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This meet’s elite
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| H&N file photo/Andrew Mariman A touch place to race: KU’s Nick Anderson is just one top runner in what Pelican coach Rob Coffman deems the toughest field in Oregon. |
Southern Sky cross country meet may be toughest in Oregon
By Steve Matthies
H&N Sports Writer
Klamath Union cross country coach Rob Coffman says that for anyone who likes to see competitive running, Moore Park Saturday will be the place to be.
“You won’t see better running in Oregon,” Coffman says.
KU plays host to the Southern Sky Conference/District 6 championship meet, with the boys varsity race starting at noon Saturday. That race will be followed by varsity girls, junior varsity boys and JV girls.
Cream of the crop
The premier event, however, is the boys varsity race.
“You will probably see the three best (Class 5A) teams in the state, and Crater is ranked No. 1,” Coffman says of the battle for league honors between the Comets, Ashland and the host Pelicans.
“Ashland and KU have been right there all year. It’s a shame that only two of us will go to state,” Coffman adds. “In the last two years, there is no doubt our No. 3 team should have been there.”
Saturday’s races at Moore Park, just like the Skyline Conference/District 6 races at the Grants Pass Sports Park, will determine league and individual entries to the state championships Nov. 1.
The top two varsity teams, and the top four runners not on the top two squads, all advance to state.
The Class 3A/2A/1A district championships are today at Valley of the Rogue State Park.
In today’s races, Lakeview’s Ashley and Talissa Baldovino will be among the girls favorites, with Ashley Baldovino trying to set herself up for a third straight state title. Both the Lakeview boys and girls have a shot at qualifying as teams.
In the meet hosted by Hidden Valley, the focus will be on the return of Henley senior Taylor Wallace. The defending Class 4A state champion has missed much of the season with an injury, but reportedly is ready to race.
Her teammate, Katie Waugh, has a chance to qualify for state along with David Carruth and Jed Tolbert for the Henley boys.
Henley has an outside chance of sending a team to the state meet at Eugene’s Lane Community College.
No district, however, should be as competitive and intense as the Southern Sky Conference boys.
“We could have six or seven of the top 10 runners in the state,” Coffman says, indicating Josh and Zach Elliott of Crater, along with teammate Max Runia, Ashland’s Ryland Karlovich and KU’s Alex Peterson and Nick Anderson.
“When we go to state, we’ll see a lot of those kids on the podium (for a top 10 finish),” Coffman says.
That means the four individual slots will be tough to secure, which makes the challenge for Mazama’s Kirby Garlitz and Andrew Daw more difficult than most runners in the state face trying to advance.
“Mazama has really improved, and if they’re in another league, probably qualify for state,” Coffman says of the Vikings.
For the girls
For the local girls, the best chance of heading to Eugene appears to be for individuals.
“We have an outside chance at (catching) Ashland,” Coffman says of the KU girls. “For that to happen, our group of 2-5 has to be in with the Ashland pack. It would be an upset, but not impossible.”
KU’s Chelsa McDonnell should be among the leaders, and Coffman says it is possible the Pels could send three girls to state. Mazama’s Sara Nelson also should be in the mix.
“What it looks like (realistically) is that there are five girls running for three spots to state,” Coffman says.
“This is not a course where rocket-fast times come out, but it should be fast for Moore Park,” the KU coach says. “It’s going to be fun.”
For more on the upcoming state playoffs in a variety of sports, see Thursday's print edition of the Herald and News.
“You won’t see better running in Oregon,” Coffman says.
KU plays host to the Southern Sky Conference/District 6 championship meet, with the boys varsity race starting at noon Saturday. That race will be followed by varsity girls, junior varsity boys and JV girls.
Cream of the crop
The premier event, however, is the boys varsity race.
“You will probably see the three best (Class 5A) teams in the state, and Crater is ranked No. 1,” Coffman says of the battle for league honors between the Comets, Ashland and the host Pelicans.
“Ashland and KU have been right there all year. It’s a shame that only two of us will go to state,” Coffman adds. “In the last two years, there is no doubt our No. 3 team should have been there.”
Saturday’s races at Moore Park, just like the Skyline Conference/District 6 races at the Grants Pass Sports Park, will determine league and individual entries to the state championships Nov. 1.
The top two varsity teams, and the top four runners not on the top two squads, all advance to state.
The Class 3A/2A/1A district championships are today at Valley of the Rogue State Park.
In today’s races, Lakeview’s Ashley and Talissa Baldovino will be among the girls favorites, with Ashley Baldovino trying to set herself up for a third straight state title. Both the Lakeview boys and girls have a shot at qualifying as teams.
In the meet hosted by Hidden Valley, the focus will be on the return of Henley senior Taylor Wallace. The defending Class 4A state champion has missed much of the season with an injury, but reportedly is ready to race.
Her teammate, Katie Waugh, has a chance to qualify for state along with David Carruth and Jed Tolbert for the Henley boys.
Henley has an outside chance of sending a team to the state meet at Eugene’s Lane Community College.
No district, however, should be as competitive and intense as the Southern Sky Conference boys.
“We could have six or seven of the top 10 runners in the state,” Coffman says, indicating Josh and Zach Elliott of Crater, along with teammate Max Runia, Ashland’s Ryland Karlovich and KU’s Alex Peterson and Nick Anderson.
“When we go to state, we’ll see a lot of those kids on the podium (for a top 10 finish),” Coffman says.
That means the four individual slots will be tough to secure, which makes the challenge for Mazama’s Kirby Garlitz and Andrew Daw more difficult than most runners in the state face trying to advance.
“Mazama has really improved, and if they’re in another league, probably qualify for state,” Coffman says of the Vikings.
For the girls
For the local girls, the best chance of heading to Eugene appears to be for individuals.
“We have an outside chance at (catching) Ashland,” Coffman says of the KU girls. “For that to happen, our group of 2-5 has to be in with the Ashland pack. It would be an upset, but not impossible.”
KU’s Chelsa McDonnell should be among the leaders, and Coffman says it is possible the Pels could send three girls to state. Mazama’s Sara Nelson also should be in the mix.
“What it looks like (realistically) is that there are five girls running for three spots to state,” Coffman says.
“This is not a course where rocket-fast times come out, but it should be fast for Moore Park,” the KU coach says. “It’s going to be fun.”
For more on the upcoming state playoffs in a variety of sports, see Thursday's print edition of the Herald and News.
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