Best of Sports
BEST ROLLER DERBY GIRL:
Naughty Maude 3000
The fear that Tiffany Maude, known in the derby world as Naughty Maude 3000 of the Southern Oregon Roller Girls, instills in her opponents can only increase with her declaration as the Messenger’s Top Roller girl of 2016. Naughty Maude 3000 has been on the scene since 2008 and loves what she describes as the “obscure, yet thrilling sport.”
When asked what sets herself and her teammates apart from the competition, Maude attributed Southern Oregon Roller Girls League.
“This league cares so much for our community. We have adopted a portion of the Greenway between Phoenix and Talent and do bimonthly rubbish runs. In 2011, we dedicated turn three of our flat track to Special Olympics Jackson County and we hold twice yearly food drives. We care about our teams and our service to the community deeply,” she said.
Maude also mentions how supportive the Rogue Valley is of the sport. “Our community really comes out to support us and we have amazing volunteers.”
“It’s pretty much paradise,” she added. RYAN DEGAN
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Rip Tide, Killawatt
BEST HIKING TRAIL:
Table Rock
With more than 10,000 visitors each year, it’s no wonder that Table Rock won the best area for hiking. Two main hikes comprise this trail system and are both worthy of the awesome views at the top. Lower Table Rock trail is 1.75 miles long, moderately difficult, and half a mile longer than Upper Table Rock Trail. If you visit in the springtime you are likely to spot some of the most colorful flower displays in the region. In addition, the area is home to over 70 species of animals and 340 species of plants. Bonus for the nerd at heart: the federally threatened Branchinecta lynchi (fairy shrimp) can be found in the vernal pools at the top of the plateaus during the rainy season.
Honorable Mention to The Jacksonville Woodland Trails, with over 15 miles of trail to hike and explore. When you’re not hiking or looking for morels, make sure to check out the native plant arboretum as well as several marked remnants of old gold mines. MIKE DICKENSON
BEST MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAIL:
Applegate Lake
Honorable Mention: Alice in Wonderland
BEST DOG PARK:
Bear Creek Greenway
Honorable Mention: Hawthorne
BEST SPORTS TEAM:
Southern Oregon Rollergirls
Honorable Mention: SOU football
(Note to our readers, the Seahawks and Broncos not local)
BEST SKATE PARK:
Bear Creek
Honorable Mention: Talent
BEST PARK:
Lithia Park
Honorable Mention: Bear Creek
BEST BIKE SHOP:
Al’s
Honorable Mention: Marty’s
BEST SKI SHOP:
Rogue Valley Ski Shop
Honorable Mentions: Black Bird Ski shop, Get N Gear
RAFT COMPANY:
Indigo Creek Outfitters
Honorable Mention: Noah’s
BEST FOOT RACE:
The Rogue Run
Honorable Mention: Pear blossom
BEST DISC GOLF COURSE:
Tom Pearce
Honorable Mention: Indian Mary
BEST FLY SHOP:
Ashland Fly Shop
1 Comment
Thank you so much for honoring Naughty Maudie 3000 and the Southern Oregon Rollergirls. Their love for their community is unsurpassed. These ladies are awesome individually and as a TEAM, they do it all.