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Where the Road Ends: Breaking Down the First CYO Cross Country Meet of the 2026 Season

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

The cross country season officially kicked off this past Saturday at Westmorland Park, bringing together a vibrant community of young athletes for a day of high-energy, fun competition. Under the leadership of Director Liz Lloyd, the event transformed the park into a bustling arena of autumn athletics where 300 kids pushed their limits and cheered on their peers. The atmosphere was electric with supportive parents, energetic coaches, and enthusiastic volunteers, proving that cross country is as much about community and camaraderie as it is about individual grit.

The young runners showcased their stamina and determination across three distinct distance races: a grueling 3000-meter challenge, a fast-paced 1500-meter run, and an energetic 1000-meter sprint. Each course was tailored to provide a rewarding experience, testing the athletes’ tactical pacing from the initial blast of the starting horn to the final stretch across the grass. Director Lloyd’s seamless organization ensured that every participant—whether a seasoned competitor or a first-time racer—left the course with a profound sense of accomplishment and a smile, setting a fantastic tone for the rest of the fall season.

Top Finishers & Photos below: (Special thanks to Clayton Smith Photography)

3000M boy cadets

1.8Brayden Kong 12:05.4 Valley Catholic  
2.8Emmett Machan 12:11.8 St. Clare  
3.7Charles Parker 12:14.8 The Madeleine  
4.8London Rakers 12:18.7 St. Pius X  
5.7Sterling Larwick 12:22.3 Lourdes  
6.8Austin Buell 12:23.4 St. Pius X  
7.8Major Corbett 12:47.4 St. Thomas More  
8.7Parker Walton 12:52.9 Valley Catholic  

3000M girl cadets

1.8Ellie Hutchins 12:10.8 St. Pius X  
2.7Elizabeth Lontai 12:13.4 St. Pius X  
3.7Alexis Hillberry 12:40.1 Valley Catholic  
4.8Naomi Lewis 12:55.8 Our Lady of the Lake  
5.7Ainsley Buell 13:49.7 St. Pius X  
6.7Andrea Tschanz 14:02.1 St. Pius X  
7.7Hailey Miles 14:17.7 Holy Trinity  
8.7MacKenzie Hanley 14:25.6 All Saints  

3000M boy cubs

1.6Jacob Call 11:53.7 The Madeleine  
2.6Maxwell Cullen 12:06.1 Holy Trinity  
3.5Lincoln Downey 12:08.0 St. Clare  
4.6Christopher Bridge 12:47.2 St. Clare  
5.5James Buell 12:48.8 Valley Catholic  
6.5Robert Alley 12:53.8 Our Lady of the Lake  
7.5Lincoln Rakers 12:56.0 St. Pius X  
8.6Luke Warford 13:03.6 Our Lady of the Lake  

3000M girl cubs

1.6Zoe Lin 12:29.7 All Saints  
2.5Finley Croft 13:29.7 Valley Catholic  
3.5Camille Maher 14:28.5 St. Ignatius  
4.6Emmy Schlanser 14:55.0 Valley Catholic  
5.6Mila Saldua 15:01.3 Lourdes  
6.5Audrey Yoder 19:23.1 Our Lady of the Lake    

3000M boy Roadrunners

1.4Elliott Parker 13:38.0 The Madeleine  
2.4Finnian Schaal 15:29.6 Holy Trinity  
3.4Sebastian Coons 15:42.5 All Saints  

3000M girl Roadrunners

1.3Hadlee Poetsch 13:31.7 St. Pius X  
2.4Anna Marie Impastato 14:16.4 Lourdes  
3.4Elsie Thomas 14:40.3 Valley Catholic  
4.4Charlie Lail 15:32.6 Lourdes  
5.4Eloise Machan 15:37.6 St. Clare  

1500M boy Cub

1.8Rowe Kirkpatrick 5:23.2 St. Clare  
2.8Dhani McPherson 5:39.6 All Saints  
3.8Elijah Mehretab 5:41.9 The Madeleine  
4.7Elias Turco 6:02.6 The Madeleine  
5.7Ford Widmer 6:03.8 St. Pius X  
6.8Henry Koehler 6:07.2 Lourdes  
7.7Leo Kahl 6:07.9 St. Clare  
8.7Max Carpenter 6:09.8 The Madeleine  

