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Vikings in line for fifth straight title
By John Gunther, Sports Editor
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 | No comments posted.
At 11:25 a.m. Saturday, the Far West League Invitational starts at Lane Community College in Eugene.
Of course, that’s not the real name for the Class 4A girls race at the state cross country meet, but it sure could feel that way.
Siuslaw is the four-time defending state champion, and favored again this fall. Four league runners not from Siuslaw have a shot at placing in the top 10.
While a few other South Coast individuals should place well on Saturday, the Class 4A girls race probably will be the highlight of the day for the area runners.
It all starts with Siuslaw’s girls, who return three of the runners who scored at last year’s state meet, when they won the title by 40 points over Sisters.
Junior Samantha Pummer was fourth last year, while sophomore Raelyn Robinson was 13th and Junior Clarita Twombly was 30th.
They are back, a year older and joined by teammates who have more than exceeded expectations — a regular occurrence for Siuslaw.
At the Far West League meet, Pummer, Robinson and Twombly finished in the top five, while teammates Linda Paredes, Kaitlin Shepherd and Lillian Lea were eighth through 10th.
“We had a slow start (to the season),” said Siuslaw coach Chris Johnson before the district meet.
But the Vikings got stronger and stronger, with several great individual stories, including the development as team leaders for Pummer and Robinson and the growth of Twombly.
“Clarita has had a great year,” Johnson said. “She got stronger and stronger.”
Paredes, meanwhile, is a sophomore who played volleyball last year and has blossomed into a standout.
Shepherd, the only senior on Siuslaw’s varsity squad, had a best of 28 minutes as a sophomore two years ago. Last week, she crossed the line in 20:54.
“She’s just come on,” Johnson said. “I never thought she’d be a distance runner of state-meet caliber.”
Lea is a sophomore like Paredes and Robinson while Siuslaw’s seventh runner, Nikkaila Bain, is just a freshman and was timed in 21:29 for the district meet.
While the Vikings have firepower as a team, the rest of the league is strong as individuals.
Sophomores Ally Manley of Brookings-Harbor and Chelsea Spencer of Sutherlin — the district champion this year — are likely to finish in the top five on Saturday. Junior Emily James of Douglas and sophomore Katie Romanko of North Bend have a shot at finishing in the top 10.
Others to watch are defending state champion Taylor Wallace of Henley, Ashley Mayfield of Seaside, Jenny Elder of Scappoose and Patricia Guterrez of Cottage Grove.
The Far West League also could have a good showing in the Class 4A boys race.
North Bend’s Trevor Berrian, who finished third last year, is among the favorites this year, along with defending champion Elliot Jantzer of Phoenix, Connor Kasler of Hidden Valley and Brad Prettyman of Estacada.
South Umpqua’s D.J. Flores and Siuslaw’s Joe Campbell also could finish in the top 10, while the Vikings have a good shot at one of the four team trophies after dominating the league meet.
North Bend’s Dan Flora will complete his state career with Berrian after both were integral parts, along with junior Sam Lynass, of the Bulldogs’ state champion teams the past two seasons. North Bend has an outside chance at a team trophy on Saturday.
Among the other races Saturday, the most likely South Coast runners to stand out are in the Class 3A-2A-1A girls division.
Gold Beach’s Sydney Snook is expected to finish near the top after being one of the most consistent runners this year among the smaller schools.
Snook finished seventh as a freshman last year, while Pacific sophomore Wren Carter was 15th and also returns. Myrtle Point freshman Maegan Miranda also could place high this week.
Bandon’s boys and girls teams are in the Class 3A-2A-1A meet, while Marshfield’s girls are in the Class 5A meet.
Saturday’s schedule includes the Class 3A-2A-1A girls at 10 a.m., followed by the boys at 10:35. The Class 4A girls run at 11:25, with the boys at noon. After a break so the runners from the larger schools can warm up on the course, the Class 5A girls will race at 1:15 p.m., followed by the boys at 1:50. The Class 6A girls run at 2:35, with the boys at 3:10.
