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Chiefs may cruise at district By GREG STILES How fitting it is for Saturday's Skyline Conference district cross country meet to be run on Rogue River's stomping grounds at Valley of the Rogue Park. In a year where the Chieftains are off-the-board favorites to win their fourth boys district title in five years and third straight girls crown, there's no more appropriate place than a few strides from the swift currents of the Rogue River. And what better place to tune up for a run at a couple of state championships than the home course? "From a coaching standpoint, it's nice to be running on our home course, and the kids like it, too," said first-year coach Gary Anderson. "I'd like to see the kids cruise through districts, which I think they can do." Rogue River's girls are two-time defending Class 3A state champions and probably stronger than ever. The boys were a surprise fourth-place finisher in 1997 and have nothing but a strong couple of outings between them and a state title. The top two teams and top seven individuals advance to the state meet Nov. 7 in Eugene. Anderson's biggest concern from the beginning of the season was keeping his runners healthy -- especially the girls, where there are just seven runners. The boys team got a big lift when senior Brandon Padilla returned from a summer trip to California in much better shape than he was at the end of a disappointing track season last spring. "I just got my act together," said Padilla, the defending district champion. "It's my senior year, and I want our team to win state. I had a negative attitude and now I'm more positive. Basically, I told myself, `You need to get off your butt."' The image Rogue River cross country conjures up is traversing country roads and park trails. But Padilla's training for his final prep season began in the urban surroundings of San Jose, Calif. "You just have to motivate yourself to go out and run, and that was kind of hard to do in San Jose," Padilla says. "Running in the city makes you run faster, just because it is the city and you don't know the people." Padilla says his revived running spirit caught his teammates off guard. "They thought I hadn't run at all," Padilla says. "They were surprised and happy." Padilla owns the third-fastest time on the district 5,000-meter course that was established in 1994. His 16-minute, 5-second time is well off the 15:38 mark by Cascade's Noel Paulson earlier this season. Junior Warren Clarida has the fourth-best time on the course at 16:17, while sophomore Nathan Love is No. 9 at 16:37. "Warren has been a big motivator for me," Padilla says. "He's a little guy, but he's been right behind me all season. Knowing he's there always pushes me." Senior Garett Romele had the Chieftains' best performance in the state meet and will likely be geared up again as Rogue River aims for its 11th Skyline title in 22 years. "Garett gets up for big meets, and I hope he does that again," Anderson says. Hidden Valley and Henley are best bets for the runner-up spot. The Mustangs seek their first trip to state, while Henley is looking for its first entry since 1993. Hidden Valley expects a boost from soccer player Jesse Johnson. Cesar Flores of Phoenix will be bidding for a return to the state meet by finishing in the top seven as well. Rogue River's girls go for their fifth Skyline championship in eight years and the sixth crown since 1977. The Chieftains might have the three fastest girl runners on the course in two-time defending champion senior Jodi Minard, junior Selena Harman and sophomore Bobbi Wright. Harman has had the second-fastest time on the course (18:30) this year. Minard ran an 18:57 in 1997 and Wright ran a 19:11 this season. "My job has been pretty much to keep the girls on the straight and narrow because they're a self-motivated group," Anderson says. "We don't have any slackers. Even our freshmen would like to be the No. 1 runner; they're both very competitive." Freshmen Erin Gilkison and Lauren Fety have traded off in the six and seven spots most of the season. Hidden Valley, the state's third-ranked team coached by Bob Julian Jr., will give the Chieftains a good push as they seek their first trip to the state meet. Twins Emily and Alanna Steinert give the Mustangs a solid 1-2 punch. Emily Steinert has a best of 19:23 on the district course. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford,