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Former runners honor Julian By TIM TROWER ASHLAND - Bob Julian Sr.'s influence coursed through many lives in the 30 years he coached and taught at Ashland High. It was fitting, then, that he be ever-present at the course where his "Last Hurrah" run would be staged Saturday in upper Lithia Park. Julian was pictured near the check-in table flashing the "No. 1" sign. A caption read: "It's been a pleasure ... I've been on the victory stand for 30 wonderful years." He was on Paris Edwards' legs in ink script: "Team Julian" and "Bob is #1." He was represented on a sign a half-mile into the 3-mile course with his pet saying: "100 yards to go." That, of course, was a fallacy. "A hundred yards," explained Josh Wilmoth, an Ashland High runner helping to direct traffic on this morning, "is anything from 10 miles to 100 yards." And he was in their hearts. "I'm overwhelmed by all the alumni who came here," said Julian, shortly after finishing the run in 22 minutes, 39 seconds. He ran with family members - sons Pete and Bob Jr., daughter Rebekah - and recent state track champion Edwards much of the way. Another son, Tim, broke away from the pack and chased winner Ian Solof to the finish line. "A couple of guys were hot-shotting it out there," Julian said, ribbing his son. "You knew that was going to happen," grinned Tim. Rebekah's roommate in Portland, Kari Swetland, was the first woman finisher, but it was apparent this wasn't so much about winning as reuniting with old friends and teammates and honoring Julian Sr., the bond between them all. There was catching up to do and stories to be told. Claude Neuenschwander and Jonathan Edwards, both members of Julian's first team in 1971, couldn't help but cackle at the recent turn of events: Bob Sr. stepping down at Ashland and Bob Jr., who has been the cross country coach at Crater, set to take over. "Thirty years ago," Neuenschwander said gleefully, "Crater stole our coach, Bill White. He knew he was letting go of the state's best team, but he couldn't turn down a better offer. That left the opening for Bob." Bob Sr.'s first team did win state. "Now we take Bob Jr. from Crater," said Neuenschwander. Some runners came from far away. Rose Shabet, one of Julian's top runners from 1984-88 as Rose Schneider, traveled with her family from New York City, where she's now an investment banker. She and Heather Timmons, formerly Farrow, ran together. "This is just wonderful," said Timmons, who ran for Julian from 1983-86 and still lives in Ashland. "I haven't seen Rose since high school. This whole run we chit-chatted and got caught up with each other. We discovered our lives have so many parallels." The run was close to 5 kilometers but wasn't precisely measured. That didn't stop Solof and Tim Julian from a spirited finish. Solof won in 15:46, with Julian coming in at 15:51. Solof has won the past two Pear Blossom Runs, matching the course record in the most recent one. This wasn't on that level. "This is one of those that isn't that big of a deal," he said, referring to the competitive aspect, "but when you get to racing, it's hard not to run. You can't help but be a little competitive." Tim Julian admitted he tried to win, "but I just couldn't catch Ian." They then turned their attention to the reason for this get-together. "I think it's so cool that all these people came out," said Tim Julian. "It's a pretty neat tribute. It says a lot about all the lives that have been affected by my dad." Solof, an assistant track coach at the University of Portland, can attest. "When you have someone like that giving you that kind of guidance, you just get into it," he said. "As an adolescent, it has a big impact on what you do in the future. That's why I still run and coach." And Julian Sr. is why this reunion was such a success. Saturday's Results MEN TOP 10 FINISHERS - 1, Ian Solof, 15:46; 2, Tim Julian, 15:51; 3, Pete Baughman, 16:29; 4, Bob Julian Jr., 16:53; 5, Chris Mayer, 17:12; 6, Justin Loftus, 17:19; 7, Nick Fikes, 17:25; 8, Mana Martin, 17:28; 9, Nate Hoxmeier, 18:03; 10, David Richardson, 18:03. OTHER FINISHERS (no times available) - Asha Wolf, Brad Holbrook, Chris Faudree, Kody Lane, Andrew Ackles, Jamaal Ryan, Justin Adams, Aaron Osterhouse, Jeff Brown, Garrett Steinbroner, Ric Sayre, Bill Yeoman, Eric Westerberg, Josef Schneider, Franco Minniti, Paul Steinbroner, Bob Julian Sr. (22:39), Andy Atkinson, Pete Julian, Joshua Thorpe, Rayburn Mitchell, Dennis Beatty, Elliot Stone, John Stevens, Jon Pentland, Morgan Starr, Robert H. Miller, Craig K. Tyran, Roger Christianson, Sheldon McBride, Mike Barrett, Bruce Timmerman, Bill Evans, Ben Benjamin, Alan Somers, Tom Willits, Scott Studebaker, Josh Studebaker, Kelly Burns, Terry Edwards, Loren Luman, Jacob Studebaker. WOMEN TOP 10 FINISHERS - 1, Kari Swetland, 19:38; 2, Felicia Hazel, 20:05; 3, Rebekah Julian, 22:10; 4, Becky Reitinger, 22:17; 5, Paris Edwards, 22:39; 6, Coleen Julian, 23:12; 7, Brandi Krug, 23:12; 8, Marian Mayfield, 23:39; 9, Kendell Clark, 23:39; 10, Therese McCaffrey, 23:39. OTHER FINISHERS (no times available) - Susan Baughman, Heather Timmons, Rose Shabet, Brenda Paustian, Doris Segner, Alicia D'Aloia, Grace Gargus, Rebekah Studebaker, Ashley Adams, Leanna Faudree, Nikki Joy, Savannah Julian, Beverly K. Maurer, Tessa K. Maurer, Katie Stevens, Kelly Bishop, Jasna Sindelar, Betsy Bishop, Bea Carlson, Rosa Mazhary, Maria Mazhary, Gail Buettner, Joanne Luman. Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.