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Photo by Jim Craven From left, Eagle Point's John Lucas, Klamath Union's Ian Dobson and South Medford's Perry Custance distance themselves from the field. Dobson outlasts Lucas for SOC crown By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN Round four of the John Lucas-Ian Dobson running rivalry unfolded in the rain and mud on Saturday at Bear Creek Park in Medford. When it was over, Dobson -- the 6-foot-2, 150-pound Klamath Union High junior with long, intimidating strides -- edged his friend and foe to win the Southern Oregon Conference boys cross country title in a time of 15 minutes, 48 seconds. Runner-up Lucas, a senior from Eagle Point, covered the 5,000 meters in 16:02. "We've run against each other four times this year, and we've each won two," said Lucas. "Today was his day. Hopefully, next Saturday will be mine." That's when Dobson and Lucas will meet for the final time in high school cross country for the biggest prize of all, the Class 4A state title, which will be decided at Lane Community College in Eugene. Dobson led Klamath Union, the defending state team champion, to their second straight district title with 32 points. Ashland finished second and qualified its entire team for state with 68 points. The top two teams and top seven individuals qualified for state. Dobson and Lucas could be the feature attraction at state. "We're supposed to be the top two runners in the meet," said Lucas. "I think we will be first and second. I hope so." "I'll need to try to get a lead over him and try to hold on," said Lucas, who trailed Dobson by 20 yards as they re-appeared on the final portion of the course with approximately 800 meters to go. "I was gaining on him, but I could see that in the last turn, with less than a quarter-mile to go, it wasn't going to happen, and I kind of slowed down." Lucas says he won't slow down at all at state. "I have to remember he's a great runner and I'm the athlete," said Lucas, who also plays guard for Eagle Point in basketball. "I have to remember that and have confidence I can beat him." Lucas got hung up in mud twice during the race. It cost him both times. "At one point, we came to a big puddle of water," said Lucas. "You either had to run through it or go around. I chose to go around, and I slipped in some mud to the side. I got slowed down there. Ian went through the water and he gained some ground on me. That was a little disheartening." Dobson had a strategy for the mucky parts of the course. "When we walked the course before the race," he said, "our coaches decided we were going to run through the water puddle instead of going around it. It was deeper than I thought." Dobson was pleased with his race. "I wasn't feeling real good," said Dobson, who had his hair in braids. "I got a cold the other night, and it hurt me a little. But I was pretty determined. "I'll have to have the same attitude in the state race because I know John (Lucas) will come after me. Maybe I'll keep my braids for state. They were good luck today." Dobson says he and Lucas are friends. "He had a quote in a newspaper saying he thought he should win the district and state races," said Dobson. "That fired me up because I think I can do the same thing." Perry Custance of South Medford finished third in a time of 16:33. "I'm real pleased with Perry," said South coach Bill Rowan. "He ran very competitively. He always gives it everything he has. Those three guys (Dobson, Lucas and Custance) have been the top three runners here all season. I think they will all finish in the top 10 at state." Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford,