Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (May 16, 2012)
8 The Clackamas Print sportsed@ clackam as.edu Wednesday^ ‘May 16, 2012 Sports Track in fine shape for NWAACC championships By John William Howard Sports Editor • 1 In the heat of the sun, Lane Community Colleges Brandon Nash prepared to make anoth er attempt at the high jump. Teammates and fellow athletes gathered around to watch, clap ping in unison as Nash dashed toward the mat. At the last sec ond, the blustery wind gusted, causing Nash to hold off for another try. Nash went on to win his event by a fair margin in the Southern Region Track and Field Championships hosted by Mt. H ood Community College on Saturday, but he was one of the few who put forth the effort. Nash and the rest of Lane’s team catne out and dom inated regionals as they have for a number o f years, with the women winning by 42.5 points and the men running away by 159. T hat margin, while it seems tellingly insurmountable, doesn’t realty show the whole story. “[Lane] is very proud that they’ve won this meet how ever many years in a row,” said assistant coach Jerfet Mantalas, who mentioned that Lane makes a point of trying to win the regional meet every year. “Last year we were second on both sides here, lost to Lane on both sides, and then went to NWAACCs and beat them on both sides.” Caitlyn L ew is plunges into the w ater p i t d u rin g the w om ens 3 0 0 0 meter.steeplechase. T he event, w hich Lew is won by a f a i r margin, combines distance a n d hurdles to m ake one o f the oddest races in sports. lost b n Clackamas Community College athletes, some o f whom had yet to qualify for the NWAACC championships, making Saturday an important day. “T his is m y last chance to | ..............gonna Shelby G rubb ju m p s fr o m the starting blocks in the 4 x 1 0 0 m eter relay. G rubb competed in f o u r events on Saturday. try to go all out for this one,” said Shane Titherington, who competed in the javelin and pointed at his teammate Josh Edens, “If I don’t make it, then I’ll try my best to support this guy ”, , , Mantalas • said-"char m u d ro T the focus for Clackamas was on preparation for the NWAACC championships, which will be held in Spokane, Wash, on May 21-22. Many of the athletes have already qualified, so they don’t need to race again and instead chose to rest and recu Taylor Ballard warms up before thepole vaulting event begins. Ballard has the top vault fo r any oflhe Clackamas women. perate. A thlete that would nor mally have run in two or three events competed In just one, and many or-the throwers threw just once before, “scratching” out of the competition. However despite the relaxed feel of the meet, Clackamas did have a few standout per formances. Sophomore Katie Higgins won the women’s ham mer throw by three and a half meters, and Clackamas took first, second and fourth In the women’s javelin event. Caittyn Lewis finished first in the wom en’s steeple chase. in a season best 12:11:25': Things faired even better on the men’s side, as Clackamas took first or second in sev eral events. Kyle Vuksich and Badane Sultessa each took first respectively m the 400 and 800 meter run, while Ryan Adams finished second in the 200 and Saril Paz second in the 110 meter hurdles. Shaun Lemafa won the men’s hammer throw for Clackamas, making a it a sweep in the event for the Cougars. The one thing that all the athletes look to avoid is injury, especially rightat the end o f the season when things matter the most. Clackamas didn’t escape completely unscathed, as- they lost decathlete Trent Acree to an ankle injury about halfway through the meet. Mantalas said that he didn’t know how bad it was, h u t that he didn't think it would be too serious long term. R acingthe f i n a l leg N e ttie Wayne looks to fin is h the 4 x 1 0 0 m eter relay strong. C lackam as fin is h e d second in th e event. Southern Region Track & Field Championships M ens Scores **’ %' y • Rank 1 ‘ 2 -a —3 " 4 . School Lane Titans Clackamas Cougars | Mt. Hood Saints e ? Clark Penguins SW Oregon Lakers Score 33a 174 128 75 30 i issi Rank Schoo, 1 Lane Titans W ’ 1>; L Mt. Hood Saints 3 ' SW Oregon Lakers < Clfeckamas Cougars 5 4 I f , Clark Penguins B. i r Score " 251.5 s * 209 120.5 119 37
