Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2008)
2008 Girls' Basketball promises to deliver strong season m K aitlyn R agan _____________ the state tournament at Staff Reporter the Chiles Center last year, Twelve girls, white and this time around hope warm-ups and fierce faces to make it there. Ranked displayed on a stark white eighth in the state last year, background; the Girls' the team already has a few Varsity Basketball Team impressive wins under looks tough and ready for their belts, and are off to a anything. With the motto good start. "Leave nothing," the team At their first home game of the season, the Varsity team played St. Mary's defeating them 66-46. They went on to win almost every game throughout the month of December, including contests against Newberg, Tigard, McKay, Sprague and West Salem. "We’re doing really well. We still have a lot of noop despite stout defense from West Salem at a work to do, non-league game on Dec. 18. The Lion's won the but it's been a game decisively, 59-43. Photo by Malia Chong good season," Wattman- plans to do just that as they Turner, said. dive into the season. The season started with With senior captains a setback when Brittany Emily Wattman-Turner May, junior guard, was and Samantha Dewart, the found to have a knee team has big plans for a injury that could require victorious season. The team microfracture surgery. was just shy of reaching This could, however, give an opportunity for other players to step up, including the three freshmen: Andrea Maleike, who scored the most points at the jamboree and alumni game at the beginning of the season, Amy Christensen, whose 6'0" stature could be a major advantage, and Elise Miller. Two seniors Natalie Pittenger, a skilled dribbler and shooter, and Rosetta Adzasu, who was called by the West Linn Tidings "one of the more exciting players to watch in the state" should also be strong contributors. The team hopes to be in the front of the Three River's League this season although the Oregon City Pioneers have been at the top for the past few years, and Clackamas is predicted to be a major competitor for the title. Head Coach Glen Lee predicts the players will need to work on rebounding skills if they want to reach the top, but they are a team with speed and athleticism on their side, and they are confident in their potential. "I'm really excited about starting league play. That's what the season's been leading up to, and that's what really matters," Wattman-Turner said. Tonight at 7:15 p.m. the Varsity team will take on the Mustangs at Milwaukie High School. Their next home game will be on Jan. 25 against the Clackamas Cavaliers and should offer an intense matchup. K elsey S chrader __________ Dryland practice consists of activities such as endurance running and core workouts every Tuesday after school. However, coaching is not always fun and games according to Peachey. "[The hardest part about coaching] is getting the kids to enjoy dryland practice," he said. Training on the slopes is held at Mt. Hood Meadows on Thursday nights for three hours. Between commuting and training, the night usually ends around 10:30 p.m. Courses are similar to the race course which will be run the following Saturday. Students run the course five to ten times, while one of the 10 small-group coaches watches them on the runs and give them tips on how to improve. "M y goals [for this year] are that we place with great times," Peachey said. "And that our best skiers are able to shine and be ready for hard-core racing." Peachy is impressed with the level of skill on this team. He cites promising racers as being Veronika Jonsson, junior, Sean Campbell, sophomore, Madeleine Martus, freshman, and Alac Ramsey, freshman. West Linn is part of the Three Rivers Ski League, which includes 12 schools. They race in competitions every Saturday through Feb. 16 at Mt. Hood Meadows, Ski Bowl and Timberline. State will be held at Mt. Hood Meadows on March 5, 6 and 7. Ski Team anticipates success a Staff Reporter After more than two months of training, the ski season began on Jan. 12 with fresh powder and fresh faces. Ski Team and coaches have put in long hours to prepare for the season. "We are aiming to do better than last year," Paige Ali, junior, said. "We have a lot more people, and immense talent that should carry us far." Twenty-three skiers participated in dryland practice with Jonathan Peachey, Spanish teacher, whose favorite part about coaching this year is the workouts and being on the mountain "shredding the pow" with the students. * Young wrestling team trains for top two ranking in TRL - j N icholas A rntz ____________ co-Editor-in-Chief After graduating 18 seniors and adding 12 freshmen, this year's wrestling team is a young one. Although they have started out with a rocky beginning, they are a team full of determination, according to Doug Sammaron, head coach. Their hope for this year is to come together, improve individually and as a team, finish in the top two in Districts, as well as in the Three River's League. Jost, Stidd & Schrader Insurance vww. jssinsurance .com Sammaron has high expectations for the team, not only in its competitive performance, but in school, and in team unity. He expects them to keep up in their academics, work hard, and put effort into each and every practice. "You are tough if you can make it through one of my practices," Sammaron said. With a two hour practice four nights a week and an optional Saturday practice, the team is getting ready to compete against its rivals, such as the ongoing battle Are you tired of hearing your parents gripe about the cost of your car insurance? Have them call Jay Schrader at 5 0 3 -7 2 3 -8 2 0 0 One call compares our computer full of insurance companies to find the best rates available against Oregon City. The yields great results. What you the wrestling team has high put in, you get back," Garcia practices include everything hopes. said. "Our Clackamas meet from sprints up Webb "We plan to destroy them. was a close match, but we They have never beat us. We Street to live wrestling. The came together and fought as plan to make a practice out of optional Saturday night run a team." West Linn squeezed it," Sammaron said. "I believe is followed by practicing out a win against Clackamas, this is the hardest sport in against the competition from which you can compete; I 33-31. other schools at various Their next meet is against urge everyone to come and sports clubs, such as the Mat see it for themselves." Club, All-Phase, or Peninsula. Lakeridge on Jan. 17, and "We have owned [Oregon City] for ten years, and expect to beat them this year," Sammaron said. So far, standouts are Brian Schiewe, freshman, Logan Krellwitz and Donald Paulson, sophomores, Andrew Kim, Mitchell Gaulke, Paul Garcia, juniors, and Devan Schiewe, senior. Currently, Paulson is ranked number one in the state at 112 lbs. Competing at 171 lbs on Junior Varsity, wrestler Paul Garcia, junior, forces a "The amount of Putnam opponent into a headlock during the third round on Dec. 5. West Linn effort you put into tro u n ced Putnam in the T h ree R ivers Leagu e dual m eet, 67-12. Photo submited by Trade Kreilwitz each practice really
