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About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2007)
007 Sports 11 Track team sprints toward State championship _ I ke M c G innis ____________ Staff Reporter Matching up against Lakeridge on April 18 for their fourth Three Rivers League meet of the season, it all came down to the triple jump for the girls' team. Rachel Seigneur, junior, claimed first in the 3000m with Katherine Flyte, freshman, finishing second. Taylor Nowlin, sophomore, and four other Lion runners finished the 1500m before the first runner for the Pacers even crossed the finish line. In the end, their efforts weren't enough, although it took a freshman from Lakeridge jumping more than a four feet better than her personal best in the triple jump to defeat the Lions, 74-68. For the boys, Nicholas Kemner, senior, won the pole vault and Ben Morrow, junior, took second in the 3000. Sambaran Chatterjee also grabbed first in the 200. It came down to the end, but the boys pulled it out, accomplishing what the girls couldn't, beating the Pacers 86-59. Despite a recent Three Rivers League loss to Putnam, the team surprised many in the first four TRL ^?ets of the season. In the meet against Putnam, the boys lost three of the top distance runners, Ben Morrow, Taylor Kolasinski, Michael Bernert, juniors, to a Model UN meeting, crippling their chances. The boys ended up losing but the girls took home another victory. The big story was the first two TRL meets of the season, where the Lions were considered underdogs, including a big win against Oregon City on April 4. "It was going to be a tight meet; could have gone either way, but we stepped up," Joe Cemy, boys' track coach, said. Oregon City was projected to win but Cemy stressed the importance of getting it done on the track, not just on paper. They beat the Pioneers 78-67. But what pleased Cerny more was the way everyone in all the different events, running, jumping, throwing stepped up and contributed. The big race was the 800m which was won by Kolasinski and Charles Lammers, senior, who finished second with a personal record of 2:07. Another big first and second finish for the Lions was the 300m hurdles. Shawn Miller, senior captain, won the race, and Bryce Baker, sophomore, pulled into second place on the last two hurdles, in spite of a quad injury "He did a good job battling through a little soreness. I wasn't surprised by it, but I was pleased," Cemy said. The girls also swept many events during the meet in a big win against Pioneers. Jazmine Whitlock and Taylor Brooke, sophomores, placed first and second in the 100m and 200m dashes. The Lions swept the 800m and 1500m with first place finishes by Taylor Nowlin, sophomore, and Natalie Pittenger, junior. Sambaran Chatterjee, senior, finishes out his 100m dash during the Oregon City meet April 4. The Lions were underdogs to the Pioneers, but came away with the victory. Photo by Malia Chong Ali Super, junior, lead a sweep in the javelin. Later the same week, the boys traveled to the Sisters Invitational on April 7. Miller had a great weekend there, placing second in the 110m high hurdles followed by Alexander Schlitt, sophomore, in third. The Lions also upset the Lake Oswego Lakers on their home turf the previous week. It was almost the same scenario as the Oregon City meet, according to some of the Undefeated Girls' Tennis Team sits atop league everyone," Downs said. challenge of changing from The Girls' Tennis Team The team holds intense doubles last year to singles started its season with a practices which last bang, and Aaron BSjjMjl up to an hour, about Downs, Varsity two to four times a Head Coach, week after school. believes his If they are not at players have practice, they are made strong competing. progress so far. So far they have He predicts a had seven matches great outcome at and they have won Districts. all of them including The team a close win over features a balance rival Lakeridge, 10-9, of seasoned despite the fact that veterans as well they have missed as young talent. some practice time At first doubles, and a tournament in Christiana Cha Bend on April 14. and Kaitlan "We've missed Locke, seniors, Danika Tonning, sophomore, battles back against the last couple after last year's Lakeridge. Tonning won a hard fought match that went successful season longer than any of the others. Photo by Jon Helmkamp weeks because it was raining," Tonning in which they said. reached the State tournament this year. The team is 7-0 (4-0 in New players Taylor and second doubles, league) and preparing for its Coronel and Catherine Alexandra Smith, junior, and toughest match of the season Broadhurst, sophomores, Kellie Kawasaki, sophomore, against Lake Oswego on have been important new have a good chance of Wednesday. Other upcoming additions at third doubles. making it to State. dual matches are being held "These things can take At first singles, Danika today at Putnam and Friday Tpnning, sophomore, also has a while to adjust, but the at Clackamas. Districts will great senior leadership has JJhance to make it to State. take place on May 9 and 10 at made things much easier She has turned in excellent the Portland Tennis Center. and has been very helpful to results and overcome the track members. "I think going into the meet, (the mindset was) it was going to be close, with Lake Oswego favored, but we all stepped up together and the results were a lot better than we expected," Nico Matthews, sophomore, said. Matthews helped the team in a huge way, winning three events and tieing for first in his fourth event scoring 20 points for the team. Sambaran Chatterjee, senior, won the 100 and 200 meter dashes. The girls swept the discus against the Lakers, with Samantha Dewart, junior, throwing huge. Cemy said the team dominated the field events. The first meet of the season was a non-scoring meet at Tigard where four teams competed. Super threw the javelin two inches shorter than the school record at Tigard. "She is one of the leading throwers in the nation, not just Oregon," Cemy said. The team also got to see Clackamas at Tigard which is going to be beneficial because the Lions will not face the Cavaliers in a dual meet this season but will face them at Districts. Cemy cited the Cavaliers as the team to beat in the TRL. This year, Districts will be hosted by West Linn for the first time in five years, on May 10 and May 11. Equestrian Team canters to next meet ■ S arah C hiodine Forum Editor With the second of four meets finished, Equestrian Team members are feeling positive. Although the individuals practice on their own consistently, the team can be found every week working with the Wilsonville team, practicing in Wilsonville. "It's great being with all my teammates and watching everyone progress as the season goes on," Ahnalise Murray, senior, said. Because of their hard work, three of the team's athletes are in top 20 out of the 122 athletes in the TriRiver Valley District. Elizabeth Sloop, senior, is tied for second, seven points behind first. Hillary Obye, junior, is in sixth and Karleigh Vroman, sophomore, is 20th. The team's second meet was held on March 15-18. Each meet consists of 26 events including jumping, hunt seat, stock seat, working rancher, reining and figure eight. Murray pulled through in their second meet with seventh place in the figure eight with a time of 11.84 and fifth in barrels with a 16.37. Sloop also contributed a first place in reining and working rancher, gaining the team 40 points. The team also finished well in trail and stock seat; Obye in third and Sloop in fourth. Vroman finished fifth in stock seat; Obye won first in hunt seat with Vroman not far behind in third. Maile Reiniche, junior, came through with a second in huntseat over fences. With many great performances, the team placed fourth in its second meet and hopes for a good showing at State.
