S PORTS
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Hood River News, Wednesday, April 22, 2015
A7
SPORTS BRIEFS
Girls lax drops final nonleague game
After winning their previous two games, the HRV
girls lax team lost to Westview in Hood River by a score
of 13-5, in what was called “a frustrating game” by
coach Andrew McElderry. “We definitely didn’t give
Westview the game they were hoping for, and we all
agreed that we didn’t play the game we are capable of
playing,” he said. Despite outshooting Westview, the
Eagles couldn’t connect on the majority of their 17
shots. Erin Mayer led the team in goals and ground
balls, with two and six, respectively. Lydia McElderry led
the team in assists along with Riley Bauer (2) and
added a goal. Savanna Boersma and Lauren Trumbull
rounded out scoring for HRV with a goal apiece. Goalie
Ella Rand made eight saves on 18 shots (44 percent).
After facing Lincoln on Tuesday, the Eagles play Grant
in a 7:30 p.m. away game on Thursday.
HRMGA par 3 tournament results
Photos by Ben Mitchell
HRV TRACK AND FIELD had a banner day Friday, with both the boys and girls teams handily taking first place in the Blossom Invita-
tional in Hood River. Nice weather and good efforts produced a number of standout performances from Eagle athletes. At left, Jestena
Mattson cruises to a win in the 100 meter dash; at right, Parker Irusta soars through the air on his way to a first-place finish in long jump.
HRV rolls opponents at Blossom Invite
Eagles boys and girls teams take first overall thanks to some stellar performances
By BEN MITCHELL
News staff writer
Like blossoms in the valley orchards this year, the athletes of
Hood River Valley’s track and field team are blooming early:
posting top marks in the conference and the state, breaking
school records, and winning meets in preparation for the dis-
trict and state meets that are still about a month away.
It was no different on Friday at the Blossom Invitational in
Hood River, back for the second time since its hiatus. Spurred on
by sunny skies, calm winds (especially for Hood River), and un-
seasonably warm temperatures, the Eagles had one of their best
efforts of the season, defending their home track and taking
first overall in both boys and girls events.
“Friday’s meet went really well for HRV,” said coach Donnie
Herneisen. “It’s always nice when you can win an invitational
meet, especially when you’re winning at home. For many of our
seniors, that’s a great way to complete your last home competi-
tion. The weather definitely was a big factor in us putting up
some season best marks.”
The boys team had the highest score out of any team in the
meet — boys or girls — putting up 148 points and several lengths
out in front of the next-best team: Columbia River Conference
(CRC) rival Pendleton, who scored 103. The girls team, with 138
points, also enjoyed a sizable lead over second-place finisher Es-
tacada, who scored 109.5. CRC opponent Pendleton finished
sixth with 83 points.
The highlights of the meet were many for the boys squad, but
junior Parker Kennedy may have had the flashiest performance
on the reel, cresting 15 feet in the pole vault, good for a personal
best, No. 1 in the CRC, No. 1 in 5A, and No. 2 in the entire state.
Teammate Patrick Crompton got second in the event with a try
of 13-6.
Kennedy also won the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 15.74
seconds, which was his best in the season and the fastest in the
CRC, and placed third in the 200 with a time of 23.64.
Thrower standout Sebastian Barajas continues to be on top of
his game, throwing 177-08 in the discus and 50-0.5 in the shot
(HRV’s Sam Fults close behind in second with a throw of 49-
9.25), both good for first in the meet. Barajas is fourth out of all
athletes in the state in the shot put, and in discus, nobody in the
state of Oregon (in high school) has thrown farther than him
this season.
Herneisen also praised the distance medley relay (DMR) team
of Connor Truax, Parker Irusta, Jesse Wiley, and Justin Cross-
white who broke the school record in the event by 10 seconds
with a combined time of 11:20.17. Irusta also placed first in the
200 (23.39) and long jump (20-6). Herneisen also complemented
Ty Stintzi’s efforts, setting PRs in both the 100 meters (11.65, 3rd)
and high jump (6-0, 2nd).
