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About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2010)
2010 Sports 13 Boys1 and girls1 rugby teams advance to State Championships A liso n F ie ld h o u s e The G irls’ Rugby Team took fourth in State after losing to Clackamas, 0-55, on May 22. The Renegades were unable to fend off the Centaurs' continually scoring. "Although we didn't score during the game, it was an exciting match. The of the game. Although the Renegades came back and scored a try, it was their only try of the game. "It was a shame that we lost, but it was obvious that everyone on the team gave their all during the game. In the end, we just weren't able to pull through," Sara Crawford, junior, said. to describe why we're different from other teams: hard work. We have players that have never played a sport or others who have no rugby experience. We've come a long way by working hard on the fundamentals, fitness and working on having a positive attitude," The Renegades won their last league match meant that members from the Renegades mixed in with players from Bend. "By mixing with Bend, we had a chance to play our own teammates and still have fun while playing them," Crawford said. According to coaches and players, rugby is a social sport so teams learn to be opponents on the field, but friends off the field. In their second to last league match, the Renegades beat the Westside Pirates, 42-7. Early in the game, the team gained the lead and held onto it until the second half when the Pirates were able to score. The boys' team lost its first playoff match to Linn Benton, 10-48. After taking the Division II State Championship last year, the team moved up to Division I to face tougher opponents. With its season over, the team will rest and prepare for next year's season. The team lost their last league match to McMinnville 7-42. Prior to this loss, the team lost their second to last league match against Prairie 7-27. "Despite the losses we've had, we want to persevere b y d efau lt against Bend on and b rin g our A -gam e to May 1. Bend was forced to forfeit because they only brought four players. This State," Colton Erickson, junior, said before the state match. start of the season. The girls' team finished second in league, 5-2; the boys were seventh in league with a 2-5 record. "My expectations for the team are to keep improving as a team. We have yet to play to our potential. There's plenty of good rugby to be played," Espinoza said. The team faced tougher opponents in the State Championship matches. In preparation, the Renegades increased their practices from three days a week to four. The team was hopeful that they would perform their best at State. "We have to be ready to face even tougher opponents. This means more intense practices," Shelby Patterson, junior captain, said. Patterson was taken out of the season due to an ankle injury, but continues to support her team by showing Photo by Elise W h ite U P to P r a c t i ce a n d • . „ , m ^ , cheering them on at Carly Hicks, sophomore, carries the ball into a tackle during the game against Bend on May 1. The team won by ° J games. default because Bend did not have enough players to fill a team. team showed their skill and the game was well played. We will miss our seniors, but we will take a break and come back strong next season," Marisa Brookhouse, sophomore, said. The team will graduate four seniors this year. The team lost its match in the State semifinals to Reynolds 5-47. Reynolds scored two five point tries within the first 10 minutes After the game, the team Ernie Espinoza, head girls' talked ab ou t w hat w ent w rong and how they could coach, said. Sixteen players prepare for their next match. The team won its first playoff match against Columbia County, 32-27. The Renegades pulled ahead early with two tries. From that point on, the two teams took turns scoring, consistently matching the other. "There are two words B o ys' Tennis Team overcom es odds to send doubles team to State Bop' l a i » continued from page 12 "Most other schools didn't think we really had a chance to be competition." The team practiced and prepared for matches by planning and working on their skills. They focused on covering both the offense and defense depending on how the play would turn out, according to Ward Lewis, coach. "I feel like our team had great effort this year," Samra said. "We all work hard and come to practices all the time. We expect a lot out of each other and we help each other improve every day." Outstanding athletes cited by the team captains include Samra and Macemon. "T h ey have stepped up from being our third to our second and are both willing to improve by constantly playing against me and my partner," To said. Both Samra and Macemon achieved the Most Improved award which was voted for by the team. "I feel that we work well together and we both know our role on the team," Samra said. "We respect our opponents well and we play our hardest every match." - In addition to Macemon and Samra's Most Improved award, there were further awards voted for by the team. Nathan Aden, senior, attained the award for Sportsmanship, Joel Callagan, senior, won Most Inspirational and Tsuruta was awarded Most Valuable Player. graduated from the team last year leaving the team short on numbers at the Track Teams, individuals, excel at District meet mm continued from page 10 the 800 meters, Jefferson Chandler finishing first in the 1500 meters, and Timothy Donnelly continuing the string of first place finishes in the 3000 meters. All three of the runners are juniors. Chelsea Ollar, junior finished first for the girls' team in the 1500 meters. They set out to prove a point against the Mustangs, winning 105-40, while the boys also scored a sizeable win, 81-64. "Our distance crew is really running well. On the girls side they are led by captains Kathryn Flyte and Kelsey Guerins. Both are seniors and are the backbone of a solid group of distance runners," John Linman, Distance Crew coach, said. "Our boys are coming off their second third place State meet finish with some fine times." On a May 1 meet against Centennial, Wannarka ran the 3000 meter in a time of 8:45— the third fastest time in WLHS history. However, the distance crew is not the only group to have made its mark this season. Many of the short distance runners, and members of the field team, have had success as well. Keaton Hedman, junior, has finished first in all but two of the 100 meter races that he has run. In the 110 meter hurdles, Zachary Valentine, senior, has finished first four times. In the 300 meter hurdles Livesay finished first four times On the field, first place finishes have been plentiful as well. In the shot put, Brandon Brooksby, sophomore, received first three times. Maria Green, sophomore, placed first five times in the high jump. On the boys' side, Hedman will be going Photo by Matthew Sherman, West Linn Tidings to State both in the Madison Leek, freshman, overwhelms the competition in the 200 meters at the District 100 meters and as a member of the 4 x 100 Meet at Oregon City High School. Leek also relay team. The other took first in the 100 meters and anchored the members of the team 4x100 Relay Team and second place 4x400 relay team. are Mason Finnerty, sophomore, and Jacob senior, in pole vault. Gianuzzi and Maxwell In addition to the girls' Hays, seniors. West, Boyd- relay teams, Livesay also Helm, and Wannarka will qualified for State for the 300 join them at State along meters hurdles as did Ella with Justin McKee, junior, in Clow, sophomore, who took javelin and Andre Armattoe, third in high jump.
