Owyhee Harguess’ personal best in the girls 400-meter race was not a state record, or a meet record. At the OSAA Class 2A state championship meet on Thursday and Friday at Eugene’s Hayward Field, the Enterprise runner finished the prelims in 57.28 seconds and finished first in the finals in 57.79 seconds.
The time isn’t in the top 10 in state history. But what is impressive, is that Harguess is only a freshman.
Competing in Class 2A, Harguess won a state championship in the girls 400-meter dash while posting times that are competitive with some of the best in Oregon’s 6A and 5A classifications. Some of whom will be competing at high-level Division I colleges in a year’s time.
“It’s pretty crazy and pretty cool,” Harguess said after her race on Friday night. “It’s a great experience.”
And what exactly makes Harguess so strong in the 400? She said her faith is a big part of her success on the track.
“You know, I just run for the glory of God. All for Jesus,” she said.
But even Harguess didn’t think she’d be able to hit the times that she’s hitting as a freshman. She’s the only Class 2A runner to get below the one-minute mark in the 400 this spring. Above her in Oregon are all runners from big schools.
In fact, her times are eerily similar to those of Lake Oswego’s Josie Donelson, who is the favorite in Class 6A this spring. In 2021, Donelson’s season best was 57.29 at the state meet.
“I never thought I was,” she said about being able to make the times she has this season. “It’s pretty special. I’m really so lucky. I’m blessed.”
Owyhee and her twin sister, McKenzie, both started running track in seventh grade.
“(We) thought it would be a great time and experience,” she said. “And our coach Dan Moody is pretty great. And so once we started, it’s a great sport and we love it so much.”
While most track athletes shy away from the 400 (notoriously too long to be a sprint, but too long for distance strategy), Harguess said that level of difficulty is what drew her to it.
“I like it for the challenge,” she said. “I enjoy it so much. It hurts at times but it’s rewarding.”
Coming from the top northeast of the state, Harguess said there’s no track club at a local metro area to go practice with. She only practices at Enterprise High School, which has a gravel track.
What’s next for Harguess? She doesn’t have any times in mind for her future, but wants to just keep competing.
“Just keep running,” she said. “I love the 400 so much. Keep getting faster and better. That’s all I can do.”
— Nik Streng, nstreng@oregonian.com, @NikStreng
