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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend March 4, 2007 Ashland's Thorndike brings home heavy metal from state By PETER KOELSCH for the Mail Tribune Ashland's Isabella Thorndike is the best female high school skier in the state. Over the past week, Mount Ashland hosted the 2007 Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association's State Championship. The event featured high schools from all over Oregon, competing in both alpine slalom and giant slalom competitions. After almost a week of preparation — volunteer coordinating, chaperoning and slope grooming, the week culminated in a packed convention room at the Windmill Inn, where over 750 people cheered on Oregon's best high school skiers. This year's big winner was the junior Thorndike, who for the second year in a row took home the gold medal for best overall girl skier. In addition, Thorndike individually took silver in the giant slalom and bronze in the slalom. Ashland's girls team also took third in the giant slalom, first in the slalom and second in combined, making it second in the overall standings. Advertisement "This was all pretty shocking," said Thorndike. "At the beginning of this season, we thought that we had lost a lot of depth. But we came out better than we did last year. In high school racing, all that is going through your head is how you can help out your team. As much as you want to win, it is a team effort." When asked what her favorite moment was this week, Thorndike said, "not knowing I had won. I had no idea this would happen." Even though the season has ended for Ashland High, Thorndike was eager and optimistic about the future of the Grizzlies' girls' ski team. "Next year will be awesome," she said. "Catie Pratt and I will lead the team. We will both be seniors together and things will get going." This year's championship marked the first time Mount Ashland was chosen to host the event since 2001 and the first time high school racers competed on a state level at the mountain since 1995. In 2001, the event was hastily relocated to Mount Shasta because there was not sufficient snow pack on Mount Ashland. This year's final was a different story. The snow was wet, heavy and stormy, making it fitting that the event took place on the slopes of "Tempest." "The event felt good," said Ashland's Nick Fitzpatrick, who finished 14th overall in the boys slalom. "I felt it was a big achievement getting into the top 15. I could've skied a little faster, but the whole thing was really memorable." The slalom races took place on the Windsor chairlift, while the giant slalom began at the top of the Tempest run, just east of the Arial Charline. The boys competed Thursday on the slalom run, while the girls shredded the giant slalom. On Friday, the boys and girls switched runs. Each race consisted of two heats for an overall combined time. The team results were determined by combining the scores of the three best individual results for a team. There were 14 teams competing in the girls giant slalom, while individual skiers represented more than 40 other schools. In the individual giant slalom competition, Bend's Devon Engle took top podium with a combined time of 1:45.50. Thorndike took second overall with a time of 1:45.63, and Jenna Sneva of Sisters took third with a combined time of 1: 46.47. In the girls giant slalom team competition, Bend was first with a total time of 5:35.10. Corvallis finished second with a combined time of 5:37.91. Ashland closed out the top three with a combined time of 5:42.93. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary