Document text
51 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, May 7, 2005 Today's News | Shop Our Valley | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery | Contact Us SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend May 6, 2005 Tested and ready Ashland’s Stephanie Johns and the Grizzlies have their eyes on another district title By KEVIN GOFF Mail Tribune As an unestablished freshman golfer, Stephanie Johns already played like a well-oiled machine. She earned medalist honors in her first Southern Oregon Conference tournament, though that memory seems kind of hazy now to the 18-year-old Ashland High senior. "I’d been playing in so many tournaments before that," remembers Johns. "The only thing I remember getting nervous about was playing with these two senior girls. I was never intimidated, though." It’s been Johns who’s been the intimidating figure as one of the SOC’s top girls golfer over the past four seasons. Advertisement Through five conference counter meets this year, Johns has won one SOC event, and she holds a 76.1 stroke average. She has been a three-time state tournament placer, capped by a third-place finish at the Class 4A championships last year, where she shot a 10-over 154. Johns has also won two American Junior Golf Association titles. "Stephanie is definitely the best to come through Ashland," says coach Stephanie Santos, whose league-leading Grizzlies are in line to win their second straight SOC title. "She’s just awesome. "It’s everything, too. I’ve seen her make incredible long putts, tough chip ins, and her drives are awesome. It’s because she’s played so much." Johns mowed through conference competition the last three years, but admits to feeling the strain of her current senior schedule. "There’s a lot of stress coming down," says Johns, who will play golf on full scholarship for University of Nevada-Reno next year. "With wrapping up all the school stuff, getting ready for graduation, signing up for college classes ... It’s a lot of stuff to deal with at one time. "It’s definitely been distracting, more so than my sophomore or junior year." Johns enters SOC districts on Monday and Tuesday at the Grants Pass Golf Course as one of the favorites. She owns one SOC title — her sophomore season — and two runner-up finishes. Johns will have plenty of competition, though, from Grants Pass junior Justine Hix, who has won outright or shared victory in four of the five counter tournaments, and Ashland teammates Elaina and Stephanie Graham. Hix and Johns have been battling for the last three seasons for individual SOC supremacy. "I think it’ll be a good race," says Johns. "I’m excited for it. It’ll be on Justine’s home course, so she’ll have an advantage there." But the competition between the two is a friendly one. "We’ve actually been really good friends," Johns says. "We’ve played in so many tournaments together over the years. It’s kind of like a friendly rivalry to see who outplays the other." Johns started her playing career at an early age. She used to drive around in a cart with her dad, Brian, while he was playing a casual round. "I think I was about 11 and my parents said I should go out and play sometime," says Johns. "When I started getting better then I got into some junior tournaments. Then I got more and more into it and realized I wasn’t too bad." About four years ago, Johns hooked up with the state’s top teaching pro, Ed Fisher. "He’s a really, really good coach," Johns says. "He’s definitely the best coach in the Rogue Valley. I’ve learned a lot working with him." Johns’ calendar is now filled up with various tournaments. "That’s part of the reason she’s so good," says Santos. "She plays all summer in these big-time tournaments. Our (school) season is so short. The tournaments are basically where you get better." Johns’ next mission is the district crown and a top-10 finish at the state tournament held at Trysting Tree Golf Course in Corvallis on May 16-17. "If I can get top 10 then I figured I played pretty well," she says. "Everyone’s goal of course is to win state. I know there is a lot of tough competition there, so a top-10 finish would be nice. "I’m really looking forward to it." Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Free Music Downloads Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg diamonds Distance Education Diamonds Paris Hilton Online Poker Auto Insurance Mesothelioma Slippers Student Loans Tatoo tcg student loan consolidation teleconferencing Website Design & Marketing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoos Mortgage Calculator Free Home-Loan Referrals Payday Loans Advertisement s