Category Oregon

Braving the Mud: The Grit and Glory of Youth Cross Country

Sr. Krista von Borstel, SSMO Leave a comment

More than 300 young athletes gathered at Camp Howard near Sandy, Oregon, on October 10, 2026, for the annual CYO Big Foot Cross Country Championships. The family-oriented event combined spirited competition, outdoor adventure, and plenty of community fellowship.

The championships featured two races—the 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter events—with runners competing in three age divisions. Roadrunners included third- and fourth-grade athletes, Cubs represented fifth and sixth graders, and Cadets included seventh- and eighth-grade runners.

The weather added an extra challenge to the course. Heavy rain fell throughout the evening before the event and continued into the morning, leaving the trails and fields muddy. By race time, however, the skies had cleared. The wet conditions did little to dampen the athletes’ enthusiasm, and no one seemed to mind the mud as runners made their way through the course.

Families and spectators enjoyed a welcoming selection of food and beverages throughout the day. Hamburgers, chili, and elephant ears were among the favorites, while free beverages—including coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and hot cider—helped keep everyone warm and comfortable. The food, conversation, and encouragement from family members added to the festive atmosphere.

Competition was strong in every race, with runners demonstrating determination, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Medals were awarded to the top eight finishers in each division for both the 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter races. Trophies were also presented to the top two teams in each division.

While the races celebrated individual accomplishments, the Big Foot Championships were just as much about community. Parents, siblings, coaches, volunteers, and athletes came together to support one another and enjoy a memorable fall day at Camp Howard.

With clear skies arriving just in time, muddy trails, enthusiastic runners, and a warm family atmosphere, the 2026 CYO Big Foot Cross Country Championships were a wonderful celebration of youth athletics and community spirit.

Congratulations to the CYO Staff and Liz Lloyd, CYO Director of Cross Country

LINK TO INDIVIDUAL RESULTS: https://live.athletictiming.net/meets/77272

Girls 3000meter

1stSt. Pius X (14)
2ndValley Catholic (36)
3rdAll Saints
4thOur Lady of Lourdes
5thNot enough runners for 5th place

Boys 3000meter

PlaceSchool
1stSt. Clare (26)
2ndSt. Pius X  (41)
3rdValley Catholic 
4thMadeleine
5thAll Saints

Girls 1500meter

PlaceSchool
1stSt. Pius X (16)
2ndSt. Clare (23)
3rdAll Saints
4thHoly Trinity
5thFMES

Boys 1500meter

PlaceSchool
1stSt. Clare (32)
2ndAll Saints (35)
3rdSt. Pius X
4thMadeleine
5thOur Lady of Lourdes

Photos by Clayton Smith/CYO Photographer

CYO Championship Cross Country provides opportunity for family fun and youth enjoyment at Camp Howard

Laser Tag is a huge hit at Camp Howard

Sr. Krista von Borstel, SSMO Leave a comment

Laser Tag went into a reconstruction phase this past year with the addition of some new boundaries, forts and panels to hide behind. The camp staff worked diligently throughout the winter to prep the wood and build the structures, then dig holes for poles to attach them to. It made for a very fun and attractive laser tag arena for the kids.

This week, the Camp Howard summer program campers have had the opportunity to try it out and they think it is a very positive change.

Home base for the “Cougars” made from wood from Camp Howard, milled on the woodmill.

Camp Howard campers find delight in moving from tactical shield to other obstacles to keep from being “tagged”

Below: Meanwhile the goats go about their business, helping keep fire danger down at the camp!

Hey…Please “Like” and subscribe to my BLOG – thank you! Sister Krista

2026 CYO 8th Grade Boys Championship Highlights

Sr. Krista von Borstel, SSMO Leave a comment

2026 CYO 8th Grade BOYS City Championship at Valley Catholic School

LINK to VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/-XCbFTiaLVE

Home Team: St. Pius X

A group of young basketball players wearing green and white uniforms, standing together in a gymnasium with a victory plaque and a sign that says 'WE LOVE CYO'. Coaches and a female team member are also present in the photo.

