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Varsity 541 NEWS NOW Century-old practice of writing graffiti in Mount Ashland lichen has to stop, forest officials warn ... Emergency Services, Sept. 13 ... Central Point woman who died in house fire identified ... Century-old practice of writing graffiti in Mount Ashland lichen has to stop, forest officials warn ... Emergency Services, Sept. 13 ... Central Point woman who died in house fire identified ... PREP TRACK & FIELD Sprinters Shine North Medford's Wolfe, South Medford's Gillispie win titles Comment By Tim Trower Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Posted May. 23, 2015 at 8:09 PM Updated May 23, 2015 at 10:01 PM By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Posted May. 23, 2015 at 8:09 PM Updated May 23, 2015 at 10:01 PM » Social News EUGENE — Southern Oregon isn't considered the sprint hotbed of the state, but it might be in the conversation following the final day of the track and field state championships at Hayward Field Saturday. Tyren Wolfe of North Medford and Kaizer Gillispie of South Medford each streaked to victory in impressive fashion to highlight the local boys portion of the action for classes 6A, 5A and 4A. Wolfe charged to the gold in the 6A 100 meters, resetting the school record he made a habit of editing this spring. His time was 10.69 seconds. Similarly, Gillispie redid his Panthers mark in the 6A 400, using his typically strong finish to craft a time of 47.89 seconds. Among other boys highlights, Grants Pass won its first team championship since 1947, when the Cavemen were awarded the title on a coin flip. Grants Pass scored 63.5 points — scoring two-thirds of them in field events — to beat out runner-up Grant, which scored 51. North Medford was tied for 10th place with 22, and South Medford placed 18th with 12. Walter Vail of Crater and Mel Elshalom of Ashland each brought home individual third places. Wolfe's performance had coach Piet Voskes wondering when the last time a boy from outside the larger population areas from Eugene north claimed the 100. A La Grande runner did so in 1993, and a Grants Pass runner, Scott Stauch, did it the last two years before the distance was changed from yards to meters in 1978. Regardless, said Voskes, Wolfe is “special.” Indeed, the junior got to the top of the podium in unconventional manner. He tried out for track as a freshman, but his season was cut short when he tripped over a hurdle and broke a femur. He took last year off and returned this season, uncertain of what was in store. “This year I felt really strong and felt like I could do something,” he said. That he did. Saturday marked the fifth time he's broken the 100 record. It previously was 11.07 seconds, set in 1994 and matched in 2008. He also nearly pulled off a double, losing by .01 seconds in the 200. Grant’s Julius Shellmire clocked 21.88 to Wolfe's 21.89 — another school mark. Wolfe also ran the final leg on the 4x400 team that placed 12th, and ran on the 4x100 team that was disqualified because of a bad exchange before it got to him. “Maybe the dropped baton was a blessing in disguise,” said Voskes of the handoff between lead runner Tristen Holmes and second leg Javel Stewart. “It may have lit an additional fire under him. He was appropriately frustrated. He was extremely focused the last 45 minutes.” He had reason to rejoice after the 100. “It's amazing,” said Wolfe, whose previous best was 10.82. “I did not see that coming. Honestly, it never even crossed my mind.” He admitted he expected to get second or third. Wolfe was going neck and neck with Shellmire in the 100 until he eased slightly ahead with about 30 meters left. “I knew I had it at that point,” he said. He credited the competition for his fast time. “They pushed me for sure, right at the start,” said Wolfe. “Julius, he's a really good starter, and I'm a little weak at that.” Slow starters apparently can fare well because Gillispie said he has the same issue. The senior, who will compete at Idaho next year, fixed that this time. “I feel amazing,” he said. “I felt like that was the best race of my life. I felt like I didn't mess up anywhere. I just went for it.” He gave coach Tim Rupp reason to be thankful for not hanging the record on the wall the first time he broke it this season. “He just keeps getting stronger and stronger and stronger,” said Rupp, noting Gillispie broke his own record both days here. “Today he had a great start, he got out fast and his strength is at the end.” Gillispie is 6-foot-6 and towers over most of his foes. When he reaches top speed, he's difficult to contend with. “I feel comfortable when there's 150 left,” said Gillispie, who was seventh in the 200, tied for ninth in the high jump and ran on the 4x400 relay that placed ninth. “Around that corner is when I start kicking it, and I feel good. I know that if I die, I'm still going to be ahead and gonna be just fine.” He surged ahead down the stretch, drawing energy from the noisy grandstands and finishing off runner-up Kyle Torres, who ran 48.64. “It's amazing, all the people screaming, especially my mom (Nikki),” said Gillispie. “I can hear her. She's the loudest one of all of them.” Vail, a junior, came back in the 1,500 after a surprise victory in the 3,000 the day before. He was strong down the stretch and leaned in for a third-place 4:00.06, a personal best by more than 6 seconds. Crescent Valley's Matthew McGowen won in 3:59.51, and teammate Justice Lamer was second in 3:59.69. The junior Elshalom jumped 43 feet, 5¾ inches in the triple, helping Ashland to seventh place with 39 points. Crater was 11th with 29. Kevin Luyamba of La Salle won the triple jump at 43-11¼. Ashland's Grayland Lunn took fourth in the javelin (175-2). Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 541-776-4479, or email [email protected] By Tim Trower Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Posted May. 23, 2015 at 8:09 PM Updated May 23, 2015 at 10:01 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction Schedules & Events --> Recent Scores --> Prep Notebook Kris Henry Challengers make it back on top in softball Winning the Southern Cascade League title seemed like a pretty bold goal this spring considering the recent history of the Cascade Christian... 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