Sisters runners compete at Marist

Approaching the first meet of the season as a hard practice gave the Outlaws cross-country teams an attitude of testing fitness while getting some race experience simultaneously. The results were positive for veterans and newcomers alike. 

The biggest challenge of the meet was not the course or the muggy heat, but stepping to the starting line for the first time since losing teammate Kolby McMahon, the victim of a motorcycle accident last June. 

"There was a lot of emotion before, during, and after the races," said Coach Charlie Kanzig. "I think we all knew it would be especially tough at this first meet without Kolby."

Photo by Jack Turpen

The Outlaws ran their first cross-country race of the season in tribute to Kolby McMahon, who died in a motorcycle accident last June.

The girls varsity team sported pink lettering on their legs that read "Run for Kolby". 

And run they did. 

Freshman Brianna Fuller led the team with a 16th place finish among 71 finishers in a time of 20:39. Given it was her first ever cross-country race, she and her coaches were quite pleased with the result. 

Junior Brooke Duey came through next in 21st place in 21:33. Althea Crabtree (25:22) and Helena Welty (25:27) completed their first cross-country races and are excited to improve, according to Kanzig. 

"We were missing Josie Ryan due to illness, so I decided to have all the available girls run varsity since we could enter up to 10 runners and our girls did fine despite being thrown into the varsity race," said Kanzig. 

Kiara Martin (26:20) and Annalycia Erdekian (26:40) also competed for the Outlaws. 

"Everyone understood this first meet really was like a workout and the girls will certainly continue to improve from here," said Kanzig. 

The girls finished seventh among nine complete teams. West Salem and South Eugene, two of the best 6A girls teams in Oregon battled it out with West Salem claiming the team title 37-38. 

On the boys side, for seniors Spencer Tisdel, George Roberts, and John Berg the outing provided a sense of what to expect in the weeks to come when races really matter. Tisdel and Roberts teamed up over the final mile of the race to finish in 17:31 and 17:32 respectively. The result was a tremendous personal best for Roberts by nearly a minute and a half. For Tisdel the time turned out to be about what he expected to start the season. 

Photo by Jack Turpen

The Outlaws boys team placed seventh out of 12 teams in their season opener.

"I thought I would be around 17:20, so it's okay," he said following the meet. 

The rest of the varsity boys were relative newcomers to varsity action, including freshman Zachary Kemp who came through in 19:02 in his first high school 5,000 meters ever. Sophomore Ben Hayner was right behind in 19:07.

Junior Tyson Kemp, in his first full season with the team clocked 19:30 despite some stomach distress, and seniors Kellen Werts (20:38) and Finn Clark (21:01) rounded out the Outlaw finishers. 

The meet was composed largely of 5A and 6A schools as West Salem edged South Eugene 61-65 for the team title. Sisters finished seventh among the 12 complete teams. 

"It was a good start for the boys and we will continue building from here," Kanzig said.

The boys team is the two-time defending district champions since moving to the 3A ranks and will compete in a different special district this season, which will be much closer to home. 

"The past two years we ran District in Pendleton and did very well, but we are relieved to only have to travel 85 miles (versus 250) to get to District in Lebanon," said Kanzig. "We placed fifth at state last year, just four points out of a trophy and I think the boys are motivated to change that this year. Though we lost some incredibly talented runners from last year, we are rebuilding nicely with this new crew." 

The Outlaws are scheduled to compete Wednesday, September 11, at the Oktoberfest Invitational at Silver Falls State Park and at the Wolfpack Invitational at Caldera High School in Bend on Saturday, September 14.