Muhumed, Stratton rule Class 6A cross country

PHOTOS by Robert Rosenberg

INTERVIEWS | All-Class MERGE

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Eugene – While he was on the course, racing for his second straight Oregon Class 6A cross country title, West Salem’s Ahmed Muhumed couldn’t help but think of other people.

Muhumed ran for his family, for his team and for the middle school teacher from his past who flew up from Arizona to watch him run.

Ingrid Macomber was one of the first teachers in the U.S. to impact Muhumed when he and his family emigrated from Ethiopia in 2011. Macomber helped Muhumed learn to explore his running talent in the eighth grade. VIDEO INTERVIEW

“She inspired me to do this and having her here meant a lot,” Muhumed said. “Every time (during the race) I felt myself falling back or I wasn’t in the spot I wanted to be, I thought of her and I wanted to make her travel worth it.”

Muhumed ran 15:21, 17 seconds faster than his winning time last year. He is the first Salem resident to win back to back state titles. Jesuit junior Joshua Schumacher, who spent much of the fall dealing with a strained calf, ran his best race of the season and tried to chase down Muhumed in the final 300 meters. He finished five seconds back in 15:26.

The Central Catholic boys won the Class 6A cross country title for the 10th time in 14 years on a rainy day at the state meet at Lane Community College.

Brothers Michael and Matthew McCausland finished fifth and 10th overall for the Rams, who put five runners in the top 22. The five scorers averaged 16:02.

Crater, the Class 5A champion, settled a score with Summit (32-41) and averaged 15:54 per man on the top five. Junior Andy Monroe ran 15:21 and shared fastest time of the day honors with Ahmed.

Sunset’s Ember Stratton matched the fastest time in state meet history, earning a spot next to Ella Donaghu with 17:26. Stratton’s teammate, Kelly Makin, was second in 17:50. Jesuit reclaimed the 6A girls title, winning it for the first time since 2010. STORY

Olivia Brooks won her third consecutive 5A title with 17:45 and led Summit to its ninth state championship in a row. The Storm went 1-2-3-9-10.

In a head to head comparison between Jesuit and Summit, the Storm wins the five scorer average, 18:37 to 18:43.

Celie Mans of Siuslaw won her second consecutive Class 4A girls title as Tillamook edged La Grande 71-76 for the team title. It was the first girls championship for the Cheesemakers.

Michael Brown of North Bend ran 16:13 for the 4A boys individual title as Valley Catholic won the team championship with 58 points. Seaside was second with 79.

In the small school 3A/2A/1A races, Catlin Gabel won the girls title with 54 points as Stephanie Finley of Oregon Episcopal School ran 18:27 for the win. Bandon put three in the top nine to win the boys team title with 82 points. Sophomore Tim Stevens of Union ran 16:10 for the win. Jefferson, with the four Ibrahim brothers going 2-3-12-16, finished fourth in the team standings.