By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
LEBANON, Ore.– Blanchet’s Ethan Lutz wasn’t sure how this District Meet was going to go.
Running on a injured leg, an injury he sustained over the last few weeks of the regular season, Lutz went out and see what he could do.
Through determination and grit, Lutz battled through the adversity on Saturday at the 3A Special District 2 District Meet to finish fourth in the race. Fourth-place allows him to extend his final High School Cross Country season, just one more week.
“It let me know that I can run my race because I injured my left leg recently. That was definitely a good thing that I made it to State because I wasn’t even sure if I was going to make it to State. Even though I didn’t get my PR, it was good,” Lutz said.
Lutz went to the State Cross Country Meet last season as a junior for the first time, and it allowed him to know as he returns this year, what to expect so he can plan out this next week of training that is ahead of him.
“It definitely let me know what to expect for the State Meet since I did it last year. Just rest up, but still do what I nornally do, just keep running, try not to take off anymore days, but keep icing my left leg,” said Lutz, who finished 35th last year at the State Meet.
In the 3A Girls Cross Country race, Scio’s Aniyah Klindtworth wasn’t expecting to do as well as she did, but thanks to her strong performance in Thursday’s 3A Special District 2 District Cross Country Meet, she’s going to the 3A State Cross Country Race next weekend.
Only four athletes could come out of the District, the 3A Classification getting their own Girls State Race his Fall for the first time, and Klindtworth picked up the last AQ out of the conference as she ran an PR Time of 20:43.8 that left the Scio Runner surprised as she finished the race.
“It was unexpected. I think it was straight from Jesus, I couldn’t have done it without him. I didn’t expect it, but I put my trust in him and something happened, something changed and I ran really, really fast,” described Klindtworth.
The Loggers are also sending Syrus Diaz to the 3A State Meet.
After coming close to qualifying last year Diaz, now a senior, got over the hump and qualified for the State Cross Country Meet for the first-time in his High School career as he finished sixth with a PR time of 17:46.6.
“It’s a good feeling, I’m just happy that I made it this year, it was the goal. I’m happy, but I’m tired right now,” said Diaz.
Blanchet’s Jay Naranjo also qualified for State with his seventh-place finish. Williamina’s Abraham Garcia (eightih) and Salem Academy’s Isaiah Imig (ninth) finished in the Top 10. Gervais’ Angel Santos finished 12th with a PR time of 18:40.7
Santiam Christian won the Boys District Title with Willamina finishing second in the team points . Tytus Janssen won the Individual District Title.
Harrisburg and Santiam Christian went 1-2 in the team points in the Girls Varsity Race with Santiam Christian’s Laynee Adkins-Stewart winning the Individual District Title.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
