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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (March 24, 2021)
2B | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020 | SIUSLAW NEWS Siuslaw from 1B “I think a lot of pro- grams in schools are struggling with COVID to get kids out,” said Johnson. “The seasons are super short, and it's tough with cross coun- try because you have to get fit, and it takes time. I'll give my kids credit, the day we could start meeting in November, we've been meeting nonstop six days a week — so they're fit. And it's tough to go up against people who've been running year-round when you haven't been.” While Johnson gives his runners a great deal of credit, he also says there are other factors. “While we’re pretty good,” Johnson admit- ted, “the competition right now isn't putting up much of a fight just because of the situations people are in with not being able to see kids, not having kids at school and [other] COVID problems. We're doing okay with the COVID part, we’re just trying to stay healthy and go from there.” As for last Saturday’s league preview meet, Siuslaw looks to be a dominant force in the league. Despite some of its own team members having difficult days health-wise, both Siu- slaw teams came out on top —by a lot. The final score for the women’s race was Siu- slaw 19 and Marist 36, with none of the other four schools who com- peted having enough runners to officially place. While Junction City had a runner who placed first, Siuslaw had the most runners in the top 10, with all five girls placing. Rylee Colton came in second with a time of 20:01.57, followed in fifth place by Gracie Freudenthal (21:22.27.) One of the Vikings’ runners who typically finishes in the top five, Brea Blankenship, still placed eighth in the race (22:05.54) despite running with a minor injury. “Brea was a little bit banged up,” said John- son, “and her Achilles was a little bit sore, so she wasn't running in racing shoes and wasn't feeling that great. So, the girls would have been better off, and we’d have scored fewer points. We're hoping she's get- ting worked on today, so she'll be healthy again.” Jane Lacouture and Corduroy Holbrook fin- ished ninth and 10th, re- spectively, with times of 22:23.00 and 22:36.26. On the men’s team, Siuslaw scored 16, with Marist being the closest at 53. Marshfield was third with 80, followed by Junction City (101) and Cottage Grove (139.) Elmira did not have enough runners to place. Siuslaw had six run- ners place in the top 10 during the men’s race. Chad Hughes placed first with a time of 17:02.28, and Samuel Ulrich placed second in 17:27.46. Chad Hughes and Ulrich were closely followed by Kyle Hughes (17:34.35) and Ryan Jennings (17:45.91), who placed third and fourth, respectively. Johnson noted that his three teammates who also play for the soccer team this season had a tough time this week. “Those guys are banged up a little bit,” said Johnson. “Jaxson had to sit out of a soccer game, so we're hoping he can stay healthy for these next two soccer games. I’ll give credit to the other two soccer players. Dylan Jensen and Brayden Linton ran great, so that's awesome that those guys are able to pull double duty and do two different things, it’s pretty impressive.” Jaxson Jensen fin- ished sixth with a time of 18:05.56, and Dylan Jensen finished ninth with a time of 18:19.83. Linton did not place in the top 10 but was Siu- slaw’s next runner to place, coming in 12th with a time of 18:38.72. Johnson said he was very pleased with his teams’ performances at the meet. “The boys almost had a perfect score,” he explained, “which doesn't hap- pen very often in cross country, especially not when you're looking at an entire league. “This is a team that was no-nonsense from the beginning, and [they] have gone after it.” Currently, the team is undefeated — some- thing Johnson said has never happened before. “We've gone through years and never lost to a 4A team, but to go the whole season and never lose, that's pretty neat,” said Johnson, who add- ed that the team has its sights set on finishing the season on top. “That’s on their mind,” he said, “and that's what we're focusing on in this last couple of weeks. We’re just trying to stay healthy and get rested up, and then hopefully we have two more good performances, and we can see what happens after that.” After this week’s low pressure Run for the Brownies tomorrow (March 25) at the Flor- ence Golf Links, the Vikings will face off against the other teams in the Sky-Em League once again for districts. The race will take place at Marist instead of Lane Community Col- lege (LCC), the nor-mal venue for district cham- pionships, because LCC does not allow specta- tors at this time. If Siuslaw places in the top two teams at the district meet, they will compete at the state meet. Johnson also ex- plained the plans for the state meet. “Right now, it is sup- posed to be in Tilla- mook at the Alderbrook Golf Course,” he said. “If for some reason the numbers in Tillamook County go from mod- erate to high, then we would move the meet to Marist — so we're set. We have a plan in place.” The Vikings have a couple more workouts this week to prepare for district. “Then we’ll go to the district meet and try to get a couple of champi- onships,” said Johnson. “And then after that, we’ll take our chances against the state.” The Run for the Brownies takes place at 5 p.m. tomorrow, and the Sky-Em League championship races will take place next Thurs- day, April 1, beginning at 4:30 p.m. FIRE WATER BIO BOARD UP of Lane County (541) 345-0115 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICES Getting rid o f 'Huh?' for over 20 ye ears NOW G HIRIN Now offering ff hearing aid leassing 541.991.44 475 Receive a free accessory with ith a new lease. l 5292 Harvard, Florence • 541-590-3831 (across the bridge, turn by Best Western Pier Point Inn) Expires 3/16/21. Florence 1901 Hwy 101, Ste A Scott C. Anderson, Au.D. • Steven G. Anderson, Au.D. HearingAssociatesofFlorence.com BUD’S UPHOLSTERY Boat Tops & Cars Over 49 Years Experience On Siuslaw! 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