The Lions have signed up 72 runners to compete against Horizon Christian, Oregon Episcopal, Portland Lutheran, Portland Waldorf, Southwest Christian, Westside Christian, North Marion, West Albany, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, South Salem, and Tualatin.

Come out to cheer everyone on.

Race Divisions

For Athletes

2:00 PM         Students Released From Class/Get Dressed Down
2:15 PM         Bus Leaves WLHS
3:30 PM         Racing Begins
6:15 PM         Awards—must be present
6:57 PM         Bus Arrives at WLHS

Awards
Individual:         Medals top 10 in the JV and Varsity races
Team medals:    1^st/2^nd/3^rd
Coed 3200:       ribbons top 10 boys and girls

COURSE RECORDS:  BOYS—15:35     GIRLS—18:34

The second goal is to put together a DVD as a gift to the exceptional 2010 Senior class. Two dozen guys and gals have raised the level of WLHS running program to historic levels. The guys have placed 3rd in State in back to back years. And the gals have won the TRL five consecutive years.

2010 is going to be very exciting season to participate in, so find those running shoes and hit the trails!

The DandyLions are on a roll — a five year long roll. West Linn has won the TRL District title every year since 2005 and are the favorites again this year given they return five of their top seven athletes. In fact, 11 of the top 13 return to face a revamped Three Rivers League. The OSAA changes in 2010 mean adding Canby and Grant to the TRL while dropping Milwaukee and Putnam.

A look into fall 2010: Canby returns six of their top seven from last year’s State team. Unfortunately for the Cougars it is their #1 runner who has graduated. Given practically the entire team recorded season bests at the Pacific District meet last fall, don’t count them out come TRL District time.

Lake Oswego returns five of their top seven. Coach Eric Lider had his team ready for the TRL District last year and nearly pulled off the upset. The Lakers fell only 5 points short of West Linn. Given their history, a return to State for LO would not be a surprise.

Lakeridge returns four of their top seven including freshman sensation Kelly O’Neill. O’Neill is the favorite to take the conference championship now that Tate Murray and Erin McLaughlin have graduated. The Pacers may be a year away from challenging for the TRL title; yet moving up two strong sophomores to their returning group could put them into the State Meet.

The Lions are not slowing down. West Linn lost two important seniors, but they have already re-loaded. They will once again be very balanced with four seniors leading the way. While it appears that the top 6 will be filled with returnees, the competition for the 7th position is going to be fun to watch. The newcomers will certainly have a positive impact on the team.

Captain Chelsea Ollar ’11 was the team’s leading scorer and highest State Meet finisher in 2009. The 2nd team All-TRL performer is prepared to make her last year in the program a memorable one. It is easy to expect Chelsea will finish her high school XC career earning a spot on the 1st All-TRL team.

Another 2nd team All-TRL performer is Elliot Prince ’11. She is one of the hardest working members of the team (although she is battling an injury right now). This year, Elliot looks to be the consistent #1 or #2 runner and is pushing to return to the 1st All-TRL team like she was as a freshman.

The winner of the JV TRL District Meet title last October was Ellie Clow ’12. Ellie had a great 2009 season, not only improving her District Meet time by over 70 seconds, but turning in a team third at the State Meet. Lowering her times by another minute may be too much to expect this year; we can only hope!

The trio of Julia Boyd-Helm ’13, Ann Bernert ’11, and Erin Morrow ’11 provides the varsity depth that few teams will match this year. Julia had a standout freshman year running in the State Meet in both XC and track.  While putting a number out there for her to run is difficult, breaking 21 minutes for the 5k seems legitimate. How much under will be up to Julia. Ann and Erin ran identical season bests last year.  Ann’s was a PR at the TRL District meet. She has put in a great amount of work in the last few months and looks to be ready to place high in October. Captain Erin looks like she is also ready to go in 2010 as shown by her placement in July’s tempo run. It was not a race rather an indication where everyone stood fitness wise.

Of course, five score in XC but many times it comes down to the 6^th runner or the 6^th runner pushing down the opposition’s 5^th runner placement.