1500M girl Cub

1.5Olivia Merkens Brown 7:03.6 St. Clare  
2.6Madeline Vandersloot 7:06.5 St. Clare  
3.5Kennedy Walton 7:07.2 Valley Catholic  
4.6Emma Saldua 7:11.5 Lourdes  
5.6Jazmyhn Carlson 7:17.0 St. Pius X  
6.6Claire Fisher 7:19.2 Holy Trinity  
7.5Claire Ruckwardt-clark 8:13.1 St. Pius X  
8.6Emmalynn Johnson 8:34.7 Our Lady of the Lake  

1500M boy Roadrunners

1.4Carter Gates 5:58.6 Valley Catholic  
2.4Wyatt Christianson 6:04.3 St. Pius X  
3.4Harrison Cagley 6:48.4 Holy Trinity  
4.4Ethan Karira 6:52.2 Lourdes  
5.4Michael Keller 6:52.3 St. Clare  
6.3Jude Kappler 7:00.4 All Saints  
7.3Whittaker (tucker) Olson 7:05.6 Lourdes  
8.3Charles Johnson 7:07.9 St. Clare  

1500M girl Roadrunners

1.3Eloise Kwon 7:04.3 All Saints  
2.3Maddie Yoder 7:27.0 Our Lady of the Lake  
3.3Evelyn Miller 7:45.8 St. Thomas More  
4.3McAllister Mara 8:03.2 All Saints  
5.3Emma Carey-Smith 8:03.9 All Saints  
6.3Louise Luckman 8:44.5 All Saints  
7.3McKinley Ferguson 8:44.6 All Saints  
8.3Chloe Freeburg 8:54.8 All Saints  
  

1000M girl Cadet

         
1.–Luella Thompson 4:17.4 Lupine Experiential  

1000M boy Cadet

1. William Houghton 3:49.7 St. Ignatius

1000M girl Cub

1.5Valentine Milam 5:44.7 Franciscan Montessori Earth

1000M boy Cub

1.6Ignacio Garzon 4:20.8 Franciscan Montessori Earth  
2.5Owen Stoumen 4:25.1 The Madeleine  
3.5Anderson Kunkel 5:50.3 St. Ignatius  
4.5Kaan Bayramoglu 7:11.6 St. Pius X      

1000M girl Roadrunner

1.4Fiona Gambee 4:23.9 St. Pius X  
2.3Jessa Hill 4:39.9 Franciscan Montessori Earth  
3.3Laurel Hobson 5:15.9 St. Clare  
4.4Ellerie Clouser 5:36.8 Franciscan Montessori Earth  
5.3Layla Rakers 5:38.1 St. Pius X  
6.4Hannah Davies 5:45.3 Franciscan Montessori Earth  
7.3Lillian Rassi 5:46.8 Lupine Experiential  
8.3Gwen Schreck 5:47.1 St. Clare  

1000M boy Roadrunner

1.4Micah Litwak 4:21.8 The Madeleine  
2.3Khai Quach 4:27.6 The Madeleine  
3.3Edward Grupp Mueller 4:41.9 Franciscan Montessori Earth  
4.3Sebastian Baerg 4:42.6 Franciscan Montessori Earth  
5.4Magnus Kingrey 4:43.6 The Madeleine  
6.4Brayden Morris 4:45.8 Franciscan Montessori Earth  
7.4Theodore Faulkner 4:47.6 St. Pius X  
8.3Austin Blundon 4:59.8 St. Pius X  

Enjoy some photos from the meet:

Campfires…Timeless Camp Activity

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

One of my favorite Camp Howard activities is the campfire. Campers and camp staff alike enjoy performing for the crowd. The spectators are always encouraging and it is fun to see what the kids come up with. We all enjoy the repeat after me songs along with the skits they contrive. Campfires are always unique and crowd pleasers.

