Central Oregonian

Bill Cooley wins the third annual ‘I Made the Grade’ run

Krista Cooley is first woman finisher, keeping it all in the family

LON AUSTIN/ CENTRAL OREGONIAN

Bill Cooley reaches the top of Viewpoint as he nears the end of the ‘I Made the Grade’ 5K run/walk on Saturday. Cooley won the race with a time of 21:27.

Lon Austin

September 17, 2012

Bill Cooley established an early lead, and held off a late charge from James Blanchard to win the third annual ‘I Made the Grade’ run.

The 5K race, which is organized by Rebound Physical Therapy as a way to raise funds for Crook County High School athletics, began on Main Street and finished at the top of Ochoco Viewpoint.

Cooley finished the difficult course in 21:27, while Blanchard took second in a time of 21:56. Jimmy Floyd finished a distant third with a time of 25:34. He was followed by Stephen Dalton (26:05), Greg Davy (26:46), and Scott Graham (27:53).

Krista Cooley was the first woman finisher, taking seventh place overall with a time of 28:29.

Twenty-seven runners and walkers started the course early Saturday morning, with all but two completing the course.

The race began by climbing Elm Street to Pioneer Memorial Hospital, then wound its way through town before climbing a trail to the top of viewpoint.

Although they did not win the race, husband and wife, Tony and Dannielle Ramos may have put in the most impressive performances of the day. Tony finished ninth overall with a time of 29:30, despite carrying his daughter Gabriella up the grade on his shoulders. Meanwhile, Dannielle carried the couples other daughter, Sami, up the hill on her back, finishing 15th with a time of 31:46.

I?Made The Grade 5K Run/Walk

Saturday, Sept. 15

Results — 1. Bill Cooley, 21:27. 2. James Blanchard, 21:56. 3. Jimmy Floyd, 25:34. 4. Stephen Dalton, 26:05. 5. Greg Davy, 26:48. 6. Scott Graham, 27:53. 7. Krista Cooley, 28:29. 8. Mike Mohan, 28:39. 9. Tony Ramos, 29:30. 10. Gabriella Ramos, 29:30. 11. Holly Rossi, 29:34. 12. Bud Fetterley, 29:55. 13. Rosie Honl, 30:05. 14. Ali Meurabi, 31:15. 15. Dannielle Ramos, 31:46. 16. Sami Ramos, 31:46. 17. Barbara Dalton, 31:57. 18. Megan Messerlee, 41:11. 19. Emily Gannon, 41:11. 20. McKenna Ontko, 41:12. 21. Joseph Dalton, 45:30. 22. Colin White, 45:31. 23. Cheryl Martucci, 55:45. 24. Phyllis Burge, 55:45. 25. Adrianna Blake, 1:08.