And what about the 7^th man? The competition for a varsity spot, and even un-seeding one of the returning top six, is going to be great. There are about two dozen young ladies who will be working hard to fill this spot. Going into official practices, it appears that Leah Henningsen ’13 and Becca Donnelly ’13 are leading candidates to help the Varsity.  Leah has been a team 2nd in both summer check points. She lowered her PR with every race last year. Becca finished last XC season strong with a PR in finishing runner-up to Ellie Clow in the JV District Meet. Her strong work ethic will serve her well in achieving her goals. Newcomers Cailin Guerins ’14 and Emily Borne ’13 have the potential to be in the top 7 as well.

The TRL will definitely be more competitive this year with the addition of two bigger schools. West Linn is well positioned to continue its domination of the district and win a 6th title in a row. Still there are six other schools who are not willing to concede before October.

The Oregon 6A XC landscape has changed; most notably because the OSAA has Crater moving up from and Franklin dropping down to 5A in 2010. Over the last seven years only two schools have won Oregon’s large school Boys cross country title:  Jesuit and Central Catholic. This year it would appear, at least on paper, the string of private school victories may be broken.

A look into fall 2010:  Crater starts the season as the early favorite and most likely holding the State pre-season #1 ranking. They have been ranked as high as #3 in the Northwest regional rankings mostly because they return four of their top seven who placed 5, 10, 11, and 15 at the 5A State Meet. It seems like an easy prediction that the Comets will be back on the podium this year.

Jesuit returns only three of their top seven.  As usual though, they had a great junior varsity a year ago (scoring a perfect score in the District meet) and Coach Tom Rothenberger always puts together a fantastic squad when the State Meet rolls around.  It would certainly be unwise to underestimate how good Jesuit might be in November given their track record.

Central Catholic also returns three of their top seven.  Coach Dave Frank’s JV squad dominated the Mt. Hood Conference District Meet last year, so the Rams will certainly re-load and will be ready come State Meet time.

And what of the Lions?  West Linn returns their entire top seven from 2009, all of whom are now seniors.  Last year they placed four in the top 30 (2, 5, 25, and 26) at the State Meet – and there is no doubt that they’ll be primed to improve upon their back-to-back 3rd place team finishes. The 2010 version of the Lions has both strength up front and great depth.  In fact, the team lost only one senior on the entire squad. With two top-notch seniors, the up-front strength is easy to see collectively, but it’s difficult to predict which runner will lead the way for the Lions.  Captain Cullen Wannarka ’11 was last year’s TRL District Champion and earned First Team All State honors a year ago with his 2nd place finish at the State Meet.  He’s the leading returner in the State, and, by all accounts, he has a very legitimate chance at the individual state title.

Taylor West ’11 was the team’s #1 man for the better part of last season.  He was the TRL District Runner-up by less than a half of second. And also earned First Team All State honors a year ago by placing 5^th at the State Meet.  He has been Cullen’s training partner this summer, and he, too, must be mentioned in any discussion of possible state individual champions.

Equally worthy of mention amongst the state’s best are Zach Boyd-Helm ’11 and Tim Donnelly ‘11.  After Zach finished 25th at the XC State Meet last fall, he had a terrific outdoor track season in the spring. He qualified for State in the 800m and consistently ran under 2:00; going as low as 1:55.50! Captain Tim looks to improve on his 26th place at State. He has fought thru some injuries and is now healthy again. It is realistic to believe Zach and Tim will be participating in the Nike BorderClash at the end the year.

Regardless of the strength of a team’s top four, success on the State, Regional, and National level requires, at the very least, a solid top five.  The Lions will need more consistency out of their #5 runner to win the school’s first ever XC State title. Unseating CC, Jesuit, and Crater will require strong performances from #5-#7 runners.

One athlete in particular appears to have made great strides (pun intended).  Graham Frank ’11, captain, was one of the most improved runners a year ago – in 2009 he posted a 76 second improvement over his 2008 TRL District Meet time.  After a strong track season where he set PRs in three events, Graham’s improvement from last summer is worth noting.  At last week’s Bush Park race, Graham was the highest West Linn finisher at 17:22.  While it’s difficult to exactly place where this puts Graham, there is no doubt that he’ll move up significantly from last year’s 74th place finish at the State Meet.

Rounding out the returning varsity seniors are Jefferson Chandler and Andrew Daniels. They plan on pushing Graham for that important #5 scoring position. Jefferson hopes to return to 2008 form when he ran 17:03 in Washington. He, like Graham, set PRs in three events during spring track. After struggling with injury during the spring track season, Andrew is looking forward to competing in an entire XC season. An improvement on his  27^th TRL District finish last year is almost a certainty.