The top 10 individuals will be recognized following each race, while the team awards will be presented about 30 minutes after each event.
Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students and is good for all the races.
Of course, that’s not the real name for the Class 4A girls race at the state cross country meet, but it sure could feel that way.
Siuslaw is the four-time defending state champion, and favored again this fall. Four league runners not from Siuslaw have a shot at placing in the top 10.
While a few other South Coast individuals should place well on Saturday, the Class 4A girls race probably will be the highlight of the day for the area runners.
It all starts with Siuslaw’s girls, who return three of the runners who scored at last year’s state meet, when they won the title by 40 points over Sisters.
Junior Samantha Pummer was fourth last year, while sophomore Raelyn Robinson was 13th and Junior Clarita Twombly was 30th.
They are back, a year older and joined by teammates who have more than exceeded expectations — a regular occurrence for Siuslaw.
At the Far West League meet, Pummer, Robinson and Twombly finished in the top five, while teammates Linda Paredes, Kaitlin Shepherd and Lillian Lea were eighth through 10th.
“We had a slow start (to the season),” said Siuslaw coach Chris Johnson before the district meet.
But the Vikings got stronger and stronger, with several great individual stories, including the development as team leaders for Pummer and Robinson and the growth of Twombly.
“Clarita has had a great year,” Johnson said. “She got stronger and stronger.”
Paredes, meanwhile, is a sophomore who played volleyball last year and has blossomed into a standout.
Shepherd, the only senior on Siuslaw’s varsity squad, had a best of 28 minutes as a sophomore two years ago. Last week, she crossed the line in 20:54.
“She’s just come on,” Johnson said. “I never thought she’d be a distance runner of state-meet caliber.”
Lea is a sophomore like Paredes and Robinson while Siuslaw’s seventh runner, Nikkaila Bain, is just a freshman and was timed in 21:29 for the district meet.
While the Vikings have firepower as a team, the rest of the league is strong as individuals.
Sophomores Ally Manley of Brookings-Harbor and Chelsea Spencer of Sutherlin — the district champion this year — are likely to finish in the top five on Saturday. Junior Emily James of Douglas and sophomore Katie Romanko of North Bend have a shot at finishing in the top 10.
Others to watch are defending state champion Taylor Wallace of Henley, Ashley Mayfield of Seaside, Jenny Elder of Scappoose and Patricia Guterrez of Cottage Grove.
The Far West League also could have a good showing in the Class 4A boys race.
North Bend’s Trevor Berrian, who finished third last year, is among the favorites this year, along with defending champion Elliot Jantzer of Phoenix, Connor Kasler of Hidden Valley and Brad Prettyman of Estacada.
South Umpqua’s D.J. Flores and Siuslaw’s Joe Campbell also could finish in the top 10, while the Vikings have a good shot at one of the four team trophies after dominating the league meet.
North Bend’s Dan Flora will complete his state career with Berrian after both were integral parts, along with junior Sam Lynass, of the Bulldogs’ state champion teams the past two seasons. North Bend has an outside chance at a team trophy on Saturday.
Among the other races Saturday, the most likely South Coast runners to stand out are in the Class 3A-2A-1A girls division.
Gold Beach’s Sydney Snook is expected to finish near the top after being one of the most consistent runners this year among the smaller schools.
Snook finished seventh as a freshman last year, while Pacific sophomore Wren Carter was 15th and also returns. Myrtle Point freshman Maegan Miranda also could place high this week.
Bandon’s boys and girls teams are in the Class 3A-2A-1A meet, while Marshfield’s girls are in the Class 5A meet.
Saturday’s schedule includes the Class 3A-2A-1A girls at 10 a.m., followed by the boys at 10:35. The Class 4A girls run at 11:25, with the boys at noon. After a break so the runners from the larger schools can warm up on the course, the Class 5A girls will race at 1:15 p.m., followed by the boys at 1:50. The Class 6A girls run at 2:35, with the boys at 3:10.
The top 10 individuals will be recognized following each race, while the team awards will be presented about 30 minutes after each event.
Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students and is good for all the races.
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