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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (June 29, 2016)
Polk County Sports QUICK HITS WOU unveils 2016 football schedule MONMOUTH — Western Oregon’s football team un- veiled its 2016 schedule on June 22. The Wolves have road games against Sacramento State (Sept. 3), Montana State (Sept. 17), Humboldt State (Sept. 24), Central Washington (Oct. 15), Azusa Pacific (Nov. 5) and Simon Fraser (Nov. 12). W O U h o s t s Ce n t r a l Washington (Sept. 10), Azusa Pacific (Oct. 1), Simon Fraser (Oct. 8) and Humboldt State (Oct. 22). The Wolves’ game against Humboldt State on Oct. 22 will be televised on the American Sports Net- work. Western Oregon went 7- 4 overall and 5-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Confer- ence play in 2015, finishing in a tie for second in the conference standings. Wolves take part in summer leagues MONMOUTH — Several of Western Oregon’s base- ball players are taking part i n s u m m e r co l l e gi ate leagues. Brady Miller has thrown 10 innings for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League. He has six strikeouts and has not given up a single earned run. Jacob Fricke is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA for the Corvallis Knights of the West Coast League. Joey Crunkilton (Kelow- na Falcons), Justin Wakem (Cowletz Black Bears) and Nick Snyder (Gresham Grey Wolves) are also compet- ing in the WCL. Outfielder Brock Pradere has played 11 games for the Medford Rogues of the Great West League. Boog Leach and Jay Lev- erett are playing for the San Diego Mavericks, and Koty Fallon joined the Col- orado Cyclones in the Mile High Collegiate Baseball League. Jordan Schiefer is also in Colorado, playing for the Arvada Colts. Registration open for camps DALLAS — Registration is open for Dallas’ youth boys and girls basketball camps. All camps will run July 13-15. Girls coach David Brautigam and boys coach Trent Schwartz and their staff will teach fundamen- tal basketball skills, includ- ing ball handling, shooting, post and guard breakdown moves and defensive posi- tioning. The youth camp, for stu- dents in kindergar ten through third grade, will run from noon to 1 p.m. at Lyle Elementary School. Cost is $25. A second camp will be from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Dal- las High School gym. Cost is $50. Both gyms will open at 11:30 a.m. for parents who must drop off their kids during their lunch break. For more information: David Brautigam, david.brautigam@dalla- sor.gov or Trent Schwartz, trent.schwartz@dsd2.org. www.polkio.com Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 29, 2016 11A Watson dies in swim accident By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer SPRAY — Cody Watson, 16, of Monmouth, died Sun- day while swimming with friends at the John Day River near Spray. Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office said they received re- ports at noon Sunday of a 16-year-old male who disap- peared be- neath the surface of the river. Multiple agencies began a s e a r c h throughout Watson the day. Watson’s body was recov- ered on Monday morning. Initial investigations pointed to an accidental drowning. Watson, a football and basketball player at Central High School, left an indeli- ble mark on all who he met. “Cody was just like so many other young people that I know in my life,” Central athletics director and football coach Shane Hedrick said. “He lived life every day. He was in his Sunday mode and finishing up a small swim excursion they had gone on at the John Day River. He wanted to get the most out of it and somehow fell into an area he couldn’t handle, and it took his life. “He was a very nice kid. When he made a mistake, he owned it. He didn’t try to blame anyone else. He was a good kid in the class- room and a good team- mate.” A vigil was scheduled for Tuesday after press time. The Watson family re- leased the following state- ment: See WATSON, Page 12A ‘Special’ moments Special Olympics trains, empowers its athletes to succeed By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer POLK COUNT Y — If there’s one thing Shirley Wimer didn’t like it was sports. “The truth of the matter is I’m not a sports fan at all,” Wimer said. “I couldn’t care less.” It may seem strange then to see Wimer helping to co- ordinate and coach a bocce ball team. But this is no ordi- nary team and, for Wimer, like many of the volunteers, this is no ordinary calling. — Wimer is one of several volunteer coaches for Polk County’s Special Olympics Oregon — an organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults living with devel- opmental and intellectual disabilities. “My daughter, Sabrina, turned 30 on Sunday,” Wimer said. “She’s been par- ticipating since she was 7. That’s where I got started was as a spectator.” She transitioned from the stands to the field when Spe- cial Olympics Oregon need- ed more volunteers. She soon found out that seeing the joy on the athletes’ faces when they competed made volunteering worth it. “I wanted to make sure everyone was able to go to competitions,” Wimer said. “I love watching these guys. They get so excited about being able to compete.” Gary Kluver, local pro- gram coordinator and co- sports manager, joined Spe- cial Olympics Oregon about five years ago. For him, the chance to af- fect people’s lives in a posi- tive way was too good of an opportunity to pass up. “Honestly it’s fun to see them improve and make a LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer Polk County’s Special Olympics program fields two softball teams that compete in tournaments. Special Olympics • Special Olympics Oregon provides year round sports train- ing and athletic competition for children and adults living with developmental and intellectual disabilities. • The summer season of Special Olympics Oregon is coming to a close, but the fall season begins in September. Sign ups will be in early August. • The organization is also looking for volunteers in a variety of roles from coaches to fundraisers. • For more information: www.lsoor.org; or 971-388-6431. difference,” Kluver said. “You see them passing on information and skills that I’ve learned over the years myself.” Kluver helps coach soft- ball in the summer, which has around 25 players split into two teams. Bocce ball and track and field each has a handful of athletes competing. Athletes will compete at the summer state games July 9-10 in Newberg. The fall season, which fea- tures swimming, soccer, vol- leyball and bowling, begins in September. Sign-ups will be held in early August, Klu- ver said. See OLYMPICS, Page 12A LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer Michael Douglas throws a ball during bocce ball practice at Central High School on Saturday afternoon. 44th MONMOUTH-INDEPENDENCE MINI-MARATHON Mini race offers big time fun By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer MONMOUTH/INDEPENDENCE — The Monmouth-Independence Mini-Marathon has been a staple on the Fourth of July for more than four decades. Terry Cable has seen firsthand how the event has evolved through the years. “As a 10 year old in 1972, I ran the first race,” Cable said. “I ran it most years thereafter. It’s always been a part of my Fourth of July.” Cable, who took over as race di- rector in 2003, is excited to see the run set for another strong year. “I think the spirit of Western Days and the Monmouth and Independ- ence Fourth of July celebration makes a run like this attractive with all crowds,” Cable said. See MINI, Page 12A On your mark... What: 44th annual Monmouth-Independence Mini-Marathon, a 2.6-mile, mostly downhill race that begins in front of Monmouth’s City Hall and ends at the Old City Hall building in Independence. The race follows the Grand Parade route. When: Monday, July 4, 11:30 a.m. Cost: $15 for adults and $5 for children 10 and younger in advance; $20 and $10 on day of race until 10:30 a.m. For more information: Terry Cable, 503-930-2360; www.eclecticedgerac- ing.com. www.facebook.com/pages/Polk-County-Itemizer-Observer/205062686252209 www.twitter.com/PolkIOSports BG 50 Handheld Blower NEW! $139.95 MS 170 Chain Saw with 16” bar MS 250 Chain Saw FS 38 String Trimmer $129.95 $159.95 with 18” bar $359.95 SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY & OUR LOCAL SPORTS 130 Main St., Rickreall • 503-623-2365 • www.rickfarm.com
