 5 feet 6 inches, and the 300 hurdles (46.82). Sophomore Garret Kersavage also hit a best in the pole vault, popping over the bar at 11 feet even and came through with a second career-best in triple jump, which he won with a mark of 37.25 feet.

For the girls, Ryliereece Morgan had a typically busy day, competing in the 100, high jump and long jump. Her most notable mark of the day came in the long jump with a good opening leap of 15 feet 6 inches. While still nearly a foot short of her personal record, Larson felt it was a good start.

"The cold weather is not kind to sprinters and jumpers, so I am happy with the way the kids, including Ryliereece, competed," he said.

Another sophomore, Kate Bowen, picked up a win in the 1,500 (5:33.18) and followed with a 68.63-second 400, good enough for third place. Amy Hills won the 300 hurdles (55.19) and Ella Cole followed a fourth place in 800 (2:44.51) with a sub-30-second 200 (29.31).

"It was really just a good training meet," said Nordell. "The distance runners got to mix it up a bit and everyone sort of got the kinks out as we move from just training to racing in the weeks ahead.

Larson concurred.

"It was a good first meet," he said. "It gave the kids a chance to compete and see where they stand early on, and I thought overall the kids competed to the best of their ability."

The team will compete in a different sort of meet this week at Crook County, which will also provide a combination of racing and training, according to Larson.

"We are looking forward to a low-key meet this week at the Crook County Relays. It will give us a chance to get a high-quality workout in a fun way."

The meet takes place Wednesday, March 21, in Prineville and will include teams from Madras, Paisley, North Lake, and La Pine, as well as the hosts Cowboys and Cowgirls. The running events will all be in relay fashion, so in addition to the regular relays, there will be a distance medley, a sprint medley, shuttle hurdles and more. Field events will be conducted as normal.

The Outlaws will then be away from competition during spring break and will return to action at a home meet Thursday, April 12, against Sky-Em foes Cottage Grove and Sweet Home.