Parsons powers TigerScots to 2A team title

EUGENE — Weston-McEwen senior Wyatt Parsons is not a man who likes to lose. That much was evident Friday on the final day of the OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union 2A championships at Hayward Field.

After a long wait to get on the track, Parsons and the rest of the Weston-McEwen 4×100 relay team — Tristan Weseman, Logan Ray and Colby Perkins turned in a time of 43.15 seconds to win the event and better their own school record.

Parsons, who ran the anchor leg, was a full step ahead of Columbia Christian’s Jasper Zapp when he crossed the finish line.

That was just the beginning of a golden night for Parsons, who went on to win the 100 and the 200. Parsons did not lose a 100-meter race all season.

“I’m usually not the fastest guy out of the blocks, but when I get ahead of them, it’s over,” Parsons said. “I love racing with people who are fast.”

Parsons had a hand in 35 of the TigerScots’ 74 points, leading Weston-McEwen to the team title for the first time since 2017. Enterprise was second with 54, while East Linn Christian was third with 47.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Weston-McEwen coach Loran Monaco said. “I could not have asked for a better team effort. Everyone contributed. Wyatt had a great day and broke two state records, and I don’t know how many school records.”

In the 100, Parsons ran a state record 10.83 seconds, surpassing his own record of 10.89 that he ran in the prelims. Zapp was second in 11.12 as Parsons was the only runner under 11 seconds.

In the 200, Parsons had a blistering time of 21.98 seconds, breaking the state record along the way. The previous record of 21.99 belonged to Nevin Lewis of Culver, set in 2009. It’s the first time Parsons had run under 22 seconds.

“It’s a nice feeling,” said Parsons, who will run at Mt. Hood Community College next year. “I knew it would be fast with Kaydon (Haro) and Jasper (Zapp) on my hips. I knew if I got out fast it would be good.”

The team title was the icing on the cake for Parsons.

“It shows the work, not just by me, but the whole team puts in,” he said. “It’s a good place to be around. We knew Enterprise would be tough. Everyone stepped up. In my four years, I haven’t gotten second two times in football and two times in track. It’s nice to finally win one.”

Not long after the TigerScots won the 4×100, Arden Shaul placed fifth in the 1,500 for W-M with a PR of 4:09.03.

Weseman also was fifth in the 200 with a time of 23.18, while Ray was fourth in the 300 hurdles with a PR of 42.55.

2A girls

Weston-McEwen’s Brooklyn Parker, Charlotte Hansell, Bree Perkins and Addy Hall turned in a time of 51.77 to place third in the 4×100 relay.

Enterprise won the relay with a state record time of 50.39.

Hall also placed third in the 300 hurdles with a PR of 46.23, fifth in the 100 hurdles (16.26) and was seventh in the 100 with a time of 13.19.

Hansell began the day with a fifth-placed finish in the triple jump with a leap of 32-5, which came on her last jump. She also placed eighth in the 300 hurdles (49.23).

Bandon won the 2A title with 103 points, with Enterprise a distant second with 63, and Delphian third with 54.5. Weston-McEwen was eighth in the team standings with 29 points, while Heppner was 20th with 11, and Stanfield was 23rd with 2.

1A boys

Pilot Rock’s Sun Schimmel ran a personal best 11.26 to finish fourth in the 100. The top four runners were within .15 seconds of each other, with Josiah Gaither of St. Stephens Academy winning with a time of 11.19.

Schimmel added to his medal haul with a sixth-place finish in the 800 with a PR of 2:01.34, then turned right around and placed third in the 200 with a PR of 22.94.

“It went according to plan,” Pilot Rock coach Tyler Zyph said. “After the 800, he couldn’t even go get his medal because he had to switch his spikes and join the 200 guys in the tunnel. They were laughing at him a little. They were ‘like dude, you just ran the 800, and you’re going to run the 200? No way.’ I think that lit a fire.”

Thatcher captures 400 title at 4A championships

EUGENE — John Thatcher didn’t have to look over his shoulder to see who was breathing down his neck. There was no one there.

The Pendleton senior ran a personal best 48.54 seconds to win the 400 meters Saturday on the final day of the 4A state championships at Hayward Field, almost a second in front of Cameron Dierdorff of Scappoose, who ran a 49.41. It was the first time Thatcher ran under 49 seconds.

“It hasn’t really hit me yet,” Thatcher said. “It was interesting, the guy in lane five (Drew Granade) got really good, then his form broke down. My last 100 meters was like sub 12 (seconds).”

Pendleton coach Andrew Sneed watched the race unfold.

“John found a new gear with about 40 meters to go and that sealed the deal,” Pendleton coach Andrew Sneed said. “And, he broke the school record. What a  great way to end his Buckaroo career.”

The previous Pendleton school record of 48.70 was set by Steve Hickey in 1982.

Thatcher, Quinn Kennedy, Gabe DeGrofft and Adam Urbina ran the 4×100 relay, finishing just off the podium in ninth place with a time of 43.90. The team was missing Ben Hopkins, who was out with an injury.

“Ben is one of our staples in our relays and sprints,” Sneed said. “Just missing him was a key factor for our overall team performance.”

The Bucks 4×400 relay team of Urbina, Kellen Villers, DeGrofft and Thatcher finished 10th with a time of 3:31.19, 3 seconds off their season best.

“I really want to get those guys a medal,” Thatcher said.

“They put their best foot forward,” Sneed added. “Sometimes, someone else has a little bit of Hayward magic in them.”

Also on the track, Easton Dressler placed 12th in the 800 with a time of 2:11.69.

In the javelin, Pendleton’s Jaren Yoshioka earned his way on the medals podium, placing fourth with a throw of 166-3, which he hit on his third attempt.

Also for the Bucks, Jubal Hoisington finished 12th with a toss of 149-8.

On Friday, senior William Michael opened the day with a third-place finish in the pole vault with a height of 13-5, which he cleared on his first attempt. He then missed all three attempts at 13-8 3/4.

“It was great to see Will go from seventh last year to third,” Sneed said. “Being at Hayward before, and having competed in that environment, helps a lot.”

The Pendleton boys finished 12th in the team standings with 21 points. Henley won the team title with 97.5 points, while Scappoose was second (94) and Marist third (64).

In the girls’ meet, Hazel Case had an outstanding weekend for the Bucks, placing second in the long with a PR of 17-5 1/4, which she hit on her fifth jump. It’s just the second time she’s jumped more than 17 feet.

Case also was fourth in the 100 with a time of 12.71, and fourth in the 200 with a PR of 26.02.

Case also ran on the 4×100 relay team with Citlalli Garcia, Landrie Davis and Genevieve Christiansen, which placed eighth in 50.82.

“Qualifying in four events and going out and competing in four events shows her athleticism and character,” Sneed said. “Our two pole vaulters placed and earned points today.”

In the pole vault, Ava Jackson cleared a PR of 8-11 3/4 to finish tied for sixth, while Kayle Smith also cleared 8-11 3/4 and tied for eighth.

Friday, Braelyn Gunter placed eighth in the javelin with a toss of 103-1.

The Pendleton girls compiled 23 points and finished 11th in the team’s standings. Klamath Falls won the team title with 68 points, while Baker was second with 67 and Henley third with 54.

“It’s one of our better finishes for the girls in recent times,” Sneed said.