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