8 Wednesday, October 10, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Sisters VFW sponsors student awards PHOTO BY CHARLIE KANZIG Kate Bowen navigating the nature trails at Saturday’s meet in Philomath. Girls take big step forward at meet By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent A rebuilding season got a big boost at Saturday’s Paul Mariman Invitational, as the Outlaw girls cross country team took a big step forward with some of the younger run- ners having breakout races. With only 12 teams, the meet, hosted by Philomath High School, gave the girls the chance to race athletes from 4A and 3A schools in a smaller venue. After a string of District titles over the past few seasons the Outlaws have found them- selves short on experience this season, resulting in a big-time gap among the scoring varsity runners. That gap closed by about a minute as a result of the performances Saturday. The Outlaws entered just three runners in the varsity contest, and all raced well in the estimation of Head Coach Josh Nordell. Kate Bowen once again led the way for the team, chasing Oregon West District leader Hannah Hernandez around her home course for most of the race before falling to third over the last mile to finish in 19:43. Hernandez won in 18:58 and Hannah Rannow of Siuslaw took the runner-up spot in 19:12. Ella Cole finished 11th with a time of 21:09 thanks to a superb last mile, and Amy Hills came through in 26th place in 22:48 among 63 total finishers. A strategy to have the younger runners race in the junior varsity division worked well as the Outlaws not only nabbed the top three positions, but also got valuable experi- ence “really racing,” accord- ing to Nordell. “These girls ran smartly and patiently, moving past the early leader after about the first mile and then raced each other all the way to the finish line over the next two miles,” he said. “They did exactly what we hoped they would do.” Freshman Emma Singleton broke away from teammates Iris Diez and Pearl Gregg on her way to a personal best by 1:08 to win in 23:36. Gregg finished second (24:07), clip- ping Diez at the finish by one second. Call to schedule your carpet cleaning before October 15! 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE ALL WORK GUARANTEED Ben Redlich 541-238-7700 Baby Safe • Free Estimates Red Dye Removal • Insured www.bullseyecarpetcleaning.net Chloe Gold finished 10th (26:16) and Sasha Stolasz 11th (26:32) as the Outlaws won the junior varsity team title. “I think this was a break- through race for these girls and a boost to their confi- dence for the races ahead,” said Nordell. With no races during homecoming week, the team is looking to get in some high- quality preparation before the Country Fair Classic hosted by Elmira High School, sched- uled for Wednesday, October 17 near Fern Ridge Reservoir. “We have one more week of strengthening before tuning up for District,” said Nordell. CHECK OUT this week’s Nugget insert! Bi-Mart Post. This year’s theme is: “Why My Vote Matters.” There is a monetary award of $200 for the local winner, whose essay will be submit- ted to state and national level, with a chance at winning a top scholarship of $30,000. Sisters High School Principal Joe Hosang has applications. The arts award will be given in the spring. Applications will be available at the end of October from Hosang. This award is given for the creation of a patriotic poster with a short expla- nation/interpretation of the piece. A local monetary award of $200 will be given to the winner. The deadline for sub- mission is March 31. For more information, contact Bill Anttila, VFW Post Service Officer at 541- 549-1132 after 6 p.m., or bill_ anttila@yahoo.com. Sisters VFW Post 8138 will be offering awards at middle and high school levels. The “Patriot Pen” is offered annually at middle school level. Students will submit a 300-400 word type- written essay on the theme, “Why I Honor The American Flag.” One local winner will be selected from entries. Student entry deadline is October 31. The monetary award this year for Patriot Pen winner is $200. The local win- ner’s essay will be submitted to National VFW for a chance of winning $5,000. For infor- mation contact Becky Aylor at Sisters Middle School. Voice Of Democracy is offered to all 9th-12th grade students. Students will sub- mit a 3- to 5-minute essay recorded on a CD, along with a typewritten essay, by October 31, to the local VFW Master wood carver Skip Armstrong will be carving “Sägen” the god of chain saws into our famed saw retirement tree! Sat., Oct. 20, 12-4 PM Come watch this awe-inspiring Sisters artist at work and enjoy FREE BBQ with us! Ready for the cold? 20% off thermal socks! Warm Living Infrared 18-inch Tower Heater for $49.97. Carving C i g i inspired n spi ir i r ed d b by y Courtney Parker’s original “Sägen” pencil rendering. SATURDAY OCT. 20 ONLY Ray’s Food Place Fantastic Friday Deal! Gold ’n Plump 10-piece fried or baked chicken only $5.99! Select apples 79¢ per lb. 10% off any Stihl product over $400 506 N. Pine St. 541-549-9631 www.SistersRental.com 10% off SNOW BLOWERS