Ross Runners Finish 3rd and 5th at the Final TRAC Cross Country Event

By Bill Bray

OREGON – There is nothing better on a cool Saturday morning in the fall than to hear parents, fans and coaches cheering on their favorite runners.  Such was the case today as the competitors of the Three River Conference Cross Country teams put their talents on display at the final TRAC competition.

            Our Fremont Ross Little Giants were well represented at the race.  The girls took to the course first at 9am. After the results were computerized, Ross came in 5^th, one point out of fourth.  Mackenzie Smith led the Ross contingent with a seventh-place finish in 2:52.6. Right on Smith’s heels was Evelyn Szymanowski, the defending TRAC champion in 8^th place with a time of 20:53.2.  Other Ross runners figuring into the scoring were: Addie Potter (26^th, 22:39.6), Adriane Halbisen (31^st, 23:11.2) and Kylie Peck (34^th, 24:02.5).  Also finishing for the Lady Giants was Kenna Tooman (39^th, 25:22.5) and Taylor Peck (41^st, 26:05.8).

Senior Mackenzie Smith runs to a seventh place finish in her final TRAC cross country meet.

            With the finishes came accolades to Smith whose finish landed her on the First Team All-TRAC. Szymanowski’s 8^th place gave her second team honors. “The girls were a little off today,” coach John Elder said. “They have had some sickness this last week.

            Then it was time for the young men to take to the course.  The Little Giants ran to a third-place finish. Will Kiser led the ‘men in purple’ with a 10^th place finish in 17:50.5.  Aaron Mcnutt was the next Fremont finisher crossing the line in 13^th place in 18:07.8.  Running strong in third was Nathan Szymanowski finishing 18^th in 18:31.1. Four places behind Nathan in 22^nd place was Jaheim Stratton in 18:50.8. The final Ross runner figuring into the team score was Eliot Haitonic who finished 25^th in 19:19.8.  Also finishing for Ross was Logan Gibson running 38^th in 20:19.0. For his 10^th place finish Kiser garnered second team all-conference honors along with teammate Aaron Mcnutt. Szymanowski won honorable mention all-conference as well. “I was very happy with the boys finish today. Now we will turn our attentions to next week as the state tournament begins.”

Junior Will Kiser runs a 2nd team All-Conference performance.

            Ross freshman, Jaiden Long took part in the open race and finished 21^st in 26:28.3 and Elizabeth Stratton ran 29^th in 32:44.9.

            Evan Beardmore ran 28^th in 21:46.7 during the boys open race.