Jesuit boys looking to build on fast Metro results

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The Jesuit boys aim to end Central Catholic's five-year reign atop of Oregon Class 6A cross country Saturday at Lane Community College. 

But the Northwest region's No. 1 team also has a chance to reveal whether it has it what takes to compete with the best teams in the country if it can advance to Nike Cross Nationals. 

The Jesuit boys, coached by Tom Rothenberger, have qualified for the national meet twice before. At the inaugural Nike Team Nationals in 2004, the Crusaders finished sixth with a team led by Michael Maag. In 2008, the team made it again and finished 13th. 

But no Jesuit team has ever approached the results of last week's Metro League district meet at Tualatin Hills Park and Rec District in Beaverton. 

With Foot Locker finalist Joshua Schumacher leading the charge, Jesuit put seven guys across the finish line under 15:50 on the fast 5,000-meter course. Schumacher won it in 15:21.8. 

Judging by past results on the Metro League's district course, this Jesuit team could be a slightly off the radar team nationally with the ability to pack a wallop. 

On Saturday, in weather that will be wetter and colder than it was last week, results could indicate whether the Crusaders are an historically good Oregon team.

Here is a look at what the Jesuit boys have done in Metro League district races (all at THPRD) since 2004.

2017 - Four guys under 15:30, seven under 15:50

2016 - six under 16:35

2015 - six under 16:13

2014 - five under 16:39

2013 - three under 16:14

2012 - seven under 16:12

2011 - six under 16:17

2010 - four under 16:18

2009 - six under 16:39

2008 - four between 15:48-56, seven under 16:15 (NXN 13th place)

2007 - seven under 16:29

2006 - four under 16:07, six under 16:37

2005 - five under 16:30

2004 - three under 15:50, six under 16:23 (NTN 6th place)

Monroe returning to form

Crater's Andy Monroe ran his best race of the season at the Class 5A Midwestern district meet last week in Talent, when he ran 15:25. 

Monroe has spent the fall trying to overcome a torn plantar fascia tendon in his foot, which he suffered in the middle of the state championship meet 3,000 meters last May.

Last year, Monroe ran 15:21 to win the Class 5A boys race and match 6A winner Ahmed Muhumed of West Salem.

As a group, Crater has shown some vulnerability at four and five and the Comets will be looking for a complete effort Saturday in order to retain the 5A title against rival Summit. 

LAST YEAR'S STATE MEET MERGE

Absence of Stratton re-shapes 6A girls race

Sunset's entries for the 6A girls race do not include Nike Cross Nationals runner-up Ember Stratton, who has been battling patellar tendinitis throughout 2017. The junior raced five times this fall, but has been out of action since placing third at Nike Portland XC. 

Stratton matched Ella Donaghu's state meet course record in 2016 when she ran 17:26. 

Without Stratton, Sunset fell to Jesuit in a hotly competitive Metro League district meet, 31-37. 

Sunset's Kelly Makin, the 2016 state runner-up behind Stratton, won the district title in 17:13.9. Teammate Lucy Huelskamp was second in 17:27.6.

Then came three for Jesuit, all at 17:40 or faster -- Kelsey Gripekoven, Makenna Schumacher and Alexis Kebbe. 

Ginger Murnieks of Sprague, ranked DyeStat No. 22, is the 6A girls favorite. She has run under 17:30 in four meets this season and was second to Lexy Halladay of Mountain View ID at Nike Portland XC.

Decade of dominance

Summit's girls are seeking their 10th consecutive Class 5A championships, which would break a tie with Jesuit for the most girls team titles in a row. Jesuit won nine straight large-class titles from 2002-10.

Olivia Brooks has graduated and now runs for Colorado, but the Storm, of Bend, won its district meet last week with a near-perfect 17 points.