A12
News/Sports
wallowa.com
March 18, 2015
Wallowa County Chieftain
McFetridge, Curtis named national FFA honorees
By Rocky Wilson
Wallowa County Chieftain
Although 20 FFA Chap-
ter members from Enterprise,
Wallowa, and Joseph will
be named to the highest FFA
state degree level March 20-
23 in Silverton during the FFA
State Convention, Myranda
McFetridge and Jacob Curtis
from the Enterprise Chap-
ter earned even higher hon-
ors than that when they were
named FFA American Degree
recipients at the National FFA
Convention, held in Louis-
ville, Ky., in October.
McFetridge, the daugh-
ter of Carl and Deena
McFetridge, currently attends
Eastern Oregon University
where she’s pursuing a de-
gree in agricultural science.
She owns her own beef herd
and works for JS Angus and
McFetridge Ranch. Her FFA
résumé includes winning state
awards in forage production
and raising numerous grand
champion steer winners at
the Wallowa County Fair. At
EOU, McFetridge remains an
active member of that school’s
FFA program.
Curtis is the son of Roger
and Debbie Curtis, also attends
EOU, and is studying Sociol-
ogy and military science. Cur-
tis is also in ROTC. His FFA
project includes working for
Diamond D Ranch where his
activities ranged from running
equipment to changing pipe.
A multi-year FFA chapter
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Curtis also works for Moun-
tain Auto Repair.
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A special FFA accolade to
be named at the state level in
Silverton could go to Wallowa
FFA member Calli Miller,
who has won the Eastern Or-
egon FFA District Star Farmer
competition for her sheep pro-
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for the FFA State Star Farmer
honor in that same sheep pro-
duction category.
In addition, again at this
weekend’s FFA State Con-
vention, two members from
the Joseph Chapter have
advanced beyond sectional
competition in public speak-
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nalists in their respective
categories vying for state
honors. Annie Story, a fresh-
man, will compete in the
beginning public speaking
category and senior Anna
Rinehart in the advanced
public speaking category.
Storie will speak on the topic
of genetic engineering and
Rinehart on the topic of ag-
ricultural literacy.
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ners who will be competing
at the FFA State Convention
include, from Wallowa, Ash-
ley Starner in specialty ani-
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Maddi Tracy in poultry pro-
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winners who will compete
at the FFA State Convention
from the Joseph Chapter will
be Anna Rinehart in ag edu-
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Kemp in food processing
Courtesy photo
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LQ GLYHUVL¿HG OLYHVWRFN SUR- Myranda McFetridge (left) and Jacob Curtis are the most
recent American FFA Degree recipients from the local area.
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Outlook bright for Cougars baseball
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Continued from Page A11
new to the team. Also joining
Rounding out the roster
With the recent successes are three freshmen: Daniel
the ranks are freshmen Madison
Young of Wallowa hope to re- Plew, Rachel Frolander, Ashley of the Wallowa High School 'HODQFH\ LQ¿HOG DQG RXW-
sume the heavy hitting they Exon and Josie Scott.
boys’ athletics, reaching the ¿HOG'DQQ\$UH\DRXW¿HOG
furnished last year, and Joseph’s
Coach Jeff Edison said on the state playoffs in both football and Cameron Salmon, the
Anna Rinehart brings back her ¿HOGDWSUDFWLFHODVW7KXUVGD\KH and basketball, it’s no won- catcher.
SUR¿FLHQW GHIHQVH LQ WKH ¿HOG researched the Cubs’ opponents der baseball coach Thomas
Wenke recalled that last
6HQLRU7D\ORU+DUVK¿HOGRI:DO- from last year and it seems other Wenke is optimistic about his year’s team struggled on
lowa suffered an arm injury and teams, like the Cubs, have lost team’s prospects for a suc- the mound. “We walked too
is questionable for the season. most of their starting pitchers cessful season.
many players last year, but
Three junior returnees will add from last year. He thinks this
“We are a young team, this year I think it will be
further experience to the roster: will help out the Wallowa Coun- but we have a solid group of different.” The coach said
Natalie Williams and Kendal ty team, taking a little pressure athletes this year and I think he has at least six players on
Kreutzer of Joseph, and McK- off his two new starters, Natalie UHDOLVWLFDOO\ZH¶OO¿QLVKXSLQ this team he thinks are capa-
enzie Gray from Enterprise. Williams and Madison Plew.
the upper part of our league,” ble of solid pitching. They’re
Five sophomores — Ashley
The Cubs will start their Wenke said.
also likely to see some pretty
Starner, Becca Bateman, Darby season this Thursday, March
Seven players are return- good offensive backing. “We
Gassett, Jordan Ferré and Tay- 20, playing an afternoon game ers from last year and most of have a good group of hitters,”
lor Grote — will also suit up. against the La Grande JVs in La the kids coming up have ex- says Wenke.
