Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2011)
Sports 2011 11 B aseball S oftball Photo courtesy of Bob Turnquist Sharon Shin, senior, practices a shot at the Oregon Golf Club during practice. Girls' Golf Expecations: To win State and to give their best effort at each tournament. Impact newcomers: There were many freshmen who tried out and while they are unable to name specific people, they believe that the newcomers will make the team more competitive. Thoughts on last year: Winning State for the first time was a huge accomplishment. Returning veterans: Sharon Shin and Morgan Thompson, seniors. Big games: Canby, Lakeridge Pre-season training: Practices at Oregon Golf Club, tournaments in other states Quote: "As captains, Morgan and I will try our best to have the same fun atmosphere as last year." —Sharon Shin, senior A lison F ieldhouse In their first season tournament, the Girls' Golf Team had the best score in its history with a combined team total of 310. Sharon Shin and Morgan Thompson, seniors, shot a 73 and 79 respectively. Sarah Archuleta and Kristin Elich, freshmen, also shot scores of 79. After winning last season's State Championship, the team looks to carry its success into the upcoming season. According to Morgan Thompson, senior, the team's goal is to win State again. However, this doesn't mean they plan on focusing on scores alone, they hope to grow as a team and to give their all in every tournament. "Our expectations for the season are to try our best at each tournament and to not be too bogged down by results," Sharon Shin, senior, said. "I think we're all aware of our abilities so we know what our team goals are." The addition of Canby will shake up the Three Rivers League. "By having Canby join the TRL this year, it'll be harder to win each tournament," Shin said. "We all know that they have good returning players, so Districts and league matches will be tough." State is not the only thing on their minds; the girls also look forward to spending time with teammates and doing what they love. "It's a new team this year so I'm looking forward to bonding with everyone," Shin said. "State is definitely on our mind and we're looking forward to the competition." T y C larke Expecations: To compete for the Three Rivers League Championship and make a run in the State playoffs Impact newcomers: Nicholas Hysell, Benjamin Trussell, James Coghill and Mitchell Hoveke, juniors Thoughts on last year: After struggling early on last season, the team is hoping for a fast start to begin their season on a high note Returning veterans: Jordan Porter, Zach ary Shuholm, juniors, Warner Edwards, Riley Wilkerson, Dean Clark, Kevin Kawasaki, Brett Wilkerson, seniors Big games: The team's three games against Lake Oswego and Clackamas Pre-season training: Infield, batting and conditioning training Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays since the beginning of the calendar year "We are looking forward to another success ful season of West Linn Lion Baseball. See you on the field!" — Mike Lord, head coach Expectations: Winning the Three Rivers League title Impact newcomers: Mackenzie Baker, Leah Beyer, Hallie Olmstead, and Mackenzie Hartdegen, freshmen Thoughts on last year: According to head coach Jamie LeVeque, the team started strong and hung on to gain a playoff spot. The team had good pitching and defense, but needed to hit better to finish higher. Returning veterans: Kylie Crawford, Macken zie Domann, Lauren Pyrch, Hannah Schmitz and Sommer Figone, seniors. Big games: Clackamas and Lake Oswego Preseason training: Pitching clinic, open gym, weight training and conditioning. Some players participated in club softball during the summer and fall. "We have 15 freshmen signed up this season. This is the largest number of freshman I have ever had enter the softball program." —Jamie LeVeque, head coach JEAN P e BLER The baseball team aspires to gain an advantage on competitors by winning early games, according to head coach Mike Lord. After last season's slow start, the team is looking to learn from its past experiences. "Last year we struggled early on, only winning a few games," Lord said. "We would like to change that for this year and get out to a fast start." A f t e r g o i n g 13-11 guiar season play, the team ] i first- r o u n d p l a y o f f g a me t Jesuit, rain delay 9-4, after a controversial ie night cancel l ed the game before. With many and s e n i o r s juniors preparing key to s t e p i n t o roles, V a r s i t y brimming c o n f i d e n c e is on the field. the best "I think that this is '05 team chance since the '04- State Title," for West Linn to win a junior pitcher, Zachary Shuholm, said. the season The t eam be gan March 16, wi t h a b a n g on number one defeating the Westview, 9-2. team in State, the Lions fell to A day after, Southridge, 15-3. their Spring I n Tournament Break the Lions in A r i z o n a , went 1-3 against competitors. Photo by Alex Houston Zachary Shuholm, junior, trains for the season by working on his running form at a pre-season practice. Losing seniors is part of the territory in high school sports. However, there are the rare years where a team manages to hold on to most of its players. This is one of those years for the West Linn Softball team, which lost only one senior from last year. Coupled with so many returning players is a huge freshman class, the biggest in recent years for the program. Those factors make head coach Jamie LeVeque call winning a Three Rivers League title realistic. Caroline MacAusland, junior pitcher, echoes her coach's sentiments. "This seaso n w e sh ou ld be a stro n g team in the league because we are mostly upperclassmen and we all have a lot of experience," MacAusland said. "I think we can win league and have a good chance at doing well in the state tournament." Last year, the team came out of the gates hot. The Lions were first in the TRL at the beginning of the season, but dropped to third by the end of the season. The team still made the playoffs, but fell in the first round to South Salem. In order for the Lions to avoid the same result as last year, LeVeque said the keys to his team's success are consistently good pitching and timely hitting. "Pitchers need to bring their 'A' game every day and each girl must be able to deliver the big hit when needed," he said. MacAusland focused more on the intangible side for what the Lions must do to be successful. "Leadership is a main component because it keeps everyone focused and driven towards the same goal. Also, a positive attitude will always help us succeed no matter what happens," she said. "I think these two things will propel us to our dream of league champs and having a great season." The first game of the season was a success for the Lions, as they beat Aloha 3-2 on March 11. T rack and F ield "Every year, there is a freshman or a new person who comes in and makes a difference." With that, head coach Joe Cerny gestures to the board in the gym labeled West Linn Track & Field Records, where the name of sophomore Madison Leek resides. She holds the school record for girls in both the 100 and 200 meter sprints and was a newcomer to the team last year. "We knew she was good, but we didn't know she was that good," Cerny said of Leek. It's this type of wild card that makes it hard for the coaches to know what the team has until the season begins. According to Cerny, the keys to the team's success this year are hard work from everyone on the team and a focus on daily consistency. This focus makes it hard for the head coach to specify returning stars. "It all depends on who comes out and works hard every day," Cerny said. The team is hoping to build on last season's success, where both teams placed high in the Three Rivers League. "The boys were essentially a point away from first place, and the girls finished in the top three," Cerny said. The additions of Grant and Canby, two historically good track and field schools according to the head coach, make a tough league even stronger. Expectations: Being competitive in the Three Rivers League, winning the District meet, and sending as many people as possible to State. Impact newcomer: While head coach Joe Cerny can't name one specific first year team member who will make a difference, he is sure there will be someone new who will be a great addition. Thoughts on last year: Extremely happy with last year. Both the girls and boys were in the top three in league. Big meets: Dual meets with league newcomers Canby and Grant Preseason training: The distance runners train in the winter, and most of the other athletes par ticipate in other sports. "You can't have success without working hard every day." —Joe Cerny, head coach