My personal favorite act Tuesday night was “9 Sealions”

Second place…

Finally, a short photo montage from the first few days of Camp Howard Session 1

2026 CYO 7th Grade Boys Basketball Championship Crosses State Lines

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

2026 CYO 7th Grade Boys City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Sister Krista’s Blog Video Link to Game video: https://youtu.be/3tH_kA6Xa_g

Home Team: St. Joseph (Vancouver)

Coaches: Tyrone Miller, Elizabeth Kuzma, David Kuzma

Players: Christian, Logan, Grant, Reid, Bennett, Tyvin, Jack, Taft

Mascot: Cardinals

Visiting Team: St. Anthony (Tigard)

Coaches: Josh Paloma, Kevin Sailor, Sophia Sailor, David Schoppe

Players: Porter, Henry, Andrew, Nick, Vinny, Andrew, Harrison, Gavin, Rowe, Evan, Kason, Brolin, Colin, Jackson

Mascot: Hawks

Game Highlights:

Quarter 1: 12 – 15 St. Anthony

Quarter 2: 18 – 22 St. Anthony

Quarter 3:  34 – 30 St. Joseph (Vancouver)

Quarter 4:  38 – 51 – St. Anthony FINAL

St. Anthony came out to an early lead and lead by 10 at various points of the first and second half.  St. Joseph began to make a comeback in the second half and lead several times.  The score was tied toward the end of the game when St. Anthony put on the steam and finished the game 51 – 38. A great game to watch and enjoy – two great programs.

8th Grade Volleyball Tournament: St. Joseph Defeats Defending Champs

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

St. Joseph (Vancouver) 8th Grade girls beat the defending CYO Volleyball champions for the Spike Tournament Crown Saturday November 16th held at Valley Catholic High School. See video below.

St. PIus X, Four time defending champions for CYO Volleyball, took second place in the Spike Tournament to complete their 8th grade season. See video below.

Championship game between St. Joseph, Vancouver (Red) and St. PIus X, Cedar Mill, (Green).

St. Pius X Boys Win CYO Volleyball Championship

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

St. Pius X 7&8 Grade boys win the first CYO Championship Playoff game since CYO reintroduced boys volleyball after a 28 year absence.

Below: All Saints School wins second place in the CYO Championships for volleyball November 16th at Valley Catholic School.

Watch the entire volleyball game here:

CYO 5th Grade Boys Make History in Playoff Game

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

2024 CYO 5th Grade Boys City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: Franciscan Montessori Earth School

Coaches: Adrian Esteban, Alex Esteban

Players: Daniel, Diego, Ethan, Herbie, Jackson, Koji, Lyons, Nebie

Mascot: Saints

Visiting Team: St. Clare

Coaches: Kevin Myers, Matt Williams

Players: Ahren, Bennett, Canyon, Emmett, Liam, Oliver, Sam, Santiago, Silas, Tim

Mascot: The Dragons

Game Highlights:

A slow paced, balanced game, tied with 1:50 left in the third quarter thanks to 3 steals by the Saints, Lyons and shooting by Ethan. The Saints took the lead after a 6-point deficit near the end of the third quarter.

HISTORY: This was the first time Franciscan Montessori Earth School has won the City Championship level, the highest level of the CYO Basketball Tournament. 

Quarter 1: Franciscan Montessori Earth School 6 – St. Clare 9

Quarter 2: Franciscan Montessori Earth School 16 – St. Clare 15

Quarter 3: Franciscan Montessori Earth School 29 – St. Clare 25

Quarter 4: Franciscan Montessori Earth School 44 – St. Clare 34

CYO 5th Girls Find Gold and Silver at The City Tournament

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

2024 CYO 5th Grade Girls City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: St. Pius X

Coaches: Karie Conner, Katherine Wight, Mariah Johnson, Michael Liu

Players:  Audrey, Charlotte, Eleanor, Gabrielle, Genesis, Ivy, Jeter, Layla, Natalia

Mascot: Panthers

Visiting Team: St. Anthony

Coaches: Ashley Bouchard, Charlie Keller

Players: Allie, Amara, Brielle, Caroline, Emerson, Holly, Kendall, Lea, Paige, Resa, Riley, Sloane, Zoe

Mascot: The Hawkes

Game Highlights:

St. Pius X came out to an early lead outscoring St. Anthony by 15 in the first quarter.  Layla’s height and athleticism enabled the Panthers to keep control of the ball.

In the second quarter, the Panthers again came out scoring, rebounding, and controlling the ball.  With 2 minutes left in the quarter, the Hawkes began scoring and added 7 points to the tally.

Caitlin Clark, the inspirational, NCAA record breaking scorer is influencing the play in girls’ basketball and it is evident from the bleachers!

