Outlaws primed for district meet

The Sisters Outlaws cross-country teams expect a competitive battle at the Oregon West District Championships this week. Based on performances at the Country Fair Classic at Richardson Park last Wednesday, they are ready.

Elmira High School hosted the meet on the shores of Fern Ridge Reservoir.

Nearly every varsity athlete ran either personal or season bests as the Outlaws put together their best single-meet effort of the season.

Kate Bowen led by example, running a strategically smart race on her way to fifth place with a season-best time of 19:18. Ella Cole followed suit with a near personal record of 20:39. Amy Hills came through next in 22:32, just ahead of freshman Emma Singleton who dropped her best time ever to 22:34. Pearl Gregg scored in the fifth team position, also with a big personal best, in 23:00.

Iris Diez (24:35) and Sasha Stolasz (24:58) were the sixth and seventh varsity runners for the squad.

"A total team effort," said Coach Josh Nordell. "They raced as individuals on behalf of their team, which is exactly what we were looking for."

The girls ended up in fourth place in the team standings, first among 4A schools, with 153 points. 6A schools South Eugene (35), Sheldon (115) and Springfield (148) took the top three spots among 16 complete teams.

The boys team had similar racing success on the way to seventh place among 25 complete teams. John Peckham showed he is ready to take on all challengers as he moved up throughout the race to a new personal record of 16:16, good enough for fifth place overall and first among 4A competitors.

Ethan Hosang crossed the line a minute later (17:16), followed by fellow sophomore Sam May who established a new personal best of 18:05. Austin Pade ran fourth for the Outlaws also in a personal best of 18:42. Josh Liddell ran courageously throughout the race right near May for the entire race until the home stretch before being overcome by nausea and finishing in 19:10.

Seniors Jack Berg (19:25) and Jackson Rheuben (19:36) rounded out the top seven for Sisters.

"The varsity guys did such an excellent job in their effort and strategy," said Nordell. "We'll need that again at District," he said.

Sisters is in its first year in the Oregon West Conference and finds itself in a much tighter battle to be a top-two team finisher earning a trip to the State Meet. The Oregon West Conference teams make up the teams at the district meet.

For the girls, Philomath is in the driver's seat as the team, while Sisters and Stayton appear to be neck and neck for the second spot.

The boys team faces an even bigger challenge with five teams in contention for the top two spots. Newport is the favorite, while Philomath, Stayton, Sisters and Woodburn will give chase.

The district meet is scheduled for Thursday, October 25 at Lane Community College in Eugene. The junior varsity girls kick things off at 2:30, followed by junior varsity boys at 3:10, varsity girls at 3:50, and varsity boys at 4:30.

The top two teams along with the first five individuals move on to the OSAA State Championships on Saturday, November 3, also at Lane Community College.