It is not often in life that results equal our expectations but on a balmy day in November followers of Oregon high school cross country had that rare sight.

The anticipation had been building for weeks with thoughts of an epic confrontation between Galen Rupp, Lauren Jespersen, Alec Wall & Mike McGrath. Rolling down the Interstate it appeared that cross country had triggered dreams for a stunning number of people, as the freeway became a parking lot near Salem and I was forced to vary my route. Running does have its parallels in life , and as I rolled along the road at times next to those parked on the Interstate I felt that thrill of a racer pushing past the competition. Alas I was not running and I was forced once again to join the crowd, which, I found, was heading to an Oregon State football game. I do not know what happened in Corvallis, and I really care nothing, but those who left the freeway clear for me later missed one impressive performance.

There was a good-sized crowd to view the race and I had hoped that some of the number would leave prior to that last climactic race. It even seemed that the crowd did lessen for a bit but it was just a phantom. Nearby during the second to last boy's race a girl asked, if they could leave after it. She was summarily chastised by her boyfriend noting that he had no intention of missing "the" race. As the time for the start of the 4A race grew near the crowd seemed to grow. The crowd was not aided, when the starter caused everyone to stand up straight once again, but at least they did not have to suffer the fate of 3A, which began their race only to be called back. Still the simple delay seemed to heighten expectations.

The meet is run with a start with two separate chutes with half of the competitors on either side and each one stretching out around 50 to 70 yards. With the sound of the gun there was the usual chaotic start with all sorts of individuals stampeding. I can not begin to inform you of the initial leaders other than there in glaring red was Galen Rupp. Within 50 yards he was in the lead with many flaring out close behind. At around the 300 meter mark Galen rolled up the slight 30 meter or so hill with the world seemingly close behind. By the time they had reached the 1/2 mile mark Galen had maybe a 4 yard lead with Alec Wall and the proverbial cast of thousands close behind. The fabled script written in our minds was a bit off, however, as Jesperson & McGrath were not in focus. Was it I?

Let me just say at this point that for those of us who foolishly like to predict a race, had prognosticated that Rupp & McGrath would forge into the lead & push the pace. And that is exactly what happened: well sort of maybe.

They then ran into the back area of the course where few could see and the announcer pronounced the mile marks: Rupp in the lead followed closely by Alec Wall & Matt Carlson. Carlson, who?, but what about everyone else? The first mile in the very pedestrian 4:45? Come again? Now you have to love a kid, who does not back down and challenges the "big guys", like Matt Carlson of West Albany. With all the firepower that Oregon has this year a mere soph is challenging at this blistering mile (how can one not love XC?) pace. He did fade, as any of us would, but my guess is that he'll be back and in force. Of course there were a few others not too far behind.

The race was finally beginning to take shape as they rolled down the slight hill at the far corner of the course closest to I-5. Galen Rupp was in the lead with Alec Wall about 10 yards behind and Lauren Jesperson was making his move and closing on Wall.

The form-readers were still a bit perplexed at this point as Mike McGrath was seemingly laboring in 14th position and Joaquin Chapa was well behind the leaders yet way ahead of McGrath. As they say, you do not just wind them up & send them out there: a race is after all a race.

Another 200 yards along the flat stretch rounding the pond Galen pushed the pace as Jesperson came abreast of Wall. The race had taken its final form with the top three well ahead of any possible challenge from the next group of four. Rupp pushed the pace further at this point and forged a distinct gap even as Jesperson was rolling well ahead of Alec Wall.

They rounded the pond a quarter mile or so later & cut back toward the track with Rupp appearing to slip. Only a few yards later they passed the two-mile mark with the Central Catholic star clocked in an impressive 9:40. He held a good 40 yard lead on Jesperson who was about the same distance in front of Wall. It was shortly after this point that they headed back up the slight hill and Jesperson made a distinct dent in the lead. Finally there was a chink in the front-runner’s armor!

The course at Lane Community College crosses a soccer field, which is very much akin to a retention levee of a river. The field rolls down a 20 yard hill onto the field & then goes back up another hill on the other side. Again Jesperson closed the gap on the hill as Wall dug in as best as he could, and it was worth note too.

It was at this point that fourth position became clear with Pat Werhane pulling ahead of Chapa. The race seemed to essentially maintain this pecking order all the way to the track, although Klamath’s Jespersen did gain prior to this point. Still he was at least 20 yards behind as Rupp hit the track for the finish

For everyone there comes a point in the race, where one concedes that there is little chance to win, and they throttle back in a defensive mode. Most runners are willing to concede pain for a given place, but that is not the make-up of Lauren Jesperson. I mean that I thought that he was clearly beaten yet he pushed onward gaining obvious yards. He had gained so much as they hit the far turn that the crowd sensed this meet was not over yet. Only 100 yards to go and he had closed to five yards, then even less! Galen Rupp kept looking over his shoulder and the lead shrank. One last look over the shoulder with ten yards remaining and there was little difference. Jesperson was going to do it - but he did not.

Oregon only uses hand timing so the final clocking suggests that there was a second between the places, which is not true. Galen had held Lauren off, but it was by a whisker. Hats off to two inspiring races.

A tip of the cap to Alec Wall of Grant. Any other year and Alec would have won state. Yes I know that there are two faster times, but Oregon does not always run the same course or even bother to measure it properly. Imagine, if a yard line were off by ½ a foot on a football field? But being off by almost 200 meters is not a problem in cross country. Suffice it to say that Grant’s Wall ran faster on this course than anyone ever, except that it was his misfortune to have to run in this year. Following in fourth was Pat Werhane of Southridge in 15:36. My records suggest that he ran the 9th fastest ever, even with fudges, until this year.

Given an individual race as such, the team scoring was likely to be boring, right? With their firepower up front Grant was easily the favorite, but Jesuit of Beaverton pulled a stunner. Grant went 2- 4 - 7 (Scott Wall) , while Jesuit’s first finisher was 17. Old coaches cry about how XC is a team race that counts the top five and on occasion a sixth runner, and today was the example.
Grant’s top of of 2 -3 -7 - 47 - 56 equals 115, while Jesuit’s 17 -18 - 21 -25 - 34 also equals 115.
The tie-breaking sixth man is Jesuit 38 to 95.

1) Galen Rupp Central Cath 14:56
2) Lauren Jespesron Klamath Union 14:57
3) Alec Wall Grant 15:26
4) Patrick Werhane Southridge 15:36
5) Joaquin Chapa Grant 15:47
6) Stuart Eagon Beaverton 15:48
7) Adam Wadsworth Roseburg 15:49
8) Brian Horneck Hermiston 15:55
9) Kevin Pelligrino Klamath Union 15:55
10) Ryan Vail Centennial 15:55

Erin Gray as a soph is more confident, more challenging, and better

The 4A girl’s race was an interesting one as well. I have to admit that I have respected Erin Gray for some time and even felt her to be the favorite last year in her freshman season. Some how this edition is different: more confident, more challenging, yes better. Erin Gray of South Eugene did what any gifted runner would do: she pushed the pace. When a few followed she pushed some more. There would be no vaunted come-back and challenge against her. She forged into the lead and maintained it.
Meghan Armstrong, who battled injuries early in the season, placed second in 18:27 a full thirteen seconds behind. In almost any other year she would have won, but unfortunately for her this was one of those bad-timing things. Erin, in fact, ran the second-fastest time ever! Olivia Bender of Portland’s Cleveland made a good effort placing third in 18:32, while South Eugene’s Sarah Pearson of S. Eugene came in next with a 18:39. Defending champion Christy Paul of Hood River was 5th in 18:44
6) Anne Murphy-Hagen St. Mary’s Academy 18:47
7) Samone Brockett Sunset 18:54
8) Meghan Leonard Newberg 18:58
9) Danielle Jordan N. Medfod 18:58
10) Annaliese Cahpa Grant 19:07

The girl’s team results saw Jesuit pack it in (8 - 12 - 13 - 20 - 21) = 74
defeat South Eugene - 116, St. Mary’s Academy - 158 & Hermiston - 196.

Course was dry & weather in the high 50’s with little wind.