Coaches Min Lee, Chris McCollister

Players: Griffin, Emmett, Max, Micah, Nico, Alexander, Berkeley, Jameson

Mascot: Panthers

Visiting Team: Holy Family

A youth basketball team in red uniforms poses for a group photo in a gymnasium, holding a trophy. They are standing on a wooden floor with sports banners in the background.

Coaches: Chris Wojnar, Andrew Over, Marcus Penhale

Players: Jack, Tomas, Atticus, Dylan, Rory, Anthony, Kobe, Jackson, Jacob

Mascot: Cardinals

Game Highlights:

Quarter 1: St. Pius X 19 – Holy Family 9

Quarter 2:St. Pius X 30 – Holy Family 24

Quarter 3:St. Pius X 48 – Holy Family 42

Quarter 4:St. Pius X 58 – Holy Family 51

CYO 8 Girls, A Game to Remember!

Sr. Krista von Borstel, SSMO Leave a comment

2024 CYO 8th Grade Girls City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: St. Pius X

Coaches Ted Stark, Trond Williams

Players: Alexa, Anna, Catherine, Emma, Lauren, Samantha, Zea

Mascot: Panthers

Visiting Team: All Saints

Coaches: Kevin Wellnitz, Sarah Wellnitz, Kevin Kriesien

Players: Alexa, Chloe, Failenn, Grace, Harper, Katherine, Quinn, Sophie, Stella

Mascot: Ramblers

Game Highlights:

All Saints and St. Pius X began the game with a photo of both teams together symbolizing the friendships that have been built over the years in competitions between the teams. The gesture was a tribute to both programs.

All Saints sunk a 3 pointer to get the game started and the two teams were off to the races.  St. Pius outscored the Ramblers by 2 to end the first quarter.  In the second quarter, All Saints tightened their game, held onto the ball and ended the half ahead by 7.

The third quarter saw the Panthers claw their way back and tie the game with 2 minutes left in the quarter.  St. Pius X took the lead after a 30 second timeout with Coach Ted Stark.  St. Pius went ahead until All Saints tied it back up with 20 seconds to go then sunk a three pointer at the buzzer for a 3 point lead going into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, “The Game”, All Saints went ahead by 6 while St. Pius X continued to work away at the deficit.  With four minutes left the Panthers cut the lead by 2. Lauren for the Panthers sunk a three to bring it within 1 then All Saints sunk another deuce to keep a three-point margin.  Alexa drew a foul but could not convert any points then fouled on the rebound leading to Panther free throws.  With two minutes left, Lauren made one of two and All Saints got the rebound.  Emma went back to the free throw line for the Panthers, made one and it was All Saints ball, one point difference. 

The panthers stole the ball and headed down the court scoring two to put St. Pius ahead by 1.  Pius played catch till fouled with 20 seconds left in the game.  Zea missed the first, sunk the second and All Saints again could not hold onto the ball giving it up to Pius and fouling to keep the game alive. Samantha goes to the line and sinks one, misses one now a three point lead and Lauren goes to the line for Piux.  She misses both her free throws and All Saints cannot get the ball to the other end of the court to score. St. Pius X wins the 8th grade girls championship by three in a great game.

Quarter 1: St. Pius X 10 – All Saints 8

Quarter 2: St. Pius X 12 – All Saints 19

Quarter 3: St. Pius X x – All Saints x

Quarter 4: St. Pius X 40 – All Saints 37

CYO 7 Boys BXB Nail Biter to the End

Sr. Krista von Borstel, SSMO Leave a comment

2024 CYO 7th Grade Boys City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: All Saints

Coaches: Damien Barron, Michael Barron

Players: Any, Deacon, Devin, Henry, Kien, Kyan, Luke, Oliver, Sebastian, Seth, William

Mascot: Ramblers

Visiting Team: St. Anthony

Coaches: Kenneth Fleming, John Larosa II, Jennifer Schmitz

Players: Alex, Bassel, Ben, Carson, Conor, Gabriel, Garrett, Isaiah, Marc, Rey

Mascot:  The Hawkes

Game Highlights:

All Saints led the contest by a margin of 5 by the end of the first quarter.  St. Anthony won the regular season contest between the clubs.  In the second half, the Hawkes fought their way back to tie the game at 18 all as All Saints took a 2-point lead into the half.

The second half opened with Seth from All Saints connecting on a 3 point and immediately blocking the shot of the Hawkes and getting the ball.  Ben from St. Anthony connected on a three pointer to keep the Hawkes close.  The third quarter ended with a 1 point difference favoring the Ramblers.

The fourth quarter was the “game” and with under three minutes St. Anthony took the lead for the first time and there were 5 lead changes until St. Anthony sunk a three pointer and added a point on the foul.  With 29 seconds in the game, the Hawkes lead by 5 points. With 17.2 to go, the Ramblers put in a three pointer to cut the deficit to 2.  All Saints gave it their best shot in the last few seconds but could not get the ball to drop in the hoop.

Quarter 1: All Saints 13 – St. Anthony 9

Quarter 2: All Saints 20 – St. Anthony 18

Quarter 3: All Saints 31 – St. Anthony 30

Quarter 4: All Saints 38 – St. Anthony 41 FINAL

CYO 7 Girls Dominate Season & Championships

Sr. Krista von Borstel, SSMO Leave a comment

2024 CYO 7th Grade Girls City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: St. Anthony

Coaches : Aubrey Turley, Charlie Keller, Michael Turley

Players: Alice, Allison, Brenna, Bridget, Josie, Kayla, Leighton, Lydia, Madeline, Presley

Mascot: The Hawkes

Visiting Team: Holy Family

Coaches: Norm Hersom, Kelly Betteridge, Andrew Owings

Players: Beatrice, Gia, Kiele, Kirsten, Luna, Piper, Sasha, Sloane

Mascot: The Cardinals

Game Highlights:

St. Anthony, undefeated in regular season play came out to a quick lead shooting and scoring to end the quarter with a 12-point lead.  The Cardinals found their stride in the second quarter but could not match the scoring of the Hawkes. The quarter finished with a 21-point favor to the Hawkes.

In the second half, the Hawkes continued to dominate and show a lot of excellent skills that made them this year’s championship team.  The Cardinals gave a wonderful effort in the contest today.

Quarter 1: St. Anthony 16 – Holy Family 4

Quarter 2: St. Anthony 34 – Holy Family 13

Quarter 3: St. Anthony 40 – Holy Family 19

Quarter 4: St. Anthony 56 – Holy Family 23

CYO 6 Girls City BXB a Cat & Dog Fight

Sr. Krista von Borstel, SSMO Leave a comment

2024 CYO 6th Grade Girls City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: St. Pius X

Coaches: Chris Philippi, Chris Bloomer

Players: Avery, Chloe, Emma, Emma, Sarah, Sophia, Tatum, Zoe

Mascot: Panthers

Visiting Team: St. Thomas More

Coaches: Jimmy Sharp, Jay McGrain

Players: Alexandra, Caitlin, Izzy, Maren, Mia, Presley, Rose, Shannon, Stella

Mascot: Bulldogs

Game Highlights:

A balanced game through the first quarter into the second half when the Panthers outscored the Bulldogs finishing the half with an 8-point lead.  The Panthers owned the second half with the Bulldogs never giving up.  Trailing by 20, the Bulldogs had tenacity but not the ability to pull out a win today.

Quarter 1:

Quarter 2: St. Pius X 19 – St. Thomas More 11

Quarter 3: St. Pius X 29 – St. Thomas More 19

Quarter 4: St. Pius X 47 – St. Thomas More 27 FINAL

CYO 4th Boys Barnburner Championship

Sr. Krista von Borstel, SSMO Leave a comment

2024 CYO 4th Grade Boys City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: St. Clare

Coaches Randy Morrison, Jason Varga, Erick Dennis

Players: Archie, Colin, Henry, Jack, James, Kinsley, Luca, Reid, Tate

Mascot:

Visiting Team: St. Pius X

Coaches: Darin Widmer, Sam Greenstein

Players: Charlie, Chase, Everett, Ford, Graha, Jack, Leo, Michael, Spencer

Mascot: x

Game Highlights:

Exciting first quarter with a lot of good play between the teams, evenly matched with a quarter ending score of 10-10.

