2008 Recap

Lake Oswego Cross Country

Building on the Laker Tradition

2008 Recap

The Laker girls surprised almost everyone with their runnerup placing at the District meet which qualified them for the State meet.

BorderClash, Nike World Headquarters, 11.23.08

LOXC's Tate Murray running to 16th place at BorderClash

The tenth edition of the BorderClash between the top high school cross country runners from Oregon and Washington was conducted on a cool, sunny and calm Sunday morning on the Nike campus. The course started on the Renoldo football (soccer) fields and wound through the 150 acre campus covering 4400 meters before finishing on the football fields. Three Laker athletes qualified for this coveted event: junior Tate Murray, senior Elijah Greer and junior John Paden.

Murray, running in her second BC, covered the route in a time of 17:09.85, over a minute faster than in 2007, to place 16th overall and 8th on her Oregon team, which bested their northern rivals from Washington. Paden used a strong finish over the final 400 meters to clock 15:01.45 and placed 36th overall and 12th on the Oregon team, which was shutout by the Washington boys contingent. Greer, still recovering from a viral infection he picked up in October, withdrew from the competition earlier in the week and was replaced by West Linn's Cullen Wanarraka--the runnerup at the TRL District meet.

John Paden (center) en route to 36th place at BorderClash

Nike Cross Nationals Northwest Regionals, 11.15.08

LOXC's Tate Murray travelled to Boise, ID to compete in the Northwest Regional meet in an attempt to qualify for a coveted spot at the Nike Cross Nationals at Portland Meadows on December 6. The Laker junior, placed 22nd in a very talented field of runners from Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Hawaii and Oregon, with a time of 19:03.9 over the 5,000 meter course at Eagle Island State Park. Portland's Crusader Harriers (Jesuit H.S.) won the girls' team title to advance to the National finals. The Crusader Harriers boys were second to the number one ranked high school team in the country from North Central H.S. in Washington and also qualified for the national meet. Only the top five individuals, not on one of the top two qualifying teams, advanced.

Tate Murray and LO Boys Place 4th at State

6A State Championship at Lane CC in Eugene, Saturday, 11.1.08

LO's Tate Murray en route to 4th place in State Meet.

On what turned out to be a very good day for the Lakers, the weatherman cooperated and kept the predicted rain away. Tate Murray ran to the race plan, passing the 1st kilometer in 3:40, and gradually moved up to the lead pack. As the leaders came out of the woods just after the 1st mile, Gresham's Khalia Tidwell continued to push the pace, but her pursuers continued to gain ground. After circling the drainage ponds, passing two miles and climbing "the hill" for the second time the leader looked vulnerable. A small group of five, with Murray in the middle, began to seriously close the gap. As they made the final turn and headed toward the Lane CC track, it was almost anyone's race to win.

Former LO student, Alex Jones, now competing for St. Mary's, was leading as they hit the track and Murray had put herself in position. Then pre-race favorite Annamarie Magg of powerful Jesuit passed Jones and opened a gap that no one would challenge. In one of the most exciting finishes in recent years, the top six runners finished within only six seconds as Magg sprinted to victory in a time of 18:23.3 (rounded up to 18:24). Jones was second in 18:26.9. Right behind her were early leader Tidwell of Gresham (18:27.2) and the Laker's Murray (18:27.8).

The LOXC junior's 4th place improved on her 7th place finish in 2007 and was the best finish place and fastest 5K time ever for a Laker girl at the Oregon State Meet. She also earned her second trip to Nike's Borderclash event for the top 40 Oregon runners against Washington's top 40.

While Murray's performance was the highlight, the young Lakers girls team gained valuable state meet experience and lifelong memories. After a re-building season from their 4th place finish at the 2007 State Meet they were not predicted to qualify this year. However, using alternative training when injuries hampered their running, they surprised everyone and toed the starting line in Eugene.

Running as a pack, they finished in 84, 89, 91, 102 and 110th to place 12th overall. The team consisted of Jocelyn Aguilar (21:31), Sarah Morse (21:46), Molly Ponkevitch (21:48), Kelsey Mead (22:16) and Emily Hoard (22:34).

LOXC's Elijah Greer placed 9th and earned top ten medal, trip to BorderClash, and led the 4th place Lakers to the awards podium.

