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SOC golf race heats up after wild week By Greg Stiles The Southern Oregon Conference boys golf picture changed dramatically over the past weekend. That was good news for South Medford and North Medford as they moved within striking distance of the top two teams for an outright berth to next month�s Class 4A state tournament. After rounds at Rogue Valley Country Club on Friday and Grants Pass Country Club on Saturday, Roseburg and Grants Pass are no more than 20 strokes ahead of the Panthers and Black Tornado. "Things are quite different now," North Medford coach Kevin Klabunde says. "It seems like every one of the leading teams, except for South Medford, has had a big blow up. Ours was the first day at Eagle Point." There are two ways SOC teams may qualify for the state tournament: Having the low cumulative total for seven rounds against conference opponents or winning the two-day district tournament. If the same team finishes first in both competitions, the second-place finisher in the May 7-8 district tournament at Grants Pass Country Club advances. Currently, Roseburg has a 961 total, Grants Pass 977, South Medford 978 and North Medford 981. It would take more bad days by the aforementioned four for Klamath Union (997) to enter the fray. Roseburg held a one-stroke advantage over Grants Pass and was 19 strokes better than third-place South Medford heading into last Friday. RVCC played like a minefield for the Cavemen, whose four-man total ballooned by 34 strokes from their previous round at Eagle Point. On Saturday, it was Roseburg�s turn to collapse as the Indians matched Grants Pass� 342 from the previous day. "We just played terribly," Roseburg coach Del Jordan confessed. "That�s 15 strokes worse than any team I�ve had in six years. We sure didn�t make any statement at Grants Pass, that�s for sure." Only Chris Shockey (79) shot below 85 on Saturday with summer rules in effect. The Indians have an opportunity for redemption next Monday at Roseburg Country Club in the fourth round of conference counters. But Jordan points out his team shot lower scores at Trysting Tree, RVCC and Eagle Point than in its own invitational at Roseburg Country Club. "We just played poorly Saturday, and there are a lot of teams that can win it now," Jordan says. North�s best chance to catch Roseburg might be its balance. In four tournaments, the Tornado has had a different player lead the team. Chris Daggitt, Matt Dunbar, Adam Browne and Adam Huycke have all taken their turns. "What we need is to fire on all cylinders and post the scores I know they can shoot," Klabunde says. "I tell the kids there is nothing we can do about anybody else and just focus on our games." Noah Horstman and Tony Guiliano have given South Medford a solid 1-2 punch. "We have been the most consistent team, going 326, 327 and 325," says South Medford coach Bill Singler. "But I�ve been waiting for someone to break out. Noah Horstman has a 77.0 average, but I know he can go lower." LAST SATURDAY marked the opening of permanent bleachers at Eagle Point�s baseball park, The Yard. After years of dragging the visitors� bleachers from the football field to the baseball field, the Eagles have quadrupled their seating to between 700 and 800. Fans had to watch from behind fences while work was being done during spring break games, and a non-conference game against South Medford was moved. But the finished product was worth the inconvenience. "Hauling the bleachers around wasn�t a good situation," athletic director Bob Bergen says. "They want to continue having summer tournaments (for Babe Ruth and American Legion teams) and maybe get some regional tournaments." ROSEBURG SHORTSTOP Erin Goodell is among Oregon�s newest softball recruits. Goodell hit .545 with 16 RBIs last season en route to earning second-team all-state honors. Klamath Union�s Kaylene Munson, has signed a letter of intent to play at New Mexico State in Las Cruces. She also visited Portland State, Rhode Island and Sacramento State. ROSEBURG SOFTBALL coach Craig Munion has spent several days at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene after going in for some circulatory tests last week. Munion has a history of heart trouble and underwent bypass surgery last summer. Former Roseburg wrestling coach Ted Wilton handled the team during its doubleheader last weekend in Klamath Falls. Roseburg athletic director Thurman says he isn�t sure when Munion will return. "Craig has been with our softball program for a long time," Bell says. "Our No. 1 consideration is what�s best for Craig." EAGLE POINT IS looking for a new girls basketball coach. Tim Rouhier told the Eagle Point administration last summer he doesn�t plan to be in the role for the long-run. Coaching three sports, teaching and working as a counselor was too much. "He did a great job with the girls," Bergen says. "I tried to talk him into staying, but he was up front from the beginning that he wasn�t going to go very long." Recently announced teaching cutbacks will make it tougher for Bergen to find a replacement. Roseburg is in the market for two new head winter sports coaches. Veteran girls basketball coach John Thomas� contract wasn�t renewed and wrestling coach Doug Tovey made it known that he would rather be an assistant coach. 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.