Ultimook XC Recap 9/2

It was a perfect day to start the 2017 XC season on Saturday as Trapper cross country took to the Ultimook XC in Tillamook, Oregon.  The first race of the day saw senior Ruby Urbina-Vega and freshman Madison Hunter take on the field of close to 140 runners in the novice divison. Hunter led the duo in 23rd place, with Urbina just behind her in 31st.  Both runners did incredibly well in their first cross country race of their careers.  

In the next race senior Diego Meza and junior Austin Turrentine raced on a packed course that included 330 other runners.  Meza finished 63rd and Turrentine completed the course in 234th place.  

Next up for the Trappers was the girls varsity race, where four ladies competed hard against a field of 22 5A and 6A Oregon teams and 175 runners.  Emily Phelps led the squad in 6th place, making in the podium and earning some fresh cut hydreageas for her efforts.  Phelps beat out some very talented runners to earn her spot; working her way up from 13th place about halfway through the race.  The next Trapper across the line was Anna Harrison in 34th overall.  Her time of 23:26 was impressive considering the conditions.  Khonnie Ecklund was the third Trapper in, finishing in 88th place, followed closely by Jessica Vincente in 96th. For their first ever race, to beat over 70 other varsity runners was really impressive.  

The boys varsity team of Drew Weber, Gabe Daigle and Juan Osorio were last to face the mighty Ultimook and performed well as a group.  Weber led the trio in 35th place overall and used his experience to stand out for the boys.  Gabriel Daigle was next in 79th place, not bad for a freshman in his first ever high school race.  Juan Osorio rounded out the groups perfomance in 165th, needing to battle back after getting clogged up in the mudpit.  

Overall it was a great first trip to this event. Tons of teams and runners and definitely a one of a kind course.  Looking forward to possibly going back and taking it on again.