Summit's boys cross country team has been knocking on the door of a 5A title the last three seasons, only to finish runner-up to powerhouse Crater, the five-time reigning champion.
But this season, with its top six finishers from the state meet back in the fold, the Storm appears to have a strong chance to win its first state championship since taking five in a row from 2011 to 2015.
Summit added to its early-season momentum Saturday with a strong performance in the Northwest Classic on the state championship course at Lane Community College in Eugene. Junior Clayton Jero finished first in 14 minutes, 54.7 seconds for the Storm, which took second to 6A Lincoln 37-38 in the 14-team 6A/5A race.
“We always love running at Lane,” Summit coach Kari Strang said. “It was really awesome to have Lincoln out there. There were great teams that helped keep us engaged.”
Jero, who placed ninth at state last season, won comfortably over McMinnville senior Isaiah Carpenter (15:08.0). Jero showed dramatic improvement from a year ago, when he clocked 15:40.8 to finish fourth at the meet.
“He's been running extremely well,” Strang said of Jero, who took fourth in both the 1,500 and 3,000 in the 5A track meet. “He's someone that's really bought into the process and is incredibly consistent and dedicated. I feel like he just continues to get more mature in the sport and his approach to racing. All the success he's seeing is through hard work.”
Summit's other scorers were senior Charlie English (fifth), junior Landon Kjorstad (sixth), senior Hudson Boaz (12th) and sophomore Kai Blankenship (14th). Storm senior Bjorn Blankenship, last year's 5A runner-up and the reigning state champion in the 3,000 meters, did not compete in the meet because he was on a college visit.
So far this season, Summit runners have recorded five of the top eight 5,000-meter times in 5A. Jero's time Saturday ranks second in the state for all classifications to North Eugene senior Ashenafi McKinnis (14:43.0).
“I would say there's no limit for this team,” Strang said. “Just excited to see what they end up doing with their season. We're trying really hard not to get ahead of ourselves and stay present. I believe in this team absolutely. They also have the benefit of strong teams coming before them.
“We're always looking to do the very best possible. Absolutely would love to see a state championship reflected as a result of that.”
Strang is counting on the competition within the team to propel the Storm forward.
“Crater has had that for years, and we're certainly enjoying having that, as well,” Strang said.
Lincoln won behind seniors Malcolm Dimoff (third), Peter James (fourth) and Jack Denton (seventh). Bend was a distant third place with 96 points.
Marist Catholic senior Corbin Sage (15:22.3) pulled away from Siuslaw junior Henry Stone (15:54.5) to win the 4A/3A/2A/1A division in the meet. Knappa outscored Siuslaw 61-86 for first place.
Ashland sophomore Scout Zundel won the 6A/5A girls race in 19:10.9, holding off Lincoln sophomore Gwyn Fairchild (19:13.1). Bend (53), Lincoln (57) and Summit (61) topped the team scoring.
Oregon Episcopal dominated the 4A/3A/2A/1A girls division, scoring 35 points to beat runner-up Cottage Grove (93). The Aardvarks had the top three finishers in senior Abby Wilson (18:59.8), junior Andy Bryant (19:02.0) and senior Kate Vasanth (19:09.4).
The Mook Invitational
Scappoose freshman Kate Kessi, coming off a win in the Oregon City Invitational, turned in another impressive performance Saturday in The Mook Invitational at Alderbrook Golf Course in Tillamook.
Kessi finished in 17:35.42 to place second out of 123 runners in the elite girls division. Aubrey Wilems, a junior from Eastlake (Wash.), was the winner in 17:22.89.
Wells junior George Lora won elite boys division in 14:54.9, topping 145 other runners. He won by eight seconds over junior Oliver Zimmerman of Cedar Park Christian (Wash.).
Lincoln debuts
Lincoln senior Ellery Lincoln, the reigning 6A champion and the state record-holder in the 1,500 and 3,000 in track, opened her season Sept. 16 by posting a state-best time in a Portland Interscholastic League meet at Fernhill Park.
Lincoln's time of 16:50.03 is the second best of her cross country career, behind only the 16:28.5 she clocked at The Mook Invitational last year. The Cardinals had the top six finishers in the PIL meet.
Prefontaine Memorial Run
Coquille junior Ella Henthorn, the reigning 3A/2A/1A girls champion, broke 18 minutes for the first time in winning the Prefontaine Memorial Run at Saturday at Marshfield High School.
Henthorn finished in 17:58.5, taking nearly four seconds off her personal best. Grants Pass sophomore Stella Williams (18:11.8) placed second in the field of 130.
Bandon junior Beckett Pahls, the 2A/1A runner-up last year, won the boys division in 15:53.0.
jerryu@osaa.org
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