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Hornets breeze to 16th straight title By GREG STILES ASHLAND - The loud bang behind Kristen Davis was unsettling. The Phoenix High freshman stood in Lane 4, peering ahead and awaiting the start of the 400-meter finals in Saturday's Skyline Conference district meet at Raider Stadium. Unlike six of her seven competitors, Davis eschewed blocks for a standing start. As she waited for the starter's pistol, Davis began to wobble. That's when another official - who was behind the runners watching for false starts - fired off a shot. "Oops," thought Davis. Phoenix coach Hans Voskes thought the worst, but was relieved when Davis was merely warned to hold her position rather than be disqualified for a false start. "I think my knee kind of gave out," said Davis, whose feet never moved. The ensuing race proved much easier as Davis took control with 150 meters to go and held off North Valley senior Hallie Gentry to win in 1:01.60. Gentry was timed in 1:01.73. Davis came into the season as a 1,500 runner. Before long she was in the 800. Prior to district, she had only run the 400 a couple of times. "It's more fun," Davis said, "because I don't have to worry about pacing myself. I'm thinking too much when I run longer races. In the 400, I get out front and hold it." In much the same fashion, the Henley Hornets got out front and overwhelmed all comers Saturday. For the 16th straight spring and 20th time in 21 years, the Hornets captured the Skyline championship. As often has been the case, they did it in dominating fashion. Henley coach Ron Smith expected to score 202 points and wound up with 2201/2. North Valley was the best of the rest, collecting 1581/2 points. Rogue River was next with 77, followed by Mazama with 66, Lakeview 611/2, Illinois Valley 511/2, Phoenix 35 and Hidden Valley, 12. "I always wonder where Henley gets it from," Rogue River senior Bobbi Wright said. "Last year, Henley had nothing in the 800, and this year, Emily Mathis is killing us in the 400, 800 and 4x400." Henley is the defending state champion and has won four of the past 10 Class 3A crowns. The scary part is that the Hornets are coming on full bore. One example is in the 4x100 relay, where the Hornets lost to Rogue River in meets at Crater, Yreka, Calif., and Grants Pass. On Saturday, Mathis, Tiffany Mack, Michelle Klaja and Heather Radke outlegged the Chieftains, 50.64 to 51.09. Radke was named the meet's top field performer after winning the high jump (5-2) and triple jump (34-23/4). Phoenix freshman Amanda Phillips was named the outstanding runner. Phillips won Friday's 3,000 with a late dash to the wire. In Saturday's 1,500, she settled for second place when Lakeview senior Elise Sabin took the lead after three laps and never let it go. Top qualifier Lauren Fety of Rogue River, bothered by shin splints, placed fifth. "I got boxed in on the corner and I didn't want to pass Lauren on the corner," Phillips said. "I know if I would've went with (Sabin), I could've stayed with her." Sabin, who missed much of her junior season with mononucleosis, was timed in 5:11.80, while Phillips was caught in 5:15.72. Rogue River's lone win came in the 200 meters, where junior Rachel Hinze topped North Valley's Malloree Enoch with a 27.16 effort. Enoch was timed in 27.31. "I started losing it toward the middle of the season," said Hinze, who finished eighth in the state last year. "I was sick a lot and wasn't running like I used to. "Finally, after three years, this is a good accomplishment. I was always fighting for second to (Henley's) Carie Knox." Wright, who was fourth in the state in the 800 last year, made it back by finishing second to Mathis (2:21.01). Wright was timed in 2:22.98. Illinois Valley's Jessica Ledford skimmed over the 100 hurdles in 15.10, while North Valley's Galina Vial took the 300 hurdles in 47.90. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4483, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.