Thursday, december 30, 2021 2021: YEAR in REVIEW The ObserVer — A9 SPORTS PHOTOS 2021 Elgin’s Ty McLaughlin, bottom, wrestles Kevin Peasley, of Burns, on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2021, at the Muilenburg Tournament at La Grande High School. La Grande swept the competition earning 320 combined points to earn the title. SPORTS PHOTOS OF 2021 Photos by Alex Wittwer Sam Tsiatsos (14) juggles baseballs in the dugout during the La Grande American Legion Tournament held at Optimist Field on Friday, July 23, 2021. Cole Hauter floats through the air on his dirt bike as he launches from one of the jumps at Mount Emily Recreation Area on Sunday, June 27, 2021. Legacy Powersports of Island City held “Demo with the Pros,” lending participants dirt bikes and helmets to explore MERA’s offerings. Mountaineer Sade Williams (1) prepares to serve the ball during a match against Evergreen University at Eastern Oregon University on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. Bullfighting brothers Ryan Manning and Miles Barry, with Sean Peterson, taunt the angry bull White Noise away from downed cowboy Levi Quillan on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show in Union. Bullfighters spend years learning how to manage adrenaline and fear while in the ring, allowing them to keep clear minds while facing down bulls. Aiden Herrera makes a splash as he battles his way through the mud at the 44th annual Catherine Creek Scamper on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Hundreds of competitors from across Eastern Oregon gathered at Catherine Creek State Park to compete during the annual meet and cross-country race, braving muddy waters and heavy rain during the event. Kaiden Dalke (22) leaps for a layup at Powder Valley High School on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. Dalke will look to be a staple in the Badgers’ 2021-22 season on the hardwood. Jonah Blackham makes a spectacular catch in the end zone to put the Mountaineers up 35-21 at Community Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. Eastern won its home opener against Montana Western 35-28. Logan Williams hands the ball off to Braden Carson in La Grande’s match against Estacada on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. The Tigers put up a stalwart effort against the Rangers, but were outmatched by the Estacada team’s superior rushing power. Estacada beat the Tigers 44-14, dropping the Tigers’ record to 2-1. Powder Valley’s Casey Vaughan (4) reacts after the end of the game against Adrian at Baker High School on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. The final match for the OSAA 1A State Championship was a heartbreaking end to Powder Valley’s stellar season, when the Badgers lost to the Antelopes 46-38.