Malachi Schoenherr became Sheldon's third state champion since 2010 in last year's 6A cross country meet.(Photo by John Gunther)

After winning the 6A boys cross country title last fall, Sheldon's Malachi Schoenherr was eager to carry that momentum into his junior track season.

The season didn't live up to his expectations, though, as he battled the flu in February and respiratory illness from mid-March through April. Schoenherr was unable to defend his state title in the 3,000 meters, taking fifth, and he settled for fourth in the 1,500 after finishing third the previous year.

But the Brigham Young-bound Schoenherr found his stride at Nike Outdoor Nationals in June, running a personal-best 8:07.82 in the 3,000 to place fourth, and he is off to a blazing start in his senior cross country season.

Schoenherr followed a meet-record performance in the 3,000 in the season-opening Night Meet at Wilsonville High School on Aug. 29 with another impressive win Saturday in the Marist Invite. He covered the 5,000 meters in a PR of 14:34.0, the state's top time so far this season.

“It was a very valuable spring,” Sheldon coach Ian Dobson said. “He needed some adversity, and he got it, and he dealt with it really well. I think he's going to have a great year because of that. He's certainly off to a great start.

“When things were not going super smooth and easy, he got real serious and tough and trained hard and stayed on the rails. That's what it takes.”

Dobson said Schoenherr's PR at Nike Outdoor Nationals was just what he needed to propel him forward. He cut more than six seconds off his 3,000 time from the previous year.

“That was a huge confidence booster,” Dobson said. “That was the kind of mark we were shooting for last year. We would've loved to see it at the state meet, but for it to happen at Nike Outdoor Nationals was wonderful, too.”

In the Marist Invite at Marist Catholic High School, Schoenherr cruised to victory over North Eugene junior Ashenafi McKinnis (14:55.4), who was coming off a win in The Opener on Aug. 29 at Ash Creek Preserve.

“To be ahead of him, and look pretty controlled ahead of him, was great,” Dobson said. “That was a really good sign.”

It came a week after Schoenherr clocked 8:34.5 at the Night Meet, breaking the meet record of 8:39.7, set by Sherwood's Jeffery Rogers in 2021. Schoenherr won the senior race by five seconds over Warrenton senior Jayden Warner.

Early in the season, Dobson said he gives runners freedom to decide how to approach races. Schoenherr entered both races ready to compete to win.

“More than anything, what I think bodes really well is Malachi is really excited to race,” Dobson said. “People run fast when they're happy and healthy. That's what he is right now. He's happy, he's healthy, he feels like he's got some momentum.”

Schoenherr will have some time off to get ready for the Northwest Classic on the state course at Lane Community College on Sept. 20.

“There will be some good athletes there,” Dobson said. “That will be a good first test against athletes that we know.”

Add Marist Invite

Despite Schoenherr's win, Sheldon finished runner-up to West Salem 55-56 at the Marist Invite. North Eugene (74) placed third in the 10-team event.

North Eugene senior Cricket Phipps won the girls race in 17:53.3, far ahead of Junction City senior Lola Esplin (18:45.7). Springfield outscored North Bend 54-79 to finish first out of eight teams.

The Ultimook Race

Warrenton's Jayden Warner recorded the top time in The Ultimook Race on Saturday at Hydrangea Ranch in Tillamook, winning the 4A/3A/2A/1A division in 14:59.7. Thurston senior Carson Buergey (15:10.7) took first in the 6A/5A boys race.

South Eugene scored 114 points to edge Lakeridge (121) for first place out of 24 teams in 6A/5A. Union was the top Oregon team in 4A/3A/2A/1A, scoring 125 points to finish runner-up to Fountain Valley, Calif. (112), out of 31 teams.

Freshman Evangeline Johnson-Hess helped lead South Eugene to a win in the 21-team 6A/5A girls race. She placed first in 18:49.4 for the Axe, who outscored second-place Corvallis 63-92.

Philomath sophomore Cassidy Smart (19:08.1) held off Enterprise senior Owyhee Harguess (19:16.4) for first place in the 25-team 4A/3A/2A/1A division. Enterprise on the team scoring with 65 points; Philomath was second at 116.

PIL Preview

Lincoln swept the Portland Interscholastic League preview meet on Sept. 3 at Lents Park, the girls beating second-place Franklin 26-52 and the boys topping runner-up Wells 27-44.

Cardinals junior Ellery Lincoln followed up her meet record at the Night Meet with another win. She clocked 19:40.63 to win by nearly 20 seconds over Franklin junior Alison Fajardo (19:59.59).

Wells senior Otto Sellers was the top boys finisher in 15:51.41. Lincoln junior Malcolm Dimoff (15:56.45) turned back Lincoln senior Joshua Prince (15:56.69) for second place.