<< Back 9/11/02 Familiar names top leader board at NOC/Subaru Tsali Challenge SMN Another NOC/Subaru Tsali Challenge goes by and still no new names topping the win column. The event, consisting of a 4-mile flat-water paddle, a 5-mile trail run and 12-mile mountain bike ride, took place Sept. 7 and 8. In Saturday’s individual open events, perennial favorite and Bryson City’s own Rand Perkins (2:02:57) once again held back the challenge of any “ringers” or “young guns” to hold onto the number one spot, even with 50 years behind him. In the women’s event, Julie Dauphine (2:12:55) returned to her favorite place in the finish order — number one. Dauphine took last year off from competition since she was only three months out of the delivery room. Perkins and Dauphine continue to dominate their class, yet realize the competition is moving in. “Used to be I’d have to wait around for a bit to see how close the next woman was to me. It isn’t too long any more,” said Dauphine at the finish line (waiting five minutes for her nearest competitor). In the open team events of Sunday, Bryson City again swept the field. For the women, Leigh Mahoney, Melanie Blake and Tracey Stephenson took the honors at 1:41:30. The top men’s team consisted of Lecky Haller, Scott Mann (Sylva) and Thomas Burns at 1:12:41. Of note, the second-place men’s team saw 14-year-old Travis Brotherton of Cullowhee burn up the trail for the run. Jack Haire of Gainesville, Fla., took the men’s master class in 2:07:27. Lynn Sims of Knoxville topped the women’s master class with a time of 2:24:26. These two are often in the top standings for many of NOC’s events. A complete list of Tsali Challenge results and other NOC events can be found at www.noc.com. Regional finishers: ° Women’s Open Division: Allison Hardy of Arden, third; Nicole Haller of Bryson City, eighth; Erinna Hergarty of Asheville, 10th; Dede Rowe of Asheville, 11th; Cathy Burton of Asheville, 18th; India Coleman of Waynesville, 19th. ° Women’s Masters Division (over 40): Dottie Brown of Whittier, second; Maggie Everett of Asheville, seventh; Toni Meador of Asheville, 10th; Margaret Toms of Bryson City, 11th; Tracy Toth of Asheville, 13th; Carolyn Keull of Asheville, 14th; and Carr Ava of Asheville, 15th. ° Men’s Open Division: Rand Perkins of Bryson City, first; Daniel Miller of Asheville, second; Lecky Haller of Bryson City, ninth; Brad Knops of Highlands, 22nd; David Larkins of Asheville, 23rd; Matt Buys of Asheville, 24th. Others WNC residents finishing included Ted Rheney, Craig Plocica, Chris Hipgrave, Michael Rowe, Jim Dalton, Rob Kelly, Chuck Pickering, Brett Corbin, Jason Moore, Stew Setzer and John Sherman. ° Men’s Masters Division (over 40): Stace Horine of Asheville, second; Bill Baxter of Almond, fifth; Douglas reynaert of Bryson City, 10th; Billy Richards of Bryson City, 12th; Jim Hall of Almond, 15th; DeanDavis of Almond, 29th; Dave Allison Sr. of Bryson City, 34th; Dan March of Asheville, 35th; and Richard Munger of Asheville, 40th.