Montgomery CA Sophomore Shows Off Elite Form In Dominant Win; Garcia-Silver Keeps Momentum Rolling; Summit OR Girls, Lincoln OR Boys Win Team Titles

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Tim Healy Photos/Keenan Gray Interviews

FAIRVIEW, Ore. – Hanne Thomsen and Alex Garcia-Silver have never been to a national meet before and, like many, would love a chance to see what that's like. 

Victories at big meets like Nike Portland XC point the way to postseason opportunites. 

Thomsen, a sophomore from Montgomery High in Santa Rosa, Calif., is already ranked No. 11 nationally, but traveled out of state and perhaps out of her comfort zone for the first time and thoroughly dominated the Jim Danner Championship girls field. 

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Thomsen, who won the California state title in the 3,200 meters as a freshman May 28, is a rising star. Her time of 16:49.2 at Blue Lake Park trails only Kate Peters and Riley Stewart, who went 1-2 last year, as one of the fastest times ever run on the course. 

Peters and Stewart, of course, were national level competitors in 2021. 

"I wasn't sure how much competition I was going to have so I went into this racing knowing I had to push if I needed to," Thomsen said. "The (lead vehicle) helped, just to have something to chase."

Thomsen's winning margin was 49 seconds. Anna Callahan of Skyline WA, the runner-up in last year's Washington Class 4A final, ran 17:38.6 for second. 

Ella Thorsett's third-place finish in 17:48.3 led Summit of Bend, Ore. to the team championship. Barrett Justema joined Thorsett in the top 10, placing eighth, and Claire McDonald, Camille Broadbent and Taylin Bowen factored into the Storm's 110 points. 

Rancho Cucamonga CA, which packed five scoring runners together between 27th and 46th place, for a spread of 18 seconds, was second with 135 points. Oregon schools Lincoln (192) and Sunset (203) were third and fourth. 

The boys race was more competitive and a high quality group of runners tested one another throughout the 5-kilometer layout. 

Garcia-Silver of Marshfield thrust himself to the front early, then settled in with the lead group, fell behind Sehome WA's Zack Munson, and then kicked to a victory in 14:55.2. 

It was Garcia-Silver's third win of September, and the most impressive so far. 

"I knew the summer was special. I knew the season would be special, but I didn't think something like this was going to happen," Garcia-Silver said. "I'm beyond grateful."

Garcia-Silver showed tenacity late in the race as he reeled in Munson, sling-shotting out of turns and closing the gap. 

"I'd hit a turn, surge a little bit, I'm two feet behind Zack. Now I'm next to Zack. Oh, now I'm ahead of Zack," he said. 

Lincoln's Samy Anderson charged up late, as well, and took second in 14:57.0. Cameron Rhone from Long Beach Poly was third in 14:59.1, Logan Law from Milwaukie OR was fourth in 14:59.6 and Munson was fifth in 14:59.7. 

Jason Parra of Millikan CA, who was fifth at the 41st Woodbridge Cross Country Classic Presented by ASICS, was one of the early leaders in the race and finished sixth. 

Anderson's first time under 15 minutes helped lead Lincoln to the team victory with 106 points.

The team got a big lift from third man JahAllah Van, who placed 23rd. West Salem OR, which put two runners in the top 11, finished was second with 120 points. And Franklin OR had a 31-second spread on five scorers and took third with 144 points. Redondo Union CA was fourth with 146.