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Rogue River girls dominance comes to an end at state meet EUGENE - The racing was done, and all that remained was the announcement of the placing. The runners of Rogue River, the Class 3A girls cross country state champion an unprecedented five times over, huddled anxiously, as did three other teams, while scores filtered through the loudspeakers Saturday at Lane Community College in the OSAA-U.S. Bank meet. Down went No. 4 Baker. Then No. 3 Sisters. With each sound-system crackle, the Chieftain girls clinched tighter, hoping beyond hope for a continuance of their remarkable run. It wasn't to be. No. 2 Rogue River. With that proclamation came an uproar from the remaining huddle, Philomath's, the team to unseat the most dominant program in the 28-year history in 3A girls ranks. "It was kind of different," admitted Erin Gilkison, one of only two seniors among the Chieftains' seven competitors. "I was looking at them, and they were doing all the things we should have been doing." Philomath, itself a program of abundant success, scored 85 points. Individual champion Brianna Anderson-Gregg led the way, covering 5,000 meters in 18 minutes, 54 seconds. Rogue River scored 99 points, well ahead of Sisters (121) and Baker (141). The pressure of keeping the streak alive was of different intensity to different individuals. "It's tough," said Rogue River coach Nicki Wright. "There's pressure involved, pressure on all of us coaches and athletes. But you can't do better than your best, and they all did their best." Second place, she added, is hardly something to sneeze at. "It's an honor just to be called to the victory stand," she said. Lauren Fety, the Chieftains' other senior and twice a top-10 individual state finisher, was distraught at her own performance. She placed 14th in 20:07, three places and 18 seconds behind her freshman sister, Allegra, the top Rogue River placer. Lauren Fety said she knew early in the race it wasn't her day. "I was really hopeful we would do well as a team," she said. "That would really make my day. I could feel I wasn't right in the first half-mile. I ran the second half of the race for the team, but it wasn't very much fun." She did not blame the pressure of the streak. "It wasn't any burden," said Lauren Fety. "People ask about the pressure of it. I didn't feel any pressure. It's an honor and something that takes a lot of effort to uphold." The next milestone Rogue River might put in its sights is six championships in seven years. That would match what Philomath did from 1984-90. In addition to Allegra Fety, the Chieftains' Kelly Birdseye (32nd) and Lacy Spark (48th) are sophomores, and Ashley Marriot (74th) and Amanda Selanders (78th) are freshmen. "I don't want this to be the end of the Rogue River dynasty, so to speak," said Lauren Fety, "and I don't think it is." Gilkison, who was the third Rogue River runner across the finish line, said it would have been nice to keep the tradition of winning state alive for all those who had come before this year's team. "But," she said, "we'll be back up next year." In the 4A girls meet, Jenny Brown of North Medford provided the highlight among local runners, placing eighth with a time of 19:19. Christy Paul of Hood River Valley won in 18:27, the fastest time in eight years, while South Eugene claimed the team title with 130 points. Brown, a senior who has competed sparingly this fall because of tennis commitments, was aiming for a top-20 placing. A year ago, she won the Class 2A/1A race while competing for St. Mary's. "I'm really happy," she said. "I thought there were a lot more people ahead of me. I told myself before the race that no matter how I felt, I was going to kick it in at the end, and I did." Ashland placed 13th in the team race. Therese McCaffrey was the top Grizzly finisher in 40th place with a time of 20:22. Crater freshman Kendel Nelson, who was third at district last week, placed 92nd in 21:19. Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail ttrower@mailtribune.com |
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