OREGON XC HALFWAY MARK

Feature Story By Josh Cordell

As the midway point nears in the Oregon prep cross-country season, once again the harriers of the Pacific Northwest have not disappointed. So here is a look at just what has happened so far.

Absent but not forgotten: Reigning 4A girls champion Kimber Mattox of Bend High has not run a race all season and has said that she doesn't intend to. The junior soccer player split time as a freshman and sophomore between the two sports, but has opted to concentrate on soccer for the Lava Bears this season.

Fast times at Crater High: Senior Isaac Stoutenburgh (15:03 5K) and junior Jake Keyser (15:415K) have been the fastest duo in the state. The duo has led the aptly nicknamed Crater Comets to a No. 9 ranking in the state.

Fast freshman: A couple of ninth graders are turning heads at Summit high school in Bend. Alyssa O'Connor (518:54 K) has led the Storm to a No. 7 state ranking, as Summit's top runner. Tosch Roy (16:40 5K), younger brother of standout runner and cross county skier Zoe Roy, has been the Storm's third fastest runner behind seniors Dylan Coleman (15:46 5K) and Mark Leckband (16:30 5K).

2A speedster Brad Taylor of Oakridge may be the third fastest runner in the state of Oregon, but he definitely looks like the fasters 2A runner so far. Taylor (15:19 5K) has led Oakridge to the No. 1 ranking among 2A/1A teams.

Private school dominance: The NW#7 Central Catholic boys and Jesuit girls, both from the Portland area, have dominated the state rankings and have yet to lose to an Oregon team all year. The Rams of Central Catholic are led by reigning state champion senior Kenny Klotz (15:03 5K, 14:32 3M), who will look to follow in teammate Galen Rupp's steps as a two-time state champion. A win in Eugene on November 5th would give the Rams four-straight individual titles NW#2 Jesuit girls top finisher was 18th, but their depth carried them to second in the Girls Division 1 race at the Nike Jim Danner Invitational, losing only to powerhouse NW#10 Boise.

Intermountain Conference battle: In the always-competitive IMC, NW#3 Hermiston is the defending boys league champion and is running like they plan on repeating. The Bulldogs are ranked second in the state and looked poised to hold off No. 10 Summit and No. 13 Redmond.

One fast class: Last year's 4A state championship saw four sophomores claim the top spots. The afore mentioned Kimber Mattox hasn't run this year, but the other three have been stellar. Juniors Claire Michel (17:58 5K) of Clackamas, Jennifer Macias (18:12) of Hermiston and Casey Masterson (18:20) of Sheldon have been running well. Macias has won three of her four races this year.

Stepping it up: Shelby Brennan (18:14) of Aloha and Sheryl Page (18:16) of Sandy were the top two Oregon placers in the Girls Division 1 race at the prestigious Nike Jim Danner Invitational. Brennan finished 30th at last year's state meet, while Page was 21st.

 

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