In the third quarter, the Hawkes outscored the Panthers and slightly reduced the deficit to 22 points behind the skillful shooting and ball handling of St. Anthony’s Riley and Sloane.

Both teams had some great young players who are developing very good skills.  As they continue to grow and mature, we will see these teams again and who knows what it might look like next year!  So far, my favorite game of the tournament.

Quarter 1: St. Pius X 21 – St. Anthony 6

Quarter 2: St. Pius X 37 – St. Anthony 13

Quarter 3: St. Pius X 51 – St. Anthony 29

Quarter 4: St. Pius X 66 – St. Anthony 38

CYO 6th Grade Boys Crown a Winner

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

2023 CYO 6th Grade Boys City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: St. Andrew Nativity School

Coaches Clay Alexander

Players: Andre, Daniel Arthur, Caeden, Justin, Deandre, Shamar, Ramon, Keenan, Israel

Mascot:

Visiting Team: St. Pius X

Coaches: Clayton Lindsay (H), Andrew Ruginis (AS)

Players: Zachary, Parker, Carter, Luca, Jack, Charlie, Lucas

Mascot: Panthers

Game Highlights:

First half – The two teams stayed evenly matched throughout the first half with the score staying within 1 to 4 points of each other.

Second Half – St. Pius X garnered a considerable lead which St. Andrew Nativity worked hard to close, getting within 5 in the fourth quarter.  In the end, St. Pius X by 6 in a great game by both teams.

Quarter 1:  St. Pius X 10 – St. Andrew Nativity School 6

Quarter 2:  St. Pius X 20 – St. Andrew Nativity School 16

Quarter 3: St. Pius X 36 – St. Andrew Nativity 24

Quarter 4: St. Pius X 50 – St. Andrew Nativity School 43

CYO 6th Grade Girls BXB teams In it to Win it

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

2023 CYO 6th Grade Girls City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: St. Anthony

Coaches Charlie Keller, Aubrey Turley

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

Mascot:  The Hawks

Visiting Team: St. Ignatius

Coaches: Andy Hryclw, Zach Puent, Adam Kelly

Players: Asha, Jade, Ella, Emma, Lucia, Margaret, Maddie, Amelia

Mascot: The Gators

Game Highlights:

First half, Two feisty, great shooting teams very well matched creating a lot of excitement.  Neither team was afraid to shoot three pointers and they sunk them like pros.

In the second half, St. Anthony overpowered St. Ignatius, widening the gap and St. Ignatius could not make it up.  It was a great game with a lot of intensity.

Quarter 1: St. Ignatius 6 – St. Anthony5

Quarter 2: St. Anthony 12 – St. Ignatius 10

Quarter 3: St. Anthony 19 – St. Ignatius 11

Quarter 4: St. Anthony 35 – St. Ignatius 22

CYO 5th Grade Boys Battle for the City Gold

Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

2023 CYO 5th Grade Boys City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: St. Pius X

Coaches: J.D. Youngblood Larson (H), Christopher McCollister (AS)

Players: Christopher, Griffin, Easton, Max, Jace, Micah, Nicholas, Jake, Alexander, Jay, Avery

Mascot: Panthers

Visiting Team: St. Clare

Coaches: Steven Lodzinski (H), Michael Humm,(AS) Luke Leahy, (AS)

Players: Oscar, Desmond, River, Keagan, Ritwik, Amos, David, Maddox, Sam, Elliot

Mascot: The Dragons

Game Highlights:

A high scoring game with both teams sinking 3 pointers toward the end of the first half with the score vacillating until St. Pius X drilled the last basket of the half to go ahead by 3.  Amos for St. Clare hit three, three-pointers.

St. Clare broke open in the third quarter behind some three-point shooting including another by Amos to close out the period. St. Clare added 17 points to St. Pius X’s 6.

Both teams performed well in the fourth quarter but St. Clare outscored St. Pius X by one point with thirteen for the quarter.  The game was fun to watch and kept the fans on the edge of their seats!

Quarter 1: St. Clare 17 – St. Pius X 15

Quarter 2: St. Pius X 40 – St. Clare 37

Quarter 3: St. Clare 54 – St. Pius X 46

Quarter 4: St. Clare 67 – St. Pius X 58