In the final meet before district at Bush Park in Salem on Friday, the cross country team ran a little bit slower than they expected at Lane Community College, the site of the state meet.
Coach Billy Snow contributed it to the possibility of a couple things. Since all teams and runners ran relatively slow times, the windy, warmer weather may have been a factor. On the other hand, in the week prior to the week of their district meets, all teams have tougher workouts and will taper off during the week of the race.
“We are not worried,” said Snow. “The kids have always run well at district the week after this race so we expect nothing else.”
Wilsonville took first place in the boys division followed by Molalla and Oakridge. John Lovik led Sweet Home, who was missing Jake Smith due to illness, to a 20th place finish out of the 25 complete teams. Lovik finished 12th out of the 186 runners. In the girls race, Megan Snow was 31st out of 154 runners, though the girls did not have a full team, missing Stephanie Kragness (illness) and Lacey Hightower (vacation).
Philomath dominated the girls event with Sisters and Scappoose in second and third.
In the district meet, the top two teams and the top seven individuals qualify for the state meet. On the boys side, Molalla is the heavy favorite with Sisters and Stayton expected to battle for second place. Sweet Home has a chance to take fourth with Cascade their biggest obstacle.
John Lovik should be in the top seven as he and Ben Baker and Jared Ziemer of Molalla try to chase down Jared Swehosky of Stayton.
The girls will also shoot for fourth as a team with Stayton, who trail Sisters, Molalla, and Cascade. Meaghan Kuntz of Cascade is the likely favorite in that race. Sisters has three strong runners and Molalla has two more, which leaves one place open, the one that Megan Snow will try to fill.