This article originally ran at www.theclackamasprint.com. Too see the original, click here.
David Beasley, Sports Editor
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Volume 47, Issue 5
Sports
“That was probably the best race of my life, it’s tough to lose that close,” said second place winner Jorge Gil-Juarez of CCC.
Leading Cougar runner Gil-Juarez finished the men’s eight kilometer race first with a time of 24:20, but so did Daniel Schofiel of Spokane CC. If not for an untimely fall, Gil-Juarez may have edged ahead at the finish line, but the tumble cost him a few inches and Schofield broke through the tape first.
“I rolled my ankle at the end,” said Gil-Juarez. “My legs just gave out, it was a fast race.”
The NWAACC Cross Country Championship race took place at Lewisville Regional Park last Saturday along the banks of the East Fork Lewis River. The waves of runners resembled the rushing river as they followed the flow of the current. Teams maneuvered around the bends and adapted to the varied terrain of the course. The caravan of athletes seemed an unstoppable force of nature.
Race fans were grouped around the start to kick off each race with loud cheers. As racers circled the loop they again passed by fans who loudly encouraged the athletes. The loudest, most frantic cheering was at the finish line when the first few runners neared the end.
The Cougars help each other through each race as a team. Using team strategy, they group together and keep a close pace to give each other confidence and pace the trail correctly.
Courtney Repp was proud of the teamwork the women’s team was able to accomplish throughout the season and at the championships.
“We all did really good as a team, all the girls did really good,” said Repp.
Repp finished first for Clackamas and 16th in the race with a time of 20:04. She also received the week three NWAACC athlete of the week award.
The terrain of the course was a challenge to some of the competitors as there were a few injuries. The ground was moist and varied from grass to gravel or pavement.
“It wasn’t an easy course, it was muddy, bumpy and holey, kinda’ twisted my ankle at the beginning,” said Repp.
“But it was easier than when we ran it earlier this season.”
Jessica Mildes of Spokane CC placed first in the women’s 5 kilometer race with a time of 17:51. Freshman Kira Norton followed closely behind Repp; she finished second for Clackamas and placed 32nd with a time of 20:44.
Also close-after was Clackamas’ Jessie Hansen, scoring 35th with 21:01.
“Jessie Hansen had a pretty good race, she looked good today,” said Cougar cross-country director Keoni McHone.
Kylee Johnson earned 39th with 21:21. Grace Klovski placed 49th at 22:16. Falisha Aho got 58th at 23:03 and Allison Pugsley earned 60th with 23:21, finishing 7th for the Cougars.
“It was alright, it was a hard race, it wasn’t easy,” said Repp.
At noon, an hour after the women’s race began, the men were off. After the first bend in the trail Cougar Badane Sultessa was at the lead of the pack with only one runner in front of him.
“After the third mile the other group took off,” said Sultessa. “Our plan was to work together, but right when the race started we got separated.”
The men’s eight kilometer race was a grueling fast pace. Clackamas’ runners struggled to stay ahead. The cold weather and the pressure of NWAACC championships were factors to be considered for the racers.
“Everyone is nervous, you kind of have to use those nerves to your advantage,” said Gil-Juarez.
Sultessa finished second for the team and sixth in the race with 24:45. Third across the finish line for Clackamas was week six NWAACC athlete of the week Bake Benthin, who finished 14th at 25:16. Austin Peila placed 22nd at 25:40. Danny Robertson earned 25th with 25:53. Jackson Baker was 27th in 26 flat. Scott Schmitt came in seventh for the Cougars and 45th out of the 68 placing runners at 26:37.
The Cougars men’s team placed third in the championships, the women placed sixth. As a whole, the men and women ranked fourth in the combined result.
“The season was really good,” said Sultessa. “The team was the best I ever had, better than last year.”
Sultessa earned the NWAACC athlete of the week award for week eight. Also awarded an NWAACC athlete of the week title was Gil-Juarez for week one. Gil-Juarez was happy with the cross-country season, but like many others he is now getting mentally geared-up for track pre-season training.
“Cross went amazing this year and if track goes well too I might think about going to Oklahoma State,” said Gil-Juarez. “They have a good animal science program and a good steeplechase program. Steeplechase is my event.”
Also eying track season is Sultessa, who runs the 800-meter and 1500-meter races in track. Even though he is an outstanding distance runner, he prefers a firm, consistent track over bumpy, winding trails.
“My focus is track,” said Sultessa. “Everybody takes two weeks off, then we start practicing for track.”
Head coach Kaitlyn Reid has lead the Cougars through a very successful season of cross country. She was awarded head coach of the year honors at the Southern Region Championships. On home turf the Cougar men’s team won and the women took sixth.
“We had a really good season,” said Repp.
The NWAACC championship was a close race, but the Cougars remain dominant in the Southern Region.
