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.