Over and out
Football season is over unusually early for Central Oregon teams, but the year was not without its success stories – Beau Eastes, The Bulletin

- Photo by John Segesta
Linsey Corbin is a professional triathlete… and you can tell she loves it! Formerly Linsey Pickell, the Mountain View high school grad, who currently lives in Montana, is one of the top female triathletes in the the USA. Among her many impressive results is a 5th overall finish at the 2008 Ironman Hawaii, where she was the top US finisher. Linsey was kind enough to answer a few questions for COA:
COA – What got you started in triathlon?
Linsey Corbin – I started triathlon in 2004. After taking a break from competitive running, I started going on bike trips and tours with my parents. We would ride across Washington, Idaho, and in the Northwest. At that point I discovered my love for biking. At that point, I knew I loved to run and now ride… all I had to do was master the swim. I entered my first race in 2004. Raced my first Ironman in 2006. And in 2007 I quit my job and started out my “career” as a professional triathlete.
COA – How did growing up in Bend shape you as an endurance athlete?
LC – I think moving away from Bend helped me realize what mecca Bend really is. We were totally spoiled growing up with amazing trails to run, roads to ride, a great pool and lakes to swim in. I credit a lot of my athletic success to growing up here. Besides having awesome parents – sports were a ton of fun for me in high school. I remember running track and cross country for MVHS and there being 100+ runners on the team. We would do crazy running camps and camping trips that were always stretching the limits. The other thing is everyone was always so nice and supportive… it didn’t matter how fast or slow you were – what mattered was that you were out there and involved. I feel I carry this style of racing, fun and training with me now.
COA – What is your favorite Central Oregon workout?
LC – Well, you won’t find me here training in the winter . Growing up I didn’t ride a bike much, so when I come back to town now I always enjoy the riding. McKenzie Pass is hard to be beat. Having Mt. Bachelor out your doorstep is not too shabby either. Also, Bob Bruce at Juniper Aquatic is just a legend. He has so much passion for swimming. I also love a good long Sunday run on the Deschutes. That is a classic.
COA – Do you have a favorite of the three events?
LC – Probably the bike or the run.
COA – Anything in particular you miss about Central Oregon?
LC – I miss Central Oregon a lot. Right off the bat, I miss Long Board Louies after a big training ride. I would move back here if I could, and I wouldn’t be surprised to find me here in the next 5 years. The weather is great, the amount of talented athletes to race/train with is impressive, the scenery is amazing. My husband, Chris, and I really enjoy our time here when we come to visit. Bend is just a great place and I am lucky to have grown up and to spend time here.

Being an NFL quarterback is truly a rare sports achievement. When you think of how many great athletes play high school football, often with the best player playing quarterback and then so few making it to a Division 1 school and then even fewer making it to the NFL level. With that said, Oregon truly is quarterback country. Look at the list below, from preps that make it all the way, to Ducks and Beavers who are on NFL rosters right now and even those pros who retire to Oregon:
Dan Fouts – The longtime Sisters resident and Hall of Famer was just named “Greatest Charger.”
• Bulletin article by Bill Bigelow.
• Oregonian article.

Dennis Dixion – The former Duck star is going to make his first NFL start today.
• Dennis Dixon to make first NFL start Sunday at Baltimore

Kellen Clemens – From Burns to the University of Oregon to the New York Jets.
• Clemens’ time spent watching from sidelines as Jets’ struggle.

Erik Ainge – Glencoe high school to Tennessee to the New York Jets, where he is behind Clemens on the depth chart.

Drew Bledsoe – The Bend resident is one of the NFL’s all-time leading passers. 44,611 yards (8th) and 251 touchdowns (13th).

Derek Anderson – From Scappoose to Oregon State to the Cleveland Browns.

A.J. Feeley – From Ontario Oregon to the University of Oregon now playing with the Carolina Panthers.

Joey Harrington – From Central Catholic (Portland) to University of Oregon now with the New Orleans Saints.

OK, who am I missing and who are the current prepsters who have got a shot and carrying on the amazing Oregon quarterback legacy?

Thursday’s Civil War football game between Oregon and Oregon State has a lot riding on it. So before you
Emerald City Smoothie of Bend is going to give $1 off your purchase next thursday if you wear your Ducks or Beavs gear into the shop. It is our Civil War Promo. They’ll also be tracking which school brings in the most customers.

Please comment any special event your business is having on Civil War day.