In the final competition of the day, Elijah Greer and John Paden led their teammates to a surprise 4th place finish and the final of the four trophies. Greer, a pre-race favorite and the TRL district champion, didn't have his best day but placed 9th overall with a time of 16:15. It was his best placing at the state overland meet and earned him one of the coveted positions on the medal stand and a berth in the Nike Borderclash. Junior Paden also made the Borderclash team as he closed strong over the final kilometer to place 14th in 16:19.

Senior Paul Hoard once again left it all on the line and placed 40th with a time of 17:07, falling in the finish chute. Consistent senior Issac Hayden completed his LOXC career with a 17:41 effort for 74th, while junior Reed Oliver (18:13/96th) completed the top five scorers. Sophomore Jesse Fordyce placed 107th in 18:29 and junior Sam Conklin ran 18:50 for 117th. The boys averaged 17:06 for the top 5 scorers had a spread of 1:58 between 1 and 5. It was the best finish at state for the LOXC men in over 25 years.

The 4th place LOXC harriers and coaches.

Three Rivers League District Championships, 10.22.08

It was a great day for the LOXC Lakers!

On what may have been the most perfect weather conditions in recent history for the Three Rivers League district championships at Clackamas Community College, the Lakers provided the two individual champions and the two runnerup teams--qualifying for the upcoming 6A State championship slated for 11.1.08 at Lane Community College in Eugene, OR.

As expected, junior Tate Murray defended her 2007 TRL title by pulling away from Milwaukie's Erin McLaughlin and West Linn's Taylor Nowlin just after 3K. She continued to build her lead and ran the second fastest time ever for a Laker female at the District meet. Her excellent 18:44 was her second best of the season and career.

Not expected was the surprise finish of her team. Predicted for 4th place, behind heavy favorite West Linn and either Lakeridge or Clackamas, the young Laker ladies ran tough and earned the second qualifying spot for the State meet with their total of 71 points. Although West Linn dominated with only 34 points, Clackamas totaled 83 and Lakeridge 91.

The duo of Jocelyn Aguilar ((21:28) and Sarah Morse (21:30) placed 14th and 15th. Emily Hoard (21:41) and Molly Ponkevitch (21:43) finished strong on the track to place 20th and 21st.

The boys' race was much more exciting up front, but equally satisfying as the Lakers qualified for state for the first time in four years. Pre-race favorite Elijah Greer (4:58) followed the expected early leader Alex Anderson of Lakeridge through a first mile of 4:56. Greer then took the lead earlier than planned and was 30 meters ahead by 3K. However, West Linn's Taylor West and Cullen Wannarka began to close the gap on Anderson and Greer with LO's John Paden running some 20 meters behind them.

The race suddenly changed when the Lions' Wannarka made a move just after 4K and caught Greer with about 500 meters remaining. He then pulled ahead of Greer and opened a surprising gap of some 25 meters as they neared the track. Wannarka reached the track and looked like an upset winner until Greer used his quick accelleration and began an amazing sprint over the final 125 meters on the track surface. With an almost unbelievable drive he caught the West Linn runner with less than five meters remaining to win his first TRL cross country title with a excellent time of 15:52. Wannarka had to settle for second although running an impressive 15:53--a 23 second personal best.

Meanwhile, Paden--running in fifth with 500 remaining--used a similar kick that gained him second in 2007 as he passed first West and then Anderson to place a much needed third overall with a personal best of 16:04. Paul Hoard also ran a personal best of 16:40 to place sixth as LO placed 1-3-6. Reed Oliver ran a personal best of 17:30 for 18th and Issac Hayden was 21st in 17:34 to give the Lakers a total of 49 points--only 8 behind the heavily favored West Linn team. The five scorers averaged a fine 16:44 with a spread of 1:42 between 1st and 5th.

East - West Sprint Dual III at Salem, 10.15.08

The Lakers traveled south on I-5 to Salem's Geer Park on Wednesday, 10.15.08 for a final tune-up race before the upcoming Three Rivers League District Championships that will determine state qualifiers and district medalists.

Running over a rare 2-mile distance the Lakers showed good form as they produced both the girls' and boys' individual winners. Elijah Greer returned to competition after sitting out the adidas classic and won by four seconds with a time of 10:04. Tate Murray was over a minute ahead of her nearest rival as she ran 11:44.

