Four Camas High School cross country state champions are breaking new ground on the track.
Alissa Pudlitzke, Mckenzie Good, Camille Parsons and Alexa Efraimson set a new Oregon Relays meet record in the distance medley relay Friday, at Hayward Field, in Eugene.
Pudlitzke ran 1,200 meters and Good completed the next 400. Then it was Parsons turn to run two laps.
“Alissa and Mckenzie had put us in a good spot. I should be able to pass a few girls,” Parsons said. “That was my main focus.”
Efraimson stepped in to complete the final mile. Even though the Papermakers lagged behind a couple of teams, Efraimson didn’t want “exert all her energy on the first lap.” She settled into a groove, picked up the pace and started her kick on the final 200 meters. Efraimson caught up to the leader and beat her to the finish line. The four Papermakers had a combined time of 12 minutes, 2.52 seconds.
Efraimson came back on Saturday and broke the meet record in the 800. She won with a time of 2:09.63.
“I love racing in that place,” Efraimson said. “It’s such a surreal environment.”
Good, Parsons, Ali Nuce and Efraimson finished first in the 1,600 relay (4:03.20). Parsons also placed third in the 1,500 (4:50.88). This was her final Oregon Relays.
“It’s definitely my favorite meet,” Parsons said. “It was a great way to finish it off.”
Maddie Woodson finished third in the 3,000 (10:40.40). Lauren Neff notched third in the high jump with a leap of 5 feet, 2 inches. Jordan Davis won her 300 hurdles heat (46.90), and ranked sixth overall. Nikki Corbett took sixth in the shot put (36-5.75), Amber Corbett earned eighth in the javelin (116-4.25) and Caleigh Lofstead claimed ninth on the pole vault (9-0.25).
Ryan Gunthar grabbed first in his 300 hurdles heat (41.67). He said nothing compares to the thrill of competing on the same track as the athletes he watched on television.
“It was easily the best race of my life,” Gunthar said. “Not only was it a [personal record], but to be able do that in Hayward Field with all those athletes and coaches watching was incredible.”
Triton Pitassi took second place in the hammer throw (181-1.25) and Chris Durrett grabbed third in the shot put (46-6.5). Blane Berhert rose to fourth place on the pole vault (12-11.5), Cole Zarcone snagged sixth in the 200 (23.30) and Andrew Kaler earned eighth in the 800 (2:02.08).
Tucker Boyd, Albert Plock, Jackson Cutler and Kaler finished seventh in the distance medley relay (10:41.61). Zarcone, Jorden Payne, Michael Johnson and Cutler claimed eighth in the 1,600 relay (3:44.13). Josh Ryan landed in eighth place in the long jump (20-7) and the triple jump (41 feet).
