Field Reporter Maura Warren As the girls and boys of Oregon and Washington warmed up for the 2007 Nike BorderClash they had two definite things in common: they wanted to win, and they were all very familiar with running in the cold and the rain. The crowd could feel the adrenaline once the cannon was fired and each state took off from separate starting lines, running directly at each other, and then merging onto the main course. The rain and cold air were no longer a factor, and like dedicated runners they focused on the task at hand. Nicole Cochran leads Washington with her 16:23.70 - Photo by Dave ClarkThe girls teams had the honor of running first, and they appeared more excited than nervous at the start lines. “The State Meet is very competitive and you’re running with your team. At BorderClash it’s more relaxed and you’re trying to bond as a state team competing againstWashington,” said Michelle Dettmann (Sr.) from Centennial High School.There is one weekend of rest for the runners in between State Finals and BorderClash, so for many runners this race is more fun than competition. The race results at BorderClash are always a surprise, and this year was no different. Nicole Cochran (Sr.) from Bellarmine Preparatory finished first, with a time of 16:23. However, Nicole had finished eighth at the Washington State Finals meet. This is proof of the statement made by Kara Goucher, “My advice is to remember that there is always another opportunity. There is always another race,” at the ceremonies the night before the race. Taylor Wallace (Jr.) from Henley High School finished in second place, with a time of 16:27, and was the first girl from the Oregon team to finish. However, the Washington team held eight of the top ten spots, and won the girls race with a score of 68-144. The boys’ race started forty five minutes after the girls, and by that point the rain had progressed from a light sprinkle to a heavy rain. This made the 4.4K course at the Nike World Miles Unterreiner and Jonathan Lafler lead Washington's boys with their 1-2 finish Photo by Dave Clark Headquarters even more muddy and mushy than it already was. The Oregon team seemed confident,” Oregon is the best, Washington is not,” said Samot Turina (Jr.) from Central Catholic High School. Determined to prove that statement false, first place finisher, Miles Unterreiner (Sr.) from Gig Harbor High School, took off like a bat out of hell. Unterreiner ran 5:12 mile averages and finished the race with a time of 14:13. Bryce Burgess (Sr.) from Jesuit High School has had a great final high school season, and finished fourth with a time of 14:26. A great effort by Oregon, but the Washington boys took the win with a score of 73-137.In the end the Goddess Nike Statue traveled back to Washington, who won the 2007 Nike BorderClash with an overall score of 141-281. The disappointment of the Oregon teams was overshadowed by the fun of the race, although they did pledge to be victorious next year.
Coverage
The Top 160 High School Runners from Oregon and Washington Compete For Pacific Northwest Bragging Rights; Series Now Stands at 7 - 2 Beaverton, Oregon – November 18, 2007 – An estimated crowd of 2,000 gathered Sunday on the Nike Campus and watched as Team Washington won the ninth annual Nike BorderClash competition. The competition featured two separate races, one for the girls and one for the boys. Miles Unterreiner of Gig Harbor, Washington, won the boys’ race with a time of 14:34:34 and Nicole Cochran of Tacoma, Washington took first in the girls’ race with a time of 16:23.70. Each team’s girls’ and boys’ scores were then combined to determine which state would be crowned "Champion of the Border." The series now stands at 7-2, Washington.
Photos by Dave Clark BORDERCLASH 9The Washington State Teams brought it today to the Nike campus, wrapped it up in a big box, put a Green Bow on it and brought it all back home.(after watering it a little)The Washington Boys, lead by Miles Unterreiner of Gig Harbor 14:13 and Jonathan Lafler of Tahoma 14:17, dominated today. 16 of the top 20 runners, on the Washington Team. The Washington Girl, led by 4 time Borderclash attendee, Nicole Cochran of Bellarmine Prep, 16:23 did the same. 13 of the top 20 girls were from, guess where? WASHINGTON!
The Washington story by Robert Mirenzi The Washington State Teams brought it today to the Nike campus, wrapped it up in a big box, put a Green Bow on it and brought it all back home (after watering it a little). The Washington Boys, lead by Miles Unterreiner of Gig Harbor 14:13 and Jonathan Lafler of Tahoma 14:17, dominated today. 16 of the top 20 runners, on the Washington Team. The Washington Girls, led by 4 time Borderclash attendee, Nicole Cochran of Bellarmine Prep, 16:23 did the same. 13 of the top 20 girls were from, guess where? WASHINGTON!Nicole Cochran leads Washington with her 16:23.70 - Photo by Dave ClarkThe Oregon story by Maura Warren As the girls and boys of Oregon and Washington warmed up for the 2007 Nike BorderClash they had two definite things in common: they wanted to win, and they were all very familiar with running in the cold and the rain. The crowd could feel the adrenaline once the cannon was fired and each state took off from separate starting lines, running directly at each other, and then merging onto the main course. The rain and cold air were no longer a factor, and like dedicated runners they focused on the task at hand.
Select photos by Dave Clark from the Nov 18, 2007, Nike Washington-Oregon Border Clash
Select photos by Dave Clark of the November 18, 2007 Nike Washington-Oregon Border Clash
Take the top 40 runners across all Classes from two of the top HS Running states on the west coast.Put them all together in a showdown for best of the west.Drop that showdown in the quintessential center of running.What you get is Borderclash. This is the ninth season Nike has hosted this showdown of High School’s best. Borderclash has grown to be one of the most talked about events of the cross country season. Borderclash is hosted on the 2.6 k course on the Nike campus in Beaverton Oregon.Just being there is excitement enough for these young athletes. The pride and recognition of being the best in their field should be enough, add that to the pleasure and privilege of being at and running at the Nike Campus, a place designed from the ground up to indulge, glorify and proliferate excellence in athletics.Enter Bridget Berg, Senior, Ballard High School 9th Place 4A State 19:04Second Year attending Borderclash.