Sisters runner qualifies for State

Sophomore John Peckham fulfilled one of his season goals for the cross-country season by qualifying for the 4A State Championships after finishing fourth at the Oregon West District Championships held Thursday, October 25, at Lane Community College.

Peckham qualified as an individual by placing among the top five in the meet, crossing the line in 16:05, in fourth place. Mattheu Frazeur of Stayton won the race in 15:52, followed by teammate Ben Kirby (15:56), and Newport's Kolby Spink (16:04). Pre-race favorite Giovanni Bravo of Woodburn finished fifth in 16:13, showing that the Oregon West looks certain to be well-represented in next week's state meet.

In fact, the league's top runners represent six of the top 13 times among 4A competitors this season. Peckham, a sophomore, is the youngest among the top fifteen ranked 4A boys with the sixth best time this season. Jimmy Tally of Cottage Grove leads the state with a best of 15:50, but with no clearcut favorite, the individual race should be one of the most exciting in many years.

Peckham and his teammates finished fifth as a squad with 111 points behind champion Newport (49), runner-up Philomath (70), Stayton (73) and Woodburn (93). Sweet Home placed sixth (136) and Cascade seventh (196).

Fellow sophomore Ethan Hosang ran his season best on his way to eighth place in a time of 16:42. The gap between Hosang and the rest of the Outlaws scorers proved too wide, leaving the team looking to the future to return to the state meet after qualifying last year.

Sam May finished in 30th place (18:23), just ahead of Josh Liddell in 32nd (18:28), while Austin Pade completed the scoring for the team in 37th place (18:48). Seniors Jack Berg (19:10) and Jackson Rheuben (19:44) completed their careers as the sixth and seventh runners for the team.

"John has had a great season and I know he is looking forward to State," said Nordell. "It was a tough year for our young team to overcome more experienced teams in our new league, but I am confident they will regroup for next season."

All five scorers return next for 2019, along with sophomore Will Thorsett who missed the season due to a stress fracture, and a good number of junior varsity runners.

"These guys have proven themselves willing to do the work and I think they are already seeing how they can improve in the year ahead," said Nordell.

Peckham will race at 12:20 p.m. on Saturday, November 3 in the OSAA State Championships at Lane Community College.