Enterprise senior Zac Knapp, third in three state meets, is undefeated in five races this season. (Photo by Jenny Reinheardt)

Enterprise cross country teams have been on quite a run in recent seasons.

The girls team has finished in the top three in five of the past six years. The boys team has finished first or second three consecutive seasons.

This season, the Outlaws boys team has won all five invitationals it has entered. And senior Zac Knapp is undefeated, winning all five races. 

“The kids have really stepped up this year, more so than ever,” coach Dan Moody said. “I don’t know if they have something to prove, but they are putting a lot of effort into all the practices. The kids are really excited. They came back with a vengeance this year.”

Knapp finished in third place at the past three state meets, but this year he is fully committed to cross country and it is paying big dividends.

“He was always going to go to college and play soccer. He loves soccer,” Moody said. “This year, about five weeks ago, he made a decision that he was going to run cross country. Since then, it has totally changed him. He’s having a lot of fun, that’s the main thing.”

Knapp’s personal-best time is tops in 3A at 15:24.9. It came at the Stanfield Fun Country meet on Sept. 23.

Knapp won the Mustang Invite last Thursday in 15:38.9 over Pine Eagle senior Caleb Brown (16:06.8) and Heppner junior Trevor Nichols (16:32.7). Enterprise scored 30 points as a team to easily outdistance 5A The Dalles (78) for the team title.

“He wants to be a state champion this year,” Moody said. “I know there are some pretty tough kids and Zac knows that.”

Enterprise has an experienced lineup, even after losing senior Henry Coughlin, who transferred to Crescent Valley and is one of the top runners in 5A. Seniors Bayden Menton and Ian Goodrich, along with junior Weston Wolfe, all have state meet experience from the 2019 championship team.

They all ran well at the Mustang Invite: Menton (fourth in 16:37.9), Goodrich (10th in 17:31.9), Wolfe (14th in 18:04.2). Senior Chase Homan (18th in 18:19.0) rounds out the top five.

The girls team has not been completely healthy yet this season, but coach Moody is hopeful they can get better by district and state.

“We’ve had a cold going through this year,” Moody said. “It hit the girls pretty hard this year. We haven’t had a meet yet where we have been 100 percent.”

At the recent Mustang Invite, the girls finished a close fourth with 68 points, behind The Dalles (45), Pasco (50) and Heppner (64). Pasco (Wash.) senior Emma Pitzer won in 20:21.8 ahead of Madras junior Hannah MacDuffee (20:39.0).

The top four Enterprise girls finished in 12th to 15th: sophomore Iona McDonald (23:13.4), senior Lannie Stonebrink (23:20.3), freshman Navaeh James (23:23.7) and junior Maddie Nordtvedt (23:27.6).

Unfortunately, the meet on the Outlaws' schedule for this week was canceled. It will just mean more time for hard workouts.

“We are training through everything, until state,” Moody said. “That is always what we look forward to. It’s always a pleasure to be in Eugene, to be back there and running.”