The postseason for cross country finally gets underway this week, a week later than usual.
West Salem’s Ahmed Muhumed has been named the Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year for Oregon.
The Greater Valley Conference holds its district meet at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Crystal Lake Sports Park in Corvallis.
West Salem senior Ahmed Muhumed, the defending Class 6A state champion who has the fastest time (15:06.58) in the state this season, is the favorite to win his third consecutive district championship.
The Mid-Willamette Conference holds its district meet at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Waterloo Park in Lebanon.
The Oregon West Conference holds its meet at 11:15 a.m. Saturday at Yamhill-Carlton High School.
Class 3A/2A/1A Special District 2 and Class 3A/2A/1A Special District 3 have their meets at 3 p.m. Thursday at Bush’s Pasture Park.
All state meets take place Nov. 5 at Eugene’s Lane Community College.
Volleyball playoffs
The first round of the OSAA state playoffs for Classes 6A and 1A take place Wednesday.
In 6A, West Salem is the No. 2 seed in the bracket and will host a team to be determined, No. 11 seed South Salem hosts Grants Pass at 6:30 p.m., No. 25 seed McNary travels to play Sunset at 7 p.m. and No. 12 seed Sprague hosts St. Mary’s at 7 p.m.
In 1A, Willamette Valley Christian hosts McKenzie at 6 p.m. at Western Mennonite and Perrydale plays at North Clackamas Christian at 6:30 p.m. Casco champion Crosshill Christian gets a bye through to Saturday’s second round.
Soccer playoffs
The first round of the 6A state playoffs takes place Saturday.
In the boys, No. 17 seed McKay plays at Lincoln at 11 a.m., No. 4 seed West Salem host a team to be determined and No. 7 seed South Salem hosts a team to be determined.
In the girls, No. 17 seed West Salem plays at Lake Oswego at 4 p.m. and No. 21 seed Sprague plays at South Medford.
Soccer
South Salem’s boys soccer team will hold an alumni game at 1 p.m. Nov. 19 at Bennett Field at South Salem.
To RSVP for the game, contact South Salem coach Eric Johansen at Eric.R.Johansen@opds.state.or.us.
Athletes of the week
Sydney Hunter, Selbie Christensen, Yobeli Manzo and Edwin Ortiz were honored Oct. 21 as athletes of the week by the Salem Sports & Breakfast Club.
McNary senior Sydney Hunter
Hunter, a senior middle blocker for McNary’s volleyball team, averaged double figures in kills and digs in the Celtics past seven matches.
South Salem junior Selbie Christiensen
Christiensen, a junior outside hitter for South Salem’s volleyball team, had 26 kills, 21 digs and four aces in a win against McMinnville and 12 kills and two aces in a sweep of Sprague.
McKay sophomore Yobeli Manzo
Manzo, a sophomore for McKay’s boys soccer team, had five goals and six assists in a three-game stretch and has 14 goals and 15 assists for the season.
North Salem junior Edwin Ortiz
Ortiz, a junior midfielder for North Salem’s boys soccer team, is tied for the team lead in scoring with seven goals and two assists. He also runs cross country.
bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler