The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

With the splintering of fresh pine and a rain of wood chips, Sisters' David Green will storm the stage at the Oregon State Fair for the STIHL Timbersports Collegiate Series Championship, August 27-29.

The signature event celebrates its 25th year of promoting the world's best lumberjack sports with a special silver anniversary edition, where college athletes join the top international pros competing the same weekend. The action pits five regional collegiate champions and a wildcard pick against one another in four professional disciplines: single buck, standing block chop, stock saw and underhand chop.

ESPN crews will film the whirlwind action to be telecast in December.

Green repeated as Western Regional champion this past March at the STIHL Western Collegiate Challenge in Fort Collins, Colorado, earning him the right to compete this week at Salem in his home state.

Maintaining training and fitness levels to challenge the best is an exhausting process. It's important to stay sharp but not overtrain and burnout too quickly. To hone that fine edge, Green has competed at a string of summer events and exhibitions in Montana, Washington and British Columbia.

These shows are used as primers to keep the elite athlete mentally and physically prepared for the big show at the state fair.

"I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life," said Green. "I invite everyone to come out and join the festivities. My times have been fast, and I've been working hard on my form and technique. Improving little things and concentrating on relaxing more.

"That's a big key," Green said. "If I perform well, at the peak of what I'm capable of, I have a good chance to win it all."

His main opponents in the finals are North Carolina State superman, Logan Scarborough, and Jon Preston of Adirondack, both dominant axmen and sawyers.

"Logan is a good guy and great competitor. He's only been doing this for a few years, like me. Very soft spoken for a guy his size," said Green. "I hadn't heard of Preston until this year. I need to bring on my A-game for these dudes."

Following Friday's eliminations, the top contender on Sunday will earn the title of 2010 STIHL Collegiate Series Champion, and wins an automatic ticket to the 2011 STIHL Timbersports Series as a pro. In addition, they're sending both the collegiate and pro champ to St. Johann in Tyrol, Austria, the next weekend to compete in the STIHL Professional Series World Championships, presented by Carhartt.

Recently celebrating their first anniversary, Green's wife, Thanittha, at first hated his constant traveling and absence.

"Now I see how much David wanted to succeed and how he loves it. It's become more of a true lifestyle and career than a hobby," she said. "I want to do my part by supporting him and keeping his weight up with a lot of good Thai food, and see him win and share that special moment."

Green hopes home-field advantage will quicken his ax and saw.

"I've got a lot of people coming, even more than I originally thought," he said. "A few are even driving up from Southern California to watch. One of the best parts is having my dad there to finally see me compete. That's so important to me. He's got a bum back and it's hard for him to travel any long distances."

For complete event times and schedule visit http://www.oregonstatefair.org or call 503-947-3247.