Roman Ollar places second overall at OSAA State Championship

Cross country team place seventh; twin brothers place well individually

Conor Egan, senior, runs up a steep hill during the OSAA State Championship race. West Linn placed seventh as a team and Egan placed 38th individually with a time of 16:39 minutes.

Conor Egan, senior, runs up a steep hill during the OSAA State Championship race. West Linn placed seventh as a team and Egan placed 38th individually with a time of 16:39 minutes.

West Linn cross country placed seventh in the OSAA State Championship race last saturday. Twin brothers Roman and Grayson Ollar, seniors, placed second and sixth respectively. Ahmed Muhumed, junior, from West Salem beat Roman by just two seconds.

“I’m friends with Ahmed so I’m happy for him that he got first,” Ollar said. “Of course I’m a little bummed but since it was Ahmed I’m fine. I know that he’s a really good runner and deserves [winning] too.”

Ollar has been competing with Muhumed for three years, and met him during his sophomore year. After a one week break, Ollar will begin training with his brother for BorderClash, a race between top Oregon and Washington racers. The Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon are hosting the race.

When BorderClash ends, Ollar will turn his attention to the track.

“I’m going for the school records,” Ollar said. He ended the season just a few seconds off last track season and hopes to break the 800, 1500, and 3000 meter records.

For the women’s race, Johanna Briscoe, junior, placed 56th overall. Although she didn’t hit her goal, she’s content with her place.

“I’m happy with my placement,” Briscoe said. “It would have been great to place a little higher but given the conditions and my sickness at the beginning of the season, I’m glad I was able to recover and make it to state.”

“The season was good,” Grayson Ollar said. “I got a good PR and a decent placing at state.”

The cross country team will begin winter training for the track season in a couple weeks.