Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (June 28, 2017)
Polk County Sports QUICK HITS Cross Creek men’s club results DALLAS — Cross Creek’s men’s club results for June 20: Low gross/low net Gross: 1, Kevin Moen, 40; 2 (tie), Rocky Kygar, Lee Gamaney and Jim Schroeder 41. Net: 1 Jack Duncan, 34; 2 (tie), Larry Hatcher and Larry Kuhns, 36; 4, Eldon Rivers, Bob Bennett, Roy Speelman and Steve Albin, 37. Cross Creek women’s club results DALLAS — Cross Creek Women’s Club results for June 19. Modified stableford Nine holes: 1, Mary Jane Ferrin, 17; 2, Meri McLeod, 13; 3, Susan Austermiller, 12; 4, Vera Flaming, 11; 5, Laurilee Hatcher, 10. 18 holes: 1, Vera Flam- ing, 21; 2, Laurilee Hatcher, 19; 3, Suzy De- schler, 17. Willamina to host arm wrestling tournament WILLAMINA — Willami- na will host the arm wrestling championships Monday and Tuesday at Garden Spot Park. Early weigh-in will be held Monday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Registration and weigh-in will be held Tues- day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There are multiple divi- sions ranging from kids to men’s and women’s. Clas- sifications are available by gender, weight and right or left handed. Cash prizes will be available in the men’s open division. Cost is $20 for the open divisions, $15 for novice, women’s and teen divi- sions and $5 for kids. For more information: Herman and Barba McCoy, 503-560-1371. Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 28, 2017 10A School board votes to fund new track By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — The Dallas School Board voted to build a new track at Dallas High School in conjunction with a project to raise pri- vate money to install a turf football field. The project is estimated to cost $237,000, and would be contingent on the Dallas Booster Club’s suc- cess in raising the $850,000 necessary to build the new field. Without installing the new track, the football field must be raised on one side t o p rov i d e f o r p ro p e r drainage, leaving a drop off of 2 or 3 three feet on one end of the field between the turf and track. Board Chairman Mike Bollman said Monday that is less than ideal. “I had this picture of one of our players or the other team going into catch a touchdown pass and trying to get both feet in, coming right to the edge and drop- ping off this 3-foot wall,” he said at the board’s regu- lar meeting. “I thought, that’s not good. Our track life is nearing the end with- in a couple of years. It just seems like it might be time to discuss an option for the future.” Superintendent Michelle Johnstone said the district has money set aside for long-term facility improve- ments available. “That leaves us suffi- cient funds to be able to cover that cost,” she said. “We do have the money to do it.” Bill McNutt, the consult- ant working with the booster club on the field project, said having the district support the track replacement makes the field an easier sell to the public. “What I’ve seen as we’ve talked to the community, they would love to see this LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer The Dallas School Board voted to build a new track at Dallas High School. our fundraising process, to be able to tell your com- munity that you are com- phase done by the school district,” he said Monday. “I think it’s critical for us, in MONMOUTH-INDEPENDENCE MINI-MARATHON Race offers big thrills Annual tradition takes runners fun route filled with fans By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer Mechals earns weekly honor MONMOUTH — West- ern Oregon sophomore- to-be pitcher Kade Mechals was named the West Coast League’s pitch- er of the week for June 12- 18. Mechals, who plays for t h e Kelow- na Fal- cons, threw eight score- less in- nings against Mechals Ya k i m a Valley on June 18. Mechals had five strikeouts during the game. As a freshman at WOU, Mechals led the Wolves in ERA (1.59), appearances (15) and saves (seven). Holstad records three hits during all-star series CORVALLIS — Jackson Holstad, a 2017 Central High graduate, took part in the 5A/6A All-Star base- ball series on Saturday a n d Sunday at Ore- g o n State Univer- sity. Hol- s t a d w a s Holstad part of the south squad, which won a three-game series over the north squad 2-1. Holstad went 3-for-10 with two singles and a dou- ble. He also drew four walks. Holstad will play baseball at Chemeketa Community Col- lege next year. www.polkio.com mitted to doing the track as long as we can get the in- side portion done.” EMILY MENTZER/Itemizer-Observer file The Monmouth-Independence Mini-Marathon takes runners on a 2.6-mile course along the parade route. MONMOUTH/INDEPEN- DENCE — When runners set off on the 47th annual Mon- mouth-Independence Mini- Marathon, they take part in a unique event. Sure, there are plenty of races to run throughout the year. But few, if any, offer the chance to run in front of thousands of cheering fans — without having to be a world-class athlete. “I think it’s the fact that it’s a relatively short race,” organ- izer Terry Cable said. “With all the festivities around, it makes it real attractive. It leaves people plenty of time for other things. It helps peo- ple embrace exercise and recreation, and you can view the parade route from a unique perspective.” The mini-marathon, held Tuesday at 11:30 a.m., fol- lows the grand parade route beginning in Monmouth and ending in downtown Inde- pendence. The 2.6-mile race is mostly downhill — making it appeal- ing to runners of all fitness lev- els. There will be water sta- tions and sprinklers through- out the race and fans lining the streets to show support. “It’s just a perfect setting,” Cable said. “The crowds are already there. … They make it a truly unique and memo- rable run.” Registration is available online at w w w. runsignup.com/Race/OR/M onmouth/4thofJulyMini- Marathon . See RACE, Page 11A Ribich named Male Athlete of the Year By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer MONMOUTH — Western Oregon junior cross-country and track runner David Ribich had a stellar 2016-17 school year. Ribich won a pair of na- tional championships in track and field, and set nu- merous conference and school records. He can add one more ac- colade. The Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s athlet- ic directors voted Ribich as the GNAC Male Athlete of the Year. “I think it’s pretty cool,” Ribich said. “Throughout the GNAC there are a lot of high-caliber athletes and profession- al-caliber athletes that could have easily received this award. I was fortu- n a t e Ribich enough to get it. It’s crazy. We tend not to work for these things. We work for our own personal goals, but this is really cool to see the recognition. It’s an incredible honor to receive this award.” Ribich’s success during the cross-country, and track and field seasons helped him stand out. “Conference Athlete of the Year is a great honor,” WOU cross-country and track and field coach Mike Johnson said. “David is so consistent, not just in running but in all that he does. He is very in- tentional. We are all so pleased that David has re- ceived this truly special recognition.” Ribich’s cross-country sea- son was capped off with a 15th-place finish in the NCAA Division II West Region Championships in Billings, Mont., last November. During the indoor track season, Ribich was part of the distance medley relay team that won a national title at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships. See RIBICH, Page 11A LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer file David Ribich is the Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s Male Athlete of the Year. www.facebook.com/pages/Polk-County-Itemizer-Observer/205062686252209 www.twitter.com/PolkIOSports