“Overall, our boys team is really starting to demonstrate
some depth across all events, especially with our younger guys,”
Herneisen said. “Our junior class boys are really the meat and
See TRACK, Page A8
The Hood River Men’s Golf Association held a par 3
golf tournament at the Hood River Golf Course and
Country Club on April 19. Tournament directors were
Bud Harris and Doug Massingal. Almost every golfer
won a prize or place money. The first-place winner was
Denver Mason; there was a four-way tie for second. The
individuals involved were Gary Sollman, Bill DeBor-
de,Tim Wingerd and Leonard Hickman. Sixth place was
won by Jim Franks, while George Smith took home sev-
enth. The tournament was an 18-hole event with
golfers hitting from places that they had rarely seen.
Most holes had a prize for KP and Long Putt. This en-
sured that everyone had a chance, even if they did not
win the tournament. HRMGA wanted to thank all of
the businesses that sponsored any part of the tourna-
ment. HRMGA will hold another tournament in May; in-
terested individuals should check at the club house for
times and dates for tournaments.
Boys tennis splits in Saturday matches
The HRV boys tennis team headed to the Oregon
Episcopal School in Portland on Saturday, where they
beat Philomath, 6-2, but lost to OES, 5-3. Against Philo-
math, HRV swept the singles matches. Scottie Ziegner
handily won his sets, 6-1, 6-1, and the other matches
went to three sets, including wins from Cooper Holz-
man (4-6, 6-4, 6-2), Cole Shepherd (6-2, 3-6, 6-3), and
Alden Sova (6-7 [2], 6-0, 6-1. In doubles, Jorge Calderon
and Hugo Sandoval won in the No. 3 slot (6-4, 6-2) and
the No. 4 team of Jonathan Hale and Sawyer Bogard
won their matches as well (6-3, 6-0). Against OES, Holz-
man won a nail-biter in No. 2 singles competition (6-4,
2-6, 6-2) and Sova won his match in the No. 4 spot (6-
2, 6-3). The lone winner for HRV in doubles came from
Hale and Bogard, who won a tight one in three sets (6-
2, 4-6, 6-1. HRV has a busy week, this week, which after
facing Wilson on Monday, faces Pendleton on Wednes-
day and head to the Sandy Tournament on Saturday.
Oregon Gorge Freestyle Wrestling results
Saturday, was the Oregon Gorge Freestyle Wrestling
Championships hosted at HRVHS. Wrestlers are put into
brackets separated by weight and age, with 21 brack-
ets at the tournament. Pictured below are: Back row:
coach Juan Hernandez, Max Lane (2nd), coach Robert
Oregon Trail Rally returns to the Gorge this weekend
The third round of Rally America Na-
tional Championship comes to the Gorge
April 25-26, where rally car drivers will
compete in the annual Oregon Trail Rally,
held in Hood River and Wasco County.
Top drivers in several classes of competi-
tion vehicles will come from across the U.S.
and the world to drive on what race orga-
nizers regard as some of the best rally
roads in America.
The Oregon Trail Rally is known as one
of the toughest tests for rally racing teams
as they take on the challenging Northwest
forestry roads. Sixty teams are expected to
compete at this year’s Oregon Trail Rally,
making it the largest assembly of rally cars
in the nation for this year’s Rally America
National Championship. The event is also
the kick-off event for the Northwest Re-
gional Rally Championship as over 32 local
OR & WA teams vie for Championship hon-
ors.
For an eighth consecutive year, the Ore-
gon Trail Rally will return to Columbia
River Gorge region. Oregon Trail Rally
Chairman Doug Heredos is excited about
returning to this scenic area of the state.
“Each year we continue to grow and im-
prove our event, making it a competitor and
fan favorite while providing an economic
benefit to the local community,” he said.
“We want to thank the residents and county
officials in Hood River and
Wasco Counties for their
continued support for our
rally event.”
After the Portland Inter-
national Raceway stages on
Friday, the event moves
east towards Dufur on Sat-
urday and the east side of
Hood River County on Sun-
day, where teams will expe-
rience the much faster
roads and then the very
technical gravel sections.
Photo by Aaron Kathman
With 18 competition stages
and over 115 miles of com-
petition roads, the Oregon THE CAR of Subaru Rally Team USA members David Higgins
Trail Rally will test teams (driver) and Craig Drew (co-driver) take a hairpin turn on Huskey
to the limit.
Road south of Mosier on their way to winning last year’s event.
