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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (June 7, 2018)
8 schools june7 2018 The End of an Era Senior Clay Sullivan’s amazing athletic career at VHS has come to an end By Scott Laird three years in a row, won the 300 meter intermediate hurdles his senior year, and was part of the State Champion 4x100 relay in 2016. High School Principal Nate Un- derwood notes that, in addition to being a great athlete, Sullivan also is an Honor Student with a 3.5 GPA, who was part of the Project Based Learning Class and was personally responsible for the new finish and logo on the gymnasium floor. Sullivan will be heading to Clackamas Community College next fall on a full scholarship. He’ll play basket- ball for the next two years and work to continue to improve his game, get lots of playing time, and hopefully earn a spot on a Division I college team. “Coach Wegner (Clackmas Community College coach Cliff Weg- ner) is really good at helping his players get into bigger schools,” said Sullivan League and led the underdog Loggers to a 3 rd place finish at the State Tournament, including a first round upset of league ri- val, and 3 rd seeded, Knappa. His 82 to- tal points led the three game tournament and his 13 three-point baskets set a new 2A record. He was once again named First Team All State and was named the 2A Player of the Year. His 769 to- tal points and 25.6 average per game for the season ranks 6 th all-time for Oregon If you’ve been watching Verno- nia High School basketball during the last decade you may remember watching a young elementary aged redhead come out onto the court during halftime for the Pop Shot fundraiser to sink shot after shot and win bottles of soda pop as prizes. If you were like me, you might have said to yourself, “That kid’s going to be really good one day!” Well, that kid was named Clay Sullivan and he did turn out to be really good. In fact he turned out to be, not just one of Verno- nia High School’s best basketball players of all time, but a great track and field athlete as well, qualifying for the State Champi- Above: Clay Sullivan celebrates signing to attend Clackamas Community College with coaches, fam- onship meet all four years. ily, and friends. Right: Sullivan cuts down the net following the Loggers’ State Championship in 2016. On June 2, Sullivan graduated from VHS and ended an out- “It’s not all that often that you have a stu- during an interview the day before his standing athletic career with multiple dent that’s the best basketball player in graduation. State Championships and a host of other the state at his level, but also a multiple Among Sullivan’s basketball ca- awards and accolades. state champion in track and field,” said reer highlights: Sullivan was a key member of Underwood. “As a fan of high school • In 2016, as a sophomore, he helped the a very talented 2016 State Champion- athletics I’ve just really enjoyed the last Loggers win their first State Champion- ship Logger basketball team, and led the four years and watching him compete. ship since the late 1970s and was named 11 th ranked Loggers to an unexpected 3 rd I really appreciate what an elite athlete First Team All State. place finish in 2018. A four year starter, Clay is. One of my most memorable ex- • In 2017 the Loggers finished 6 th at small schools. he finished his career with 2,117 points, periences as an educator was watching the State Tournament and Sullivan was “In addition to being an incred- good for 11 th place on the all-time scor- the boys team win the state title in 2016 named Second Team All State. ible athlete, Clay is a virtuous young ing list of Oregon high school players. In and the way the whole community came • In his senior year Sullivan was named man,” said Logger head basketball coach track he won the 110 meter high hurdles together.” Player of the Year for the Northwest David Weller, who coached Sullivan all JOBS IN THE FOREST PRODUCTS INDUSTRY Production workers wanted for entry level sawmill positions Lumber is our business - since 1971 • Competitive wages and benefit package • Starting at $15/hr depending on experience • Must be able to pass drug screen • Must have current driver’s license Owned and Operated by Don & Kim Wallace DON WALLACE, PLS Professional Land Surveying 1224 E. Alder St. Vernonia, OR 97064 Phone: 503-429-6115 FAX: 1-866-297-1402 Email: DWallace_KLS@msn.com Apply in person at Olympic Forest Products 69480 Banzer Rd. Mist, OR 97016 Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 3:00 pm CORPORATE MEMBER four of his varsity seasons. “He has strong leadership skills, is smart, honest, kind, and fun to be around.” Among his Track and Field ac- complishments: • In 2015, as a freshman, he took 4 th place in the 110 hurdles and finished 6 th in the long jump at the State Championship. • In 2016 Sullivan won the 110 hurdles, won a second gold medal as part of the 4x100 relay team that set a state meet re- cord, took 4 th in the 300 hurdles, and 8 th in the long jump at the State Champion- ship. • In 2017 he defended his title in the 110 hurdles, while finishing 2 nd in the 300 intermediate hurdles and the long jump. • In 2018 he won the 110 hurdles for the third time and also won the 300 hurdles. 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