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New
Balance Invitational Report by Leo Collins |
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Western Oregon University in Monmouth was the scene of a very well run cross country race. The weather was pleasant with the temperature around 74 degrees, as a number of the topped ranked teams from Oregon and Washington faced each other. The course was basically flat with a few rises and actually measured 3.05 miles just a bit short of a 5K or 3.1 miles. The NW#3/US#19 Snohomish girls, were impressive inspite of feeling a bit of jet lag after their victory in Hawaii the previous weekend. It was obvious from their body language that they were a bit flat yet they handled some of the best teams that the state of Oregon has to offer and gave a fine accounting for themselves. Senior Amanda Stopa led the way with a 4th place finish and a time of 19:03 and was followed closely by Kara Sporrong in 6th place. What was probably most impressive was that not only their entire top 7 varsity managed to break 21 minutes but that their next two JVs also turned the trick and they almost had 10 under the barrier as well, because Krysta Carrick had a fine 21:03. Varsity girls main field. Photo courtesy of Leo Collins The young ladies of Sunset also made a statement of their own as well placing 2nd only 3 points behind the victors. In point of fact at the 9 minute mark in the race Sunset appeared to be taking dead aim at the winner’s trophy as they had three runners in the top ten, as did Snohomish. At the end Ellen Lekas and Samone Brockett led the way with 7th and 9th place finishes. Although ranked but #7, time to review the polls coaches, they had the meet won through their first 4 runners - and this is not meant to cast aspersions at their 5th runner, who had a fine time of 20:45. She is a freshman, who was followed by 2 other freshmen, and as all three can be expected to improve, it ought to set off some alarms for other Oregon title aspirants. At this point Sunset would appear to have a legitimate shot at the State title. Overall girls champion Jennifer Macias of Hermiston. Photo
courtesy of Leo Collins Tualatin, ranked 5th in the state, were a close 3rd with 100 points, while West Linn (ranked 10th) were 4th ahead of the 11th ranked Summit girls. West Linn was especially impressive, as the girls ran in two packs for the first half of the race and only divided during the second portion, as they all individually threaded their way further toward the front. Hermiston, which is ranked 2nd in the state, was not at full strength and placed 9th just behind 6th place Lincoln. If the team race offered some surprises as well as spirited competition, the girl’s individual contest saw Jennifer Macias of Hermiston put on a display of power. Taking the lead seemingly at the start she had an early lead of 10 meters that only Snohomish’s Sporrong and Stopa challenged. Although a force at the State Meet the past few years, she appears to have truly come into her own this season. She rolled through the first mile in 5:23 and never had to look back, as she inexorably pulled away from any would-be challengers. Anne Murphy-Hagan of St. Mary’s and Marha Lampi of Lincoln began to assert themselves just prior to the second mile, which Macias reached in 11:25. With Macias cruising to victory even a battle for 2nd failed to appear and the St. Mary’s star ran alone 19 seconds behind the leader and 30 seconds ahead of the Lincoln runner in third. Stopa held on for 4th place, while freshman Taylor Nowlin of West Linn caught the tiring Sporrong to annex the fifth position. Washington runners were somewhat dominant in the boys’ race with first of the first 8 places plus the top two team positions. Jerhooemee Murray of Century, however, made a strong case for Oregon by taking the lead at the start. It was part of his plan to push from the start so as to challenge people to stay with him. Matt Frerker, as Murray noted, felt up to the challenge along with Summit’s Dylan Coleman, and the three runners rolled away from the pack. Jerhooemee Murray and Dylan Coleman of Summit. Photo courtesy of Leo
Collins As the race progressed, Murray was relentless and slowly began to forge a gap. Through the second mile, he pushed his lead to 15 yards, while Frerker opened a gap on Coleman. In the end, Murray won with a time of 15:19, his original goal of 15:30 for the season was attained in his first meet, while the Skyline runner came in 5 seconds behind. Andy Edick of Auburn easily caught the tired Coleman in the latter stages of the meet to earn 3rd, and Aaron Anderson (Lincoln) took 5th. Boys Champion Jeff Murray of Century. Photo courtesy of Leo
Collins The team battle had a somewhat unique twist as NW#7 Sehome was only ranked 2nd in Washington at the 3A level. It recalled the old glory days of Caldwell in Ohio, when that small school regularly beat up the big schools. Sehome left no doubt their ranking is deserved, and they overwhelmed their counterparts 56 to 113. Their top five all placed in the top 15 to defeat Auburn-Riverside (10th in WA), which bested NW#9 Hermiston (4th in OR) by six points. Lincoln, unranked in OR, placed 4th ahead of the well-traveled NW#10 Snohomish (3rd in WA) 124-137 with Skyline (12th in OR) just behind with 149.
Girls Individual Girls Team
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