Summit's girls cross country team knew it was inevitable that at some point, its historic streak of state championships would come to a halt.
That time finally came last year, when the Storm's title run ended at 15 when it finished as runner-up to Crater by 15 points in the 5A meet.
“There was a big sense of responsibility around the Summit legacy and a tremendous amount of pressure,” coach Kari Strang said. “But I think they handled it as well as anyone could.”
This season, the Storm is plotting a return to the top. And with all of its scorers back from last year's state meet, Summit is in position to regain its supremacy.
“It's been pretty remarkable to just see how they've taken last year in stride and continued to believe in themselves and support one another,” Strang said. “Instead of ruminating on what wasn't, they're trying to focus on who they are and what they can be.”
Summit's lineup features seniors Sophia Capozzi, Eva Dicharry and Skye Knox, who placed fifth, eighth and 16th at state last year, respectively. Capozzi has the No. 5 time in 5A this season, Dicharry is ranked No. 7 and Knox is No. 14.
Capozzi, committed to Williams College (Mass.), ran a season-best 18:02.0 in placing fifth at the prestigious Rose City Championship Invite on Oct. 10. She recorded her personal best of 17:35.1 at Rose City last year.
“She continues to get stronger each week,” Strang said of Capozzi, who in the 5A track meet placed fourth in the 3,000 meters as a sophomore and sixth as a junior. “She's been a consistent force for the team. She's someone that has high expectations for herself. I'm very happy with how she's been running.”
Dicharry, an 800 runner in track who was part of the state runner-up 4x400 relay, is making steady progress.
“Our belief in her ability, we're watching her start to catch up to that same belief,” Strang said. “She's incredibly capable. It's been fun to see her believe that more and more. She's getting a little more competitive and confident in her ability.”
Summit got a chance to face off with Crater in the Nike Portland XC meet at Blue Lake Park on Sept. 26. In the Danner Championships race at the meet, Summit placed eighth with 254 points and Crater was 14th with 365 points. The next 5A team was Caldera, Summit's Intermountain Conference rival, which was 17th with 384 points.
“We had a strong day. It went well,” Strang said. “Crater is Crater, and we know they're a team that's just going to continue to get stronger. We don't underestimate them for a second. We know it's absolutely going to be a fight, one that we're looking forward to at state.”
Storm boys seek to end drought
Summit's boys, state runners-up to Crater the last two years, also are pushing to contend for the 5A title. The Storm hasn't won a championship since a five-year run from 2011 to 2015.
Crater graduated its top three runners from last season, though, creating an opportunity. With six runners ranked among the top 25 in 5A this season – led by junior Bjorn Blankenship (No. 2) and sophomore Clayton Jero (No. 8) – Summit is looking to ends its drought.
“I think they have a chance,” Strang said. “Crater is always incredibly tough. Our hope is to go for it on the day.”
Blankenship, who placed eighth at state last year, is having an outstanding season. He took ninth at Nike Portland XC, where he clocked a personal-best 14:58.4, and placed fourth at Rose City.
“He's fierce and gritty,” Strang said. “I would put no limits on what Bjorn is capable of. He's still figuring things out. He's relatively young in cross country for us. For a lot of people, he has exceeded a lot of expectations. It's been fun to watch him come into his own.”
Grant Robison Invitational
Warrenton senior Jayden Warner followed his runner-up performance in the Rose City Championship Invite with a victory in the Grant Robison Invitational on Oct. 16 at Joe Dancer Park in McMinnville.
Warner ran to a personal best of 14:36.09, the third-best time in the state this season. He defeated Central senior Ty Cirino (15:07.86) and McMinnville junior Isaiah Carpenter (15:50.25).
McMinnville outscored Sprague 49-83 to take first place out of 19 boys teams.
Dallas senior Kelsey Rodli won the girls race in 18:01.06, her fourth victory of the season. She turned back Valley Catholic senior Isabelle Wiebe (18:06.98) and Philomath sophomore Cassidy Smart (18:19.08), who posted the top 4A time this season.
Crescent Valley's girls finished first out of 15 teams, edging Dallas 67-87.
Stumptown Showdown
North Salem senior Nelida Dalgas (17:40.21) held off her district rival, West Salem senior Avery Meier (17:54.49), to win the Stumptown Showdown on Saturday at Lents Park in Portland.
West Linn sophomore Eleanor Wyatt (18:15.00) took third place, leading the Lions to the team title. West Linn (82 points) and Franklin (92) led 18 girls teams.
Oregon Episcopal senior Ronan Gantzos (15:17.08) was the top Oregon boy, finishing behind only senior Mystic Hammond (15:13.70) of Ellensburg, Wash. Wilsonville senior Liam Wilde (15:23.31) and Sunset junior Ronan Olson (15:40.57) were next.
Sunset scored 66 points to run away with first place out of 21 boys teams.
2A/1A bests
Knappa senior Wyatt Jacobson (15:31.5) and Heppner senior Gage Hart (15:42.2) clocked the two best times in 2A/1A this season in the Vernonia Invitational on Oct. 16 at Anderson Park.
jerryu@osaa.org
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