Baker runners, right foreground, Danielle Jordan, Tessa Vergari, Whittney Harris and Rebekah Duby led the pack from the starting line at Fridays Catherine Creek Scamper. Baker won both the girls and boys races. (Submitted photograph).

By GERRY STEELE

Of the Baker City Herald

Bakers boys and girls cross country teams dominated the Catherine Creek Scamper Friday near Union. Or, as Baker coach Suzy Coles husband, Brian, said Friday night while announcing the Baker football game, the Bulldogs won the race by a mile.

The Baker girls had four runners place in the top eight on the way to a 50-point victory in their half of the race. Baker tallied 28 points, second-place Union 78.

Danielle Jordan set a new course record of 20:37 to lead second-place Stephanie Upshaw of Union by a full minute. Upshaw had set the old course mark of 20:50 in 1998.

Tessa Vergari finished fourth in a time of 22:41, Rebekah Duby seventh at 23:21, and Jill Nielsen eighth at 23:25.

Other Baker girls finishers were Katelyn Anderson (23:48), Tara Wilson (25:54), Sara Jury (26:02), Danielle Martin (27:02), Jessica Hensley (27:21), and Cody Cook (27:24).

The Baker boys were just as dominant, finishing with 50 points, 48 better than second-place Wallowa.

Dan Temple was Bakers top runner, placing fifth in a time of 18:28. Matt Hensley was seventh at 18:41, and John Aguirre 10th at 18:53. Other Baker boys placing were Casey Curtis (19:26), Jesse Webb (19:48), Clay DeMastus (19:58) and Jed Rembold (20:40).

We ran really well, said a pleased Suzy Cole, Bakers coach.

I was very impressed with our girls. To get 28 points while missing our No. 2 runner (Whittney Harris, who couldnt finish the race), tells me how much the other girls stepped up.

Cole said the fact that most of her freshmen girls ran personal bests on a tough course showed her how much theyve continued to improve.

Cole didnt reserve all of her accolades for the girls. Our boys team continues to impress me as well, she said. They just to continue to step up and do the job.

Cole said she rewards one boy and one girl as runner of the meet after each race. At Union, the awards went to Travis Cook, who placed fourth in the JV boys race, and Anderson.

Baker travels to Emmett, Idaho, Friday for its next action. That race is a late addition to the schedule after the Bulldogs dropped out of the Riverside Invitational.

Catherine Creek Scamper

at Union

(Baker and Powder Valley runners)

Girls varsity

Team scores Baker 28, Union 78, Enterprise 103, Vale 112, Greenleaf, Idaho, 120, Pendleton 132. (Other teams incomplete).

Individual 1. Danielle Jordan, 20:37 (new course record). 4. Tessa Vergari, 22:42. 7. Rebekah Duby, 23:21. 8. Jill Nielsen, 23:25. 14. Katelyn Anderson, 23:49. 31. Tara Wilson, 25:54. 34. Sara Jury, 26:02. 41. Danielle Martin, 27:02. 42. Jessica Hensley, 27:21. 43. Cody Cook, 27:24.

Boys varsity

Team scores Baker 50, Wallowa 98, Enterprise 102, Vale 105, Pendleton 120, Union 159, Umatilla 167, Greenleaf, 178.

Individual 1. Chris Saenz, Greenleaf, 17:20. 5. Dan Temple, 18:28. 7. Matt Hensley, 18:42. 10. John Aguirre, 18:54. 13. Casey Curtis, 19:26. 21. Jesse Webb, 19:48. 24. Clay DeMastus, 19:58. 35. Jed Rembold, 20:40.

Boys JV

Individual 2. Wade Joseph, 21:40. 4. Travis Cook, 22:08. 7. Andy Johnson, 22:12. 8. Shane Records, PV, 22:15. 9. Dylan Smith, PV, 22:21. 12. Kyle Johnson, 22:51. 13. Matt Bunch, 23:01. 21. Chad Kleger, 24:19. 25. Joel Christensen, 24:53. 27. Jeff Sherman, 25:00. 29. Steve Stuchlik, 25:06. 36. Seth Davis, 26:44.

Jr. High girls

Individual 9. Erin Jordan, no time listed.