BASEBALL LAYS GROUNDWORK FOR NEXT SEASON
BY DOUG FRY
The spring baseball season has come to an end for the Cougars. Clackamas
Community College finished with a league record of 7-17 and an overall
record of 14-27. The team had high hopes for the season, but in the end
it seems that they struggled to overcome the problems a young roster
brings, with Clackamas’ 30-m an roster, 17 were freshman.
Although Clackamas finished last place in the Southern Region, it was
a season to build on. The Cougars were able to more than double their
wins in league from the previous year and more than triple their total
wins. Also, this season, Clackamas was able to improve hitting. In 2016,
the Cougars only had 2 HRs in the year, while putting 16 over the fence
this season.
Seven o f the 14 pitchers on the roster are sophom ores, m eaning
Clackamas will have the task Of replenishing their pitching staff. Returning
pitchers that threw in 10 games or more this season include Grayson
Fenwick, Renner Stecki and Cody Anderson. Clackamas’ baseball team
already Has five letters of intent from players that plan on joining the
roster next season.
The Cougars will look to the upcoming months to find ways to improve
on this season. With a young rostei, and expecting many of the freshman
to return Clackamas, baseball can look forward to the possibility of finding
Success next season.
Jensen (top) pins his opponent during his career at CCC. JenSen made the team at age 36.
for that full two years. I knew that it would
be a life changing experience for m e.”
Jensen went on to have a winning season
in his second year at CCC and was seeded
second in the Regional Tournam ent.
By th is tim e, he w as engulfed in the
spotlight. A ll of the local papers, news
teams and even ESPN had been following
Jensen at this tim e. He took second place
and qualified for nationals.
“ A s a co a ch ‘I would say he sim ply
continues to defy the odds in his life,” said
Rhoden. “ I’d say his regional and National
Championship run was remarkable.”
In his first match at nationals, Jensen
won by fa ll. His next two m atches did
not go as planned, losing both and being
eliminated from the tournament. After
his final match, Jensen sat in the center
of the mat to take in his storybook season.
E SP N ’ s docum entary was aired in
2009 and the im p act was fe lt across
the country. Jensen began speaking to
kids about the troubles of addiction and
sharing his story. “ Be a Champion in Life”
was born, an organization that Jensen has
been able to start up now reaches nearly
30,000 kids a year.
Jensen continued his wrestling career
on the national level and has competed
with team USA around the world. Jensen
is a 5 -tim e A ll-A m erican and was the
Folkstyle National Champion in the Men’s
Veteran Division in 2016. Jensen has since
decided to take time to reach out and share
his story with as many people as he can
through his organization
From the outside looking in you may
never recognize the pain Jensen has
endured. He now owns an automotive
repair shop, Afforable Car Doctor, and
spends tim e salm on and steelhead
fishing. After 14 years of sobriety, he is
able to dedicate his time to be a champion
in life and help in g others overcome
their addictions. Jensen lives the life of
a champion.
Clackarnasfrint MAY 24,2017 thedackamasprintcom I