RENO, Nev. — For the past two years Dion Lane has been a part of a major upset in the Men's Endurance race.

At the 2002 ESPN Great Outdoor Games, Lane upset Jason Wynyard, the perennial favorite in the event, and went on to win the silver medal.

This year, though, it was Lane, the favorite, who was knocked out in the early going by Arden Cogar Jr., who has never been able to finish higher than fifth place in the event.

"Not bad for a short, fat white man," Cogar said.

The upset wipes out the rematch between New Zealanders Lane and Wynyard, who are brother-in-laws, and creates a more classic David and Goliath story line with Cogar versus Wynyard in the semifinal.

	Arden Coger, Jr. will square off against Jason Wynyard, the perennial favorite in the Endurance Race, in the semifinals.

Wynyard, who was considered unbeatable until Lane bested him last year, turned in the fastest round of the day at 1 minute, 4.35 seconds. But Cogar was breathing down his neck with a 1 minute, 6.88 second round. Both times set a blistering pace in an event that requires the lumberjacks to complete three disciplines.

The first is the underhand chop, where competitors chop through a 20-inch block of wood they are standing on. The next step is the standing block chop, where a similar piece of wood is standing in front of the chopper much like a tree. And the last of the round is the single buck, which requires the competitor to saw through a log with a crosscut saw.

Other competitors to make the semifinal are Australian Dave Bolstad (1:02.30) who ousted Mel Lentz of Diana, W. Va. (1:10.35) and 2002 gold medalist, Matt Bush of Croghan, N.Y. (1:11.07) who beat Australian, Justin Beckwith (1:11.75).

While the remaining athletes in the event are made up a virtual who's who of lumberjacks, it's the match up between the 5 foot, 10 inch Cogar and the 6 foot, 4 inch Wynyard that has pundits looking forward to the semifinal round on Saturday.

"I reckon Jason could whip a bear with a switch," Cogar said. "So I'll have my hands full tomorrow.

"But Jason's going to have his hands full too. He's going to have to come hard. If he doesn't give everything he's got then I will beat him."

The confident attitude is centered on a couple of things. The first is an injury that Cogar sustained in August during the Stihl TimberSports Series. Cogar's came out of the recuperation with renewed spirit and even old nagging injuries had healed.

"I'm more limber and agile than ever," Cogar said. "I'm as close to 100 percent as I can be."

Added to the attitude is when he returned to competing in the winter, he's been able to beat Wynyard in separate competitions in the underhand and standing block chops.

"This sport is just like life, you take what you get and make the most out of it," Cogar said. "I may not have the best looks, the prettiest muscles, but I've got a big heart and I'm going all out."

Cogar hopes that speed will be enough for a gold medal.

Round Two Results — Men's Timber Endurance

2a. Matt Bush, Croghan, N.Y., def. Justin Beckett, Australia
2b. Dave Bolstad, New Zealand, def. Mel Lentz, Dianna, W.Va.
2c. Jason Wynyard, New Zealand, def. Dale Beams, Australia
2d. Arden Cogar Jr., Hamlin, W.Va., def Dion Lane, New Zealand