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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 25, 2011)
10 schools october25 2011 VHS Fall Sports Update: Football—The Vernonia Loggers defeated Nestucca 14-7 in the Homecoming game on October 21. It was the Loggers second win this season, first in league play and first win in front of their hometown fans in three seasons. Radio station KUPL was on hand to help celebrate and add to the already festival-like atmosphere. The Loggers took and early 7-0 lead after a long punt return by Austin Cutright; quarterback Cutright scored on an option runs two plays later and Kristian Wredstroem converted the extra point. The Logger defense shut down Nestucca throughout the first half, lead by strong play from the entire defensive line and Craig Weller and Sean Solberg. The Loggers led 7-0 at halftime. After the introduction of the Homecoming Court and an excellent halftime show by the Logger Marching Band, the team came out for the third quarter and scored again. After Cutright was banged up, Tim Jennings relieved him at quarterback and immediately hit running back Joe Benes with a short pass on his first play. Benes took it into the end zone and Wredstroem again converted the extra point. Nestucca scored late in the fourth quarter to make the score 14-7, but the Logger defense stopped the Bobcat’s final drive to secure the victory. On the night, the Loggers offense got strong running from Wredstroem, Benes, and Cutright; two big pass receptions from Jacob Stevens and solid play from their offensive line. On defense, Solberg had an especially impressive night, Loggers Win Homecoming Game; Fleck Wins League X-Country Title harrassing the Nestucca quarterback all night and getting in on three sacks. Weller also had an strong game with several key tackles and an interception. Other defensive standouts were Jacob Titus, Cutright, Jonathon Anderson, Mikol Pihl, Ryan Lawrence, Jerimiah Hammons and Kanan Olsen. It was an especially great night for Senior captain Joe Benes, who after being named Homecoming King earlier in the week, scored what turned out to be the winning touchdown in the Loggers win. The Loggers lost to Gaston 32-6 on October 14 before facing Nestucca. The Loggers league record now stands at 1-2 with upcoming league games away at Knappa on October 28 and the season finale at home against Neah-Kah-Nie on November 4. Cross Country—The Logger boys won the Rainier Invitational, beating Rainier, Neah-Kah-Nie, Warrenton, Clatskanie and Banks; the girls finished second to Banks. Nathan Fleck led the boys and was backed up with a strong performance by Quin Johansen and Jacob Medaris. For the girls, early season sensation, Gloria Ramirez has been out with a season-ending injury and Rowan Cheney has taken over as the lead runner. At the Northwest League Championship Meet on October 20 the Loggers finished 2nd in both boys and girls at Teevin Ranch. Nathan Fleck won the individual boys league championship, winning in a personal record time of 16:56; Quin Johannsen finished 4th, also with a personal record time of 17:42. The girls were led by Rowan Cheney. who finished 4th with a personal record of 22:20. “We were a little disappointed because we were so close to a team league championship and we were missing one of our best runners,” said Loggers Head Coach Byron Brown. “Nathan Fleck beat some really great runners to become league champ. He’s had an absolutely Nathan Fleck crossing the finish line to take first place at the league meet. Photo courtesy of Mike Easlon. fantastic, break-thru season. Also, the team itself has matured to become a really good team.” The district meet will be held at Tualatan Hills recreation area, on Thursday, October 27, which will decide the qualifiers for the State meet held a week later at Lane Community College in Eugene. “We have an outside shot at 2nd and qualifying for the state track meet,” said Brown. “ We have come a very long way this season.” Volleyball—The Lady Loggers moved their league record to 5-6 and overall season record to 9-10, locking up third place in the northeast conference--east division, and securing a place in the league playoffs which start October 27. After an away loss to Neah- Kah-Nie 3-0, Vernonia returned home and defeated Gaston 3-0 on October 13. The Loggers looked strong, especially on defense, led by middle blockers Tori Dalebroux and Sara McMahon and the back line play of Kelsey Brown, Shyla Tungwenuk, Brooke Johnson and McMahon. The Logger’s serving was difficult for the Greyhounds to handle, especially from Cierra Henson; Johnson and McMahon also served well at times during the match. Setter Natalie Wallace ran a good offense in the second and third games, and was rewarded with strong hitting from McMahon, Dalebroux, Henson and freshman Julia Fletcher, who moved up from the JV squad and had a very strong first match. The Loggers lost in an away match against second place Portland Christian 3-1 before returning home and losing to perennial league power Faith Bible 3-1 on Thursday, October 20. In the match the Lady Loggers showed a lot of spirit, losing the first game 22-25, and winning the second game, before falling to the strong hitting Falcons in the final two games. The Lady Loggers had one more home league match scheduled against last place Riverdale on October 24 before the league playoffs begin. 2011 VHS HOMECOMING It was a great week to be a Logger! Vernonia High School and the Vernonia com- munity, celebrated Homecoming Week with Logger Olympics, Airjams and class spirit com- petitions, the coronation of the Homecoming Court, a parade through town and ended the week with an in- spirational football win! Left: Homecoming Queen Natalie Wallace and King Joe Benes. Above: Natalie Wallace with Princesses Nicki Thompson and Shyla Tungwenuk. Below: Austin Edgar, Joe Benes and Kristian Wredstroem The Lady Loggers volleyball team wore pink and black uniforms on Thursday for Breast Cancer Awareness Week and to honor a Vernonia School District employee who is fighting cancer. The football team wore pink socks on Friday night.
