The Elmira High School cross-country team competed last Thursday in Delphian’s Conquer the Hill at Delphian School in Sheridan. Senior Alyssa Johnson came home with a first-place medal, and some other Falcons finished in the top 10 in their races.
Coach Eric Carman described it as all hills, so it took everything the runners had to finish it.
“I am really proud of how these guys push and push,” Carman said. “They’ve got such heart.”
The EHS team has competed in four meets with four to go.
The meets so far have included the Bramble Scramble at Cottage Grove High School and the Northwest Classic at LCC, where EHS competed with more than 70 teams.
Carman said that among the girls, Johnson is a leader. She has been working hard and running consistently year-round, and has qualified for state a couple of times in both cross country and track.
For the boys, Jude Carman leads the pack.
Coach Carman said the season is off to a great start.
“This year, the team is as united as any team I’ve coached,” he said. “It really is a privilege to be with these guys every day. … All of them have been training hard and are dedicated to continually improving their fitness, form, speed and endurance, and their hard work is paying off.”
The team will compete again on Saturday at the Paul Mariman Invitational. Their home meet, the Country Fair Classic, is set for Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Oregon Country Fairgrounds. The races start at 11 a.m., and Carmen said 22 teams are expected to compete.
