Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2009)
12 Februar,# S hekon ’ s S ports S coop • As Trail Blazers reach new heights, so will ticket prices A shley S heron Staff Reporter The better the Portland Trail Blazers become the likelier you'll be spending more money on tickets to go to a game. You can also stay home and watch the game on TV. The majority of the games are on cable so, you'll have to pay a little extra every month. And if you still have a radio you can listen to the game. The more you pay the better enjoyment you'll have. You can find seats on sites like StubHub and Ticketliquidator that sell for $5-20 depending on the opponent. The view at that price isn't so great though. It maybe worth it if you enjoy the atmosphere and don't mind watching the game from the big screen, however, the seats are generally on one side of the court and up Greg Oden and Andris Biedrins go up for the opening tip at the Jan. 10 Portland Trail Blazers home game against the Golden State Warriors. The Blazers beat the Warriors 113-100 bringing the-Blazers record to 25-16. Photo by AshleySheron in the 300 section. Another option is instead of driving in the traffic to Portland and being crowded out at the Rose Garden, you could save your money and stay home to watch the game. You'll get a better view and save money. Then there's the 200 section. You can find seats here for $30-270 depending on the opponent. The view is better—unless you have seats in the corner. But if you get center court tickets in the Lexus Club Section, you can eat at the free buffet. You may find yourself watching the big screen every now and then, especially to see the other side of the court if you have tickets behind the basket. The best view in the Rose Garden, however, is in the 100 section. If you shop wisely you can find tickets as low as $40 but they range as high as $700, and those aren't courtside either. Courtside seats vary from $120 to $600. The view is great—even the corner seats. If you have - seats that are at the last row in the 100 section, you won't ever need to watch the big screen. My first Blazer game I purchased tickets that were center court and three rows up. You could hear the players yelling, the coach's screaming and every swish of the basket being made. Almost a year later I upgraded to seats that were two rows up behind the Blazers' bench. You could hear the plays, feel the frustration and see the reporters notes. I've also had my fair share of sitting in the 300 section, craning my neck to watch the big screen. Even though the seats aren't always the best, the games were worth it. Shop wisely and enjoy the game! Gaulke wins Oregon Scholar Athlete of the Year award; chills with bros u C arry H alverson ____________ Staff Reporter When 6' 2" red-headed Mitchell Gaulke, senior, walks into a room, you notice, especially when he asks the teacher, "Did ya miss me?" Aside from his noticeable appearance, Gaulke is a lovable guy, who always has something to add—whether it's an ironic comment, academic diligence, athletic dedication or community service. In December, Gaulke was chosen to receive the Oregon Scholar Athlete of the Year award, beating out student athletes from around the state. He won a $1,000 scholarship in recognition of academics, community service and athletic accomplishments. Outside of football and academics he enjoys, "Hanging out with the bros, listening to Jack Johnson and playing the cube," Gaulke said. His most cherished memory of West Linn is the time he spent with his friends, including Bryce Baker and Jake Hysell, seniors, and Reid Adams and Jakob Gardner, juniors. "Mitch is a great person Jim Hartmann and English with Mario Schwarz are his favorite classes this year. The toughest class he has encountered this year has been senior statistics. "Mitch is really wonderful to have in class. He has an excellent work ethic and sense of humor. "He is such a positive person and that shows in everything he does," Schwarz said. Football is not the only sport that Gaulke participates in outside of class, he wrestles as well. "I enjoy wrestling play football. "Mitch Gaulke represents West Linn High School well. Whether it's with academics or athletics, he is a hard worker and a class act (and now he owes me $5 for saying this), Brian Bailey, Transition Specialist, said. In addition to athletics and academics, Gaulke has excelled in helping his community. He has been involved with voluntary programs such as West Linn football camps, the stuffed animal drive and the Wrestlers aim for league title continued from page 11 Mitchell Gaulke and Kirk Larsen, seniors, experiment with angles while taking a silhouette photo for a digital photography project. Gaulke won the Oregon Scholar Athlete of the Year award, which gives a $1,000 scholarship in recognition of academics, community service and athletic accomplishments. Photo by Nicolas Varela to have around when you can't walk and need to be Mitchell Gaulke carried/' Timothy Hainley, Photo by Sorenson senior, said. Carrying a 3.8 GPA, Environmental science with because it pushes me mentally and physically," Gaulke said. His future plans for school include majoring in business and attending Portland State to West Linn Food Pantry last summer. Gaulke's family has been there for him throughout his journey. "Terry (father), Cheryl (mother) and Cam (brother) have been more than great support," Gaulke said. In his humble way, not liking to be the center of attention, Gaulke, with his offbeat sense of humor and friendly demeanor, is not the intimidating guy that he seems. Unless of course, you're on the football field. The biggest challenge that the team faces right now is overcoming the youth and the inexperience of the team. Becoming mature, responsible adults and becoming physically strong and mentally able is the team philosophy of Doug Samarron, Head Coach. Coaching the Lions for half of his career, Samarron knows the key skills needed for maturing teenagers into a tough wrestling team. "It's not easy, but if it was easy, I wouldn't be doing my job" Samarron, who has been coaching with the team for 22 years, said. Returners include Donald Paulson, junior, who was third in State Championship, Andrew Kim, senior, three time defending champion, and Mitchell Gaulke, senior, returning state contender. On Friday Jan. 17, The Lions took third at the Crater Classic at Crater High School with 10 placers. In the 285 pound weight class Gaulke took second. Kim, 119 lbs., and Logan Krellwitz, junior, at 140 lbs. placed third, and Travis Schutzler, sophomore, at 145 lbs. took fourth. Geoff Bingham, assistant coach, also cited Riley Mcleod, Ryan Harman and Braden Harman, freshmen, for their exemplary performance at the meet. "We threw the new freshmen into the fire but they got multiple back pins, scoring us important points," Bingham said. The Lions scored an incredible rout over Lake Oswego, 75-6, on Friday Jan. 15 winning every match except one loss to LO's best wrestler, a state qualifier at 215 pounds. "They weren't very competitive and we kicked their butts," Samarron said. The Lions are currently 5-1 and in second place in the Three Rivers League after beating Lakeridge 59-17, Putnam, 50-23, and Clackamas, 41-21. The team has only lost to the TRL's first place team, Oregon City. "Our kids are working hard and in order to succeed. We have to keep doing the hard things," Bingham said. Districts will be held Feb. 20 and 21 at Milwaukie Higljp^ School beginning at 2 p.m.
