Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Mt. Ashland Ski Area set to open Saturday Mail Tribune 100 Deputies, volunteers rescue Talent family trapped by flooding Sharing black culture Defendant: Near-death experience a wake-up call Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Deputies, volunteers rescue Talent family trapped by flooding Defendant: Near-death experience a wake-up call Tree crushes car, part of woman's house in Ashland Forensic evidence leads to arrest of Golden Wok robbery suspect Power out to 1,400 Pacific Power customers Politics and Elections Kent Bush: Fraud kept alive by the left and right Walden sets town halls on Friday Amid rising scrutiny, governor says fiancee won't have role in administration Ashland aims for diversity, but numbers show shortfall Kent Bush: The keys to decoding the State of the Union address Education Sharing black culture SOU board names officers, committees SOU students targeted in Drive Less campaign Parent files discrimination complaint against Ashland schools Some gains, some losses Environment GMO opponents can join Jackson County in defending ban Jackson County won't set up wolf kill compensation program Commercial users can get rid of pesticide waste for free Jackson County looks at compensation for wolf kills Commissioners won't object to BLM road closures State News Letter says Kitzhaber official fired after Hayes criticism Attorney general says Kitzhaber's ethics allegations 'troubling' Willamette football player pleads not guilty to manslaughter 'In God We Trust' leads to Klamath County debate Bill calls for relocation of Washington state wolves Nation - World Obituaries Scott E. Meese Victor W. Rogers Death Notices Mary Diane Hudran Maridale Moore Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories West settles wild one Spartans skate past Missoula Third-quarter surge propels Comets South boys continue to roll Hot hand helps UW knock off No. 7 Beavers Varsity 541 College Sports Hot hand helps UW knock off No. 7 Beavers Meister's career game boosts SOU women Kent prepares for return to Eugene Islands are Ducks' home away from home Reid, Beavers hold off Washington State Pro Sports In battle of leaders, Hawks triumph Paul: Bad call reason for criticism English leads as big names miss the cut Aldridge leads Trail Blazers past Suns SOSC Honors Community Sports Local Events Business Latest Stories Erickson layoffs land hard in Jackson County People in Business Blog: Stay Calm Erickson announces 150 layoffs, mostly in Oregon 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul New owners of Medford Center promise a hands-on approach: Home loan rates continue to fall, applications soar People In Business People in Business People in Business Transportation The heart of Brammo will remain Want to be an investor? Four companies will be pitching their plan to you Agriculture 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Other Views: Overhaul the national firefighting budget Letters to the Editor, Feb. 6 Matthew T. Mangino: Searching for alternatives to solitary confinement Our View: Waiting is best approach to wolf damage Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Editorials Other Views: Overhaul the national firefighting budget Our View: Waiting is best approach to wolf damage Our View: Our growing disagreement with science Our View: A gesture, but one worth making Our View: No reason to hurry pot-tax vote Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Feb. 6 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 5 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 4 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 3 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 2 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Guest Opinion: Health professionals don't always act that way Help wanted: The Medford School District needs you Guest Opinion: Market forces work against LNG project's success Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose gas pipeline Lifestyle Latest stories Restaurant Inspections Joanna McQuillan Weeks: Warm up your winter with Hearty Vegetable Barley Soup Looking Up: Venus, Mars passing each other Fishing Report: Friday, Feb. 6 Get Out: Friday, Feb. 6 Food Restaurant Inspections Joanna McQuillan Weeks: Warm up your winter with Hearty Vegetable Barley Soup Community blog: Cupcakes can be good for sweetheart's heart Cupcake love affair Fish stew is a winter delight Home and Garden Landscape lighting for beauty, safety and value Dear Monty: First time home buyer seeks differences in housing lifestyles Home Help: 3 upgrades sure to turn kitchen time into quality time Dear Monty: Is a home ‘trade-in’ a good idea? Buying a home? Consider its walkability Health Health Watch: Simple swaps for a healthy lifestyle Community blog: Five "Must Haves" Health Watch: Don’t let your fitness resolutions fizzle out Community blog: Toxic Love: How to Identify an Abusive Relationship Community blog: A Higher Walk To Better Health Hiking Biking Faith RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Religion briefs Religion briefs, Jan. 23 Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements 50 years and counting: Bulebar Wedding: Lindsey-Maria Rios New arrivals Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Live Music in Local Clubs Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Steep Ravine, T Sisters play the Unitarian Fellowship Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Theater Camelot presents Playwright Richard Manley's 'A Question of Words' Classics, premiers highlight '15 season for OSF Randall Theatre presents playwright Charles Ludlam's comedy "The Mystery of Irma Vep" Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Thanks for the Memories Theatre presents 'Cardenio' Music Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present 'The Passing of Time' Live Music in Local Clubs Charles Guy & Linda Powers play Belle Fiore Steep Ravine, T Sisters play the Unitarian Fellowship Here it is! Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Paula Poundstone performs at the Craterian Len Dickson's 'Fall Harvest' to grace Belle Fiore wine label Dining Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef The Vine offers a taste of Italy Cheeseburgers on the cheap Valley View — It's all in the family Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Mt. Ashland Ski Area set to open Saturday ... Get Up & Go: Saturday, Feb. 7 ... Deputies, volunteers rescue Talent family trapped by flooding ... Mt. Ashland Ski Area set to open Saturday ... Get Up & Go: Saturday, Feb. 7 ... Deputies, volunteers rescue Talent family trapped by flooding ... SOSC Honors Swartsleys, top athletes recognized at inaugural banquet Comment By Tim Trower Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 6, 2015 @ 2:00 am By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 6, 2015 @ 2:00 am » Social News A wide spectrum of athletes and sports were honored as the Southern Oregon Sports Commission held its inaugural banquet Thursday at the Santo Community Center. During the ceremony, which was attended by about 200 people and recognized the Mail Tribune’s top 10 sports stories of 2014, male and female athletes of the year were announced and the top honor, the commission’s sports advocate of the year, was presented. Southern Oregon University quarterback Austin Dodge, the NAIA player of the year who led the Raiders to their first national championship, received the award as top male athlete. Former Cascade Christian swimmer Breanna Sapienza, an eight-time state champion who now competes for Vanderbilt University, received the female award. Jerry and Zellah Swartsley, who founded the Pear Blossom Run in 1977 and were the longest-running race directors in the country when they turned it over 35 years later to the Rogue Valley Family YMCA, were hailed as the sports advocates of the year. The sports commission, part of the Chamber of Medford/Jackson County and overseen by Travel Medford, was formed two years ago to enhance sports tourism. Its mission is to encourage collaboration between sports leaders, advocate for facilities, market events and support those already in place. Dodge beat out a tough field for the top male honor, edging SOU runner Eric Avila, SOU wrestler Brock Gutches, Kansas City Royals pitcher Jeremy Guthrie and former St. Mary’s and current Northwestern golfer Dylan Wu. Dodge, sporting a bow tie, flew in from Portland earlier in the day to accept the award. He nodded to his fellow Raider athletes, Avila and Gutches, and mentioned the accomplishments of Guthrie and Wu and how impressed he was with all of the finalists’ credentials. “Each and every one of those guys deserves this award as well,” said Dodge. Dodge starred in coach Craig Howard’s high-flying offense, leading SOU to a 55-31 victory over Marian University in the championship game in December. He was the Raiders’ first player of the year and obliterated the national record book. Among his NAIA career records are 154 passing touchdowns, 17,250 passing yards, 1,253 completions, 1,955 attempts, 17,566 total yards and 373.7 yards per game. “It’s always been ingrained in my mind, ever since I was a young kid, that any individual award is the result of a team effort, and that’s what I’ve kind of stuck with my whole career,” said Dodge. “That’s what coach Howard and the coaching staff at SOU have really kept going in my values and my morals. “Being a national champion and having the four years I was able to have academically and athletically and having the opportunities provided to me has just been great. This award kind of caps that off.” Sapienza wasn’t available because she’s in the midst of school and her swimming season at Vanderbilt, where the freshman has already set a school record. She sent a video expressing regret that she couldn’t attend and thanking the commission for the honor. She beat out former South Medford basketball player Ashley Bolston, distance runner Marci Klimek Gage, North Medford track and field standout and soccer player Halley Folsom and SOU pole vaulter Stephanie Techler. “I feel truly blessed to be honored, not only for myself but for my sport of swimming,” said Sapienza, who won the last two of her state titles as a senior for the Challengers, including a meet-record swim in the 100-yard butterfly at the Class 3A/2A/1A championships. “I’d also like to thank my coaches and my family,” she said. “Without their daily support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” It was noted by emcee Patsy Smullin of KOBI-TV that with so many top-flight runners on the program, it was appropriate the advocate award be bestowed upon the Swartsleys. She mentioned their Pear Blossom Run motto, “Everyone’s a winner,” but said, “tonight, they stand alone” as SOSC winners. “It’s hard to express what it was like for all those years to be such a special part of our community and all the organizations, people and volunteers,” said Zellah. “We’re just very, very grateful, and we will treasure all of those memories.” The Swartsleys had dignitaries at the first race in 1977. Bill Bowerman, who grew up in Medford and co-founded Nike, was the starter. The race winner was Frank Shorter, who five years earlier won the marathon in the Olympics. “We began organizing races because there weren’t any,” said Jerry. The first race attracted nearly 550 runners. The Swartsleys made bibs of thick cardboard paper. They later cut squares of vinyl and made their own, lighter bibs. “We still have the scissors,” said Zellah. The race now approaches 6,000 entrants and features a variety of distances for all ages and running levels. “The challenge of putting together a race is like the challenge of putting together a giant puzzle,” said Jerry. “For us, it’s the joy of seeing all the happy faces. It’s about the people, those we met, those we worked with, volunteers, sponsors, etc. Those who participate, their stories, their challenges, their successes and their smiles. “We love the passion that individuals have who are involved in sports, the positive energy, the zest for life. For us, it’s been a great run. Thank you.” Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 541-776-4479, or at [email protected] By Tim Trower Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 6, 2015 @ 2:00 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. fantasy football Super Bowl Fantasy Review and Highlights Feb. 2, 2015 at 10:00 am Top Fantasy Players, Projections for Patriots vs. Seahawks Jan. 31, 2015 at 8:39 am Fantasy Football Outlook for Titans Stars Jan. 30, 2015 at 10:37 am 2015 Fantasy Football Outlook for Buccaneers Stars Jan. 28, 2015 at 7:00 am DraftKings Fantasy Pro Bowl, Super Bowl Lineup Jan. 24, 2015 at 11:37 am Fantasy Favorites, Lineup Picks for Super Bowl XLIX Jan. 22, 2015 at 9:00 am calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501