Wednesday, October 28, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Runners find a way to compete
By Charlie Kanzig
Correspondent
The high school sports
world is still largely shut
down due to COVID-19, but
Pat Zweifel, cross-country
coach at Tillamook High
School and owner of a large
farm, found a way to offer
a meet to a group of run-
ners looking to compete as
OSAA9s <fall= season is post-
poned until February.
Zweifel9s family owns the
Hydrangea Ranch outside
of Tillamook where, amidst
the rows of flower bushes,
Zweifel has carved out a
cross-country race course and
built facilities to host camps
and other running events.
PHOTO BY CRAIG MAY
Sam May guts it out in Outlaws
cross-country action.
In fact, the Sisters cross-
country team used the facility
for camps in 2018 and 2019.
Zweifel contacted Sisters
head coach Josh Nordell and
invited some Sisters kids to
run <unattached= in what he
dubbed the <Bigfoot Invite.=
Five boys and three
Outlaws girls made the trip
on Friday, October 23 and
ran very well, according to
Nordell. It is unclear whether
Bigfoot showed up or not,
according to Nordell.
<I didn9t know exactly
what to expect, but the kids
raced as though nothing had
changed and they proved they
were ready to take on any-
body,= said Nordell.
Sophomore Ella Thorsett,
the reigning 4A champion,
cruised undaunted through
rain and mud to win the girls
race in 18:19. She finished
more than a minute ahead
of Tillamook9s Sarah Pullen
who finished in 19:26. Pullen,
a senior, placed sixth at last
year9s state meet and third the
year before.
Pearl Gregg showed that
her summer training paid off
as she placed fourth in 20:41.
Freshman Ella Bartlett fin-
ished her first high-school race
in eighth with a time of 22:26.
The Outlaw boys flexed
some muscle, taking three of
the top four spots as seniors
John Peckham (15:32), Will
Thorsett (15:41), and Ethan
Hosang (16:02) finished
1-2-4.
Additionally, senior Sam
LETTERS
Continued from page 2
PHOTO BY CRAIG MAY
Freshman Ella Bartlett ran her first
high-school race near Tillamook.
May placed seventh (17:03)
and sophomore Hayden Roth
finished eighth (19:00).
While it is unclear whether
other races will be available
this fall, Nordell appreciated
the opportunity for some of
his runners to race.
<These kids work hard
even during uncertainty,= he
said. <They don9t know what
tomorrow will bring with the
virus and shutdowns, but they
keep on training so they will
be ready. That9s real dedica-
tion in my book.=
To the Editor:
Given the horrible destruction, including the decimation
of existing communities, caused by the 2020 wildfires, I sug-
gest that the Sisters City Council, in conjunction with the
Forest Service and other adjacent land owners, should con-
sider implementing a comprehensive evaluation around the
City limits to identify where thinning, clearing, or other fire
prevention activities are needed, i.e., creating a defensible
perimeter.
If such a process is begun now, Sisters has time to become
better prepared before next summer9s fire season.
Second, installing more signs along the various roads and
highways warning of fire danger could be beneficial. For
example, the only sign on Elm Street/Three Creek Lake Road
is located beyond (south of) the new Peterson Ridge trail park-
ing area; thus, bikers and hikers do not see the sign and are not
made aware of current fire danger, the rules re: camp fires, etc.
Lighted signs erected during the peak fire season could
also be considered.
Bottom line, increasing the public9s awareness of fire dan-
ger in our forests is vital. Likely this is the Forest Service or
ODOT9s responsibility rather than the City9s.
While these suggestions will require extra expense, the
cost is small compared to the aftermath of a fire.
C. Kearney
s
s
s
To the Editor:
Sisters should do well in re-electing Sheriff Shane Nelson.
He has worked with our City to bring in a dedicated policing
presence here, led by Lt. Chad Davis, and has afforded Sisters
the law enforcement we have asked for.
Law enforcement has met serious scrutiny across the
nation. We need Sheriff Nelson9s continued professional dis-
cipline which includes support for persons challenged with
mental health issues. Mental health persons are on his staff.
Sheriff Nelson has always supported productive discourse
with our community.
Jack Addison
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FOREST MANAGEMENT: Broadened Deschutes County’s commitment to
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PUBLIC SAFETY: Supported extension of the County Sheriff’s contract with the
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