Sophomore Thomas named Ducks’ starting QB

By Tim Trower | Published: August 27, 2010 | 0 Comments

This just in from the UO football team:

Sophomore Darron Thomas has been named the starting quarterback for the University of Oregon’s Sept. 4 season opener againts New Mexico in Autzen Stadium, head coach Chip Kelly announced Friday.

The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Houston native played in five games as a true freshman in 2008, completing 16 of 33 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns. All but three completions and 58 passing yards came in a fourth-quarter comeback that fell short in a 37-32 loss to Boise State.

It will mark Thomas’ first collegiate start after he redshirted the 2009 season.

Kelly is expected to address the media following Saturday’s workout.

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SOU runner Frantz will be our Sports Chat guest

By Tim Trower | Published: August 26, 2010 | 0 Comments
Seena Frantz

Seena Frantz

Southern Oregon University’s Seena Frantz, an All-American cross country runner, will be the featured guest Friday on the Mail Tribune Sports Chat. Frantz will join MT reporter Dan Jones for an interactive session at noon. Log on to www.mailtribune.com/mtsportschat to listen and participate with questions of your own.

Frantz, a former Ashland High standout, earned All-American status as a freshman after finishing in 23rd place at the NAIA championships in Vancouver, Wash., last season. The SOU sophomore is also a distance runner on the track and field squad.

The Southern Oregon men’s cross country team is ranked second in the NAIA Top 25. The women’s squad is ranked 25th. The Raiders begin their season at the University of Washington Sundodger Invitational in Seattle, Wash., on Sept. 18.

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Thoughts on OSAA changes and our series

By Tim Trower | Published: August 24, 2010 | 0 Comments

I’ve gotten some comments on the OSAA stories we’ve been running. Here’s a few:

“Good stories but the whole concept is absurd. Are they league games, are they not league games? Virtually everyone gets into the state playoffs. It seems to me the conference schedules have lost all of their value. A five-class system was the answer when they went to six classifications. It still is.”

“What if we just would have stayed where we were four years ago?”

“I do like the power rankings concept. Makes a lot of sense.”

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Let us know what you think about OSAA changes

By Tim Trower | Published: August 21, 2010 | 0 Comments

The OSAA’s tinkering with classifications, alignment, power ratings, playoff bracketing, et al., has us venturing into uncharted territory, from those scheduling the games to those coaching the games to those playing the games to those watching the games to those covering the games.

There are quirks, certainly. The hybrid system, rating of teams, the funky Ashland-Eagle Point 5A “league.” We’re trying to spell out the changes and provide a better understanding for our readers through a four-day series beginning Sunday. But we’d like to know what you think. Send your thoughts to sports@mailtribune.com and we’ll share what we can with our readers.

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Speedway’s John Skinner on Sports Chat

By Tim Trower | Published: August 20, 2010 | 0 Comments

We lost Southern Oregon football coach Steve Helminiak due to practice commitments today, but John Skinner of Southern Oregon Speedway will pinch hit and talk about what’s happening at the dirt track oval as the season winds down.

Join John and reporter Dan Jones at noon at www.mailtribune.com/mtsportschat. It’s live so you can jump in with questions and comments.

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AJGA first round in the books

By Tim Trower | Published: August 18, 2010 | 0 Comments

The first round is in the books at the American Junior Golf Association tournament at Centennial. First-round play was suspended because of lightning in the area Tuesday. It resumed this morning with about half the 132 players having to go back out.

Jake Knapp’s 66 held up as the leading boys score.

When the girls finished this morning, Ciera Min was at the top with a 4-under 68. She’s from Hilo, Hawaii. Two others, Jennifer Ha and Catherine Li were a shot back.

Monica Vaughn of Reedsport shot a 5-over 77 (tied for 22nd), and St. Mary’s player Cassandra Carothers shot 82 (tied for 45th).

To follow scoring by the nines, go to the AJGA site and find the Centennial link.

The second round begins with a shotgun start for all players at noon today.

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Wu has solid round to open AJGA event

By Tim Trower | Published: August 17, 2010 | 0 Comments

Dylan Wu of Medford shot a 1-over-par 73 today in the first round of the American Junior Golf Association tournament at Centennial Golf Club. It put him in a tie for 19th place in the early going. Wu had a morning tee time. Kevin Murphy of Rogue River was -1 through nine holes and should be wrapping up soon.

With a smattering of full rounds in, Jake Knapp of Costa Mesa, Calif., has the clubhouse lead at 6 under.

The girls division hasn’t begun yet. Cassandra Carothers of Jacksonville goes off at 2 p.m.

To keep track of scoring by the nines, go to this AJGA page and click and “AJGA Junior at Centennial” at middle bottom of page.

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Roseburg ousted from Legion World Series

By Tim Trower | Published: August 17, 2010 | 0 Comments

We’ve gotten a call or two wondering why we don’t report on Roseburg in the American Legion World Series. I believe the suggestion is that it’s sour grapes on our part because Roseburg ousted the Medford Mustangs at state. Actually, the reason is, Roseburg isn’t in our coverage area and we don’t follow the team. That said, if there were regular wire reports on Doc Stewart’s from the World Series, we’d most likely find a spot for them. That’s not been the case.

In any event, Roseburg was eliminated on Monday. Eden Prairie, of Minnesota, handed the Docs their second loss in the double-elim tourney, 6-2, in Spokane, Wash. Minnesota is unbeaten and faces Oklahoma today for the title. Oklahoma must win twice to claim the title.

Minnesota had handed Roseburg (35-15) its first loss, 13-6, it the opening round.

On Monday, Roseburg’s Brandon Jackson scored the 10,000th run in World Series history, dating to 1926, and the game was stopped briefly to recognize the accomplishment. Jackson doubled in the second inning and was plated on Johnny Farrington’s single. Both players signed the ball, and it will be sent to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y.

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SOU’s Lindsey Stone to guest on Sports Chat Friday

By Tim Trower | Published: August 12, 2010 | 0 Comments

Lindsey Stone

Lindsey Stone

After a week’s hiatus because our intrepid Sports Chat host, Dan Jones, was on vacation, the online show returns Friday with Southern Oregon University volleyball player Lindsey Stone as the guest. She’s a fitting subject because the Raiders open the season on Monday and, well, her story is a compelling one.

She starred at Ashland High, went to Oregon to play, returned home to Southern Oregon, where she was an All-American, then missed last season with an injury.

Check her out on Sports Chat, the Mail Tribune’s live, unscripted and interactive webcast that will air for the 14th time this week. Log on at noon to www.mailtribune.com/mtsportschat to watch or participate. Dan will take questions and comments live.

Stone, a setter, earned All-American honors in 2007 and 2008 as a sophomore and junior. She was also named the Cascade Conference player of the year in 2007.

The Raiders host Holy Names at 6:30 p.m. Monday at McNeal Pavilion.

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Ashland’s Kendall gets first professional action

By Tim Trower | Published: August 10, 2010 | 0 Comments

Ian Kendall saw his first action as a professional recently. The recent Ashland High graduate pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays’ minor league rookie team Saturday against the Orioles farm team.

Kendall, a fifth-round draft pick, gave up three runs, including one earned, on two hits in the eighth inning of a Gulf Coast League game. The Orioles won, 5-0.

Kendall started the eighth and was pulled with two outs after recording his first strikeout as a pro. His outing began with an error, followed by an infield single, which led to an RBI double and a sacrifice fly.

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