Bend High Claims Oregon 6A Track Crown with Sprint Dominance

BEND, Ore. (AP) — Bend High School captured the Oregon School Activities Association 6A boys track and field team title over the May 29-31, 2025, weekend at the University of Oregon's historic Hayward Field, dominating sprints and field events to outpace traditional powers like Sherwood and Jesuit. The Lava Bears' 4x100-meter relay squad, featuring standouts Angus Hutchinson, Sienna Nissen, Emmett South and Magnolia Rowles, clocked a blistering 4:10.95 in the distance medley relay, setting a school record and contributing key points, per Athletic.net records. This victory, first reported by KTVZ, underscores Bend's rising prowess from the high desert, building on their strong 2025 cross country showings.

In the fiercely contested 6A meet, Bend's field athletes shone brightly. A thrower like Greyson Murff, who notched 156-4 in the shot put, edged McNary sophomore Derek Olivo's 155-0 for a pivotal win, while sprint relays mirrored Beaverton High's tight 4x100 finishes seen in prior photos from KVAL. These performances echoed the inspiration from local legend Steve Prefontaine, whose legacy at Hayward Field fueled records like Lake Oswego's Kitchen shattering the 3,000-meter mark at 7:58.92 just a year prior.

The championship adds to Bend Senior High's storied program, active on RunnerSpace, amid a weekend where 4A saw Cottage Grove's Carter Bengtson set a 3,000 record at 8:26.40 and Philomath's Janice Hellesto leap 18-6 in long jump. OSAA results highlight Jefferson's EJ Cozart Jr.'s surprise 22-11¼ long jump and North Bend's Drew Hood's 133-9 javelin, but Bend's balanced attack secured the title. Coach reactions, per KEZI recaps, praised the team's resilience against rain-slicked tracks.