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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (June 22, 2016)
Polk County Sports Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 22, 2016 8A QUICK HITS BASKETBALL WOU basketball signs Drayton Never down and out MONMOUTH — Western Oregon men’s basketball coach Jim Shaw announced the signing of Christian Drayton on Friday. Drayton, a 6-foot-8, 240- pound post from Luftin, Texas, played one season at Barstow Community College in California. He averaged 16.8 points, 14.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game last sea- son. Drayton will join the team for the 2016-17 sea- son. Nichols out to prove doubters wrong By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer MONMOUTH — Turning professional in any sport is difficult. Former Western Oregon men’s basketball player Julian Nichols knows all the num- bers and the odds. He’s not worried. “My whole life, I’ve had people say you can’t play this position or you can’t play there,” Nichols said. “You hear those types of things and it moti- vates you. To be where I’m at now, I’m grateful and I’m blessed, but I’m def- initely ready for the next chapter.” Tai Chi offered at Dallas Yoga DALLAS — Dallas Yoga Studio, 115 Court St., Dal- las, will host Gentle Tai Chi every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 2 p.m. Gentle Tai Chi will focus on slow body movements to improve balance, agility, flexibility and meditation — no kicks or squats. Drop-ins are welcome. There is no cost to attend. Donations are accepted. For more information: Luke Robinson, 503-999- 8583. Walking Club to meet Saturday DALLAS — The city of Dallas’ walking club will meet Saturday at 10 a.m. at the southeast corner of Court and Jefferson streets. The club will go on the “Dallas historic walk.” There is no cost to at- tend, and it is open to walkers of all ages. For more information: David Brautigam, david.brautigam@dalla- sor.gov. Sign-up open for mini-marathon MONMOUTH/INDEPEN- DENCE — Registration is open for the Monmouth- Independence Mini- Marathon. The 2.6-mile run will take place July 4 at 11:30 a.m. The course begins at City Hall in Monmouth and ends at the Independence Library. Cost is $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 9 and younger if preregis- tered. Day of race sign-ups will be available beginning at 8 a.m. Cost will be $20 for adults and $10 for chil- dren (9 and younger). Forms are available on- line at www.wvroadrun- ners.org. Online registra- tion must be completed by noon on June 30. Fo r m s c a n a l s o b e dropped off at Anytime Fit- ness in Independence, Brooks and Terry’s Espresso stands and Monmouth Fit- ness Club, or mailed to Mini Marathon, 833 N. High St., Monmouth, 97361. — From his time playing at Upland High School in Fontana, Calif., to help- ing the Wolves reach the NCAA Division II Final Four, there has been one thing on his mind. “I knew back in high school that I wanted to play professionally,” Nichols said. “I never wanted to do anything else really. I looked at it as a reality that I’m a basketball player.” The path to this point has been anything but smooth. Coming out of high school, Nichols, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound guard, planned on playing at Irvine Valley, but was told he wouldn’t receive any playing time. He left for California State, Dominguez Hills the following year. See NICHOLS, Page 9A LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer Former Western Oregon University men’s basketball player Julian Nichols hopes to play professional basketball. 43rd MONMOUTH-INDEPENDENCE FOURTH OF JULY TENNIS TOURNAMENT Tennis tourney set for July 2-3 Part of proceeds go toward Central’s boys and girls tennis teams By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer MONMOUTH/INDEPEN- DENCE — Patty Youngren has been a part of an annual tradition for more than three decades — the Monmouth- Independence Fourth of July tennis tournament. “I moved here in 1985. I played against Mary Chris- tensen in my first competi- tion,” Youngren said. “She and Phil Schroeder, who ran the tournament at the time, crushed my partner and I. Mary has become a lifelong friend.” Now entering its 43rd year, Youngren, who will help run the tournament with Paul Hirt and Ron Warkentin, are hoping oth- ers experience what Youn- gren discovered about tennis — that playing the sport can lead to relationships that span decades. This year’s tournament will take place July 2 and 3 at Central High School and Western Oregon University. See TENNIS, Page 9A Tennis Time What: Monmouth-Independence Fourth of July Tennis Tour- nament. When: July 2 and 3. Where: Matches will take place at Western Oregon University and Central High School. Cost: $15 singles, $25 doubles. How to register: Registration is available through noon on June 29 at www.oregontennis.com. LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer file The Monmouth-Independence Fourth of July tennis tournament attracted a large turnout in 2015. Organizers hope for a big turnout in 2016. NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Williams eyes bigger role on the Chargers By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer Oak Knoll to host golf tourney INDEPENDENCE — Oak Knoll Golf Course, 6335 Highway 22, Independ- ence, will hold the Jim Va n d e r fe e n M e m o r i a l Tournament Saturday at 11 a.m. Cost is $240 per team for the four-man scramble. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Shriner’s Hospital. For more information: 503-378-0344. www.polkio.com PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS/for the Itemizer-Observer Tyrell Williams caught his first NFL touchdown pass last season. SAN DIEGO — Western Oregon alumni Tyrell Williams made sure his first NFL catch was a memorable one — hauling in an 80-yard touch- down for the San Diego Chargers against the Denver Broncos in the Chargers’ final regular season game. “It’s a weird feeling,” Williams said at the time. “It was like an out-of- body experience. It was awesome.” That football now sits on display at his home. For some players, it would be a sign of finally making it. For Williams, it’s a sign of better things to come. “I’m coming in with more confi- dence,” he said. “I’m more comfort- www.facebook.com/pages/Polk-County-Itemizer-Observer/205062686252209 able out there and more relaxed while playing.” A familiarity with the offense al- lowed Williams to work on the finer details of the game and allowed him to transform from just a deep threat to an every-down receiver. “My route running, being precise and crisp and being able to get sepa- ration from the defender, not just on deep balls, but on short, intermedi- ate routes, has improved,” Williams said. The second-year pro also added upper body strength. “I wanted to make sure I didn’t have any problem with getting off the press,” Williams said. “I definitely feel the difference.” See WILLIAMS, Page 9A www.twitter.com/PolkIOSports *$0 down, 0% A.P.R. financing for up to 36 months on purchases of new Kubota equipment (excluding VS Series) is available to qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 6/30/2016. Example: A 36-month monthly installment repayment term at 0% A.P.R. requires 36 payments of $27.78 per $1,000 financed. 0% A.P.R. interest is available to customers if no dealer documentation preparation fee is charged. Dealer charge for document preparation fee shall be in accordance with state laws. Inclusion of ineligible equipment may result in a higher blended A.P.R. 0% A.P.R. and low-rate financing may not be available with customer instant rebate offers. Financing is available through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Offer expires 6/30/2016. See us for details on these and other low-rate options or go to www.kubota.com for more information. Optional equipment may be shown. SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY & OUR LOCAL SPORTS 130 Main St., Rickreall • 503-623-2365 • www.rickfarm.com
