Sawing error costs Green at Oregon State Fair

David Green of Sisters was the lumberjack to beat going into Friday's elimination round of the STIHL Timbersports Collegiate Championship on opening weekend of the Oregon State Fair in Salem.

But on the very first event, fate stepped in during the stock saw challenge and Green got a "DQ" (disqualification) penalty for crossing the line and using more than his allotted four inches of wood, receiving zero points and all but ending his chance of winning the event.

His times were fast and consistent in the other segments: the single buck, standing block and underhand chop, some a mere seven-tenths of a second behind North Carolina State's burly Logan Scarborough, last year's wildcard selection. The pair finished one-two in the final three disciplines.

A clearly disappointed Green and his throng of loyal fans and friends reflected back on those precious 12 seconds when victory or defeat hung on a precarious balance between the teeth of a roaring chainsaw.

"I couldn't believe it. My mind just froze, but you're only given four inches and that's it. I went four and a penny," Green said. "When you have so few competitions, it's almost impossible to come back."

Stock saw is a deceivingly difficult event, with a grinding machine devouring thin "cookies" of white pine and a small margin for error. Competitors use matched MS 660 STIHL Magnum chainsaws and the event begins with both hands on the log and the saw idling on the deck. At the gun, sawyers must make two cuts through 16 inches of pine. With only four inches of wood to work with, precision is key.

After the judges declared the violation, Green put his hands on his head and staggered backstage in disbelief. The mistake cost him the vital points necessary for him to stay even with Scarborough who built up a commanding lead with a dominating performance after Friday's four compulsory events.

On Sunday, the top two finishers in each event faced off. Green showed his heart and grit by winning the standing block, and was second in the underhand and single buck.

The local lumberjack went steel-to-steel with Scarborough in the chopping events but could not make up the deficit. The lead proved to be insurmountable and despite a heroic effort, Green finished third, two points behind Jon Preston of Paul Smith's College in New York. Scarborough was awarded the gold medal and crowned 2010 STIHL Collegiate Champion and will make the trip to the World Finals next week in Austria as well as earning an invitation to the professional series next year.

Green ended the event in high style and no regrets, and hopes his good showing on Sunday will be enough to be considered as a general invite for the professional series in 2011.

On the professional side, New Zealand's Jason Wynyard thrilled the packed State Fair crowd by hoisting his 70-lb., hot saw over his head in victory after claiming his ninth championship.

Check local listings for ESPN's broadcast of the event this December.