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Polk County Itemizer-Observer • April 22, 2015 11A Polk County Sports WESTERN OREGON ROUNDUP Softball closes in on postseason berth Wolves sweep Central Washington in key conference showdown Saturday Itemizer-Observer staff report MONMOUTH — Western Oregon senior Amanda Evola knew playing her final home games would be a bit- tersweet moment. But she wasn’t about to let it affect her mindset, or her team. “I tried to not think of it as my last home games,” Evola said. “I tried to think of it as we really needed to get those two wins.” WOU remained in posi- tion to qualify for the Great Northwest Athletic Confer- ence softball tournament after sweeping Central Washington on Sunday. The Wolves opened their weekend by falling to Saint Martin’s 9-7 and 12-8. WOU responded by defeating the Wildcats 2-1 and 4-3 in the team’s final home games. Senior pitcher Jourdan Williams earned a complete game victory in the first game, while Evola added five hits and three RBIs. Western Oregon (20-25 overall, 12-8 GNAC) re- mained in fourth place in the conference standings, three games ahead of Cen- tral Washington. The top four teams ad- vance to the conference tournament in May. The Wolves close out the regular season at Montana State Billings for a pair of doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday. As WOU hopes to lock up a spot in the GNAC softball tournament, Evola said she knows it isn’t time yet to think back on her collegiate career, but she does know Western Oregon affected her life far greater than she ever imagined. “I didn’t expect Western to impact my life outside of softball,” Evola said. “I will carry that with me forever. … The people here, the coaches, teammates and everyone contributes to the environment, and I’m hon- ored to be a part of it.” BASEBALL CLINCHES POSTSEASON BERTH: West- ern Oregon’s baseball team won the fi n a l t w o games of a fi v e - g a m e s e r i e s against Montana State Billings to punch its postseason ticket. The Alvarez Wolves lost to the Yellowjackets 8-5 and 8- 4 on Friday before splitting a doubleheader on Saturday, falling 4-3 and winning 5-0. WOU won the final game 8-3 on Sunday. Junior pitcher Gar- rett Alvarez threw a three-hit shutout in Saturday’s finale. WOU (23-22 overall, 18-10 Great Northwest Athletic Con- ference) clinched a berth in the GNAC tournament in May. Western Oregon returns home to host Northwest Nazarene for a pair of doubleheaders on May 1 and 2 in the Wolves’ reg- ular season finale. TRACK AND FIELD EXCELS: Western Oregon saw several athletes perform strongly for the track and field team across four meets. Rachel Crawford and Sam Naffziger set personal records in the women’s and men’s 1,500-meter runs, re- spectively, at the Mount Sac Relays on Friday and Saturday. Crawford finished in 4 minutes, 34.93 seconds, while Naffziger recorded a 3:51.76. Junior Bai- ley Beeson and freshman Kenny Klippel also set new per- sonal marks at the Brian Clay Invitational on Friday in Azusa, Calif. Beeson finished the women’s 800 in 2:14.07, while Klippel recorded a throw of 45 feet, 11¾ inches in the men’s shot put. The Wolves saw 23 athletes set new personal records on Saturday at the Lewis & Clark Open in Portland and the Beach Track and Field Invitational in Norwalk, Calif. WOU will compete at the Titan Twilight meet at Lane Commu- nity College in Eugene on Thursday. LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer Western Oregon senior Amanda Evola swings at a pitch against Saint Martin’s on Friday. Evola came up big against Central Washington on Sunday, recording five hits. Senior: Schwanke having fun Continued from Page 10A “I felt like I had some c a t c h i n g u p t o d o,” Schwanke said. “I didn’t real- ly have the practice that everyone else had. Everyone wants to make it to state, but coming into the season, I just wanted to give it my all every time out.” While he lacked the expe- rience in track and field, he did have one thing working in his favor. “Arlin