Ontario harriers prep for season

By Scott Ford - Argus Observer
Friday, August 24, 2007 12:04 PM PDT

Ontario cross country coach Terry Erlebach talks with his runners before a workout earlier this week. Erlebach is expecting good things from his team this season. The Tiger harriers will open their season Sept. 7 at Middleton.

Ontario - You may have seen them, they have been all over town, running and running.

They are the Ontario cross country team. Recently the team has been logging miles out on the black top as they get their legs and lungs ready for the start of the season, which is only a few weeks off. In fact, the Tigers will hit the ground running in Middleton, Sept. 7 at 4 p.m.

Terry Erlebach has been at the helm of the Tiger cross country team for the past 21 years and he said this year’s team has the potential to make some noise.

“I have a young man by the name of Matt Rankin who will be a junior this year, and I look for him to place well at state,” Erlebach said. “He could go first, second or third team, which is the top 21 kids.

“The coach looks for Rankin to be the team leader this season based on his experience and age, and he will have to guide a lot of young runners on the team.

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For the girls team, Melissa Haidle has been a member of the squad for a couple of years and Erlebach said she is a hard worker who does what needs to be done. The coach said the Tigers are an excellent hill team.

“We try to get in one hill run a week along with a speed run,” Erlebach said. “But hills are our baby.”

In Erlebach 21 years at Ontario, he has sent runners to the state meet, but every year, his goal is to take the entire team to state.

Last year, the Tigers only had two runners compete at state and Erlebach hopes to improve on that number this year.

“I expect the kids to work hard and to be dedicated to the sport,” Erlebach said. “Everyone of these kids have goals set for this season and they all are hoping to reach state.”

The Tigers will compete against some quality opponents this season including the likes of La Grande, who won the district last season. Erlebach believes La Grande will be tough again this season, but he said he will have his team ready to compete against them.

“We enjoy running against Weiser, Vail, Nyssa and we even like some of those Boise schools,” Erlebach said.

2007 Schedule

September

7-at Middleton 4 p.m.

13- at Weoser 4 p.m.

14-at Vale (during football have time)

18- at Vale 4 p.m.

25- at Burns 2:30 p.m.

October

4- Crosby Invite 4 p.m.

6- at La Grande TBA

11- at Mt. Home 4 p.m.

16- at Burns 2:30 p.m.

18- at Baker 3:30 p.m.

27- Districts at La Grande 1 p.m.

November

3- State at LCC TBA