Cougs’ run ends in quarterfinals
Mountain View falls to defending state champion West Albany, 31-7 – The Bulletin

A standout runner and alpine ski racer at Mountain View high school, Andrew Boone is an elite athlete. If there is any question about that, just look at his second-place overall finish at this year’s Pole Pedal Paddle behind four-time champion Marshall Greene. Boone, who refers to himself as a “weekend warrior” when it comes to racing, answered a few questions for COA. Most people can only dream of being this kind of weekend warrior!

COA – What is your favorite workout in Central Oregon?
Andrew Boone – This is a tough one because we have so many amazing venues to get the heart rate up in central Oregon. I would have to say that my absolute favorite is riding up and over McKenzie Pass. When you come back up from the west side, the road seems to twist and climb forever. The views of the mountains are spectacular and it just makes you feel blessed to live in such an amazing place. It helps that I like to go up hill on a bike! A little tip is to ride the route in late June, after the snow melts, but before the road is open to traffic.

COA – Did you surprise yourself with how well you finished @ the PPP?
AB – I was a little shocked. I knew that if things came together and I had a good day, I could finish on the podium. My bike training had been going very well, so that is where I tried to make up the most time. I was 8th coming out of the XC ski and I used the bike to move up into 2nd place. 2009 was a fun year, with a lot of hype built up around the US ski team guys that were racing for the first time. All the attention on those guys allowed me to slip completely under the radar and that was fun. I was pretty scared during the paddle though, as I was in a pretty new (to me) boat. I had paddled it only 6 or 7 times prior to race day and I ended up flipping it in all but one training session. I was very glad make it to the boat take out without taking a swim.

COA – What is your racing focus these days?
AB – Right now I am a little ADD with my training and racing focus. Cycling is still my priority and where I spend the majority of my time. I am coming out of a break from training on the bike, but I will race Cyclocross nationals for fun. This winter I am going to stay fit and explore XC ski racing a bit with the XC Oregon team, and spend a lot of time preparing for the 2010 road season. I have joined a new elite cycling team based in Bend for the 2010 season, Sagebrush Cycles/CycleSoles. I am very excited about the roster and team leadership for this upcoming season and I am looking forward to a full season of racing on the road. Goal events for 2010 will be the US Elite National Championships as well as the Cascade Cycling Classic. I am thrilled with the opportunity to be a part of such amazing teams here in Central Oregon. Both XC Oregon and Sagebrush Cycles/CycleSoles are world class programs located right here in Central Oregon and both help Bend maintain its reputation as an elite athlete Mecca! I am very lucky to have such tremendous support.

COA – What’s more fun, racing bikes or skis?
AB – Nordic skiing and cycling are very different activities. I have so much respect for Nordic skiers, because the technique required to be good can take a lifetime to learn. I am so new to the sport and I have so much to learn before I can really call myself a Nordic skier. Cycling on the other hand is pretty linear. You just pedal in circles and you move forward. So an uncoordinated guy like me can get on a bike and go fast. Right now I would say I enjoy training for XC skiing more, because every training session I make huge progress. Working with J.D. Downing (XC Oregon Coach) this season is going to do wonders for my technique and I am excited to see the gains I make this year.

COA – What’s been your best bike racing result so far?
AB – Probably my 9th place finish in the Prologue at the Tour of Virginia in 2007. This is my highest finish in a National Race Calendar (NRC) event to date and one that really stands out in my mind.

Cougs face tough test on road in postseason – The Bulletin, Beau Eastes.

It’s been an amazing fall for the high school teams of Central Oregon and with most fall sports already wrapped up, just one C.O. team remains in action. The Mountain View Cougars play a tough game tonight @ West Albany in the quarterfinal round of the Class 5A football playoffs. Below is a look at how Central Oregon teams have done this fall:

CHAMPIONS
Summit Girls Cross County
Crook County Volleyball
Bend Girls Soccer
Sisters Volleyball

2nd PLACE
Summit Volleyball
Mountain View Boys Soccer

3rd PLACE
Summit Boys Cross Country
Sisters Boys Cross County

Semifinals
Bend Boys Soccer
Sisters Girls Soccer

Quarterfinals
Summit Girls Soccer

Ground attack
A couple of talented Cougar running backs have led Mountain View back to the Class 5A state quarterfinals – The Bulletin

With 562 finishers the New Balance Girls on the Run was a big thanksgiving day race in Bend. the 5k race was won my marathon standout Sopagna Eap originally of Thailand, with a time of 18:01. Second was Mike Larsen of Bend (18:29) and third was young phenom Piper McDonald. The middle schooler clocked in at 18:43.

For full results go to Time2Race.