Looking ahead to the 2021 high school girls cross country season
The weather is perfect, the masks are off, and it's time to run.
That's just what the high school girls cross country teams in Clackamas County plan to do in 2021.
After finishing their pandemic-shortened 2020 season less than five months ago, the Clackamas County girls cross country teams are ready for a full schedule this fall. Included in that group are returning district champions Clackamas, Lakeridge and Wilsonville.
Read more about each team's 2021 prospects below.
Three Rivers League
Lake Oswego
Head coach: Vince Kinney
2020-21 record: Seventh at the Three Rivers League district meetÂ
2021 outlook: "We look to be one of the top teams in the district, with Kate and Ana Peters being big additions to our team. We also have some strong freshmen that are coming into the team." —Â Vince Kinney
League contenders: Lakeridge, Oregon City, St. Mary's, Lake Oswego
Top runners: Junior Kate Peters, freshman Ana Peters, sophomore Sydney Lim, junior Brooke Plasse
Lakeridge
Head coach: Scott Spear
2020-21 record: First at the Three Rivers League district meet
2021 outlook: "We return five of our top seven and have added three more to the top training group. We look forward to the group's continued growth and pursuit of defending the TRL title." —Â Scott Spear
League contenders: Lakeridge, Lake Oswego, Tigard
Top runners: Senior Ainsley Williams, senior Gabby Dover, senior Rachel Barba, senior Sofia Corso, sophomore Breckyn Kornachuk, sophomore Megan Larson, sophomore Olivia Smith
Oregon City
Head coach: Brandon Lee
2020-21 record: Fifth at the Three Rivers League district meet
2021 outlook: "Finishing in the top half of the league would be a great achievement for these girls. I think nine or 10 girls could line up as a varsity racer at some point in the season." —Â Brandon Lee
League contenders: West Linn, Lakeridge
Top runners: Junior Avery Sorensen, senior Racquel May, senior Ellen Crooks
West Linn
Head coach: Jay Schrotzberger
2020-21 record: Fourth at the Three Rivers League district meet
2021 outlook: "The girls will be led by two experienced seniors in Maddie Meyer and Kate Sousley. They'll be helped out by juniors Ava Sullivan and Audrey Jacklyn, freshman Sabrina Noce and sophomore Linden Loos. I fully expect them to make a run at qualifying for the state meet in Eugene." — Jay Schrotzberger
League contenders: West Linn, Lakeridge, Lake Oswego
Top runners: Senior Kate Sousley, senior Maddie Meyer, freshman Sabrina Noce, junior Audrey Jacklyn, junior Ava Sullivan
Mt. Hood Conference
Clackamas
Head coach: Kate JetteÂ
2020-21 record: First at the Mt. Hood Conference district meet
2021 outlook: "In this 2021 season, we are excited to have some experienced returning athletes and athletes who are new to the sport. We are working to make a strong presence in the league and qualify for the state championship meet." —Â Kate Jette
League contenders: Central Catholic, Barlow, Clackamas
Top runners: Senior Jasmine Fletcher (returning district champion), senior Ava Bluhm, senior Melanie Smatlak, junior Regina Diaz-Garcia, junior Gabby Evrard, sophomore Mia Aberle, sophomore Alison MoeÂ
Nelson
Head coach: Anton Clifford
2020-21 record: N/A (first-year team)
2021 outlook: "With a brand-new school, we are growing our program this year and looking to see improvement throughout the season." —Â Anton Clifford
League contenders: Central Catholic, Barlow, Clackamas
Top runners: Freshman Nora Simmonds, sophomore Maddie Pizzuti, sophomore Lilly McCullough
ÂNorthwest Oregon Conference
La Salle
Head coach: Mikel Rathmann
2020-21 record: Third at the Northwest Oregon Conference district meetÂ
2021 outlook: "We lost our top runner to graduation, but have a lot of young talent coming up and some coming back healthier than last season. We are looking to challenge for the top spot at district and qualify for state." —Â Mikel Rathmann
League contenders: Wilsonville, Putnam, La Salle, Scappoose
Top runners: Senior Erin McGinnis, senior Lexi Huwiler, junior Marieka Kaufman, sophomore Meredith Shea, freshman Maya Crimin
Milwaukie
Head coach: Josh Hodney
2020-21 record: Incomplete at the Northwest Oregon Conference district meetÂ
2021 outlook: "The girls are a complete reset this year. We lost the majority of our girls the last year-plus to graduation and the pandemic. Now we have some freshmen coming in so there's a lot of hope … a lot of potential for the future, but no expectations for a high district finish. We're just excited for them to grow." —Â Josh Hodney
League contenders: Wilsonville, La Salle, Putnam
Top runners: Freshman Millie Gardner
Putnam
Head coach: Andrew Sneed
2020-21 record: Second at the Northwest Oregon Conference district meet
2021 outlook: "With the addition of a few freshman runners, this group of girls is ready to keep the state meet streak going." —Â Andrew Sneed
League contenders: Wilsonville, Putnam, La Salle
Top runners: Junior Noemi Lundgren, junior Kendra Health, freshman Grace Flowerday, senior Lucy Rose
Wilsonville
Head coach: David Barkley
2020-21 record: First at the Northwest Oregon Conference district meet
2021 outlook: "We will contend for the NWOC title and hope to be in the top 10 at state." —Â David Barkley
League contenders: Scappoose, Putnam, La Salle
Top runners: Gabby Prusse, Esme' Krause, Ella Millanovich, Jayden Kipe, Caydence Rodriguez, Sophia Gordon
Tri-Valley Conference
Gladstone
Head coach: Jamie Jenson
2020-21 record: First- and third-place individuals at the Tri-Valley Conference district meet
2021 outlook: "(We're) hoping to field an entire team, led by experienced returner (and) captain Abby Sanderson. (We are) … growing our numbers, hoping to score as a team this year and return to state." —Â Jamie Jenson
League contenders: Estacada, Molalla
Top runners: junior Abby Sanderson, freshman Grace Smith.
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