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Raiders ready to shine at national tourney ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia -- The Southern Oregon Raiders will send 12 individuals plus the men's long relay team into today's National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) track and field championships at Rotary Stadium. Southern Oregon's women placed 18th last year, while the men were 24th. The Raiders' biggest strength in the national meet is in the hammer throw, where senior Bob Metcalf, senior Nels Hage, sophomore Justin Bennett and senior Richard Bailey all qualified. Metcalf earned All-America honors last year, placing fifth, and enters with the fourth-best mark of 175-4. Hage is the No. 6 entrant with a best of 168-5, Bennett (159-10) is No. 16 and Bailey (157-10) is No. 19. Bailey is bidding to become Southern Oregon's first three-sport All-American by also finishing among the top six in the shot put and discus. He's No. 13 in the discus (158-11) and No. 15 in the shot (50-7). Three women's pole vaulters also hope to earn points. Junior Nicole Irons and freshman Quinnan Chappell have both cleared 10-10 this spring, while freshman Melissa Mills has topped 10-6. Irons is making her third trip to nationals. Mat Davis is entered in the 400 meters (48.29) and Amos Sime is scheduled for the 800 (1:51.91). Davis, Sime, Danny Hanes and Jeremy Klegseth are entered in the 4 x 400 relay, where the Raiders' 3:16.93 time is the 13th best on the entry list. Sophomore Nikki Robertson has the sixth-best mark in the women's discus 151-9), while junior Rachael Childers (135-7) is No. 26. Sophomore Kena Page is No. 18 in the long jump (18-4). Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA