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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 2020)
PAGE A10, KEIZERTIMES, DECEMBER 11, 2020 KEIZERTIMES.COM OSAA moves start of competition to March File Kate Ronning, who played a big role of McNary’s 2019 Mountain Valley Conference Championship team, committed to play at Western Oregon University earlier this month. Ronning commits to WOU Nary head coach Kevin Wise had a small-school commu- said. “She is one of our most nity feel to it,” Ronning said. consistent players in all areas “WOU is a great spot to play and I believe she has been softball, but it will also pre- the best third baseman in our pare me for the future.” Ronning feels that play- conference.” Ronning grew up go- ing at McNary has helped ing to WOU softball camps prepare her for competing at when she was younger, so the college level in a number she has been familiar with of different ways. “McNary the program is a great pro- for a number gram and my of years. “I’m so excited. confidence “I have al- grown ways want- It’s so rewarding has a lot from ed to attend to be able to my freshman somewhere year,” Ron- close to home. get to this ning said. I really en- point.” “My love for joyed my childhood — Kate Ronning the game has also grown so growing up much since in Keizer and wanted to go to a place that becoming part of the team.” With four straight win- ning seasons, WOU has be- come one of the better Di- vision II softball programs in the Northwest. Even though she will be playing with a multitude of talented play- ers, Wise believes that his star third baseman will be able to compete for a key role right when she steps on campus. “I know that she can go in and compete right away. If door sports in the majori- ty of counties in the state, which is why the board de- cided to move the winter sports season into the late spring — practice for tradi- tional winter sports will be- gin on May 10. “We wanted to push some of the prohibited sports fur- ther back to buy more time,” Weber said. Fall sports, however, were moved up to the fi rst season because outdoor sports such as cross country and soccer are permitted by OHA and the Governor’s offi ce — fall sports practices, minus foot- ball, are allowed to start on Feb. 22. According to Weber, even if school districts are still in comprehensive distant learn- ing, current state guidelines would allow student-athletes to compete in cross country and soccer this March. All traditional spring sports (baseball, softball, golf, tennis, track & fi eld) are also permitted outdoor activities according to state guidance — spring practice will start on April 5. While football is sched- uled to begin practice on Feb. 8, the sport is still on Gov. Brown’s list of prohibit- ed activities. Volleyball prac- tice, on the other hand, can only start in counties that are deemed as less than “extreme risk” — only 11 of the 36 counties in Oregon fall un- der that category. The board did talk about moving football to later in the spring, but the discus- sion was negated when the OSAA Sports Medicine Ad- visory Committee told the board that a later football Please see OSAA, Page A8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “ This community is beautiful and the whole staff is so attentive and caring! As a family member, I always want the very best for my Mom and I know that we have found an incredible place where I know that she is happy and well-cared for. The atmosphere is engaging and respectful and it is so good to know that Mom is in such good hands. I would highly recommend this community to anyone! ” — HEIDI C. Please see WOU, Page A8 BARGAINS OF THE MONTH ® T 684 504 T 642 033 L 106 363 L 129 284 BY MATT RAWLINGS Of the Keizertimes Even though she missed her junior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mc- Nary senior Kate Ronning has proved throughout her career that she could play at the next level. After gaining interest from Corban, Southern Or- egon and Linfi eld, Ronning ultimately decided on com- mitting to play softball at Western Oregon University (WOU) next season. Ronning plans on pursu- ing a degree in elementary education. “I’m so excited. It’s so re- warding to be able to get to this point,” Ronning said. Ronning made the Mc- Nary varsity team as a fresh- man in 2018 and excelled as the starting third baseman, earning an honorable men- tion all-conference nod after batting .368 with an on-base percentage of .455 in her fi rst season with the Celtics. Ronning had a bigger impact on the team the fol- lowing season, batting .466 with 26 runs scored and 22 RBIs. She also tied for the team lead in doubles (11) and helped McNary win the 2019 Mountain Valley Con- ference title. “I can’t even tell you how proud I am of Kate. She has been the jell kid of our team the last two years. I’m so glad that she gets the opportunity to realize her dream,” Mc- BY MATT RAWLINGS Of the Keizertimes The COVID-19 pandem- ic has once again forced the Oregon Schools Activities Association (OSAA) to rear- range their athletics schedule for the 2020-21 season. The OSAA executive board elected to push back the beginning of the sports season until March. Howev- er, OSAA will still offer three separate, six-week seasons, along with an extra “cul- minating week” which will allow teams an option for postseason competition. “Our original plan wasn’t going to happen. We knew that we had to change it up,” said OSAA Executive Direc- tor Peter Weber. Under the current plan, traditional fall sports compe- tition will begin on March 1. Spring sports competition starts on April 12 and winter sports will launch on May 17. Current restrictions from Oregon Health Authori- ty (OHA) and Gov. Kate Brown’s offi ce prohibit in- 5.99 YOUR CHOICE Grabber® 9.99 10 pk. Hand Warmers or 8 pk. 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