Burns High School (BHS) Cross Country

Coach: Ryan Hughes

2019 record: State championship (girls), 2nd place state championship (boys)

Notable: Winter weather fails to derail the determination of the Hilander Cross Country Team. Members of the team work to improve upon impressive state championship performances in 2019.  

The ladies team will be returning five of seven runners to defend their champion titles. Leading the charge is sophomore Brooke Smith who placed 3rd at her debut state meet. Juniors Riley Morris and Olivia Winn consistently produce formidable results earning all-state honors at 7th and 8th place respectively. Mattie Woodbury returns for her sophomore season after an admirable 15th place finish to end her first attempt at cross country.  Avrey Gunderson steadily improved over three years ending her sophomore season with a personal record and 35th place state meet finish. The Hilander women will be looking to Gunderson to fill a void left by graduates Sayge Root and Sarah Letham. The returning champions will be joined by incoming freshman Keaira Burns and Shailey White.  

After a 2nd place state championship performance, the men’s team return four of seven runners. They look to replace the top three performers at the 2019 state meet: JP Friedrichsen, Calvin Bates, and Ryan Robles. Junior Masson Shaw and sophomore Carter Lardy demonstrated ability to step into those positions after solid 12th and 14th place finishes. Junior Spencer Johnson performed at critical points in 2019 and placed 20th at the state meet.  Sophmore Logan Radinovich came on strong at the end of his first season to place 57th at state. The team needs Johnson and Radinovich to improve upon state meet performances to keep the Hilanders in the hunt. Senior Tom Boyd, who competed in two state meets and helped one team achieve a championship, will be called upon again for the team to achieve success. The team will be looking to the untested freshman, Tim Banks, for solid races. Seniors Mason Wulff, who has state meet experience, and JD Medley will complete the team. 

Coach Ryan Hughes stated, “I have been impressed with the dedication these athletes demonstrate. Many show up for open runs, run repeats in the snow, and hit the weight room even with uncertainty about what a season will look like.”

BHS Football

Coach: Terry Graham

2019 record: 11-1, district champions

Notable: There are only two seniors, Justin Winn and Garrett Goss-Bodily, returning off last year’s team. Burns finished as district champion for the second straight year, with an overall 11-1 record.  A semi-final loss to the eventual state champion, Santiam Christian, was the only blemish on their record. The overall number of players is down this year, and a varsity and JV schedule was not possible. The decision was made to play a JV schedule to help the younger players benefit from a shortened season. Only four games have been scheduled, and since there are no playoffs, the season has turned into a learning and instructional/technique time for the players and coaches in anticipation for fall 2021. The snow, ice, and cold have dominated daily practices that began Feb. 8. 

Coach Graham said, “I have never experienced anything in my coaching career similar to what we currently encounter on a daily basis. While the governor has allowed high school football this winter in the state of Oregon, it doesn’t mean you can play football in Burns in February. It just isn’t realistic in this environment.”

BHS Volleyball

Coach: Paula Toney

2019 record: 26-8, district champions

Notable: This upcoming spring season, Burns seniors include Allie Hueckman, Kaiden Raif, Hallie SkunkCap, Kyla Epling, Alicyn Hoke. Varsity returning starters also include juniors Kaya Dobson and Kaitlyn Wright. Burns volleyball will also have a few new faces in the varsity mix this season. Burns finished the 2019 season 26-8 and were district champions.

Wright, Raif, and Hueckman were all first-team all league, and Hueckman was also chosen as a league Player of the Year. The Hilanders finished in 6th place at the state tournament, with Hueckman earning a spot on the 2nd Team All-Tournament Team.

Coach Toney stated, “We are working at becoming better players, teammates, and coaches. We are doing what we can with what we have to offer some kind of a season to our team and program.”

Crane Union High School (CUHS) Football

Coach: Stub Travis

2019 record: 10-2

Notable: The Mustangs finished the 2019 season 10-2, with both losses coming to the eventual 1A State Champion Adrian/Jordan Valley Antelopes. The Mustangs made it all the way to the state semi-finals, and with seniors Jerret Doman, Tanner Davis, and Johnny Sword returning this year, Crane has high expectations again. Doman was a First Team All-League Linebacker and Running Back this past year. Coach Stub Travis said he hopes a successful season can still be a reality for his seniors, even with a limited schedule and no playoff or championship opportunities for Oregon high school football teams this year.

Coach Travis said, “I just feel bad for the kids. I hope to see everything back to normal soon. This football season still isn’t guaranteed.”

CUHS Volleyball

Coach: Lindsey Robertson

2019 record: 16-10, district champions

Notable: The Mustangs were High Desert League Champions in 2019. They lost in the second round of the playoffs to Crosshill Christian and finished the season with a 16-10 record. Head Coach Lindsey Robertson is welcoming back seniors Laurel Witzel and Shelie Doman. Notable honors from last year include Doman as All-League Setter of the Year, Kelsie Siegner as Player of the Year, Dani Clark as 1st Team All-League, and Laurel Witzel as 2nd Team All-League.

Coach Robertson said, “We are looking forward to a fast, furious, and successful spring season with some competitive games on our schedule. In practice, the girls have already shown growth from this fall. We are disappointed that gyms are still at limited capacity, but are excited to be playing.”