Never underestimate a Wild Card: TD Track eyeing District after solid showing in Milwaukie

Girls’ 3k podium: 1st - Fiona Dunlop, 2nd - Caitie Wring, 3rd - Gabrielle Kahler

By Jill Pearson

Photos by Kristi Timmons and Jill Pearson

If I learned anything from the Kentucky Derby, it’s to never underestimate a wild card.

Because one horse scratched, an unlikely racer filled the lane and went on to win the heat. While I know next to nothing about horse racing, there appears to be some similarity to a JV race: dozens of unknown quantities, lanes to fill, and nothing to lose.

In the words of freshman Gabrielle Kahler - “it’s fun to be the fast one!”

On Thursday, May 5, the IMC JV finished their season, with some of their strongest times of the season. Kahler’s own 2nd place 1500 finish behind Hood River’s Kate Pauly was a significant PR, just above the six-minute barrier at 6:01.59. Her teammate Tara Perkins also saw a six-second PR in the 800 at 3:08.06. 

Freshmen Josef Lutz, Angel Garza, and Aiden Chanter all saw PRs in their 1500 race, at 5:12, 5:17, and 5:18, respectively. Their new spikes (“fast shoes”) should serve them well in Cross Country this fall as well. 

It was a strong showing for JV sprinters, with Nolan Cates’ second-place finish in the 100m at 12.47, less than .05 of a second behind Ridgeview’s Brennen Isaias. In the women’s 200m, junior Lexi Irving placed third behind Crook County runners at 29.81, a .2 second PR for her. 

In the field events, Conner Kovalchuk’s four-foot PR of 80’6.5” in the discus was good enough to earn him 5th place overall. 

The dominant women’s 4x100m relay seems to have a strong reserve squad as well, with a 58.71-second finish for Lexi Irving, Ashley Quisenberry, Lyris Voodre, and Jazmine De La Cruz. De La Cruz also went on to win the women’s high jump, at 4’6.”

Rex Putnam Invitational, Saturday, May 7

On Saturday, the varsity squad went to Milwaukie’s Rex Putnam Invitational, along with North Salem and several metro-area schools. Through the mud and pouring rain, the team got to see the view from the podium several times, racing tough while anticipating districts next week. Both men’s and women’s teams placed second, close behind Redmond (mens) and Putnam (womens) within a margin of ten points. 

“I kind of want to get a medal in each event,” senior Conor Blair quipped while warming up for the 4x100m, his first-ever. “Kind of?” He grinned. “Yeah.” Blair’s second place with teammates Jaxon Pullen, Taylor Morehouse, and Anthony Jara at 45.74 seconds, was matched on the women’s side. The women were just fractions of a second behind North Salem. The Riverhawk team comprised of Zoe Dunn, Madelyn Harrison, Lilly Adams, and Amyrah Hill finished the race at 52.51. 

Boys’ 1500 Podium 1st - Juan Diego Contreras; 2nd - Leo Lemman 3rd Tristen Yates

The events only sped up from there, with Juan Diego Contreras and Leo Lemman coming in first and second in the men’s 1500 at 4:06 and 4:21. Contreras went on to win the 800m as well, finally going sub-two with a five-second PR of 1:58.
Nowhere were the podium gains more evident than the women’s 3000m, where a 47 second PR landed junior Fiona Dunlop in first at 12:17, closely followed by senior Caitie Wring (12:19), and trailed by freshman Gabrielle Kahler at 13:07- once again, it was “fun to be fast!”

In the sandpit, Zoe Dunn once again took a distant first in the long and triple jump, at 15’11.5” (two feet ahead of second place) and 35’6.5” (seven feet), with teammate Caitie Wring in third for another medal. 

800 Finish: Juan Diego Contreras and Marte Hailey fight for the line.

Taylor Morehouse hit his consistent 14’ mark in the pole vault, while narrowly grazing the 14’6” and still finding time to warm up for the 4x400m, his quid pro quo with Conor for the sprint relay. Four medals in hand, Conor got his wish at the end of the meet, helping the men’s 4x400m team place second, along with Alex Nipko and Juan Diego Contreras at 3:48.49. 

Boys 4x400m team: Juan Diego Contreras, Taylor Morehouse, Alex Nipko, and Conor Blair. Hey Conor, that looks like you’ve got four around your neck. Goes to prove, you have to see it in your mind before you can have hang it around your head.

With quick splits behind them, and gold medals clinking on their chests, the girls’ team ended the meet with a 4x400m win at 4:21.17. The rest of the Riverhawks left the meet tired and proud but taking nothing for granted in the week ahead. No one’s place is guaranteed at State, and no PRs are written in stone. Just like the Derby wildcard, anything is possible in a race. 

Come cheer on the Riverhawks this Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14, at the IMC District Meet in Prineville. You can find the schedule and records here.