John Paden also returned to action after missing the previous two meets due to illness and placed third among the boys with a time of 10:14. Paul Hoard was 5th with a time of 10:39.

Murray Runs LO's Fastest Time

The Lakers' Tate Murray broke 19 minutes for the first time at the 2007 adidas Cross Country Classic, which set the stage for her TRL District championship and a 7th place finish at last year's 6A State Meet. This year she was looking forward to running against the top competition that always comes to run at this meet on a fast course around Northeast Portland's Fernhill Park on Saturday, 10.11.08.

The LOXC junior passed the first mile in 5:56, some 16 seconds behind the early leader from Crater High School. Gradually working her way through the lead pack Murray passed two miles at 12:05 and then covered the third mile in 5:55 to pass 3 miles in 18:00. Sprinting passed the fourth place runner as she hit the track she crossed the finish in a new personal best of 18:26.3 (rounded up to 18:27), which is also the fastest recorded time ever for a Laker female.

All of LO's three other finishers recorded personal bests as Emily Hoard ran 21:05 (75th), Jocelyn Aguilar (21:16/82nd) and Kelsey Mead (22:43/109th).

Seniors Paul Hoard and Issac Hayden both set personal bests at the adidas meet.

In the Boys Elite Varsity competition, the Lakers were running without their top two performers Elijah Greer and John Paden. Both had recently been ill and weren't at their best. However, their teammates stepped up in their absence and turned in some amazing personal bests. Paul Hoard (44th) broke 17 minutes for the first time with an excellent 16:41, putting him among the TRL's top ten this season. Issac Hayden (70th) came close to 17 with a fine 17:06, while Reed Oliverbroke 18 for the first time with his 17:47 (115th) and Jesse Fordyce ran 18:06 for 136th. Sam Conklin (18:37/146th) and Mitchell Menashe (18:48/150th) rounded out the personals bests and the team finishers.

LO vs. Lakeridge, Canby and McMinnville

On Wednesday, 10.1.08, the Lakers traveled through the Oregon wine country for a meet at McMinnville's Joe Dancer park against host McMinnville, Canby, TRL member Oregon City and the anticipated matchup with cross-the-lake rival Lakeridge.

The boys individual competition featured a showdown between TRL leader Alex Anderson of Lakeridge (16:00) and the Lakers' Elijah Greer (16:04) over the parkland course. Anderson sprinted from the starting line and immediately opened a gap on the field. However, as he passed the first mile in 4:56, Greer had closed the differential to just under three seconds. Anderson kept the lead until just before 3K, when Greer, now running right behind the Pacer senior, passed him and quickly opened a gap of his own. He continued to expand his lead and sprinted across the finish with a new personal best and course record of 15:48.91 (rounded up to 15:49). It was the LOXC star's first time under the magical 16:00 standard.

Paul Hoard also ran a personal best as he moved through the field to place third in 17:15.Issac Hayden (9th/17:58), Reed Oliver (10th/18:05 PR) also placed in the top ten. Jesse Fordyce ran a personal best of 18:58 in 26th as the Lakers fifth scorer. Without John Paden, who sat out the race after being ill, the Lakers were not able to match up with Lakeridge in their dual meet. Lakeridge 26, LO 31. They did best their other competition: LO 20, Canby 35; LO 25, McMinnville 31; LO 16, Oregon City 43.

In the girls varsity, the Lakers ran without their number one runner Tate Murray, who was not feeling well. However the young team ran well with Emily Hoard (8th/22:05) leading the way. She was followed by Molly Ponkevitch (16th/22:25), Sarah Morse(17th/22:51), Jocelyn Aguilar (18th/22:55) and Irene Lee (22nd/23:15). Dual meet scores: Lakeridge 18, LO 38; LO 27, McMinnville 32; Canby 21, LO 35, LO 23, Oregon City 36.

Northwest Classic on Saturday 9.27.08

On a foggy Saturday morning, the LOXC Navy and White (with Red highlights) traveled down I-5 to Lane Community College, just outside of Eugene for the annual Northwest Classic. Upon reaching the course, the sun was shining as the Lakers competed in both girls' and boys' JV and varsity 5K events on a similar course to what will be the State Championship site on November 1.

In the girls varsity event, LO junior Tate Murray went out with the second pack and passed the first mile at 6:08--some ten seconds behind the leaders. On the second and final loop Murray made her move as they rounded the ponds, passing two competitors and then caught the third place runner with 150 meters remaining. She finished third overall with her best time of the year at 19:19, which was 12 seconds faster than in 2007 when she also placed third. The team finished 8th overall as the remaining six runners ran personal bests: Emily Hoard (50th/22:06),Molly Ponkevitch (64th/22:49), Sarah Morse (68th/22:56), Jocelyn Aguilar (70th/22:58), Kelsey Mead (81st/23:36), Britanny Scrugham (88th/23:48).

In the boys race, Springfield's Tim Costin sprinted to an early lead passing the first mile in 4:52. Almost 20 seconds back LO's Elijah Greer was seventh and John Paden a couple of places behind him. Greer continued to move up and coming out of the loop around the ponds on the first of two circuits had moved into second position. Although he continued to close the gap on the leader throughout the second circuit, he came up just short--by four seconds--as he ran a personal record of 16:04. Paden also finished strong for 4th with a time of 16:35. Senior Paul Hoard continued to improve as he ran a personal best of 17:20 for 14th overall. The team placed third overall with Issac Hayden (31st/17:51), Reed Oliver(49th/18:20) and Jesse Fordyce (78th/19:07 PR) completing the Laker squad.

Greer Lowers LO Course Record Again

The Lakers hosted a five-team meet at LO Junior High on Wednesday, 9.17.08. competing against Three Rivers League foes Clackamas and Milwaukie, Forest Grove and Tualatin from the Pacific Conference.

LOXC senior Elijah Greer, who set the course record of 16:34 just last week, followed Tualatin's much improved Kevin Oliver for 4 kilometers before sprinting away up the steep final hill and increasing his lead over the final 300 meters. The Laker crossed the finish line in a spectacular time of 16:17--a 17 second improvement of his record and 15 seconds ahead of Oliver's excellent 16:32--the second fastest ever at LO's home course. Laker junior John Paden equaled the week-old course standard as he closed strong to clock 16:34 for third.

Paul Hoard (7th/17:51) ran his personal best on the LO course to help the Lakers tie Tualatin in the 5-way team scoring and best each of the four visiting teams in their dual meet scores. Isaac Hayden (13th/18:27) and Reed Oliver (16th/18:41) completed the Laker's top five scorers. Dual meet scoring: LO 24, Clackamas 32; LO 15, Milwaukie 48; LO 20, Forest Grove 36; and LO 26, Tualatin 29. Five-way meet scoring: LO 40, Tualatin 40, Clackamas 62, Forest Grove 74, Milwaukie 144.

The girls individual competition was also loaded with Tualatin's Emily Wheeler, Milwaukie's Erin McLaughlin, Clackamas' Kate Jette and Forest Grove's Laura Matzke all sporting sub-20 minute times this season. However, the Lakers defending TRL champ Tate Murray continued to show she is rounding into racing fitness and the talent that earned her 7th at last year's state meet. Taking the lead before the 3K mark, Murray strung out the lead pack and finished strong to win by 3 seconds over Tualatin's Wheeler with a very fine time of 19:58. That was the second fastest ever in girls' competition on the challenging LO home course and only the second time a sub-20 minute clocking has been recorded. (See Girls' Top Times at LO page.)

Emily Hoard (14th/22:49), Sarah Morse (19th/23:14), Jocelyn Aguilar (21st/23:18) and Brittany Scrugham (30th/24:22) were the LO scorers. Team scores: Tualatin 33, Clackamas 68, LO 78, Forest Grove 78, Milwaukie 120. Dual meet scoring: Clackamas 25, LO 32; LO 20, Milwaukie 41; Forest Grove 27, LO 28; Tualatin 20, LO 43.

Molly Ponkevitch won the girls' JV race in 23:25, while Andrew Tymchenko won the boys' JV at 20:21.

Greer Sets New Course Record at LO

Elijah Greer had been wanting the record for the Lakers' home course since he was a freshman. However, the challenging 5,000 meter route had denied all but former Laker standout Riley Werner of a sub 17:00 minute time. On a beautiful September afternoon with an unusually dry course the conditions were perfect for possibly faster times and some great competition between Three Rivers League favorites West Linn and Lake Oswego. TRL member Putnam and 5A St. Helen's were also on hand for the four-way meeting. Last year LO had edged WL in their dual meet and both teams had tied for second at the District championship, with WL advancing to the State meet due to the 6th finisher tiebreaker.