is a natural athlete,” Falls City coach Emily Ke- nagy said. “That allowed him to be successful so far this season, and he contin- ues to become a better ath- lete.” In his first meet on March 17, Schwanke recorded a throw of 39 feet, 8 inches in the shot put, a mark that ranks first among all Class 1A District 1 competitors. “I was pretty shocked,” Schwanke said. “I’m not the strongest out of everyone I know. I just wanted to try my hardest, like I always do.” While Schwanke is finding success in throwing events, he’s also giving track events a try when he has the chance. He has competed in the 100-meter run and plans to try other running events, as well. “It’s different,” Schwanke Up Next • Falls City senior Arlin Schwanke is ranked first in the Class 1A District 1 shot put. • The Mountaineers will compete at the St. Paul Buckaroo Thursday after- noon. LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer Falls City senior Arlin Schwanke is ranked first in the shot put among all Class 1A District 1 competitors. said. “When I run the 100, I zone out and clear my mind. When I hear the starting gun, I take off running as fast and as hard as I can. In shot put, I try to get into the right mindset. There are a lot more variables like not crossing over the line, what you’re aiming for, things like that.” While Schwanke is finding Jourdan Williams Western Oregon Williams, a senior, came up big when the Western Oregon softball team need- ed her the most. Starting her final home game with WOU, Williams threw a com- plete game against Central Washington on Sunday, earning a 2-1 victory in eight innings. The win, Williams’ seventh, helped WOU stay in fourth place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings. The top four teams advance to the conference tournament. Kayley Sayer Dallas High Sayer, a sophomore, had a big day for Dallas’ girls track and field team on April 14. Sayer finished first in the long jump with a leap of 15 feet, 9 inches during the Dragons’ home four-way meet. But Sayer wasn’t finished yet, taking first in the triple jump with a mark of 32-1. Sayer ranks fifth in the long jump and sixth in the triple jump in the Mid-Willamette Conference so far this season. To submit nominations for the Itemizer-Observer Athlete of the Week, contact Sports Editor Lukas Eggen at 503-623-2373 or leggen@polkio.com by 9 a.m. on Monday. Dallas takes sixth Itemizer-Observer staff report WOODBURN — Dallas’ boys golf team finished sixth out of seven teams at the Mid-Willamette Con- ference tournament at Tuk- willa. Central did not compete. The Dragons shot a com- bined score of 418, ahead of seventh-place finisher South Albany, which fin- ished with a 495. Senior Nolan Miller shot a team-low 98 to lead Dal- las, while Mosier Locke (103), Dylan Cackler (104), Tyler Kunz (113) and Hu n t e r L i n d s a y ( 1 1 9 ) rounded out the Dragons’ finishers. Dallas and Cen- tral will compete at Springhill in Albany on Tuesday in the teams’ final regular season tournament. Dallas’ girls golf squad will compete at Cross Creek Golf Course on Monday. SPORTS BRIEFS DHS basketball to host fundraiser DALLAS — The Dallas High boys basketball team will host its annual scrap metal drive on May 16. The team will pick up metal at your residence from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www.cherrycitymet- als.com/recycling for a full list of acceptable materials. All proceeds go to fund the Dallas boys basketball team. For more information: Trent Schwartz, 503-623-8336 ext. 3105 or email trent.schwartz@dsd2.org. Tickets available for Hall of Fame INDEPENDENCE — Tickets are on sale for Central High’s Hall of Fame Dessert on Saturday. Cost is $5 per person. A walk through of the school will take place at 5 p.m. with the dessert beginning at 6 p.m. in the CHS Auditorium. The 2015 Hall of Fame class includes the 1967 state champion football team, 1968 state champion track and field team and 1975 state champion boys basketball team. Individuals being inducted include boys basketball coach Glen