By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

The Hilander cross country teams traveled almost 900 miles this past weekend to take part in two races.

On Saturday, Sept. 20, the Hilanders rolled in to Coos Bay to run in the 29th annual Steve Prefontaine Memorial along with 1,250 other competitors.

Ralph Caldwell was the top runner for the Burns boys team, completing the 10,000 meter (10K) course in a time of 41:06, which was also a personal record (PR).

Tyler Rowley finished in a time of 45:35 (PR), followed by Devan Attleberger (53:23), Brendan Palmer (53:24), Travis Farr (53:34), Nathan Drushella (53:46), Truman Mallon (63:10) and Sean Cashen (75:08).

The Hilander girls team was led by Brianna Cunningham, who completed the course in 47:15, followed by Kara Davis (50:21) and Anna Clemens (50:22).

Rowley laid claim to the team’s “Gut It Out” award for taking over seven minutes off his time from last year.

Following the race in Coos Bay, the Hilanders headed north to Portland to participate in the 5K Race for the Cure.

Caldwell again led the boys team with a time of 18:39 (PR). Drushella was the next Burns runner across the finish line (20:58), followed by Attleberger (22:40 PR), Palmer (22:40), Mallon (28:08), Farr (28:43), Rowley (28:43 PR) and Cashen (33:30).

Clemens led the Burns girls team with a time of 23:07, followed by Cunningham (25:04) and Davis (25:04).

Caldwell received the team’s “Gut It Out” award.

“Both days the weather was absolutely great to run in,” Burns coach Alice Herauf said. “It was a great experience, and our thanks to High Desert Physical Therapy, Steens Rim Run and Figaro’s for helping us out. We couldn’t have made the trip without their support.”

•••

The Burns cross country teams traveled to Vale on Tuesday, Sept. 16, to compete in the Oregon Trail Invitational.

The Hilander boys team placed fourth at the meet, finishing with 90 points. Melba, Idaho placed first with 51 points, followed by new Plymouth, Idaho with 54, Vale 71, Burns, Payette, Idaho 112, Ontario 138, Homedale, Idaho 188 and the Fruitland, Idaho team was incomplete.

A total of 67 runners took part in the boys 5,000-meter (5K) race, which was won by Matt Rankin of Ontario with a time of 18:09.
Caldwell led the Hilander team, placing 11th in a time of 21:06. Palmer finished 14th (21:52), Rowley 22nd (22:49), Drushella 23rd (22:50), Farr 24th (22:51) and Cashen 67th (38:47).

Vale won the girls race with a score of 35, followed by New Plymouth with 50, Melba 66, Ontario 75 and Payette 147. Burns and Homedale teams were incomplete.

Michelle Kaaen of Vale outran the other 44 competitors to win the girls race with a time of 22:40.

For the Hilanders, Clemens placed fourth (23:53), Davis ninth (24:53) and Cunningham 10th (24:55).

Rowley and Clemens received the Hilanders’ “Gut It Out” awards for their performances on the Oregon Trail course.