Rogue River girls will be gunning for another title

By TIM TROWER
Mail Tribune

A year ago, Rogue River wasn't expected to go far.

In cross country, that's not a good thing.

But the Chieftains made short work of the long odds, overcoming injuries and defection to win an unprecedented fifth straight Class 3A girls state championship.

The scenario is not as dramatic this year, "but it's kind of the same," said second-year Rogue River coach Nicki Wright, whose Chieftains, despite their streak, aren't ranked No. 1 or favored for the state meet Saturday at Lane Community College in Eugene.

The 4A, 3A and 2A/1A 5,000-meter races will be run at the same site, beginning with the 3A boys at noon.

Of the local representatives, those in 3A - the Rogue River girls and Phoenix boys - figure to fare the best.

The Chieftain girls are tied with Baker as the No. 2-ranked teams in the state behind Philomath. The Phoenix boys are No. 2 behind Wilsonville.

Rogue River hasn't been hit by injuries this year as it was last season, but the Chieftains will send out a young team that has to overtake Philomath if it is to keep the title streak alive.

The Chieftains have twice competed against Philomath, finishing second to the Warriors at Creswell and third at Siuslaw.

"We didn't have our whole team together either time," says Wright, "so they haven't seen us at our best."

And being the underdog at state seems to mean little to the Chieftains. Last year, as they do every year, they went to the course on the Friday before the race, jogged it, then convened at the trophy stand and expressed their goals.

"It brings them together," says Wright, "and they go out and compete for each other. They get up to that state meet, and they just run their hearts out."

For instance, a year ago, Wright's senior daughter, Bobbi, placed second on the strength of an inspired finishing kick. She burst past two runners in the final 400 meters.

"With about 400 meters to go, she decided she was going to do it or die trying," says Nicki Wright. "The other girls heard it over the loudspeaker and said, 'Man, let's go for it.'"

Bobbi Wright is no longer on the team, but the spirit she exhibited can be found in these Chieftains. They will be led by the sister act of Lauren and Allegra Fety, a senior and freshman, respectively, who finished 1-3 at district. Erin Gilkison and Kelly Birdseye also placed in the top 10.

Lauren Fety was ninth at state last year, followed by Lacey Sparks (26th) and Gilkison (32nd), who also return.

"We do have a shot," says Wright, "but everyone will have to run their best race."

The Phoenix boys have as a preliminary goal placing in the top four, thereby earning a trophy, but they aren't ruling out a title.

"We're looking at it like any team is beatable," says coach Bruce Timmerman, "even Wilsonville. We need our best race of the year, but we're not conceding it to them just yet."

Molalla, the defending state champion, and Philomath are expected to be in the top-four mix as well.

Nathan May leads a trio of Pirates who figure to finish in the top 10 at state.

May won the Skyline Conference championship last week in 16 minutes, 40 seconds, followed by teammates Lalo Flores, second in 16:41, and Kyle Gillette, third in 16:51.

May injured an ankle the week before state last year and didn't get to compete.

"He'd like to prove something," says Timmerman. "I'm sure his plan is to win the meet. I think that's been his plan probably since last year."

Also headed to the state boys meet is Andrew Barella of Rogue River, who was fifth at district.

In the Class 4A boys meet, South Medford's boys team goes as the No. 2 representative from the Southern Oregon Conference, behind champion and top-rated Klamath Union.

The Panthers' top runners, Shaun Olson and Chris McLean, placed third and fifth, respectively, at district.

In the Class 4A girls meet, Ashland's girls team, led by fourth-place district finisher Therese McCaffrey, goes as No. 2, also behind Klamath Union.

Individual qualifiers include North Medford's Jenny Brown, second at district; Kendel Nelson, a Crater freshman, who was third; and Sarah Dalton of North, who was seventh.

In the 2A/1A girls meet, Leah Sawyer of St. Mary's qualified seventh from the District 5 championships.

Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail ttrower@mailtribune.com 

Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us
Copyright © 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.