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4 Wednesday, August 5, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Pollard nabs silver medal at games By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent Brandon Pollard, a 2014 Sisters High graduate and incoming sophomore at Gonzaga University, captured the silver medal in the 1,500 meters at the Junior Pan-Am Games on Saturday, August 1, in Edmonton, Alberta. His U.S. teammate Blake Haney edged Pollard by .02 seconds to win the race. Haney, a sophomore-to- be at Oregon, placed third in the 1,500 at the NCAA Championships in June. Haney was timed in 3:56.49 to Pollard’s 3:56.51 the whole experience definitely helped me trust my racing ability, and I feel that I can compete in any racing scenario. — Brandon Pollard Pollard’s performance caps a very successful freshman season in which he established a school record at Gonzaga in the 800 (1:49.88) and moved up to fourth on the all-time 1,500-meter list (3:48.85). The Pan American games, established in 1980, include athletes from the countries of the Americas and are held every four years in the year before the summer Olympics. Ten runners toed the line in the final. The pace stayed quite slow for much of the race, according to Pollard. “We went through the first lap in about 68 and came through 800 in 2:13 and I felt good as we picked it up a little,” he said. “With around 500 to go I was in second tucked right on the outside of a fast kid from Mexico and told myself ‘I got it’ thinking I had an actual shot at winning the race.” Pollard refrained from bolt- ing at the bell lap, but held his position until Haney passed him along with a Canadian runner, with 200 meters to go. “At that point I just took off and ran for dear life and took the lead into the last 100 meters and held off everyone but Blake,” he said. Pollard could not have been closer to the gold medal, but is not beating himself up over it. “It’s hard to comprehend that just .02 seconds can sepa- rate a silver medal from a gold medal, but I am truly just happy I got to compete for the U.S.,” he said. Going into the meet Pollard knew there would be plenty of souvenirs from the trip, but the one thing he really wanted to bring back was a medal. In addition to the medal, Pollard feels he brought back an extra dose of confidence and moti- vation as well. “The whole experience definitely helped me trust my racing ability, and I feel that I can compete in any rac- ing scenario. I’m excited for next season because running against guys like Haney (who has a PR of 3:40 in the 1,500) gives me hope that I can com- pete at that level.” having this experience of running at the Pan Am games ... has been a great way to end the season. — Brandon Pollard Pollard will return to wear- ing a Gonzaga jersey under the tutelage of Coach Pat Tyson, who ran for Oregon in the early ’70s as a teammate and friend of the legendary Steve Prefontaine. “I’m excited to get back into a ’Zags jersey and see what I can do in the future under Tyson’s plan,” he said. “Having this experience of running at the Pan Am Games at the end of my freshman year has been a great way to end the season.” Pollard is the son of Shannon and Don Pollard of Sisters. G SER V IC N I N A E ES Specializing In: CL Nonprofit pledges donations to library The Friends of the Sisters Library (FOSL) has been raising funds through book sales and other activi- ties to support the library for years. In the wake of a spat between a sister orga- nization and the Deschutes Public Library System, FOSL President Leanne Smith offered assurances that FOSL will continue to donate only to library-related causes. Friends of the Sisters Library (FOSL) is one of five nonprofits that support branch libraries in Central Oregon communities as well as the library system as a whole. The Friends of the Redmond Branch Library got crossways with the library system the nonprofit serves, due to planned dona- tions to non-library agen- cies that serve the Redmond community. The Bulletin reported last month that The Deschutes Public Library system threat- ened legal action against the Friends of the Redmond Do you know your agent? Do you understand your policy? Are you overpaying? Call Jason Ryb-a, 541-588-6245, for a free quote! 257 S. Pine St., #101 www.farmersagent.com/jrybka Auto • Home • Life • Business Windows & Screen Cleaning Houe & Rental Cleaning Construction & Deep Cleaning HAIR Nails Branch Library after the group announced plans to donate to nonprofit organi- zations outside of the library system. FOSL president Smith signed on to a letter, noting that “the four other Friends of the Library (FOL) groups (operate) without this dissen- sion, each supporting both their own branch library plus the Library District as a whole. We, the presidents of these four nonprofits, want to assure all of our donors (and potential donors) that we have no intention of dis- tributing our funds to any nonlibrary cause. Our sup- port of the library system in Deschutes County has been intact since the original FOL incorporated in 1980, and our cooperation with the current District grows each year.” FOSL does engage in joint fundraising activi- ties with other groups, such as the upcoming Doggie Dash, where Furry Friends Foundation will also raise funds. Gutter Cleaning Free estimates! Natural & Artif icial I NSURED , L ICENSED & B ONDED 484 W. Washington Ave., Ste. B 541-549-6566 JEFF BLAKE • 541-549-0897 THERE IS A PLACE... for a rewarding career HAWAIIAN LUAU Th urs., Aug. 13 • 6:30-8:30 p.m. At Village Green City Park $10 adult/$4 youth Must purchase tickets in advance from SPRD THE SUMMER EVENT TO ATTEND! Hula dancers, authentic Hawaiian cuisine & music combine to make a great community event. EnLoy Kalua Pig, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Hawaiian Sticky Rice & Fresh Pineapple. Entertainment will include Bill Keale, Halua “Huhane Hawaii,” Kurt Silva “DJ Boogie,” Sisters Ukulele Players and Shannon Rackowski. www.SistersRecreation.com V View activities & classes and register online! 1750 W. Mckinney Butte Rd. | 541-549-2091 SNO CAP View available positions and apply online at BlackButteRanch.com MINI STORAGE Sisters Industrial Park 157 Sisters Park Dr. • 541-549-3575 www.SistersStorage.com • State-of-the-art Security Technology • Sizes from 5x5 to 12x40 • Individual Gate Codes • Long-term Discounts • On-site Manager