As a 13-time reigning state champion, Summit's girls cross country team is always seeking a good challenge.
Especially this year, when the Storm – which competed in 6A from 2018 through 2021 – has returned to 5A, where it will be an overwhelming favorite to win another title.
So Summit relished the opportunity to race Saturday in the prestigious Danner Championships in the Nike Portland XC meet at Blue Lake Park in Fairview. The Storm, which won the multi-state race in 2019 and was runner-up last year, scored 110 points to finish first ahead of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (135), Lincoln (192) and Sunset (203).
“We felt we had a strong shot at it if everyone ran as they were able to,” Summit coach Kari Strang said. “We knew it was going to be really tough, but I absolutely believe in this team. I feel like they're just going to keep getting stronger.
“Last year's team was also really strong and capable. It definitely feels good to just have that additional validation of where we feel their abilities are.”
Senior Ella Thorsett was Summit's top finisher on the 5,000-meter course, taking third (17:48.3) behind sophomore Hanne Thomsen (16:49.2) of Montgomery, Calif., and junior Anna Callahan (17:38.6) of Skyline, Wash.
The Storm's other top finishers were seniors Barrett Justema (eighth), Claire McDonald (23rd) and Camille Broadbent (45th) and freshmen Taylin Bowen (56th) and Skye Knox (61st).
Thorsett's time is No. 2 in the state this season behind Crescent Valley sophomore Emily Wisniewski (17:42.8). Justema has the state's No. 5 time (18:08.5).
Thorsett and Justema were the only Oregon runners to finish in the top 13 on Saturday. Tigard junior Sabine Kim was 14th.
“Ella is someone that consistently is able to perform at a really high level, as is Barrett,” Strang said. “They came through beautifully. They were all feeding off each other's energy. They all care so much about this team and each other. I think we're starting to see that come through.”
It made for a long day for Summit, which left Bend at 4 a.m. to make the 3 1/2-hour trip in time to compete in the morning races.
“It's a big commitment to make it to that meet,” Strang said. “It's not the easiest day. So I was really proud of how everybody came together.”
Summit, No. 30 in the DyeStat national rankings, could get a boost with its strong performance. It helps build momentum for a team that aspires not only to extend its state championship streak, but make a solid showing at Nike Cross Regionals and return to Nike Cross Nationals.
“We know it's going to be a hard fight the entire way,” Strang said. “All of us recognize that assuming anything other than that is setting ourselves up for failure. We definitely recognize we have serious work cut out for us. We know how good these other reams are. This is not going to be an easy road.”
Notes: In the boys Danner Championships, Lincoln scored 106 points to hold off West Salem (120), Franklin (144) and Redondo Union, Calif. (146) for first place. Marshfield senior Alexander Garcia-Silver, coming off victories in the Ash Creek Festival and Prefontaine Memorial Run, continued his outstanding season by winning in 14:55.2. Lincoln senior Samy Anderson (14:57.0), Long Beach Poly (Calif.) senior Cameron Rhone (14:59.1) and Milwaukie senior Logan Law (14:59.6) were next. ...
Summit's boys won the Division I title at Nike Portland XC. Led by junior Noah Laughlin-Hall (eighth), the Storm outscored runner-up Mercer Island (Wash.) 178-181. Jesuit dominated the Division I girls meet, scoring 38 points to pull away from Holy Names Academy of Seattle (108). Juniors Liliana Hudnut (second) and Audrey O'Neill (fifth) led the Crusaders. …
Crescent Valley senior Kanoa Blake and sophomore Emily Wiesniewski each picked up two wins last week, winning at the Mid-Willamette Conference Championship Preview on Wednesday at Willamette Mission State Park and at the Three Course Challenge on Saturday at Camp Rilea. South Albany's boys and Crescent Valley's girls prevailed in the Mid-Willamette meet. Crescent Valley's girls won the Three Course Challenge; the Raider boys were third to Eastlake (Wash.) and Lincoln of Seattle. …
Crater's boys and girls swept the State of Jefferson Invitational at Oak Knoll Golf Course in Ashland on Thursday. Ashland senior Nathan Stein won the boys race and Crater junior Lindsay Siebert took the girls race.
jerryu@osaa.org
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