Quinn Larson, a junior, finished 29th with a time of 18:59.

JOHN DAY — Grant Union High School hosted upwards of 100 cross country runners for the Prospectors’ 2021 home meet, the Gold Rush Run, at the Seventh Street Sports Complex on Thursday, Oct. 21.

Visiting schools included Heppner, Burns, Vale, Nixyaawii Community, Union, Pilot Rock, Enterprise, Four Rivers and Culver.

Prospectors head coach Sonna Smith said the meet was an excellent way to showcase the Seventh Street Complex and the riverside running trail for those not familiar with the area.

The Pros honored seniors Paige Weaver, Riley Robertson and Katelyn Hughes to kick off the meet.

Hughes said the opening ceremonies brought a realization that this was her last home meet with teammates she has grown up with.

While Grant Union will be hosting the 3A/2A/1A-Special District 3 Championships Friday, Oct. 29, at the Seventh Street Complex, Robertson said Thursday’s meet was her last high school cross country competition. After that, she said she would be in Nashville for the FFA National Convention.

“I was really excited at first (about the race), but I almost started to cry a couple of times because Kate and I have been running together for three years,” Robertson said.

Robertson said initially she did not know if she would enjoy cross country, but ultimately she came to love the sport.

“It is hard, but it’s rewarding,” she said

Robertson called Smith an amazing coach and said the sport has a supportive culture.

“You can be first or you can be last, and you’ll definitely get the same amount of cheering,” she said, “as long as you’re gutting it out.”

And she said the people who cheer are not necessarily supporters of one’s own team.

“It’s awesome to run into that screaming crowd,” she said. “It gives you the energy to keep going.”

Smith said Grant Union ran good races overall. For the boys, she said all but two athletes finished with their best times of the season. She added that the two who did not log their best times were struggling with injuries.

In the boys’ race, Prospector junior Brady Dole finished 18th overall with a time of 18:05. Dole said he carved roughly 25 seconds off his previous time. Junior Quinn Larson finished 29th overall with a time of 18:59, followed by junior Max Bailey, who finished 55th with a time of 20:43. Reid Dole finished 74th overall with a time 22:59, while fellow freshman Logan Randleas finished 84th with a time of 24.53.

On the girls’ side, Smith said all the runners had their season’s best times. Aliciana Archibald, a sophomore, finished 14th overall with a time of 22:58, lopping off nearly four minutes from her last time. Maddie Bailey, a freshman, finished 26th overall, logging a time of 23:39. Hughes finished 39th with a time of 25:24, while sophomore Abbie Justice finished 55th with a time of 28:29. Eliza Ashley, a freshman, finished 60th with a time of 30:04.

District tourney

For the first time since the 1990s, Grant Union will be hosting the district tournament this year. The meet is set for 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, at the Seventh Street Sports Complex.

“Grant Union athletes are ready to race hard on Friday,” Smith said. “I would like to invite everyone to come and support the team.”

Smith said she is looking for six more volunteers. Anyone interested can text Smith at 541-620-0073.