On Saturday, from 7-9
p.m., the Fourth Street in
“on-stage” viewing opportunities for spec-
Hood River will be the backdrop for the tators during the race this year in Hood
Double Mountain Block Party with an out- River County; those who want to see the
door beer garden, food and a live band.
cars in action will be able to do so in Dufur
With several hundred fans in the area to on Saturday. However, Lot 1 at the Port of
watch the competition stages that day, event Hood River will be used as the event’s ser-
organizers wanted to provide the public vice park all day Sunday, where spectators
with the opportunity to “meet and greet” can come check out the cars and visit with
the national competitors and view their the teams. Competition stages start at 10
cars at the Double Mountain Brewery and a.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday. For
Taproom.
more info, go to oregonrally.com.
Race organizers advise that there are no
Frasier, Jordan Jones (2nd), Justin Wilson (3rd), Dylan
Castilla (3rd), Clay Bispham (1st). Front Row: Sarah Sul-
lenger (1st), Joanne Endow (2nd), Jason Shaner (1st),
Dylan Peterson (1st). Not pictured: Tristan Keely (2nd).
Softball drops both frames of doubleheader
HRV softball (7-9 overall, 0-2 CRC) did not get the
start it was looking for in league competition, dropping
both frames of a doubleheader at Pendleton on Satur-
day afternoon. The Eagles were shut out in the first
game, while the Buckaroos put up nine runs. In the sec-
ond game, HRV lost 15-2 after the mercy rule ended the
contest in the top of the fifth inning. HRV was able to
put up six hits in each game. Jenni Packer lead the Ea-
gles with two hits in the first game, and Zoe Munn led
with two in the second game, and also scored once and
tallied an RBI. Jessica DeHart scored the other run for
HRV and JoJo Karr had the team’s other RBI. On the
mound, Kaylin Winans had the loss in the first game
and Hannah McNerney was charged with the loss in
the second. HRV had a chance for revenge against the
Buckaroos during a Tuesday afternoon game in Hood
River (results not available as of press time), and then
will host a doubleheader against Hermiston (6-9 over-
all, 0-2 CRC) Saturday at noon.
Baseball team splits Pendleton doubleheader
OPENING DAY!
Photos by Mike Weber
Little League opening day in the valley was this past Saturday, with opening ceremonies taking place at the HRVHS baseball field. At left, Forest
Lawson bats during the Hit-A-Thon fundraiser; at center, Chuck Johnisee, who threw out the opening pitch; and at right, teams wave to the crowd
while parading around the diamond. This year’s group boasts 29 teams of 326 players, including four boys majors teams, according to Hood River
Valley Little League Vice President Eric Foster. President Sean Spellecy and board members Nathan Duckwall and Nathan Stanton, along with nu-
merous parents labored extra hard to make sure fields were in tip-top condition, Foster said. Other improvements include a new scoreboard and
fence at the Odell fields, and new roofs and bleachers in Parkdale. Foster wanted to thank corporate sponsors Your Rental Center and Providence
Hood River Memorial Hospital for helping making the new season a success.
The HRV baseball team (9-6 overall, 1-1 CRC) nearly
came away with both wins of a doubleheader in Pendle-
ton on Saturday, but succumbed to a late rally by the
Buckaroos in the second game, to lose 9-8 after winning
the first game 5-1. In the first game, Pendleton never led,
thanks due in large part to Ryan Ward’s stingy pitching,
giving up a mere three hits and striking out 13 batters in
seven innings. HRV had six hits in the game, all singles,
led by Adam Cameron (2-2) and Dallas Buckley (2-4).
Cameron and Ward each had an RBI and were joined by
Patrick Harvey, who also scored for HRV. Kam Walker
scored two runs, and Dallas Buckley and Chase Lariza
rounded out scoring for the Eagles with one apiece. In
the second game, HRV had an 8-5 lead in the bottom of
the six when the Buckaroos erupted for four runs to take
the lead, which HRV was ultimately unable to regain.
Skyler Hunter led the team with hits (3) and runs (3) and
Kellan Duffy led with three RBI and had a home run. Lar-
iza, Walker, Duffy, Ward, and Willie Ishizaka all scored
once for HRV. Harvey and Walker both pitched for HRV,
collectively striking out eight batters and giving up as
many hits. The Eagles have the same exact schedule next
week as the softball team; see above sports brief entry-
for the schedule.