Polk County Sports Polk County Itemizer-Observer • April 26, 2017 11A WESTERN OREGON ROUNDUP WOU to host NCAA Division II West Regional in 2019 Itemizer-Observer staff report MONMOUTH — Western Oregon will host the NCAA Division II West Regional in cross-country in 2019 and 2021. The races will be held at the Ash Creek Preserve. “We are thrilled to be awarded the 2019 and 2021 West Regional Cross-Coun- try Championships,” WOU Director of Compliance Randi Lydum said. “We have an amazing course and look forward to bringing the best runners in the west region to Monmouth for these events.” WOU also hosted the 2015 west regional. The NCAA received more than 3,000 bid submissions vying to host predetermined rounds for 84 of the NCAA’s 90 championships. A total of 613 sites were awarded for this cycle. “Over the past several years, Ash Creek Preserve has brought thousands of cross-country athletes and their supporters, who would have otherwise not had the opportunity to visit our beautiful campus,” Western Oregon cross-country coach Mike Johnson said. “The participants range from middle school to profession- al athletes. The unique char- acteristics of our course allow us to host races that meet the needs of all levels of the cross-country popula- tion.” S O F T BA L L S P L I TS S I X GAMES: Western Oregon’s softball team split six games over the weekend. The Wolves lost to Western Washington 13-1 before win- ning 6-1 on Friday, and lost 6-5 and won 1-0 on Saturday. WOU lost to Simon Fraser 4-0 before defeating the Clan 8-7 on Sun- day. Pitcher Haley Fabian threw a complete game in the second game on Friday, throwing six strikeouts over seven innings while allow- ing only three hits. T h e Wolves saw three play- ers hit home runs during its vic tor y over Simon Fabian F r a s e r. Cheyanne Rimer, Jenna Kelly and Mercedes Green each hit one as WOU built up an 8-0 lead before holding on for the one-run victory. Western Oregon entered the week with a 24-19 record over- all and an 11-11 mark in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play, good for fifth place. The Wolves close out the regular season at S aint M ar tin’s Wednesday (today) before hosting Saint Martin’s for a doubleheader Saturday at 11 a.m. and Central Washington Sunday at noon. The top four teams in the conference ad- vance to the softball champi- onships. BASEBALL WINS T WO AGAINST CONCORDIA: West- ern Oregon’s baseball team earned a split against Concor- dia. The Wolves lost to Concor- dia 9-2 and 5-3 on Friday be- fore winning 5-1 and 6-0 on Saturday. WOU’s pitchers combined to throw 10 strikeouts during the first game on Saturday and pitcher Trey S m i t h earned a complete game victo- ry in the sec- ond contest. Nyles Ny- g a a r d recorded Smith three hits, in- cluding a triple, and drove in two runs. The Wolves entered the week in first place in the GNAC. WOU played Saint Martin’s Tuesday after press time. The Wolves play at Central Wash- ington for a pair of double- headers Friday and Saturday at noon. Track: Girls squad takes Lux takes first at Sheridan second at Sheridan PERRYDALE ROUNDUP Itemizer-Observer staff report SHERIDAN — Perrydale’s girls track and field team placed fifth at Sheridan on Thursday. The boys finished seventh. Alyssa Lux won the girls high jump with a mark of 4 feet, 6½ inches. She also fin- ished fourth in the triple jump with a leap of 29-11. Amity Deters took second in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 53.85 seconds, and Jessica Cruickshank took third in the 200 (29.05). Jacob Pope took fifth in the boys javelin with a throw of 132-11. Joshua Crawford finished seventh in the long jump (15-10¾) and the triple jump (33-6). Perrydale will compete at the Portland Christian Invi- tational Saturday at 11 a.m. BASEBALL FALLS TO ST. PAUL: Perrydale’s baseball team lost a shoot out to St. Paul, falling 14-13 on Saturday. The Pirates fell to 1-4 overall and 1-3 in Special District 2 play. Perrydale played Regis Tues- day after press time. The Pirates host Santiam Christian Thurs- day at 4:30 p.m.; Kennedy Fri- day at 4:30 p.m.; and Western Mennonite Saturday at 1 p.m. Perrydale plays at Country Christian Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Continued from Page 10A “It’s very difficult to bal- ance, as kids have driver’s ed, roller coaster physics, work, etc.,” Simmons said. “We should be further progressed in our events if it weren’t for all the other things going on, but I am not trying to take away from those other things by any means.” Despite the schedule challenges, Simmons ex- pects the Mountaineers to send a large contingent to state. Prior to the season Sim- mons made a bet that if Falls City sent four or more kids to Eugene, they would get to shave his head. Labrado said they’re con- fident that bet is a