MARCH 18, 2016, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE B5
Girls tennis looks to build on 2015 successes
By ERIC A. HOWALD
Of the Keizertimes
In 2015, McNary High
School sophomore Hannah
Childress fi nished fourth in
the state in doubles tennis
alongside her big sister, Sandy.
With Sandy graduated,
she’s now out to make her
own mark.
“I’m really working on be-
ing more confi dent. Playing
doubles was really fun because
my sister was there, but now
I’m on my own and I’m try-
ing to build confi dence so I
play well,” said Childress.
While she’s somewhat ner-
vous taking on a new role as
the No. 1 singles player, Chil-
dress said she’s more excited
about the opportunity to
square off with some of the
Greater Valley Conference’s
top talent one-on-one. Players
for West Albany and West Sa-
lem high schools top her list.
Her goal is to win all her
matches this season, but real-
izes that, despite her age, she’s
going to be someone others
on the team seek to emulate.
“I want to show the girls a
good example of work ethic
and staying positive because
practicing like that pays off at
the end,” she said.
Some teammates are al-
ready setting their goals based
on the strength of the Chil-
dresses and other recent grad-
uates. Senior Tayler Rains is
eyeing potential spots at No.
1 or No. 2 doubles and she’s
setting the bar high.
“Both of those doubles
teams were strong teams last
year and I’m trying to hold
myself up to those standards,”
Rains said. “In practice, I’m
working on having the same
power serve and power hits
that those teams had last sea-
son.”
A new head coach, Garrett
Jensen, is also reshaping how
the team approaches every
match. Jensen is a self-pro-
claimed advocate for condi-
tioning as much as technique
on the court.
“We’re learning that tennis
is more of an endurance sport
and we’d never really ap-
proached it that way before,”
said Rains. “As a senior, I want
to make sure that’s the way all
the girls think of it.”
Senior Krissy Kelty said
she’s already feeling the
weight of her new role as a
leader on the team.
“The younger players re-
ally do watch us and it’s up to
us to make sure we’re playing
our best,” Kelty said. “We all
have our own goals we are
working on, but we’re also
Life is a Garden…
Dig It!
GUENTNER’S GARDENS
GARDEN CENTER, GIFT SHOP, LANDSCAPING
5780 Commercial Street S, Salem
503-585-7133
SALEM’S LARGEST COMPLETE GARDEN CENTER
• Tons of landscape, shrubs and trees •
• Green house full of perennials and annuals •
• Great selection of vegetables, herbs, berries, seed potatoes and much more •
• Diagnostic center for all your plants problems (We carry all healing treatments you need) •
• Pond treatments for water, fi sh and fi sh food too •
• We build ponds, waterfalls, retaining walls and paver patios •
• Bark dust, soil with pick up and delivery •
• G.L.C. Licensed and Bonded •
NOW
ACCEPTING
APPLICATIONS FOR
VOLUNTEER
FIREFIGHTERS
File
McNary’s Krissy Kelty returns a volley in the 2015 season. Kelty is ready for her senior season
with the girls varsity tennis team.
trying to be stronger mentally
as a team.”
On a personal level, Kelty
expects to be playing singles
this season and has a plan for
clearing her own obstacles.
“I’ve picked up some new
ways to hold my racket for
serving, I want to be a lot
quicker on my feet and gen-
erally more prepared than I
was last year,” Kelty said.
Celt soloists, ensembles
claim four district titles
McNary High School hosted the annual
district solo and ensemble competition
Saturday, March 12, and the Celtics ended up
with four district championships and a slew of
other award winners.
Hyrum Kohler was the district winner
in viola and was recommended by judges to
compete at the state level along with Arianna
Pippert, who placed second in mezzo voice,
and Michael Araiza, who placed second in
trumpet.
Other individual awards went to: Noe
Aguilar-Lopez, fi rst alternate in tuba; Ryan
Lopez, fi rst alternate in viola; Hunter Davis, fi rst
alternate in rudimental snare; Abby Johnson,
fi rst alternate in trombone; Gabriela Monroy,
fi rst alternate in french horn; Elizabeth Wenger,
second alternate in low saxophone; Gary Zhen,
second alternate in clarinet; and Haley Guptill,
second alternate in fl ute.
Donate to
Rotary
food drive
In ensemble performances, McNary had
three district winners. Marissa Lane-Massee,
Greg Eggleston, Kohler, Beau Reitz, Drew
Faatz, Nicole Ecklund and Lopez followed up
a state title in string ensemble by winning again
at the district level. Aguilar-Lopez, Andrew
Melting, Michael Aiza, Abby Johnson and
Monroy won in brass ensemble. The women’s
vocal group of Emma Blanco, Ella Garro, Sofi a
Zielinski, Madi Zuro, Veronica Reyes, Sydnie
Gould, Grace Condello, Jaden Brunhaver,
Camryn Ronnow, Ariana Pippert, Mari Martin
and Mary Dolenc also won a district title.
Rachel Posterick, Mireille Martinez,
Johnathan Anderson, Chris Scofi eld, Baker
and Elizabeth Wenger are fi rst alternates in sax
ensemble. Guptill, Sarah Peton, Rose Lelack,
Cassidy Steckmann, Sydney Snapp and Victoria
Kuzmenko are second alternates in fl ute
ensemble.
The Rotary Club of Keizer
kicked off its annual food drive
with a presentation by Marion Polk
Food Share on the importance of
cash and food donations to feed
hungry people.
Several sites in Keizer are col-
lecting food through the next two
weeks: Keizer City Hall, Keizer Fire,
Boucher’s Jewelers, R. Bauer Insur-
ance, Oregon State Federal Credit
Union, Loren’s Sanitation and First
Tech Federal Credit Union.
Anyone wishing to make a do-
nation of nutritious packaged food
can do so during business hours.
HOST YOUR EVENT AT
KEIZER HERITAGE CENTER
Looking for a unique
setting for your special
event? Look no further
than the beautiful and
historical Keizer Heritage
Center. In 1916, it was
an old school house.
Today, it’s an elegant and
afforable venue for your wedding, family gathering, meeting, or
other occasion. Host your event inside, or enjoy the outdoor
space of our sunken patio and gazebo.
Also available: kitchen, sound system, podium,
projection screen, wireless internet access
Learn more at
SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY
• BE PART OF A PROFESSIONAL TEAM
• EXPLORE A CAREER PATH
•
5 0 3 . 3 9 0 . 9 111
W W W. K E I Z E R F I R E . C O M • FA C E B O O K . C O M / K E I Z E R F I R E D I S T R I C T
keizerheritage.org
980 Chemawa Road NE • Keizer, Oregon 97303
phone: (503) 393-9660