By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.–  It was weird to think about now as South Salem’s Justin Saunders-Tyquiengco has only had one year of competitive Cross Country under his belt.  But he made the most of it.

Having trained with the Saxon squad before his Junior season, Sanders was part of the South Salem squad that went to the State Meet at Lane Community College in the Fall of 2019.  The Saxons finished 17^th as a team that year with Saunders-Tyquiengco the highest finisher for South Salem at 69^th place with a time of 16:19.3.

“I went to state for my first year doing cross country as a junior. The experience was a lot of fun and our team did amazing at State. How can I improve it is by training as a team for the south,” said Saunders-Tyquiengco.

The now Saxon Senior points to bike racing his freshman and some summer training with during his sophomore year, but as he signs with the Titans at LCC for both Cross Country and Track, Saunders is excited to join the program.

“South helped me to become a better runner and work hard at running,” Saunders-Tyquiengco.  “I cannot wait to have fun at Lane Community college. It is the best opportunity I ever had. I cannot wait to run at the College level.”

Saunders-Tyquiengco’s Senior season with the Saxons for Cross Country is scheduled to start February 22 with practice.