lock. Simmons also likes their chances. “Any of the kids have a great chance (to make it to state),” Simmons said. “I have been telling them I don’t want your best now. I want your best at districts and state.” Dallas: Dragons enter week on seven-game win streak Continued from Page 10A On defense, pitcher Kae- lynn Simmons threw eight strikeouts while giving up one hit over five innings. “ We’re being consis- tent,” Jackson said. “We’re working hard day in and day out and focusing on the little things and the mental side of the game. At this level, they all have the physical ability. The mental side is the difficult part to understand at this age, so we try and put them in different situa- tions in practice so when it’s in a game, the pressure is off a little bit.” Dallas also defeated Sil- verton 9-2 on April 19. The Dragons improved to 8-0 in Mid-Willamette Conference play and have outscored league oppo- nents by an 84-17 margin. They have a three-game lead over Silverton for first place. “I think we’ve seen that we are always going to be able to compete with any team out there,” Wallace said. “There’s no team that can beat us when we’re play- ing our game. We under- stand that we have a target on our backs.” Polanco: Senior uses tennis to honor family Continued from Page 10A As Polanco got settled, it was clear he found a place he could call home. “I’m still in the foster care system, I just decided that I’d like to stay with this family because I really like them and the community,” he said. “I really didn’t want to move again and leave a perfect family.” Both of his parents are Central High graduates, and when Polanco entered high school, they wanted him to find an athletic out- let. “(Chris) was new here and his mother, my daugh- ter, said he needed to be in a sport his freshman year,” Youngren said. “I was asked to coach tennis that year so (tennis) was an easy pick.” Since that moment, Yo u n g r e n h a s h e l p e d Polanco grow by leaps and bounds on the tennis court. “The hardest thing to learn is serving,” Polanco said. “It’s very hard to get a precise serve every single time. With her help, I’ve gotten to the point where I feel com- petent at that.” Polanco has also developed good an- ticipation and has Polanco become more aggressive in ending points. “Chris reads the ball well and he is quick to get to the shot and get it back,” Youn- gren said. “He is becoming more consistent, and he is learning to place the ball more offensively.” One of Polanco’s biggest strengths may be his ability to not get rattled. No matter what is happening on the court, he can adapt. That is, in part, due to adapting on the fly in the foster care sys- tem. “It has helped me deal with adversity better,” Polanco said. The senior also has watched matches on Youtube to study players like Raphael Nadal. A s Po l a n c o h a s i m - proved, he’s become a regu- lar part of the Panthers’ var- sity lineup — but he knows earning a trip to state will be difficult given the talent on other teams. “I see myself sort of in the middle right now, but having something to prove,” he said. “There are a lot of points in every match that can go either way.” This season has also been special because of p l a y i n g f o r Yo u n g re n . Though her time is split among all the athletes, Polanco likely never would have picked up a tennis racket if Youngren didn’t suggest it. That’s something he’ll be forever grateful for. Polanco has high hopes for his senior season — but it’s not personal glory that he is chasing, instead it’s a way to show gratitude for Youngren and all she has done for him. “I started playing tennis because of her,” Polanco said. “I’ve enjoyed it and ever since, I’ve played for her.” But players are ready to handle the challenge, Jack- son said. “We don’t really focus on the other team,” she said. “We focus on us. We’ve been pretty successful doing that so far. We just show up and work.” Dallas, which played a nonleague game against Woodburn Tuesday after press time, enters a chal- lenging part of its schedule. The Dragons play at South Albany on Wednesday (today) before hosting Lebanon Thursday at 5 p.m. and Friday at 4 p.m., and Corvallis Saturday at noon. Dallas also plays Crescent Valley Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. and at Corvallis on May 3. “We might be tired, but we have to be able to bounce back with the same amount of energy each time,” Wallace said. Players know their hot start means other teams will be gunning to knock them off. “We know teams are scared to play us because we’re 8-0,” Nelson said. “We know we have to pounce on that. We have to play our game and bring that focus every time.” DALLAS ROUNDUP Boys track and field takes first Itemizer-Observer staff report FLORENCE — Dallas’ boys track and field team took