Braden Krellwitz ‘12 is the most likely returnee to break into the top 7 for the State Meet. The outstanding wrestler showed his potential last season as the Lions’ 8th man. He showed his enormous determination in winning the JV TRL District Meet last October. A man on a mission this summer has been Connor Cushman ‘13. Connor has come on like gang busters; even leading the Team Time Trial for the first 1k. He is the 8th man at the moment. Derek Fieldhouse ’13, William Maurer ’11, Tyler Griffin ’13 along with newcomers Trevor Hammock ’14  and John Goetze ’14 will also make a push to run varsity.

About twenty seven others will join in the goal of bringing a State XC Championship to West Linn. For the fifteen seniors, most who are in their fourth year of the program, 2010 promises to be a year to remember. Whether or not the goal is achieved the entire team will have fun trying to make history.

The Lions will be in the seeded race. A video of the race is usually available shortly after the race at the link above.

Tentative Schedule of Events

9:00AM       Varsity Boys       5K       Divisions 5

9:25AM       Varsity Girls       5K       Divisions 5

9:50AM       Varsity Boys       5K       Division 4

10:15AM       Varsity Girls       5K       Division 4

10:50AM       College Race       8K       Men’s

11:30AM       College Race       6K       Women’s

12:10PM       Varsity Boys       5K       Division 1

12:40PM       Varsity Girls       5K       Divisions 1

1:10PM       Varsity Boys       5K       Seeded

1:40PM       Varsity Girls       5K       Seeded

2:10PM       Varsity Boys       5K       Division 2

2:40PM       Varsity Girls       5K       Division 2

3:10PM       Varsity Boys       5K       Division 3

3:40PM       Varsity Girls       5K       Division 3

Dyestat’s pre-season Top 50 rankings (compiled by Rob “Watchout” Monroe) lists Crater at #17 and West Linn at #37. The full POWERADE FAB 50 PRESEASON RANKINGS are on the ESPN RISE website.

Crater, who moves up to 6A this year, is ranked #16 in another national ranking. West Linn shows up at #25. At #56 is last year’s Oregon State Champion, Central Catholic.

Pre-season XC National Rankings by The Profit

1. Trabuco Hills (CA) 358
2. Columbus North (IN) * 364
3. Arcardia (CA) 390
4. American Fork (UT) 479
5. Dana Hills (CA) 555
6. Elmhurst York (IL) 624
7. Christian Brothers (NJ) 652
8. Oak Park River Forest (IL) * 663
9. Albuquerque (NM) 667
10. Glendora (CA) 746
11. West Winsor Plainsboro (NJ) 766
12. Buchanan (CA) 778
13. The Woodlands (TX) * 804
14. North Central (WA) 814
15. Noblesville (IN) * 834
16. Crater (OR) 843
17. Bellvidere (IL) 851
18. Fayetteville-Manlius (NY) 851
19. Valencia (CA) 889
20. Eisenhower (WA) 913
21. Lee’s Summit North (MO) 963
22. Don Bosco (NJ) 968
23. Naperville Nequa Valley (IL) * 983
24. Los Alamos (NM) 993
25. West Linn (OR) 999
26. Haddonfield (NJ) 1004
27. Parkview (GA) 1017
28. Hamilton Southeastern (IN) 1025
29. Loyola (CA) 1027
30. El Toro (CA) 1034
31. Carmel (IN) * 1035
32. Henry Jackson (WA) 1042
33. Lewisville Marcus (TX) 1046
34. Palos Verdes (CA) 1060
35. Eden Prairie (MN) 1064
36. Columbus Miami (FL) 1065
37. Terre Haute North (IN) * 1070
38. Leon (FL) 1072
39. Wayzata (MN) 1082
40. Detrpot Catholic Central (MI) * 1112
41. Ionia (MI) 1120
42. West Chester Henderson (PA) 1127
43. University (WA) 1144
44. Warwick Valley NY 1163
45. North Central (IN) * 1174
46. North Rockland (NY) 1181
47. Ferris (WA) 1191
48. Brookwood (GA) 1205
49. Burnt Hills (NY) 1249
50. North Harrison (IN) 1252
51. Peninsula Woodridge (OH) 1260
52. Auburn Riverside (WA) 1265
53. Mt Spokane (WA) 1270
54. Edina MN 1302
55. Bellevue (WA) 1318
56. Central Catholic (OR) 1328
57. Palatine (IL) * 1342
58. Mountainview (UT) 1338
59. Davis (CA) 1363
60. Mountainview (CA) 1368

Posted: 06-21-2010, 10:50 PM

ESPN RISE’s Phil Latter also attended the camp and published an article about the experience in Camp Series Part 3: On ‘being the spark’ in Blacksburg, Virginia. From Cullen’s and Taylor’s point of view an important part of the camp was mentioned in the article — the food.  The dining hall was voted the nation’s best college dining center and the guys can attest to the high ranking!  Dining at Dietrick will not be soon forgotten even if the running tips are.

The guys found that running on Virginia Tech’s campus and in the Appalachian Mountains was both beautiful and challenging. They met athletes and coaches from many states ranging from NY to North Carolina to Kentucky. And tried to learn how to use the word ”y’all” in every conversation.

Regular Fall practices begin with daily doubles at 9:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. on August 23rd.  Team time trial is 9:00 A.M. on Weds., August 25th.  Two of the practices will actually be “Spike Night” at local shoe businesses. Long runs are scheduled for Saturdays at Tryon Creek.

The week of August 30th we will practice twice Monday-Thursday and 9:00 A.M. only on Friday. Team Pasta Feed is September 1st at 6 P.M. We have the Wilsonville Night meet that Friday.

Any athletes that would like  more information can contact Coach Spear at go4arun.wlxc@gmail.com or Linman at linmanjo@hotmail.com.

Although we had a more restful evening, the morning came too quickly for some of the team. A few of the boys were awakened to find water balloons placed in their beds along with a few strangely shaped cotton contraptions. After a light breakfast and hydration, the various groups set out on the treacherous task of running nine miles. Through incredible perseverance and shear will power we conquered the mythical 10 falls loop. Some younglings, who before this day had only the power of a padawan learner, emerged as full-fledged Jedi Knights. It was very impressive to witness such a transformation. They have transformed from caterpillars into cocoons, now they only need to become butterflies. Needless to say, the adventure had taken its toll on us, where upon returning to camp we collapsed in the long grass and slept amongst nature. However, our lunch of delicious sandwiches reenergized us in such a way that we would shame the energizer bunny. The new found energy turned into a bloodlust, as the cabin was torn apart by the great water balloon war. It was a vicious fight, but the boys emerged victorious from the ashes. Huzzah! Still, our energy could not be quelled. In a competitive rage, we continued our quarrels on the soccer pitch. We then quenched the mighty hunger that stirred in our stomachs with bodacious burritos and tasty tacos. Meanwhile, a cavalcade of bountiful brownies, majestic Mike and Ike’s, and grappling gummy bears awaited to sweeten our pallet. After, we continued the blood spilling on the soccer field, only to be interrupted by Spear making us all play ultimate Frisbee and Pursuit. However, some of our team members abilities were hindered by a cornucopia of chaffing. I am now writing this in the late night hours preparing to gaze upon a myriad of heavenly constellations.

I bid ye dear reader, a good night, and good luck. On the morrow, we will return to the homeland from whence we came at about three fifteen. However, do not fear that we will be late, for a wizard is never late, nor is he ever early, he arrives PRECISELY when he means to.

Coach Spear

We cannot discuss the events of today without first describing the wonders of yesterday’s nightfall. Many members of the West Linn Cross Country team amused themselves with the scrupulous night sky. The wonders of last night included shooting stars that streaked across the sky with fiery vengeance, leaving trails of blue and red. The slumbery-eyed campers then fell fast asleep after a loud comic show from the male side of the bunks. The morning commenced with early awakening, followed by a sunny and long jaunt in the woods. The same comic males of the previous night then prepared a delectable breakfast entrée of pancakes, assorted fruit, and various juices. Lunch was equally scrumptious. Run-shower-hike-swimming activities ensued shortly after. Supper was followed by a sleepy infant and an epic game of “Capture the Baby”, a WLXC favourite.

Farewell from the fair-weathered far-running campers!

Coach Spear

P.S. We all learned how to set goals…SMART goals.