Cross-country running

North Medford’s Elijah Zavala carried the torch for the local cross country runners at the Nike Portland XC, with the Black Tornado senior posting a time of 15 minutes, 35 seconds Saturday to place 35th overall in the 5,000-meter boys Danner Championships.

The Nike Portland XC was broken up into various divisions, with the Danner race for elite competitors and then several varsity divisions.

South Medford’s Ezra Dixon (21st, 18:34.2) and Eli Dixon (45th, 18:56.7) competed in the boys Division 1 race, while Panthers senior Cyerra Mejia was in the girls Division 2 race (22nd, 20:23.0).

In the girls Division 3 race, Cascade Christian junior Madyson Winters finished 22nd (21:09.3), while fellow Challenger Isaac Young was ninth (17:04.5) in the boys race.

GRIZZLY INVITATIONAL: At Ashland, sophomore Maxwell Miracle led a group of five Crater boys to finish among the top seven placers on the 5,000-meter Oak Knoll Golf Course.

Miracle finished runner-up to Trinity’s Jackson Poburko with a time of 16:19.62, with Crater freshman Garrett Faught placing third in 16:41.67.

The Comets won the team title with 20 points after runners Reece Hvall (16:46.04), Nathan Goode (16:54.98) and William Shore (17:05.24) came in Nos. 5-7, respectively.

Curtiss Heier of Illinois Valley broke into the Crater grouping with a fourth-place finish (16:42.68).

Ashland senior Bjorn Austbo paced the Grizzlies — who were fourth as a team behind Crater, Grants Pass and Trinity — by finishing eighth in the boys race in 17:41.76.

William Pyeatt posted the top result for Phoenix (15th, 18:20.83).

In the girls race, Grants Pass senior Nettle Grey earned the title after crossing in 19:27.85 ahead of Ashland freshman Natalie Kupka (19:51.81) and junior Mackenzie Schmdit (20:01.23).

Crater was able to secure the girls title with 27 points after Hannah Pygman (21:16.42), Gwendolyn VanWart (21:27.70), Kamdyn Johnson (21:35.52) and Grace Havniear (21:39.99) finished in spot Nos. 5-8.

Aleah Polansky led Phoenix (25th, 23.52.32).

CHAMPS INVITE: At Lebanon, St. Mary’s senior Bella Fortino placed 18th in 21:12.4 to pace the Crusader girls, while senior Owen Kuhl finished 43rd (18:32.40) to lead the boys team effort.

Boys Soccer

PHOENIX 8, MAZAMA 0: At Phoenix, Victor Peral provided two goals and one assist and Hector Ramos also tallied twice to lead Phoenix to the Skyline Conference victory.

Yeriel Ortiz, Daniel Macias and Antonio Camargo were also among the Pirates (4-1-2, 1-1 Skyline) to register a goal and at least one assist.

Ahvin Olson also scored a goal for Phoenix, while Juan Vargas played a pivotal role in limiting Mazama to three shots.

Girls Soccer

CRATER 5, LIBERTY 0: At Central Point, Ella Heppner registered an assist on four goals and Crater goalkeepers Payshens Cichy and Haley Plankenhorn combined on the nonleague shutout.

Brook Caywood recorded a hat trick in the first half for the Comets (3-3-1), who also got goals from Audrey Ruffer and Autumn Jackson.

Volleyball

ROGUE VALLEY CLASSIC: Ashland made it to the gold bracket but fell to Grants Pass in three sets, 25-20, 18-25, 15-7, at North Medford High.

Alliyah Sullivan served for four aces with four digs for the Grizzlies, while Savannah Elster had nine digs, Gita Lustman had 13 digs and six kills and Stella Thompson recorded seven kills and two blocks.

North Medford won in straight sets against Cascade Christian and Silverton to go undefeated in the nine-team tournament.

CRESWELL TOURNAMENT: At Creswell, St. Mary’s placed third after falling to Stayton, 25-23, 25-13, in the semifinal round. The Crusaders, who went 5-1 in pool play, reached the semis with a 25-17, 25-21 win over Sutherlin.

Ada Bernard had seven kills and nine digs and Ella Yeamans provided 13 assists against Stayton, while Lexi Smith added nine digs.