Greer and teammate John Paden took the early pace and passed the first kilometer in a fast 3:01 with West Linn's Taylor West and Cullen Wannarka in tow. Coming out the woods of Springbrook Park, the order remained the same as they passed 2K in 6:25. However, coming up the steep hill just before 3K, the Lions' West had opened a 10-meter gap on Greer with Paden another few strides behind. It looked as though the course record might fall--but to a West Linn runner instead of a Laker.

Coming up the final steep hill Greer passed West and took the lead with less than 500 meters left. Using his well-honed track speed, that earned him both the 1500-meter and 800-meter state titles, Greer pulled away to win with a new course standard of 16:34--breaking the barrier by 23 seconds. Paden also finished strong and broke the record with his 16:41 clocking, while West placed third in 16:48 (also under the record).

West Linn placed 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 11th to best the Lakers 26-33 in their dual meet. LO bested Putnam 19-39 and St. Helen's 19-39.

Paul Hoard ran his best race, placing 7th overall with a fine 18:01. Reed Oliver (16th/18:35) and Issac Hayden (17th/18:47) rounded out the Lakers top five scorers.

In the Girls' Varsity event, Laker junior Tate Murray ran with West Linn's Taylor Nowlin for the entire race before outkicking her Lion rival on the final stretch to win by two seconds in 21:00. However, the green and yellow had the next five finishers and went 2-3-4-5-6-7 to total a score of only 20 points to the Lakers' 40. LO bested Putnam 15-49 and St. Helens 15-50.

Emily Hoard ran 23:22 for 8th overall, while Molly Ponkevitch was just three seconds back in 9th at 23:55. Sarah Morse (10th/24:03) and Jocelyn Aguliar(12th/24:07) completed the top five scorers for the Lakers.

The Lakers also had the individual winner in the boys' Junior Varsity race asBrendan Hanlon set a personal record of 19:54. He was followed in second byTaylor Pearce at 20:25.

Tualatin Invite, 9.3.08

The Lakers opened their regular season with the annual trek down to Tualatin High School for the Tualatin Invite. This year the weather was very good with temperatures in the mid-70s as opposed to the very hot races the past few years. This year's competition included South Salem, Beaverton, Forest Grove, Oregon City, McKay, Southwest Christian, Westside Christian and host Tualatin.

Junior Tate Murray, running conservatively as she returned from a nagging foot injury, started easily and worked her way though the pack and finished strong in third place with a time of 20:07. Sophomore Emily Hoard was the next Laker finisher as she placed 18th in 22:30.

In the boys' varsity competition, junior John Paden followed the same strategy as Murray and started conservatively. After passing the first mile in 7th place at 5:22, the transfer from Clackamas finished strong to place second overall with a fine early season time of 16:12 and only four seconds off his personal best. Senior Elijah Greer, running his first race since his appearance in the World Junior Track and Field Championships in July, also moved up throughout the race and placed 5th with a time of 16:56. Senior Paul Hoard also placed in the top ten with his 8th place 17:30. Issac Hayden (19th/18:15) and Reed Oliver (27th/18:41) rounded out the top five scorers as the Lakers placed second to host Tualatin.

The Laker Run, 8.27.08

The annual Laker Run, the traditional start of the LOXC season, was conducted on Wednesday, August 28, 2008. LO senior Elijah Greer covered the difficult 5,000 meter course in 17:43 to place first. He was followed by junior John Paden, who transfered to LO this year, in17:53. Seniors Paul Hoard (18:40), James Ratliff(19:09) and Isaac Hayden (19:40) rounded out the top five finishers. Juniors Sam Sanford (19:49) and Reed Oliver (20:16) were 7th/8th overall and 6th/7th on the LO boys' team.

Senior Molly Ponkevitch was the first female finisher and ran 24:19. Jocely Aguilar was next in 25:03. Sarah Morse (25:48), Kelsey Mead (25:53), Jess Strull(26:09), Alisa Johnston (26:11) and Brigit Scrugham (26:22) rounded out the top seven.

Robert Wery was first in the 3,000 meter event, which preceded the 5K run, with a time of 13:20. Anne Sholian (14:59) was the first female.