E AST O REGONIAN Tuesday, augusT 2, 2022 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @EOSPORTS | Shriners back on schedule By LISA BRITTON Baker City Herald BAKER CITY — Events for this year’s East-West All-Star Shrine Game will be back to normal — the normal of 2019. The game was canceled in 2020, and 2021 was hampered by restrictions that kept play- ers from visiting Baker City prior to the game. This year, for the 69th edition, traditional events are coming back. The Shriners are encour- aging the community to take part in the festivities — especially a barbecue on the evening of Thursday, Aug. 4, that brings players, coaches, co-captains, queens and cheerleaders to Geiser-Poll- man Park. “We’re back with that program,” said Randy Guyer, a member of the Baker City Shrine Club. The community barbecue begins at 5 p.m. in the park with speeches, including a talk by Travis Bloomer, who played in a past Shrine game and whose son, Gauge, was FACEBOOK.COM/EOSPORTS A10 HERMISTON HIGH SCHOOL selected for this year’s game, along with fellow Baker Bull- dog and 2022 graduate, Alex Ritter. Another BHS grad, Alexis Conant, will be a cheerleader for the East squad. Both queens are from the Baker City area. Hannah Cartwright is the East Queen, and Poppy Ann Jones is the West Queen. Cost for dinner is $25 a plate. Background This annual Shrine game is a fundraiser for the Shri- ners Children’s Hospital in Portland. Since its inception, the game has raised more than $2.9 million up to 2021. It moved to Baker City in the mid-1970s. In 2021, the game and associated fundraisers raised $47,000 for the hospital. Guyer said the volun- teer hours and commu- nity support help make the Baker City event one of the most successful fundraising games for the hospital. See Shriners, Page A11 RODEO Mahoney finishes 16th at NHSFR in steer wrestling bending title, finished 17th at nationals out of a field of 182 riders. gILLeTTe, Wyo. — She had a time of 20.689 Heppner’s Blane Mahoney seconds on her first run, and a finished 16th in steer wres- 20.133 on her second to place tling at the National High 10th in the average heading into School Finals Rodeo from the finals. July 17-23. L a u r y n R i n e y of Mahoney took down Milton-Freewater, who was his steer in 5.16 seconds in second at state in pole bending, the first round to finished 25th overall. Pendleton’s Geor- finish 14th out of gia Lieuallen, who was 150 competitors. In second at state in barrel the second round, racing, and third in he clocked a 5.01 to pole bending, finished place seventh for a 31st among 191 barrel combined time of racers. In pole bending, 10.17 second to put Mahoney she had pole penalties him second in the on both runs. call bak position for the short go (finals). S t a n f i e l d ’s G a t o r Mahoney, who won the Goodrich, who finished state steer wrestling title, will fourth at state in tie-down continue his rodeo career at roping, finished 50th overall Blue Mountain Community at nationals. He had a time of College. 11.23 seconds on his first run, Alyson Terry of Hermis- but broke the barrier on his ton, who won the state pole second run for a time of 23.41. By ANNIE FOWLER East Oregonian Yasser Marte/East Oregonian Omar Medina, the Hermiston girl’s head soccer coach, poses for a photo Friday, July 29, 2022, at Hermiston high school. This will be Medina’s sixth year coaching soccer at the high school, but first as the head coach. PITCH PERFECT Medina steps up to coach girls soccer team By ANNIE FOWLER East Oregonian ERMISTON — Omar Medina knows what he’s getting into as he takes over the Hermiston High School girls soccer program. Hermiston School District hired Medina last week. He spent several years as the Bulldogs’ junior varsity coach and was a full-time varsity assistant in 2021. “The Mid-Columbia Conference is tough, for sure,” Medina said. “It has been a difficult few years.This past year, I think we showed we had the ability to compete. We have a pretty small senior class, but we have a good core of young players that have been together for quite awhile. I’m really H looking forward to see how the girls respond this season.” Medina’s familiarity with the program made him a good fit for the job. “COACHES MADE A BIG IMPACT IN MY LIFE. IT’S NICE TO GIVE BACK IN THE SAME WAY.” — Omar Medina, Hermiston girls soccer coach “Omar has had a huge impact on our student body at Hermiston High School, as both a success coordina- tor and a social worker,” Hermiston Athletic Director Larry Usher said in a news release. “We are confident that these positive relationships will continue to the soccer pitch and create great experiences for our athletes.” Medina was hired by the school district in 2017 as a success coordina- tor, and he works as a social worker at the high school. “This is my third year as the social worker,” Medina said. “As a social worker, I’m there to help all kids who are struggling or their families. If they need insurance, are losing their hous- ing or who need food. I also help with depression, grief and loss. It’s tough, but I love what I get to do, and that the school district has this position. All kids have access to me.” See Coach, Page A11 UMATILLA COUNTY FAIR AUGUST 10-13, 2022 Moo-ving Forward Together! CONCERTS ON THE WILDHORSE RESORT & CASINO MAIN STAGE TICKETS ON SALE NOW! TRACK AND FIELD Young second in shot put at Junior Olympics best mark of 46-0½. On July 28, Young placed 12th in the discus with a mark SAC R A M E N TO — of 122-1. Hermiston’s Bailey Young The top eight in each event picked up her second earn All-American honors. Young will throw in All-American honor, this time in the shot put, at the college at Eastern Washing- ton University. USA Track & Field In the 17-18 men’s Nat ion al Ju n ior Olympic Champion- discus, Hermiston’s ships on Wednesday, Ca de n Hot t m a n July 27, at Hornet finished fourth on July 28 with a toss of Stadium at Sacra- mento State Univer- 174-2, which came sity. on his third of six Yo u n g , w h o Young throws. earlier in the week Michael Pinkney placed seventh in the of New York, who has signed hammer throw, unleashed a to throw at UCLA, won the throw of 45 feet, 9¼ inches event with a throw of 202-8. to place second in the 17-18 Hottman, who will throw division of the shot put. The at Washington State Univer- mark came on her final throw sity, placed second in the of the competition. hammer earlier in the week Lauren St. Peters of Texas to earn All-American honors won the event with a personal in both events. WED., AUG. 10 • 9PM PETTY FEVER THURS., AUG. 11 • 9PM HOME FREE Tom Petty Tribute Band All Vocal Country FRI., AUG. 12 • 8PM SAT., AUG. 13 • 9PM Dueto los Armadillos • Grupo Fatal • Puro Domador Rebeldes De La Sierra • Los Faraones Del Norte CMA, AMC and Grammy nominated artist By ANNIE FOWLER East Oregonian LATINO NIGHT RYAN HURD • NEW RIDES! • Presell wristbands on sale now through Aug. 9th - $7 savings! Available at Velasco Used Car Sales in Hermiston, the fair office or online. Other online discounts also available at www.umatillacountyfair.net For more information visit www.umatillacountyfair.net 1705 E. Airport Rd., Hermiston, OR TITLE SPONSOR