St. Clare went ahead by ten in the third quarter.  St. Pius X fought their way back in the fourth quarter.  With 1:20 left in the game the Panthers, Chase, sunk a 3 pointer to go ahead by 2.

Quarter 1: St. Clare 10 – St. Pius X 10

Quarter 2:

Quarter 3: St. Clare 32 – St. Pius X 25

Quarter 4: St. Clare 34 – St. Pius X 36

CYO 8th Grade Girls BXB play for the Gold

Sr. Krista von Borstel, SSMO Leave a comment

2023 CYO 8th Grade Girls City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: Valley Catholic

Coaches Zach Bromert (Head Coach), Frank McKeen (AS), Maggie McKeen (AS)

Players: Hannah, Leah, Meghan, Ruby, Avery, Malia, Louisa, Leah, Grace, Stephanie, Natalie

Mascot: The Valiants

Visiting Team: St. Rose

Coaches: Craig Thomas (Head Coach), Joe Healy (AS), Christopher Brennan (AS)

Players: Delaney, Gabriella, Peyton, Fia, Caitlin, Portland, Kate, Isabella, Regina, Bennett

Mascot: The Hawks

Game Highlights:

Basketball Commissioner, Steve Mueller set the stage as he announced the CYO 8th grade Girls Basketball championship beginning with team names.  He made the calls throughout the game giving the kids a sense of true championship and it was very special for all of the players.

Valley Catholic and St. Rose both had an enthusiastic start playing each other toe to toe in the first quarter. Valley Catholic made some fast break points immediately in the top of the second quarter and outscored St. Rose 12 to 2.

In the second half.  In the third quarter the scoring was balanced for both teams. The Valliant’s outdistanced the Hawks in the fourth quarter with a final score of 44 – 27.

Quarter 1: Valley Catholic 11, St. Rose 9

Quarter 2: Valley Catholic 23, St. Rose 13

Quarter 3: Valley Catholic 32, St. Rose 21

Quarter 4: Valley Catholic 44, St. Rose 27

CYO 7 Girls BXB Title Game Exciting

Sr. Krista von Borstel, SSMO Leave a comment

2023 CYO 7th Grade Girls City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: St. Pius X

Coaches Ted Stark (Head Coach), Marc McCullagh

Players: Avery, Maddy, Zea, Alexa, Lauren, Madeline, Samantha, Anna

Mascot: Panthers

Visiting Team: Holy Redeemer

Coaches: Sonora Thirdgill

Players: Edie, Nola, Jayda, Jeannemarie, Julia, Isira, Amelia, Gema, Eva, Kalkidan, Sera

Mascot: Wildcats

Game Highlights:

Quarter 1 – With 4:54 left in the first quarter, McCullagh scored the first basket of the game from the charity line to give the Panthers the lead. Stiles for Holy Redeemer tied the game at the other end of the court from the free throw line with a score of 1-1 with 3:56 left in the quarter. With 2:30 left in the first quarter, Holy Redeemer scored the first bucket of the game to lead the game 3-1.

Quarter 2 – Both teams got into the groove early in the second quarter and St. Pius X Stark drilled a three pointer to bring them within 1 point of the Wildcats.  She sunk another 3 on the next trip to her basket to go ahead before the Wildcats answered with a 2 pointer to even the score at 9-9.

Bourque scored a three pointer for Holy Redeemer with 2:30 left in the first half and Stark put a third three pointer in for St. Pius X.  More 3 points were scored in the first half than 2 point baskets.

Quarter 3 – Holy Redeemer came out of the break and scored two quick baskets to tie the game and got the ball back immediately on a St. Pius X inbound infraction.  Both teams were pumped for the second half.  Much back-and-forth excitement, three pointers, great defense on both teams.

Quarter 4 – St. Pius X scored 5 quick points including a three pointer to get the quarter started giving them a 10-point lead early on.  Holy Redeemer could not dig their way out, missing their shots in the fourth quarter. A great game between two talented teams.

Quarter 1: Holy Redeemer 5 – St. Pius X 1

Quarter 2: St. Pius X 20 – Holy Redeemer 16

Quarter 3: St. Pius X 35 – Holy Redeemer 30

Quarter 4: St. Pius X 45 – Holy Redeemer 38