Although the Crook County cross country team did not reach their initial state playoff aspirations, Coach Tracy Smith said that with the rise of both the boys and girls teams, it was one of best years for the program.
"We didn't make it to state, but our boys finished the highest since I've been here," Smith said on the boys' fourth-place finish at the district meet in The Dalles, "and the girls proved they're right at the top."
While the girls did not qualify for state as a team - finishing seventh at district - Michelly Foley did advance to state as an individual and took ninth in the Class 5A. Foley's top 12 performance qualified her for Border Clash 8, where she took 50th place out of 80 runners from Oregon and Washington.
But the highlight of the season for Smith was the Adidas Classic on Oct. 14. It was one of the only races this season where all his boys and all his girls competed, and the teams did not disappoint.
The Cowgirls took third place with 148 points, edging Intermountain Conference rival Bend by three points. The Cowboys took seventh at the meet, but finished just 27 points from the top three teams.
"That was the highlight and I think the kids were excited about their times," Smith said. "They got the best out of their conditioning, and the kids want to go back to that race next year."
Those who won't be back next year are seniors Tucker Mottl, Chad Howard, Natalie Hisaw, Cassey Hehn, Mary Flegel, Molly Zook and Emily Stack.
"We'll have to replace them, but they were some of our top runners, so it will depend on who we get coming in as freshmen," Smith said. "They helped the team spirit and they had a great time running. Hopefully, we'll get some freshmen with the same type of work ethic as those that are leaving the team."
For the boys team, Smith isn't sure on what he'll see coming from the middle school. As for the girls, however, Foley's sister, Kelli, will be joining the team, and freshman Leslie Foley will have a year under her belt.
"We'll have three Foleys and Chelsea (Finnerin) will be back," he said, "so they could be a big help for us.
"But we just need to get out there and get the kids out. Summit had 105 kids, so we just need to get our numbers up."
With new members joining and seniors graduating, though, Smith's goals will remain the same: qualify both teams for state.
"We didn't make it to state, but we're getting stronger," he said. "(This past season) they had that goal in mind and they envisioned that was something they could do. In the past, I don't think they envisioned themselves doing that."
Smith added that he hoped the teams would qualify for state, but tough competition from Summit, Hermiston and Bend made the IMC one of the better conferences in the state.
"The looks on their faces, they wanted to make it to state," Smith said. "I can't fault the kids. They gave their best. There was good team spirit, and from that standpoint, it made for a great season." |