first at the Central Coast Invitational on Fri- day. The girls finished sec- ond. Cody Webb won the boys 100-meter run in 11.30 sec- onds and the 110 hurdles (15.66). Jacob Deming took first in the 200 (23.07) and the triple jump (43 feet, 6 1/2 inches); Trevor Cross placed first in the 1,500 (4:11.99); Jack Anderson won the high jump (5-6); and Jacob Collins took first in the long jump (19-9) and tied for first in the pole vault (14-0). Hailey Van Well won the girls high jump (4-6) and triple jump (33-11 1/2). Dallas will compete at Central Wednesday (today) at 3:45 p.m. and at the Rob Allen Twilight Invitational Friday at 4:30 p.m. BASEBALL SWEEPS SOUTH ALBANY: Dallas’ base- ball team won three games against South Albany last week. The Dragons won 8-7 on April 18 and 4-1 and 7-4 on Friday. Dallas also defeated Central 1-0 in a make up game on Sat- urday afternoon. The wins improved the Dragons’ record to 12-5 overall and 9-3 in Mid-Willamette Conference play, good for third place. Dallas played Silverton Tuesday after press time. The Dragons host Silver ton Wednesday (today) at 4:30 p.m. before playing at Silver- ton on Friday. Dallas will host Crescent Valley Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. CURTIS PLACES FOURTH: Dallas senior Kailee Curtis fin- ished fourth overall to lead Dallas’ girls golf team at Tuk- wila on Monday. The Dragons finished fourth in the team standings. Dallas will compete at the Astoria Invitational Thursday at noon and the Emerald Valley Invite Monday at 10 a.m. BOYS GOLF TAKES SIXTH: Dallas’ boys golf team placed fifth at Mallard Creek on Mon- day. The Dragons finished the regular season tied for sixth with Central in the team standings and will not ad- vance to regionals. David Jones shot a team-low 92 over 18 holes. GIRLS TENNIS DEFEATS CENTRAL, LEBANON: Dallas’ girls tennis team defeated Central 6-2 on April 18 and Lebanon 7-1 on Friday. Addie Gillette and Molly Peffley earned singles victo- ries. Lynn Gumpinger and Julia Del Olmo, Megan Ronco and Amanda Schafer, Kloe Tot- ten and Makayli Laizure, and Morgan Bateman and Peyton Fast won doubles matches against Central. Gillette, Kinzi Boer and Car- lotta Sulzbach won singles matches against Lebanon. Gumpinger and Del Olmo, Ronco and Totten, Bateman and Fast, and Maddie Kennedy and Rebekah Rocak won dou- bles matches. Dallas played Corvallis Tues- day after press time. The Drag- ons play at Silverton Wednes- day (today) at 4 p.m. before hosting South Albany Tuesday at 4 p.m. Dallas’ boys tennis team de- feated Central 6-2 on April 18. Caedmon Blair and Michael Davison won singles matches. Josh Dudley and Zac Price, Ryan Bibler and Michael Friesen, Trenton Ensz and Caleb Jones, and EK Koons and Boe Bray won in doubles. Crescent Valley defeated Dallas 8-0 on Thursday. The Dragons host Silverton Wednesday (today) at 4 p.m. in the team’s final home match of the season. The Dragons play at South Albany Tuesday at 4 p.m. CENTRAL ROUNDUP Softball wins three of four league games Itemizer-Observer staff report INDEPENDENCE — Cen- tral’s softball team defeated Crescent Valley 22-1 on April 18 and Silverton 6-4 on Thursday before falling to Dallas 13-0 on Friday. The Panthers also beat Lebanon 8-7 on Monday. Stats were not available as of press time. Central played Corvallis Tuesday after press time. The Panthers host Silverton Friday at 4 p.m. and South Albany Tuesday at 4 p.m. BASEBALL DROPS FOUR: Central’s baseball team lost to Crescent Valley 6-0 on April 18 and 6-1 and 8-2 on Friday. The Panthers also lost to Dallas 1-0 on Saturday. Central played Woodburn Tuesday after press time. The Panthers play at Woodburn Wednesday (today) and Friday at 3:30 p.m. Central hosts South Albany Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. GIRLS TENNIS DEFEATS WOODBURN: Central’s girls tennis team defeated Wood- burn 8-0 and 6-2 on Thursday. Diana Huerta, Julia Hamar, Ana Martinez and Kylie Smith swept the singles matches. Lauran Martinez and Olivia Teague, Lexy Barba and Reann Kelley, Annika Riddell and Kate- lyn Trevino, and Mattie Barry and Dalila Negrete won dou- bles matches in the first match. Central lost to Dallas 6-2 on April 18. Central played South Albany Tuesday after press time. The Panthers play at Cres- cent Valley on Thursday and at Corvallis on Tuesday. BOYS GOLF FINISHES FOURTH: Central’s boys golf team placed fourth at Mallard Creek on Monday. Andrew Love shot a team-low 87 over 18 holes. The Panthers finished the season tied for sixth. Love advanced and will compete at regionals May 3-4 at Quail Val- ley in Banks. The girls golf team placed sixth at Tukwila. Abby Lovrien shot a team-low 155 over 18 holes. LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer Central outfielder Jori Kerr dives to catch a fly ball against Dallas on Friday.