Leading Cougar runner Gil-Juarez finished the men’s eight kilometer race first with a time of 24:20, but so did Daniel Schofiel of Spokane CC. If not for an untimely fall, Gil-Juarez may have edged ahead at the finish line, but the tumble cost him a few inches and Schofield broke through the tape first.
“I rolled my ankle at the end,” said Gil-Juarez. “My legs just gave out, it was a fast race.”
The NWAACC Cross Country Championship race took place at Lewisville Regional Park last Saturday along the banks of the East Fork Lewis River. The waves of runners resembled the rushing river as they followed the flow of the current. Teams maneuvered around the bends and adapted to the varied terrain of the course. The caravan of athletes seemed an unstoppable force of nature.
Race fans were grouped around the start to kick off each race with loud cheers. As racers circled the loop they again passed by fans who loudly encouraged the athletes. The loudest, most frantic cheering was at the finish line when the first few runners neared the end.
The Cougars help each other through each race as a team. Using team strategy, they group together and keep a close pace to give each other confidence and pace the trail correctly.
Courtney Repp was proud of the teamwork the women’s team was able to accomplish throughout the season and at the championships.
“We all did really good as a team, all the girls did really good,” said Repp.
Repp finished first for Clackamas and 16th in the race with a time of 20:04. She also received the week three NWAACC athlete of the week award.
The terrain of the course was a challenge to some of the competitors as there were a few injuries. The ground was moist and varied from grass to gravel or pavement.
“It wasn’t an easy course, it was muddy, bumpy and holey, kinda’ twisted my ankle at the beginning,” said Repp.
“But it was easier than when we ran it earlier this season.”
Jessica Mildes of Spokane CC placed first in the women’s 5 kilometer race with a time of 17:51. Freshman Kira Norton followed closely behind Repp; she finished second for Clackamas and placed 32nd with a time of 20:44.
Also close-after was Clackamas’ Jessie Hansen, scoring 35th with 21:01.
“Jessie Hansen had a pretty good race, she looked good today,” said Cougar cross-country director Keoni McHone.
Kylee Johnson earned 39th with 21:21. Grace Klovski placed 49th at 22:16. Falisha Aho got 58th at 23:03 and Allison Pugsley earned 60th with 23:21, finishing 7th for the Cougars.
“It was alright, it was a hard race, it wasn’t easy,” said Repp.
At noon, an hour after the women’s race began, the men were off. After the first bend in the trail Cougar Badane Sultessa was at the lead of the pack with only one runner in front of him.
“After the third mile the other group took off,” said Sultessa. “Our plan was to work together, but right when the race started we got separated.”
The men’s eight kilometer race was a grueling fast pace. Clackamas’ runners struggled to stay ahead. The cold weather and the pressure of NWAACC championships were factors to be considered for the racers.
“Everyone is nervous, you kind of have to use those nerves to your advantage,” said Gil-Juarez.
Sultessa finished second for the team and sixth in the race with 24:45. Third across the finish line for Clackamas was week six NWAACC athlete of the week Bake Benthin, who finished 14th at 25:16. Austin Peila placed 22nd at 25:40. Danny Robertson earned 25th with 25:53. Jackson Baker was 27th in 26 flat. Scott Schmitt came in seventh for the Cougars and 45th out of the 68 placing runners at 26:37.
The Cougars men’s team placed third in the championships, the women placed sixth. As a whole, the men and women ranked fourth in the combined result.
“The season was really good,” said Sultessa. “The team was the best I ever had, better than last year.”
Sultessa earned the NWAACC athlete of the week award for week eight. Also awarded an NWAACC athlete of the week title was Gil-Juarez for week one. Gil-Juarez was happy with the cross-country season, but like many others he is now getting mentally geared-up for track pre-season training.
“Cross went amazing this year and if track goes well too I might think about going to Oklahoma State,” said Gil-Juarez. “They have a good animal science program and a good steeplechase program. Steeplechase is my event.”
Also eying track season is Sultessa, who runs the 800-meter and 1500-meter races in track. Even though he is an outstanding distance runner, he prefers a firm, consistent track over bumpy, winding trails.
“My focus is track,” said Sultessa. “Everybody takes two weeks off, then we start practicing for track.”
Head coach Kaitlyn Reid has lead the Cougars through a very successful season of cross country. She was awarded head coach of the year honors at the Southern Region Championships. On home turf the Cougar men’s team won and the women took sixth.
“We had a really good season,” said Repp.
The NWAACC championship was a close race, but the Cougars remain dominant in the Southern Region.
“Runners set!” the orders from the megaphone declared, and the race literally began with a bang as the starter pistol was fired. A stampede of athletes sped down the open field, disappearing around a corner of trees and bushes to continue along the uneven course. The women’s 5,000-meter race around the cross country path began with some runners battling the cold weather while keeping up with the pack.