TDHS Cross County Team Runs with Heart at Oregon City Invitational
In the top ten. Juan Diego Contreras and Leo Lemann stand just to the left of Hermiston's Jaysen Rodriguez. Photo Credit: Jill Pearson
by Jill Pearson
As to be expected, The Dalles High School cross country was pretty glum when they found out their overnight meet to Joseph had been canceled. With illness taking out a couple of bus drivers, and air quality in the Wallowas in the red, it was not entirely unexpected. Still, several seasons since 2020, they’d had their hearts set on camping out and running in the mountains. Despite the disappointed looks on their faces, though, they worked as hard as ever on their intervals and recovery runs, stoically hiding their “I wish…” and “if only”s.
With homecoming on the horizon and a hearty team dinner, though, they set their sights and wishes on a new target: the historically fast and full Oregon City Invitational.
In a reversal of attitude from Wednesday, Saturday September 17th, 2022 saw the entire Riverhawk squad push through, utterly exhausted and grinning ear to ear beyond the finish line.
Twenty-five members of the team set all-time personal records, and the joy was downright infectious.
By far the largest- and winningest- race for The Dalles was the junior varsity race.
Aiden Erickson was the first to cross the finish line in the boys junior varsity race. Photo Credit: Jill Pearson
Ahead of over 150 runners, freshman Aiden Erickson took first place with a minute PR of 18:21, with sophomores Josef Lutz (5th, 18:45) and Caleb Caldwell (8th, 18:56) also making the top 10 under 19 minutes. Together with the rest of the JV squad, they collectively placed 2nd behind McKay High. The JV have been some of the hardest workers on the team, and it was incredibly gratifying to see their work pay off, one hill and stride at a time.
There were mighty quick times for the varsity race as well, with senior Juan Diego Contreras leading the race until the last 500 meters, coming in second at 15:43 behind Hermiston’s Jaysen Rodriguez. A few seconds later, fellow Riverhawk Leo Lemann came in third at 15:55, with sophomore Egan Ziegenhagen at number 20 at 17:25. The rest of the team arrived in the 18s, with Vincent Ziegenhagen leading the 4th through 7th.
“Somebody has to make a move,” I remember yelling. “It might as well be you.”
Leo Lemann finishing his run in 3rd place at the Oregon City Invitational. Photo Credit: Jill Pearson
The girls races also took on additional meaning, at they were missing their top varsity runner due to illness this week.
“Run this one for Alaina,” they promised each other, and set PR’s that would certainly make her proud.
Senior Madison Goldbacher set an all-time PR at 27:28, with Dalila Villegas shaving off over a minute from her previous best. In the varsity race, sophomore Nayeli Vergara continued her trend of taking off two minutes each race, finishing at 24:43, just behind freshman and newcomer Abigail Pope.
“She runs tough,” commented coach Mandi Williams. “There’s no jog- she actually races!” Sophomore Ruby Jaimes finished at 22:13, with senior Lucy Booth sub 23 as well at 22:43. Senior Fiona Dunlop (23:08) and freshman Rokiah Notbohm (24:53) rounded out the varsity team, with season PR’s of a minute apiece.
Ruby Jaimes crossing the finish line in just a little over twenty-two minutes. Photo Credit: Jill Pearson
As the JV boys accepted their team’s trophy, they seemed to carry the ethos of the entire Riverhawk squad with them. From disappointment to triumph and joy, they ran with heart…and also with one eye on the horizon, looking ahead to the giant Nike Portland meet.
JV sophomore Andrew Wring said it best: “I was just one second off- but that is what next week is for!”
After Nike Portland, the Riverhawks head to Champoeg.
You can view the the season meet schedule and PRs on athletic.net.
