The Elmira High School cross-country season is off to a great start with the team competing in two recent meets.
The team hosted its only home meet at Camp Havenroot on Sept. 10. Five teams competed. The runners had to run through a challenging course consisting of winding trails and steep hills.
“That was by far the most challenging meet we will go to in terms of the course itself,” coach Eric Carman said.
The Falcons had a great time and loved the course, he said, even though it was a tough race. He added that they did a great job and he’s very proud of them.
Carmen said the invitational meet typically includes more than 30 teams, and up to 1,000 spectators, either at Richardson Park or the Oregon Country Fairgrounds. However, plans were scaled back this year because of the COVID-19 Delta variant.
On Saturday, Sept. 18, the Falcons traveled to Lane Community College to compete in the Northwest Classic XC 2021.
The runners ran a strong meet, trying to chip away at their personal records. Shark Zhao did just this as he beat his personal record. It was the first time he had competed in three years and ran a 5K in 20 minutes 50 seconds. Jude Carman and Olivia Fahtoo got really close to their PRs. Alyssa Johnson and Braiden Hansen performed great, and it was the first time Garret Flores and Jacob King-Todd had competed in a 5K.
”It will be fun to see how these guys improve over the season,” coach Carman said.
The team will compete again on Saturday in the Cottage Grove Bramble Scramble. The first race will start at 10:30 a.m. Support the Falcon cross-country runners!
