8
October
Runners build team from family-like community
J on H elmkamp
co - Editor in Chief
For some, a sports team is
nothing more than a group of
people who see each other at
Elliot Prince, freshman, crosses
the finish line in a multi-school
meet on Sept. 19. Prince received
second place at the meet.
Photo by Malia Chong
practices and games, meeting
only to share their love of a
single sport and then part
ways after the season is over.
But for others, a sports team
is a family, a community.
The Cross Country program
provides this family-like
atmosphere, along with a
hard working, dedicated,
team striving for the same
goal—the Districts title.
"Cross country is the
true team sport," Benjamin
Morrow, senior captain, said.
According to Morrow, the
cross country team doesn't
get enough credit for being
a team sport, even though
"every team member must
pull every one of his/her
teammates through a race."
The cross country team
practices year-round. "Our
Varsity group of guys
commits at least one-and-a
half hours a day to running,"
Morrow said.
This team is not only
committed, but is successful
because of the unity that they
have achieved. In the past,
they've strived to become a
group that is close on and
off the field. They've bonded
at dinner parties, including
one at Michael Bemert's,
senior captain, house, and a
tea party in some tree houses
that they found in Tryon
Creek State Park.
"We were on one of
our runs in Tryon Creek
State Park, going crazy and
making bird sounds, and we
found these really intense
huts made out of sticks and
stuff. We all got really excited
and decided we should
have a tea party, so the next
Saturday, we came back with
tea and snacks and hung out
Web site features links
including WLHS history
Hew Web site
continued from page 1
The new web site also fea
tures links under "History
of WLHS," where you can
view photos of sports teams
and clubs from years past.
There is also a link "Alumni
Registration" located on the
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left hand side on the Alumni
page where students can
view information sent in
by alumni, such as where
they went after high school,
where they are now, their
professions, and other inter
esting information.
"There is so much history,
pride and tradition that can
be viewed by students,"
Hammond said. There is also
a link and page for all of the
clubs where you can read
over information about each
club and the responsibilities
of the members.
"I am really trying to
personalize the web pages.
If students would send in
pictures via e-mail, I would
be able to put them up on the
web pages for the different
clubs, the home page, etc,"
Hammond said.
Hammond updates the
web site frequently. If there
are any comments or ques
tions, Hammond is available
in the library tech center or
by e-mail at HammondA@
wlwv.kl2.or.us.
and danced around," Rachel
Seigneur, senior captain,
said.
Other events for the teams
have included a three day
overnight camp in June at
Silver Falls State Park and
Extreme Camp in Long
Beach, Wash, in August
for the top runners. Both
camps mixed running with
bonding.
This year's expectations
are "to compete with our
hearts. Both boys and girls
are working for first at
Districts," Seigneur said.
The last two years, the
girls' team has taken first
in Districts. After losing
the seniors from last year's
tfelKfhaKi'p's fflts
team, they have found help
from this year's freshman.
"We have amazing freshman
talent and energy this year,"
Seigneur said.
After all the hours that
this team has put in and all
the titles they've earned,
including right now being
ranked fifth in the state, the
cross country team has yet to
get new facilities.
"The football, baseball
and basketball teams all
have gotten new facilities
in the past couple years.
Football got a new turf field,
baseball got a new field and
basketball got new gyms.
Yet, our track, which is in
horrible condition, has not
been resurfaced for years,"
Morrow said.
On top of facility issues,
the cross country team has
had to fund raise for things
like jerseys, timers and
warm ups, things that other
sports teams like baseball,
basketball and football had
funded by the school.
"We feel like no one even
knows we're here. It's a
problem," Seigneur said.
Running cross country
has become an outlet for
Seigneur, personally.
"It's so freeing to just run
and explore and be crazy
with all our teammates. It
puts you in a different state
of mind," she said.
Pro athletes neglect responsibilities
being responsible for their
co -Editor in Chief actions. There should be
consequences for athletes
Walking through the halls who make poor choices.
of any school, particularly
The way the National
elem en tary and m iddle
Football L eagu e responded
schools, you’ll see kids of
to the recent charges against
all ages wearing the jerseys Atlanta Falcons' all-star
of the sports icon that they quarterback, Michael Vick,
so admire. Athletes from
was appropriate. Even
all sports are not only role
though he is a huge name in
models for the way to play the NFL and one of the more
the game with integrity,
Ì
teamwork and competitive
spirit, but they are the heroes
for today's youth off the field
as well.
Kids don't just wear
any player's jersey, they
choose someone they
look up to. Not every
professional athlete abuses
the responsibilities that
they have, but it's becoming
more and more frequent that talented and popular players
professional athletes are not in today's game, they still
being the heros off the field took legal action. The NFL
was consistent. They didn't
that their admirers expect
let it slide simply because of
them to be.
his name.
It could be said that
In Major League Baseball,
we expect too much of
something happened this
them; that they are only
year that truly troubles me.
professional athletes, not
Barry Bonds, left fielder for
heroes. Everyone knows
the San Francisco Giants,
that they are only human
(humans with an incredible broke the all-time home
run record set by one of the
gift, but humans all the
same), and everyone knows hardest working players .of
all time in the MLB -Hank
that they are going to
Aaron. Hammerin' Hank set
make mistakes. But when
a professional athlete does the mark with 755 all time
something so heinous, like home runs, but the stat that
mattered more to him was
run a dog fighting team
the total number of bases he
or use steroids to enhance
their game instead of simply reached in his career. He was
a true example of the way
putting in the hard work
that it takes to achieve their the game of baseball should
be played.
goals, it ruins the sport
Although it hasn't been
and sets a poor example
proved that Barry Bonds
for today's youth that is
used performance-enhancing
unacceptable.
drugs, it has been thought
The bigger issue is
by many that he has. Last
professional athletes not
J on H elmkamp
season, a banner at a Giants'
game read "Babe (Ruth) did
it on hot dog and beer." Last
season, a fan threw a syringe
onto the field. And this
summer, when Bonds broke
Hank Aaron's record by
hitting his 756 career home
run in San Diego, there was
a wide range of reactions.
Some fans were wearing
hats that read "Ban Bonds,"
others were holding up large
asterisk signs.
Through all of this, he has
still not been charged with
any crime, even though his
personal trainer was indicted
in a steroid-distribution ring.
Whether or not he has used
performance-enhancing
drugs, that's not for me
to decide. I don't know
everything that went on.
Nonetheless, many people
think that he has used these
drugs to enhance his game.
Situations such as the
ones with Bonds and Vick
are not the only problems
in sports today. There
have been numerous other
situations similar to these. I
feel that professional athletes
need to understand that
everything they do is being
watched by their fans. Ever
heard the phrase "monkey
see, monkey do?" Kids are
going to see what these
players do and believe that
it's alright for them to do the
same.
Whether they like it
or not, part of being a
professional athlete is being
a role model. They don't
have a choice, it comes with
the territory. Kids need
heroes who will be heroes
for the way they live their
life, not just the way they
play the game.