Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2007)
moi Sports Boys' netters hopes to repeat championship m J oseph M iller ______________ Staff Reporter For the past four years, the Boys' Varsity Tennis Team has been successful in capturing the Three Rivers League title, as well as the State Championships in 2003 and in 2004. This year, they hope to repeat their success in attaining the league title again, as well as sending five players to state. However, this year there is a bit of a catch. They will have to work harder than in past years because ten of last season's senior players graduated. Ward Lewis, English teacher for 26 years at West Linn and coach for 24, said that everything will have to change, but he still has a positive outlook. "It's exciting because it's like we're starting over," Lewis said. Lewis originally played baseball in high school, but switched to tennis when he was 19, and in college. His roommate had been the this season won't be as smooth-sailing as the past seasons. He feels this season may be slightly difficult. The three other returning players include, Anthony Bonaduce, senior, Christopher Erbin, sophomore, and Miles Rifkin, sophomore. "We lost ten seniors. It's going to be tough," Kirkemo said. He added, "We could use some support at the games." One of this season's newcomers, Joel Callagan, freshman, is feeling confident along with excitement for this season. number-one player of the college tennis team, and he suggested Lewis play tennis, and so, he was introduced to the world of tennis. He became a coach for the same reason he became a teacher. "I like working with young athletes, Lewis said. "I like organizing Collin Bundy, j unior, practices his swing at tennis young peop e to practice. He will be competing at fourth singles this do fun stuff. season. Photo by Malia Chong This year, there are so far a total of 36 players, with four returning Varsity players. And with 14 spaces needed for the Varsity team, there are ten spaces left to fill. One of the four returning players includes Kevin Kirkemo, senior, a tennis veteran. Kirkemo has been playing tennis for the past six years, and has been undefeated in high school play for the past two years. He started by taking small lessons at a local center. Kirkemo also realizes that Track Team sees large tu rn o u t D anielle L evine Staff Reporter Runners are confident and coaches are pleased with the turnout of competitors for the spring track season. Practices, h began Feb. 20, run day through Friday, with optional practices on Saturday. There will be 15 meets this season which started with the Ice Breaker Meet on March 14 at Tigard. "It's nice since in the beginning you get to chose what events you want to do for the season. So you get to try it all out," Sara Sebastian, sophomore, said. Last year the Girls' Varsity Track and Field Team was quite successful. The girls 4x4 team, two throwers and a high jumper went to State. Taylor Nowlin, sophomore, placed second at Districts and went to State in the 3,000. Kelli Walters, senior, Ali Super, junior; and Samantha Dewart, junior; all went to State last season along with £ Nowlin. The boys 4 x 100 team also went to State and Sambaran Chatterjee, senior,just missed a trip to State in the 100. This gives the coaches high hopes for the team. Ali Super, junior, throws javelin during the first week "We have have of track practice. Super was State champion in javelin last year and is expected to repeat. a great Photo by Jon Helmkamp turnout and could have the best girls continue our growth from last team turnout in the past six season toward being a more or seven seasons," Scott Spear, complete team," Spear said. coach, said. Upcoming meets are Lakeridge and Clackamas March 20 at Lake Oswego; are top rivals for the Lions. April 4 at home; April 7 at Clackamas has a large, strong Sisters High School; April 12 team featuring several top at Putnam; April 13 at Aloha; runners. April 18 at home and April "We are looking to 21 at Centennial. Equestrian Team shows potential L auren P ak Staff Reporter % The Equestrian Team began its season with a promising start at its first competition held Feb. 17. "M y goal is to not fall off, but mostly to go to State," Samantha Roberts, sophomore, said. Samantha Roberts, sophomore, left the with first place in the Hunt Seat Equitation and was followed by teammate Hillary Obye, junior, who 1 4fced second. Elizabeth Sloop, senior, exited the ring with second place in reining. Maile Reiniche, junior, placed second in Hunt Seat Over Fences along with Hartley Kelly, freshman, eighth, Kira Nordwijk, senior, took home ninth place. Karleigh Vroman, sophomore, placed eighth in showmanship, and Courtney Moore, junior, placed ninth in Dressage. In Western Gaming, Ahnalise Murray, senior, placed third in Keyhole. This is Dru Sloop's fourth year as coach of the team. "All of the teams, horses, and riders have their own goals, but they are all here because their passion is the horse," Sloop said. Sloop will support the team as it competes March 15-18 and April 12-15 at the North West Equestrian Center. The State championship will be held May 17-20 in Redmond at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds. Equestrian Team members cheer on their teammates, but according to Sloop, Obye and Roberts it would be great for people to support the team. Callagan has been taking tennis lessons since the second grade, and decided to join the WLHS tennis team over the summer inspired by his brother, Isaac, junior, who is playing tennis this year also. His goals are to be at the top of the JV in hopes to be on the Varsity team next year. He also hopes to be better than his brother. "This season's going to be pretty exciting, because we haven't been the underdog for a long time," Lewis said. "We're going to have something to prove." Returning players vital to Girls' Tennis victories C hristopher E rbin Page Editor After a successful rebound season in 2006, the Varsity Girls Tennis Team once again became a dominant force in the Three Rivers League. Although the Lions suffered some key losses at singles, they are returning four doubles players who all advanced to State last year. Christiana Cha, senior, Kaitlan Locke, senior, Alexandra Smith, junior, and Danika Tonning, sophomore, return to lead a younger, less experienced team. Although they have positions to fill, the Lions look to improve upon their second place finish in the TRL a year ago. "Last year was a really fun season," Cha said. "Our team is going to be solid again this season. We have some good returning players and I'm looking forward to playing doubles with Kaitlan (Locke) again." The 2006 team was perfect in league play with the exception of losses to Lake Oswego, a team that finished second overall in State behind the powerhouse Jesuit Crusaders. They also swept the Lakeridge Pacers, a team that had dominated the TRL in past years. - "My expectations for our matches against these teams are very high," Aaron Downs, coach, said ." LO is going to be in the top three in state to start the season and it will be an intense battle with them." The Lions' goals include stealing a victory against LO and being co-league champions. Their first meet of the season is against the Lakers is on Mon. April 9 at Lake Oswego. Along with improving in league play, the Lions will look to use non conference match ups early in the season to benefit their returning players and get a taste of some of the tougher competition throughout the state. Their first two meets of the year were at Sunset on Tuesday, which was followed by their home opener against Barlow on Wednesday. According to Coach Downs, experience will be a hard trait for most schools to find this season, but he believes the Lions have the leadership that much of the league lacks. "We want to compete for the league title and qualify as many girls to go to state as possible." Downs said. It is what should be expected; the Lions are a team that is defending a second place finish in the TRL a year ago and are hoping to establish themselves as a consistent state contender. "Our goals for the season are returning our leaders back to State. We have high expectations for our team and we are very excited to get it rolling," Downs said. Boys' Rugby program grows; makes impact in fourth season J on H elmkamp co-Sports Editor The West Linn Boys Rugby Team has grown from 15 to 60 players, and is now in its fourth season. After losing to Beaverton last year at State, they are trying to make a comeback. On Feb. 26, the A- side defeated Reynolds 37-5, thus beginning a season that they hope will bring a State title. Last year, the team placed fifth in state, and Shiguru Tsutsumi, coach, sees room for improvement. "We need to pass the ball more, not just have one good player trying to lead," Tsutsumi said. Although the A-side was able to dominate against Reynolds, the B-side lost, 5- 25, to Tualatin. The team has many senior players this year that have passed experience onto new players; experience that will hopefully lead to a positive outcome. Boys Rugby Slutting Womemnni ■ continued on page 10
