Coming off a sensational sophomore year, Philomath's Cassidy Smart started her junior year with a bang Friday in The Opener cross country meet at Ash Creek Preserve in Monmouth.
The reigning 4A champion used an explosive kick to pull away for a six-second victory in the 3,000-meter race against a talented field that included last year's 5A champion, Caldera senior Maddie Carney.
Smart recorded a time of 10 minutes, 10.01 seconds to outpace Caldera junior Miley Morical (10:16.72), Carney (10:20.07), Tigard junior Sophia Service (10:22.38) and Banks sophomore Molly Schoolmeester (10:27.52).
“Cassidy always races to win,” Philomath coach Joe Fulton said of Smart, who capped her sophomore track season with 4A titles in the 1,500 and 3,000. “I don't think she even knew who she was taking on. I'm sure she didn't know that one of the girls was the defending 5A state champion.
“You don't want to be with her in the final 200 meters. I don't think she has the same leg speed that some of those gals do, but her speed at the end of a hard race is very formidable.”
Smart's time was better than her 3,000 personal best from track of 10:17.53. How does Fulton account for the improvement?
“Competition. She had to run that fast to win,” Fulton said. “Her goal is always to win the race. Time doesn't matter to her. There's more in her. She'll continue to improve because she'll always try to win.”
The field posed a challenge for Smart. In addition to Carney, Morical placed fifth in last year's 5A meet, Schoolmeester took fourth in 3A/2A/1A and Service was 13th in 6A.
Smart was behind that group through the first kilometer and closed the gap in the second kilometer. She ran side-by-side with the leaders until about the 150-meter mark, where “she just unleashed her kick,” Fulton said.
Smart's early improvement is especially encouraging considering she is facing a steep challenge in 4A this year with the arrival of Scappoose freshman Katherine Kessi, who ran the 3,000 in 9:54.6 in a cross country meet as an eighth-grader.
“She'll be the target for everyone, including Cassidy,” Fulton said. “The fact that Cassidy ran 10:10 on a cross country course shows that she'll at least be able to challenge Kessi. She'll have to run faster to beat her, that's for sure.”
Smart, the daughter of former Philomath standout Whitney Bushnell, added to her resume in June by placing fourth in the 2,000 steeplechase at Nike Outdoor Nationals.
“I think that's going to be her best event,” Fulton said. “She's a natural over the water jump and the hurdles. She loves the event.”
With Smart leading the way at The Opener, Philomath's girls took first place out of 23 teams. The Warriors scored 90 points to beat Banks (119), Tualatin (133) and Corvallis (175).
Philomath's other top finishers were freshman Olivia Hernandez (15th), sophomores Piper Pedder (25th) and Sienna Bushnell (29th) and junior Reagan Nuno (40th).
The Warriors, who won 4A team titles in 2023 and 2024 and finished third at state last year, believe they have the pieces to get back on top this season with the addition of Hernandez, Pedder (transfer from Alsea) and freshman Sienna Smith.
“They know we've got the depth this year,” Fulton said. “We weren't that deep last year.”
Hernandez, a three-time Pan Am wrestling champion, is an elite competitor. She also is playing soccer for Philomath this season.
Add The Opener
North Eugene senior Ashenafi McKinnis cruised to victory in the boys race at The Opener. He finished in 8:20.94 to beat McMinnville senior Isaiah Carpenter (8:29.74), Tigard senior Paul Hretcanu (8:43.39) and Knappa junior Rowdy Justus (8:44.04).
McMinnville scored 95 points to take first place ahead of Corvallis (103), Knappa (108) and Lakeridge (110). Carpenter, junior Dash Diesburg (11th) and senior Henry Barsotti (19th) paced the Grizzlies.
JC Rust Buster
Marist Catholic senior Corbin Sage, last year's 4A boys champion, opened his season Saturday with an impressive win in the JC Rust Buster meet at Junction City High School.
Sage finished the 3,000 course in 8:46.88, an improvement over his winning time of 9:21.3 in 2025. Sheldon junior Caleb Daniels was a distant second in 9:31.18.
Marist Catholic senior Tori Sherman won the girls race in 11:41.68. She held off sophomore teammate Mary Jane Hill (11:47.61).
Sheldon won the six-team boys meet by outscoring second-place Marist Catholic 34-69. Churchill edged Marist Catholic 49-52 to win the five-team girls meet.
jerryu@osaa.org
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