Clark (1974-87), football, bas- ketball and baseball player Dick Wiese (Class of 1961), football, basketball and track athlete Steve McArthur (1969) and volleyball, basketball and tennis athlete Lea Allan (1979). PREP TRACK AND FIELD ROUNDUP Itemizer-Observer Athlete of the Week more success than he ever thought possible, he’s also not losing sight of having fun. “I do like watching the other competitors, but I don’t really let it get to me if they throw it really far,” Schwanke said. “Try my best, that’s all I can do be- cause there’s always some- body better than you.” Schwanke may not have the experience that many of his competitors have, but he isn’t letting that fact intimi- date him. Instead, he’s en- joying the ride. “It’s been pretty awe- some,” Schwanke said. “(If I wasn’t doing track and field), I’d probably be trying to find a job. I’m glad I spent my senior year doing what I could. When you know everybody on the team, you don’t feel like you’re on your own and you feel like you have more support.” PREP GOLF ROUNDUP Dallas excels at home meet Dragons have strong showing at home meet on April 14 Itemizer-Observer staff report DALLAS — The Dallas track and field team took first in 11 events during the Dragons’ meet against Cres- cent Val- ley, South Albany a n d Wo o d - burn on April 14. The no- nscoring meet saw Tichenor I s a a k Tichenor win the 200-meter run in 24.05 seconds; Cody Webb take the 110 hurdles in 16.95; Brett Rowden win the shot put with a throw of 44 feet, 7 inches; Jacob Deming place first in the pole vault with a mark of 10-0; and Isaac Short took first in the triple jump with a leap of 39-8 to lead the boys. Stefani Tallon won the 100 in 13.60 for the girls. Kyleen Benz won both the shot put and discus with marks of 36-3 and 111-4, re- spectively. Danielle Rem- ington placed first in the javelin with a throw of 119- 4, and Kayley Sayer took first in the long jump and triple jump with marks of 15-9 and 32-1, respectively. Dallas will compete at the Dave Snook Frosh/Soph In- vitational at McNary High Friday at 4 p.m. and the 51st Annual Centennial Invita- tional Saturday at 11 a.m. CENTRAL TAKES FOURTH: Central’s boys and girls track and field squads placed fourth out of four teams during a home meet on April 15. The Panthers faced Lebanon, Sil- verton and Corvallis. Kaj Bansen led the boys team, fin- ishing first in the high jump with a mark of 6 feet and triple jump with a leap of 40-7. Jas- mine Meraz helped lead the girls squad by placing second in the pole vault with a mark of 6-0. The Panthers saw senior M a x Lydum fin- ish first in the boys hammer at the Oregon Relays with a throw of 60.05 me- ters, while Bansen junior Nick Burgett won the 400 in 52.72. Bethanie Altamirano led the girls, placing third in the 400 in 1:04.09, while Sai Tapasa fin- ished fourth in the shot put with a throw of 10.39 meters. Central will host the John Oliv- er Invitational on Friday. The first event begins at 4 p.m. PIRATES SHINE: Despite small numbers, Perrydale’s girls track and field team placed fifth out of seven teams at Ger- vais on Thursday. Senior Alysia Vergin placed second in the 100-meter hurdles, finishing in 17.70 seconds, while team- mate Taylor Price took second in the 300 hurdles in 51.90. Price also finished second in the high jump with a mark of 4-6. The Pirates’ boys squad fin- ished eighth out of eight teams. Junior Logan Shamblin led the boys after placing third in the 3,000 in 11:06.10, while Kirk Fairchild took third in the high jump in 5-8. Perrydale will take part in the St. Paul Bucka- roo on Thursday. VA R N E Y L E A D S FA L L S CITY: Bo Beauchamp and Brit- tany Varney helped lead Falls City’s boys and girls track teams at the Great White Invite on April 14. Beauchamp fi n i s h e d second in the javelin with a throw of 134 feet, 8 Varney inches be- fore taking eighth in the shot put (36-11) and discus (103-6). Varney finished first in the shot put with a throw of 30-4. The boys finished 12th out of 13 schools, while the girls took 10th.