The Adidas Cross Country Classic
Saturday, October 15, 2005, Fernhill Park
Hosted by Concordia University
More than 1000 of the top high school cross-country athletes from the Pacific Northwest descended upon Fernhill Park October 15th for the first annual Adidas Cross-Country Classic, hosted by Concordia University. The day’s series of races featured outstanding competition, as well as some of the fastest times posted in the region this season.
“We were very pleased with the number of, and the quality of, the teams we had at our inaugural event,” said meet director and Concordia cross-country and track head coach Randy Dalzell. “Having teams fly down from Alaska and enjoy the competitive environment of going against top teams from Oregon and Washington raised the level of the event. I think the course allowed all the spectators to see how the races developed, and that energy level built as the event continued.”
The top individual highlight of the day was the performance of Clackamas High’s Claire Michel, who captured the elite girls’ division title with the fastest high school girl’s time in the state of Oregon this season.
“Another highlight was seeing the elite boys’ race come down to one point — and that’s the epitome of team work in cross-country, when your fifth guy passes one more man to get your team the win,” Dalzell added. “That’s what happened when Jesuit beat Hermiston by one point; that could be a preview of the boys’ state championship race right there.
“Seeing the girls’ team from West Valley come down from Alaska and win the girls’ elite team title was great. They don’t get many chances to run against top teams, but they came down and definitely showed they were a part of the elite field.”
The response from everyone involved with the competition, as well as spectators, was overwhelmingly positive — and Dalzell is already thinking about little touches he can add to make the Adidas meet an even more elite competition.
“We’re going to expand the number of teams we let in next year, and probably add a third high school division,” he noted. “That will allow more athletes to have the opportunity to experience this event.
“Our goal was to provide the best experience possible for the athletes, the coaches, and the spectators at a cross-country event. I think we did a pretty good job of accomplishing that; it looked as though people enjoyed themselves, and we’re looking forward to an even better meet in 2006.”
Results Summary
- Invitational Varsity Girls:
- Team: 1. South Anchorage (Alaska) 37; 2. Edmonds-Woodway (Washington) 71; 3. Klamath Union (Oregon) 121.
- Individual: Karen Westby (West Salem, OR) 18:50.7; 2. Kate Southcote (Edmonds-Woodway); 3. Amelia Yeager (Crescent Valley, OR).
- Invitational Varsity Boys:
- Team: 1. Edmonds-Woodway (Washington ) 81; 2. Klamath Union (Oregon) 123; 3. Oregon City (Oregon) 159.
- Individual: Jared Swehosky (Stayton, OR) 15:28.7; 2. Kyle Kotaich (Siuslaw, OR); 3. Yonaton Yilma (Edmonds-Woodway).
- Elite Varsity Girls:
- Team: 1. West Valley (Alaska) 58; 2. Jesuit (Oregon) 80; 3. Snohomish (Washington) 80.
- Individual: Claire Michel (Clackamas, OR) 17:48.6; 2. Crystal Pinney (West Valley); 3. Jennifer Macias (Snohomish).
- Elite Varsity Boys:
- Team: 1. Jesuit (Oregon) 74; 2. Hermiston (Oregon) 75; 3. Kodiak (Alaska) 109.
- Individual: Brad Taylor (Oakridge, OR) 15:12.5; 2. Jerhoemee Murry (Century, OR); 3. Jake Keyser (Crater, OR).
