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[I wrote the feature stories for the boys and girls cross country athletes of the year for the Statesman. I interviewed Lucien on Nov. 22.]

Chemawa’s Corriveau uses a different tactic, making a late move to win state championship
By Lee Clarkson
Statesman Journal
November 25, 2010

When Lucien Corriveau came to Chemawa Indian School after moving from Oklahoma, athletic director Joe Warde told the Braves’ newest competitor what to expect in Oregon.

“I told him when he first got here that this is runner’s country,” Warde said with a laugh. “(I told him), ‘You may have to step it up.’”

Based on Corriveau’s state title at the OSAA Class 3A/2A/1A championships earlier this month, it’s safe to say Corriveau stepped it up just fine.

Corriveau claimed the District 3 championship Oct. 28 before winning the state title. He has been named Statesman Journal All-Mid-Valley Athlete of the Year for boys cross country.

For an athlete who thrives on close races and competition, Corriveau triumphed in a dream race Nov. 6 as he outkicked Nyssa’s Ryan Maag to win the state championship.

“I was just seeing the big circle, just focusing on the finish line,” Corriveau said of the final moments of the race. “I was just jettin’, and the other guy was jettin’. We were just passing each other back and forth, just battling.

“That was exactly what I asked for.”

Normally a front-runner, Corriveau used a different tactic at state, electing to relax and observe the race from the middle before making a late move.

“I remember just staying back, just relaxing, working on my breathing,” Corriveau said. “Just watching how the race is going to go. Just watching how everybody’s running. Listening to breathing.”

Corriveau thought the hills of the course at Eugene’s Lane Community College would benefit him.

“Hills are really fun,” Corriveau said. “(I) thought I could take advantage of those hills.”

Then came the final stretch of the race.

“(Maag) was really pushing himself, so I just caught up with him and then we battled all throughout the last mile,” Corriveau said. “We just sprinted.”

Corriveau and Maag each were clocked in 16:15, but the computer chips attached to each runner’s shoes determined that Corriveau crossed the line first.

The difference separating first and second was .06 seconds.

The title is significant for the school. It is Chemawa’s first state title since Charlie Mountainchief won the Class A/B title in 1981.

“Since it’s been about 29 years since the last one, it’s really special for the school,” head coach Daniel Hotch said.

The title this year was Corriveau’s third state championship. He won consecutive titles at Riverside Indian School in Oklahoma, a boarding school similar in size to Chemawa.

Competition is stiffer in Oregon, Corriveau said.

“It was a faster pace (at this year’s state meet) than I usually have because everyone else in Oklahoma, they’re like really sprinters, so they’re not really distance runners,” Corriveau said. “It’s not really that big over in Oklahoma.”

Make no mistake though: Winning three titles in two states is a confidence boost.

“It feels good,” Corriveau said. “I’m really confident now.”

Corriveau, a senior, wants to run collegiately next year but has not decided on a school. He said he looks forward to stepping up in competition again.

Corriveau’s willingness to battle on the course is impressive to Hotch.

“(He’s) unique,” Hotch said. “You don’t get many kids that want this kind of a battle. (Most) kids want to win by two minutes or a minute or 30 seconds.”

Corriveau plans to compete for Chemawa in track this spring. He has run in sporadic races in the past but never full-time.

“I’ll definitely do long distance,” Corriveau said. “I want to try to do some short distance, see how I can do in that.”

Hotch said he likely will have Corriveau run the 1,500 and 3,000 meters, as well as the 800 to train for the two distance races.

Corriveau placed 47th Nov. 21 at the Nike Border Clash, an all-star race pitting the top state placers from Oregon and Washington.

He completed the 4,400-meter race in 14:50.79.

Hotch thinks Corriveau would have placed higher had he not missed about two weeks of training while on bereavement leave after the state meet.

“He never really practiced, I don’t think, he might have a little bit, but still in 47th just shows a kid with guts and how tough he is,” Hotch said. “I mean, if he had a proper two weeks of practice, I think he would have been top 20.”

A willing attitude to battle and compete has served Corriveau well, and Hotch thinks it will carry him at the collegiate level, as well.

“He’s got heart. Heart and he’s tough,” Hotch said. “He thrives off competition, and he’s going to push it.”

Corriveau said he will remember this season for the hard work he put in and how it resulted in success at the end of the year.

“It was really hard work, but I had to put it in if I wanted state,” Corriveau said. “I really had to work at it.”

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