The Three-Course Challenge at Camp Rilea, north of Seaside, is not a place to set records, but Sweet Home Coach Kambria Schumacher said she saw some good things from her runners on the sand hills and mud holes Saturday, Sept. 22 – some of it in driving rain.
“A few of them did really well,” she said, noting that the course is more of a “fun” run for most competitors. The meet actually features three courses: an “easy” 4,500-meter (give or take) course that is mostly sand, but often includes at least one pass through water; a “moderate” 5,000-meter (give or take) course that usually includes more water; and a “hard” 5,000-meter (give or take) course that usually includes even more water.
All three boys races include over 300 runners and the girls field number well over 200.
Four Huskies finished in the medals in their divisions.
Jessy Hart, who was 37th of 218 runners on the Moderate Course in 25:52, was fifth and Madelyn Neuschwander, in her first year of cross-country, was eighth in her division in the “Easy” race, finishing 54th overall out of 249 runners in 22:44. Sicily Neuschwander also finished that race, in 27:53.
“She actually did really well,” Schumacher said of Madelyn Neuschwander’s finish. “She said she got a competitive streak going.”
For the boys, Tristan Saultz was eighth in his division, placing 47th out of 352 on the Moderate Course in 21:21. Eddy Martinez-Maya was seventh in his division , placing 32nd out of 336 runners on the Easy Course in 17:17.
Other finishers for the Husky boys on the Easy Course were Gavin Walberg (17:59) and Austin Sills (19:02).
Also finishing for Sweet Home in the Moderate race were Brian Frick (23:56), Zach Zanona (25:47), Eric Roddy (25:47), Bryce Porter (25:48) and Jaren Adams (29:03).
On the Hard Course, Treyson Smith was the top finisher for the Husjies, 219th out of 349 runners in 25:29. Noah Dinsfriend finished behind him in 25:34, Tristan Calkins in 28:26 and Connor Ford in 28:27.
Up next for the Huskies will be the Nike Portland XC meet at Portland Meadows Race Track Saturday. Sept. 29. Races start at 8 a.m. and run into the early afternoon.
After two slower courses, Schumacher said, her team will be on a fast surface and she expects to see some personal bests come out of Saturday’s races.