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Edwards does it again By Greg Stiles CENTRAL POINT � The day was going to belong to Paris Edwards, just as it had the previous three years when the Southern Oregon Conference held its district cross country meet. The question was whether her teammates would follow her back to next week�s Class 4A state meet as SOC champions or as also-rans. The Grizzlies rose to the challenge Saturday at the Jackson County Expo Park, fending off Klamath Union to retain their conference crown, while Klamath and Roseburg went 1-2 in the boys competition. Almost as if it had been scripted, the Ashland and Klamath girls were paired in individual battles over the 5,000-meter course that wound in something of a figure-eight through the Expo Ponds. The Grizzlies prevailed in four of the five matchups that factored into the team scores and edged the Pelicans, 33-36. "We talked about running today as if it were our last race," said Ashland sophomore Therese McCafferey, who placed sixth. "It was all about being a team." And Edwards was out front as usual, coasting to her record-fourth straight district championship � the 10th straight for an Ashland runner. "Paris has been sick all week," Ashland coach Bob Julian said. "I told her this morning �You know you�re the best out here � that�s your mind set. Just go out and put it away.�" Edwards was clocked in 18 minutes, 18 seconds as she eclipsed Medford�s Ellen Schlotter (1979-1981), Klamath Union�s Marnie Mason-Johnson (1982-84), Grants Pass� Jenna Carlson (1988-90) and Ashland�s Sarah Brandy (1992-94) � all three-time winners. "I wanted to make some history today and run strong in preparation for next week," Edwards said. "I�ve made a lot of progress in a year. I�m stronger, mentally and physically, and more confident. "I think it would�ve been more to my plan if there would�ve been someone pushing me. But I loved the way it turned out." Klamath senior Liz Lindgren was 40 seconds off the pace, while Roseburg junior Melis Garner was third, 19:11.3; Ashland sophomore Kendall Clark fourth in 19:18.1; and Klamath Union senior Sara Schaaf fifth in 19:40.8. After Klamath freshmen Katie Leary and Adrienne Cesena finished 8-9, it all came down to Ashland senior Jessica Stowell and KU senior Lydia Bales. With 200 meters to go, Ashland coach Bob Julian didn�t want to take any chances. Right on cue, Stowell dashed past Bales and sowed up the Grizzlies� sixth championship in 11 years. "I was behind her the whole race, but I was going to leave it here. This is why we practice. I wasn�t about to let a KU girl pass me when I know we�re a better team." Johnson chose to look at the meet as a stepping-stone for next week. "No question, our focus is the state meet," the Klamath coach said. "Winning the SOC title would�ve been icing on the cake, but Ashland stepped up and was ready to run." Klamath�s boys were ready to run as well as they captured their fourth straight SOC title. Sophomore Lauren Jespersen, ninth in last year�s state meet, cruised over the course in 15:32.5 as the defending state champions placed five runners in the top seven. "We�re just where we want to be," Johnson said. "We still have room to improve, but we�ve got a week to do it." Roseburg, led by senior Chris Robertson, qualified for its first trip to the state meet since 1988. South Medford junior Shaun Olson, a soccer player last year, finished fifth to earn a trip to state. He was clocked in 16:21.2. "I was hoping to be higher, maybe third or fourth," Olson said. "But I haven�t been running against that Roseburg guy (Roberts) in a long time; Whew he�s fast." 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 � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.