The Champs Invite cross-country meet hosted by East Linn Christian gave the Outlaws teams a chance to see some more of the other best 3A/2A/1A teams in Oregon on Friday, September 23 at Cheadle Lake Park.

Runners from over 40 schools took part in the meet under sunny skies on a flat, open course.

Junior Ella Bartlett placed fourth among over 130 finishers to lead the Outlaws to a fifth-place team finish behind Siuslaw. Siuslaw was the 4A champion last year, and also moved to 3A this year. The Outlaws also chased Oregon Episcopal, Bandon, last season’s 3A/2A/1A champions, and Central Linn.

State leader Daisy Lalonde took top honors in the race, finishing in 19:07. Bartlett crossed the line in 20:18.

Freshman Brooke Duey had another strong showing, placing 14th in 21:36. Nevaeh McAfee nearly set a new personal best (23:14) on her way to 35th place. Mae Roth (25:37), Delaney McAfee (25:38), and Freja Pederson (26:07) rounded out the rest of the team.

The key for the Outlaws’ continued improvement is closing the time gap between the third through seventh runners, according to Coach Charlie Kanzig.

Hayden Roth had a similar experience to Bartlett as he toed the line against the top two ranked 3A runners in a high-quality field of runners.

Benjamin Bourne of Santiam Christian battled Olin Gilster throughout the 5,000-meter course, and finally prevailed with a two-second victory in 16:09. Gilster placed third at last year’s 3A State Championships, and Bourne was sixth.

Roth took sixth in 16:59 in one of his best career efforts.

“Hayden really raced today,” said Assistant Coach Dennis Dempsey.

Cole Jervis had his best race of the year and placed sixteenth (18:14), while the remaining scorers bunched together within seven seconds of one another. John Berg (19:12), Ace Chew (19:17), and Spencer Tisdel (19:19) placed 36th, 37th, and 39th among the field of 182 runners. Daniel Miller, despite having a rough outing, finished in the top half in a time of 21:19.

Siuslaw (61) edged Santiam Christian (65) for the team title, while Oregon Episcopal (89) and Sisters (111) completed the top four team spots among 19 complete teams.

The Outlaws stay close to home this week to compete in the Oxford Classic at Drake Park, hosted by Bend High on Saturday October 1.