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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 5, 2018)
6 Wednesday, September 5, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Cross-country teams up to challenge new league By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent After years of dominating the Sky-Em Conference, the boys and girls cross-country teams find themselves in a new league. The Oregon West league has shown plenty of strength in recent years. The Outlaws are eager and ready to face that challenge. The Outlaws boys won the district title last year and placed a close sixth at state behind a varsity crew that included five freshman and a sophomores in the top seven. Of course the loss to gradua- tion of Jordan Pollard, who finished second at state, hurts, but the young squad returns more hungry and experienced, according to Head Coach Josh Nordell. “These guys had a good summer of training on their own,” he said. “We should see some real pay-off once we get into the racing season. They want to prove themselves worthy of a state trophy. Ethan Hosang, the fast- est of the mighty freshman last year, is back, along with fellow sophomores John Peckham, Will Thorsett, Sam May, and Vicente Rebolledo. Josh Liddell, a junior, is also back in fine form. A good turnout of return- ees and newcomers on the boys team gives the Outlaws plenty of potential to develop not just seven, but 10 to 12 varsity-level runners this year, according to Nordell. “The beauty of cross-coun- try is that disciplined work can turn into strong results even for relatively inexperienced kids,” he said. “And, we have a lot of young men doing the right stuff this season.” The Outlaws will have to be strong to qualify out of a tough league that includes two teams that finished ahead of them last year at state. Stayton finished second and Newport third in 2017 and return many of their star runners. Additionally, the Warriors of Philomath, a perennial state meet qualifier, are also in the league, but got edged out of qualifying last year by Newport after tying through five runners and losing based on the sixth runner’s place. “Those teams are well- coached and have high goals,” said Nordell. “We are all ranked in the top 10 in the pre- season 4A polls, so we expect the season to be a battle.” The girls team, which placed fourth at the OSAA State Championships last year, has challenges and opportuni- ties of its own with the loss of varsity runners to gradu- ation and injuries. On the bright side the team returns seniors Ella Cole and Amy Hills as well as junior Kate Bowen, who arrived in Sisters last January and proceeded to demolish the school record for 3,000 meters during track season and placed in both that distance and the 1,500 at the state meet. Sophomore Iris Diez, who moved into varsity position in the second half of the season last year, also returns. The unknown for Nordell is how the rest of the team will develop. PHOTO BY CHARLIE KANZIG Junior Josh Liddell is one of six varsity returnees for the Outlaw boys cross-country team. “Our top returnees are solid,” said Nordell, “and we are working hard to train up the rest of our varsity crew. Philomath and Stayton appear to be the biggest chal- lengers in the league. The Warriors and Eagles finished sixth and seventh respectively at state last year. Both teams return all of their varsity mak- ing the Outlaws appear to be the darkhorses at the outset of the season. Competition gets under- way for Sisters at the Husky Invitational on Thursday, September 13 in Sweet Home. Nordell, ever the optimist, said, “Our future is bright and the numbers are trending upwards, and cross-country simply brings all of us happi- ness and joy.” CHECK OUT this week’s Nugget inserts! Subway PHOTO BY CHARLIE KANZIG Coupons! Buy any sub & drink and get any sub of equal or lesser price FREE! Senior Ella Cole is one of the top returnees for girls cross-country. Bi-Mart New Location! Camp Sherman! Stock up your pantry with Progresso soups. 19 oz. cans 4 for $5. Cooling Cocktails Finger Foods The Ultimate Dine-Around Experience! Healthy Fare Perfect Endings 541-595-6420 | Open 7 days a week for lunch & dinner. Ray’s Food Place Summer fruit still in season: Fresh NW grown Peaches or Nectarines $1.49 per lb. Your Invitation To… New Hope Christian Center 222 Trinity Way, Sisters No One Understands…Like Jesus No one understands? At least it seems that way sometimes. You have hurts, needs, longings, and no one seems to know or care. How can they? People may be all around, but they can’t look inside and see how you feel. No one understands? Th at’s not really true. Th e happy truth is “No one understands like Jesus!” There is Hope… For your sake, Jesus faced the trials of life and death and He overcame, and He’s alive to hear and help you today. Th rough Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven and saved from sin. We can fi nd in Christ a life of peace and joy, purpose and hope. If you don’t have a church home, come join us. Sunday, September 9, 10:30 a.m. — Anna Kramer, national motivational speaker will be sharing. Sunday, 10:30 a.m. — Worship & Children’s Church Wednesday, 1 p.m. — Bible Study & Prayer For more information, please call Pastor Aaron & Rita Kramer 503-910-9069 or 503-779-6377
