The Orienteering meet this past weekend was filled with fun, hot chocolate, family participation, and good friendly competition. We had a number of first time participants who hopefully we'll see again in the future. We also had some tired participants that ran either the Micron 9 mile Chrismas run the day before or the YMCA Christmas run that morning.

On the beginning course, the Cullum clan took top billing. Jim, Kate and Natalie finished first ahead of Cullum team #2 of Dan, Jack and Rochelle. Elijah, as always, did very well completing the course on his own. The Guerra brothers gave us some more family rivalry by completing the beginning course with only 30 seconds seperating their finishing times. First time CTOC competitor Jerry Haack (limited orienteering experience about 12 years ago) got the hang of the beginning course after a short tutorial that inspired her to also tackle the intermediate course. Rounding out the beginning course was Andy and Rosie on a pleasant stroll around the course.

The intermediate course was hotly contested by Dondi, Jeff and Donna (sans Donna's daughters this time around), and Jerry. It's obvious that Dondi is no longer walking the course as she turned in a great time of 30:50. Jeff and Donna finished a mere 1 minute back, with Jerry close behind. Team Cullum #1 (Jim, Kate and Natalie) also didn't get their fill of orienteering with the beginner course and joined Jerry in doing the double. First timer Mike Riddle completed this course without any difficulties. The Leibowitz added on to their intermediate course controls by accidentally picking up a beginner course control.

We had a diverse group on the advance course which made up for a number of sub-competitions. The walking competition pitted first timer Dawn and her teammate Brad (prior experience Bear Basin and a park meet) against first timers Zach Curtis, his daughter Claudia, and their trusted canine. Brad, Dawn, and Zach are all co-workers, and Brad and Zach are friendly fishing enthusiasts/rivals so bragging rights were on the line. The all adult team of Brad and Dawn narrowly nipped the Curtis' at the finish line, so Brad finally has something he can talk about around the office (don't worry Brad and I are good buddies and have known each other for over 20 years).

Next on the advance course was a close competition between "broken leg" Dan and "I like Ice" Karin. Their finish times were within 1 minute of each other. It's good to see Dan back in competition and we're glad Karin made it down from McCall.

Next up the ladder came Doug and Lee. Both these guys ran the YMCA Christmas run on Saturday morning but needed the O meet to really tire themselves out. A tired Lee completed the course in under 1 hr 5 min knowing sub-6 minite per miler Doug was close behind, and silently cursing me for having put 21 controls on the advanced course. He wondered where the 22nd control was to fill out his punch card. Doug did out run Lee to the tape in 1:01:52. Thanks to both Lee and Doug for pushing themselves at both events on this day.

As usual the top spots on the advanced course went to Sergey and Jeff. The only time these finishing spots are contested is if they don't show up for the meet (which is almost never). So congrats to both!

Many thanks to Sergey, Jeff Black, and Andy for their advice on my first time as a meet director. And thanks to Andy for our pre-printed maps.

Thanks also to Sergey and Jeff for control pickup and everyone else that helped tear down the equipment at the end.

Here are the results: 
Beginner Course:
Jim, Kate & Natalie Cullum                  8:00
Dan, Jack & Rochelle Cullum                10:25
Elijah Hill                                11:30
Ryan Guerra                                16:12
Erik Guerra                                16:42
Jerry Haack                                20:39
Rosie & Andy Hill                          22:15

Intermediate Course:
Dondi Black                                30:50
Jeff Decker & Donna Goodwin                31:50
Jerry Haack                                33:02
Jim, Kate & Ntalie Cullum                  51:25
Mike Riddle                                55:03
Bob & Mitch Leibowitz                      43:15 ***

Advanced Course:
Sergey Velichko                            41:05
Jeff Black                                 51:40
Doug LaMott                              1:01:52
Lee Scott                                1:04:53
Karin Didisse                            1:18:28
Dan Herring                              1:19:12
Brad Lowe, Dawn Caldwell                 2:21:45
Zach & Claudia Curtis                    2:24:40
Meet director Bill Leahy