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. Toe
Warmers
True Value® 20 lb. Black
Oil Sunfl ower Bird Seed
or 40 lb. Wild Bird Food.
29.99
Cool Moisture
or Warm Mist
Humidifi er
i ty
t -two.
t senior l i v i n g f o r t h ose who hav v e r e ached t h e age of six
Qualil ty
LitezAll®
4000 Lumen
Tactical
Flashlight
E 272 238 B6
YOUR CHOICE
32.99
W 196 185, W 152 009
Come See the Finest in Senior Living
CALL (503) 390 -1300
© 2020 True Value Company LLC. While supplies last. Individual stores may choose not to participate.
Participating stores have the right to limit quantities and set their own prices. Prices good through December 31, 2020.
Brooks True Value Hardware
5050 Brooklake Rd NE • Brooks, OR 97305
503-393-1251 • truevalue.com/brookshardware
Call in your order, and we’ll bring it out to your car.
1165 McGee Ct NE, Keizer, OR • www.VillageAtKeizerRidge.com