Starner, Bateman and Ferré are Grande.
perience playing Babe Ruth
The Cougars are sched-
baseball.
uled to start their season
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on this year’s team include en, where they’ll also face the
a returning player, Gareth Griswold JVs. In Wallowa’s
Murray, and someone new to division this year are Enter-
the squad, Michael Pendar- prise/Joseph, Grant Union,
vis. All of the team’s juniors Burns, and Union/Cove.
played last year. This group
Last year, after the sea-
includes Koby Frye, Noah son was over, the team and
Allen and Josh Rummell, all local community members
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Rich Rautenstrauch/Chieftain
Robert Delancey, projected Wallowa’s Kirk Jones Field,
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where further improvements Wallowa Cougar Travis Haga hits the ball during a practice
Sophomores Travis Haga are planned, according to last week at Kirk Jones Field. Haga hit well for the Cougars
last year.
and Austin Lindross will Wenke.
By Rich Rautenstrauch
Waallowa County Chieftain
t S udent
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W
e
of th
Daniel Delancey
Wallowa High School
Daniel Delancey is a freshman at
Wallowa High School. He is the
son of Gabriella and Tim Delancey.
When Daniel puts his mind to
accomplishing a task, he not only
finishes it- but excels.
Academically he is at the top of
his class with a 4.0 GPA.
He plays baseball for Wallowa
and serves as the freshman student
body president. Most notable is his
character. He is a genuine, kind,
hardworking and helpful student.
The Student of the Week is chosen for
academic achievement and community
involvement. Students are selected
by the administrators of
their respective schools.
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Continued from Page A11
team into the winner’s brack-
et. “Justin Exon is my junior
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strumental in our pitching, as
will Sam Beckman and Will
McCadden — and Tate Olsen
as well. In fact, all my guys
out here are very good ball-
players. I have a good group
and I’m very pleased with
them.”
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and Word named juniors
Beckman, McCadden and
Exon as team co-captains.
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March 19 at Heppner, and al-
though he likes what he sees
with his squad, Word won’t
make any predictions about
the team’s performance po-
tential until at least two weeks
into the season. “I really like
the way our pitching’s looking
though,” the coach said with a
smile.
Word doesn’t prefer any
one particular game strategy,
preferring to shift it to individ-
ual opponents. “We have some
speed and some power, and
we’re going to play good ball.
We can play short ball or long
ball if we need to. Right now,
we’re just trying to smooth out
some rough edges,” Word said.
Gambling Problem?
Steve Tool/Chieftain
Springtime is baseball time in Wallowa County. The Enterprise/Joseph team is already hard
at work preparing for their March 19 season opener against Heppner. Coach Calvin Word
gestures at far right.
Catch the Bus!
Ask about our new
rideshare program or
check it out on the web at
www.drivelessconnect.com
Signs & Symptoms
• Deterioration of work performance • Problems in concentration
• Missing deadlines and important activities • Frequently borrowing money
• Gambling to escape boredom, pain or loneliness
• Lying to loved ones about gambling • Trying to win back money lost
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a gambling problem,
HELP IS AVAILABLE It's Free – It's Confidential – It Works.
Call today: Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness
541-426-4524 • Or 1-877-My-Limit (24 hour Helpline)
207 SW 1st, Enterprise, OR 97828
Transportation Services
Wallowa County Public Transportation
(541) 426-3840 • www.NEOTransit.org
• Intercity Transportation to La Grande Monday and Thursday Weekly ~
Cost $5.00 each way. Free access for veterans medical appointments in La
Grande.
• Mealsite Bus ~ providing transportation to Senior Center for lunch
Cost $1.00 round trip.
• Tuesday and Thursday Shopping Bus
provides transportation for shopping and errands
throughout Wallowa County ~ Cost $3.00 from Wallowa/Joseph, $2.00
Enterprise only.
C OMMUNITY C ONNECTION OF W ALLOWA C OUNTY