If Union is going to add to its haul of cross country state titles this year, the Bobcats will do it under a new coach.
Steve Sheehy – who in 23 seasons led Union to 15 state championships (nine boys, six girls) – stepped down after the Union/Cove boys team repeated as 2A/1A champion last year.
He was replaced by McKenzie Evans-Sheehy, who won an individual title for Union in 2013 and is married to Sheehy's nephew, Tom Sheehy, also a former Union runner. Tom's father, Jim, was a member of the school's first state championship team in 1978.
“The culture is definitely a part of my family.,” said Evans-Sheehy, who ran on two state title teams.
What does it mean to her to take over the program?
“When I got the job, I described it as my dream job,” said Evans-Sheehy, who assisted at Union last year after serving as Elgin's head coach for two seasons. “I love this program. I know the difference it made for me as an athlete. The way I hope to most emulate Steve is the way he builds really good people first, and the running comes after.”
The boys team has a realistic shot at delivering a three-peat this year. The Bobcats graduated Nathanael O'Reilly, who placed third at state, but brought back a strong nucleus in junior Ian Garlitz (seventh) and seniors Mason Ritter (fourth) and William Mallory (18th).
The Bobcats and Knappa have engaged in tight battles at state the last three years, with the Loggers winning by two points in 2022 and Union/Cove prevailing by three points in 2023 and 2024. For the Bobcats to win this year, it appears they must overcome Knappa again, as well as Bandon.
“You can never count anything out, but I think those three teams are probably in it,” Evans-Sheehy said. “It's always going to be a battle, but that's always fun. I think our kids thrive under a challenge.”
Garlitz is leading Union/Cove this season, owning the No. 7 time in 2A/1A. Mallory has the next-best time for the Bobcats at No. 17, followed by freshman Corban McNeil (No. 33) and Ritter (No. 39). Evans-Sheehy said those rankings reflect on the type of courses her team has run this season.
“We started out with some really hard courses early in the year,” she said. “We're finally getting to run some fast ones, and they're pretty excited about that.”
In the team's last meet – the Kyle Burnside Memorial Invite on Oct. 21 at the Golf Course at Birch Creek, outside of Pendleton – Garlitz ran a 28-second personal best (16:14.6) to finish third behind two runners from 4A La Grande. Mallory (sixth-16:51.5) and McNeil (10th-17:19.0) also recorded PRs.
Ritter clocked a season-best time (17:28.5) in that meet, an indication that he is ready finish strong again. Another top-five finish from Ritter at state would greatly enhance Union/Cove's chances at a title.
“We would love to get that from him again. I think he's definitely capable,” Evans-Sheehy said of Ritter, the 1A runner-up in the 800 in track. “He's one that always comes on at the end of the season, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what he can do in these last couple meets.”
Mallory's rise as the team's No. 2 runner this season has been a bonus. Ritter is No. 3 in the lineup, with a handful of others pushing to contribute to the title bid.
“No. 4 has changed a lot. It's been rotating, which is fun,” Evans-Sheehy said. “We're really lucky we have a really deep team. They're really good at working together. One of our big strengths is that three through five all work really well as a pack.”
Crater Twilight
The fastest times in 5A this season were run Oct. 20 in the Crater Twilight Invite on the Crater High School track.
Crater junior Brynn Davenport won the girls race in 17:04.6, ahead of Caldera junior Maddie Carney (17:08.6), Ashland sophomore Natalie Kupka (17:41.5) and Caldera sophomore Miley Morical (17:42.7). The times are the top four in 5A this season.
Caldera senior Mason Morical (14:41.8) edged Crater sophomore Garrett Faught (14:42.5) in the boys race. Their times rank first and second in 5A.
Umpqua Invite
Sheldon senior Malachi Schoenherr, the reigning 6A champion, finished first in the 22-team Umpqua Invite at Stewart Park in Roseburg on Oct. 22.
Schoenherr finished in 15:00.30 to beat Thurston senior Carson Buergey (15:11.97) and North Eugene senior Alder Davis (15:15.50). Sheldon won the team scoring with 35 points, far ahead of runner-up South Medford at 65.
North Eugene senior Cricket Phipps was the girls winner, clocking 18:!8.3 to turn back Coquille sophomore Ella Henthorn (18:35.4). Thurston, led by junior Natalie Parker (eighth), outscored Springfield 107-110 for first place out of 15 girls teams.
jerryu@osaa.org
Subscribe
