Three Phoenix runners took a step up in competition on Saturday.

Competing in the Class 5A-6A division at the Northwest Classic in Eugene, Sophia Stubblefield finished the 5,000-meter course in under 20 minutes for the first time in her career. The sophomore posted a time of 19 minutes, 33 seconds to place 24th in the big-school race. Freshman Kyla Potratz wasn't far behind, placing 37th in 20:07.

Noah Marshall ran in the 5A-6A race for the PHS boys, finishing 88th in 17:40.

Despite having its two fastest runners compete in another division, the rest of the Pirate girls finished 15th as a team with 374 points in the 1A-4A race. Lucy Newell led the way, placing 63rd in 23:11. Shelby Platt was 83rd (24:52), Claire Mathewson 91st (25:39), Jasper Cortell 94th (25:46) and Sienna Bauer 109th (26:27).

Elwood Hosking (29th in 17:42) and Dilan Mathieu (86th in 19:12) competed for the Pirate boys in the 1A-4A race.

Phoenix returns to action on Wednesday when it will take part in the Skyline Pre-District Meet at Valley of the Rogue Park near Rogue River.