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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 2017)
Polk County Sports Polk County Itemizer-Observer • October 18, 2017 11A Wolves: WOU takes aim at conference title Continued from Page 10A Ribich said the Wolves are approaching the weekend with the same energy and anticipation they had at the start of the season. “We’re chomping at the bit like it’s our first race,” he said. “We’re ready to get the ball rolling.” The men’s team could be a contender for the team title. The Wolves return every runner that competed at the GNAC championships in 2016, including Ribich, Dustin Nading, Tyler Jones, Josh Dempsey and Stephen Frey. That depth makes the Wolves dangerous, but Ribich said the top of the conference is stacked. “I think it’ll be a four-team battle on the men’s side,” Ribich said. “It’ll come down to the finish. The first 5 kilo- meters of the race is flat, then the last 3 kilometers are a little hilly.” The women’s team, which features Kennedy Rufener, Olivia Woods and Megan Rose, among others, is also looking to make a splash. “The girls are a top-four team for sure,” Ribich said. “The 6-kilometer distance is long enough for the en- durance girls to do well and other girls like Olivia, Megan and Suzie (Van De Grift) can shine in the right opportunity because we know they can outkick any- one in the field.” The Wolves have tailored their training schedule to be at their absolute best at the end of the season. On Saturday, they’ll get a chance. COURTESY OF WOU ATHLETICS/Itemizer-Observer Western Oregon’s cross-country team will compete at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships. WESTERN OREGON ROUNDUP Wildcats earn shutout victory over Wolves LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer Western Oregon quarterback Nick Duckworth (12) throws a pass on Saturday. Itemizer-Observer staff report MONMOUTH — Western Oregon University’s football team was shut out by Central Washington 42-0 on Satur- day. The Wildcats led 7-0 after the first quarter before scor- ing three touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 28- 0 lead into the half. Central Washington held Western Oregon to 261 yards of total offense — its lowest offensive output of the sea- son. Wolves’ quarterback Nick Duckworth, who passed for six touchdowns on Oct. 7, completed 10 of 20 passes for 83 yards on Saturday. Phillip Fenumiai went 12- for-20 for 115 yards. Running back Taylor Poyadue had 18 rushes for 75 yards. WOU (2-5 overall, 1-4 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) plays at Hum- boldt State Saturday at 6 p.m. VOLLEY- B A L L D R O P S TWO: West- ern Oregon’s volleyball team lost to Alaska Fair- banks 14-25, 28-26, 28- Bettinson 26, 25-19 on Thursday and Alaska Anchorage 19-25, 25- 23, 25-17, 25-21 on Saturday. Mariella Vandenkooy had a team- Vandenkooy high 18 kills against Alaska Anchorage and 22 kills and three blocks against Alaska Fairbanks. Alisha Bettinson added 13 kills and six blocks. WOU (6-11 overall, 2-8 GNAC) plays at Central Wash- ington on Thursday at 7 p.m. and at Northwest Nazarene Saturday at 7 p.m. WOMEN’S SOCCER FALLS TO NORTHWEST NAZARENE: Western Oregon’s women’s soc- cer team lost to Northwest Nazarene 1-0 on Saturday. The teams played to a scoreless tie in regular before Northwest Nazarene scored in the 98th minute to earn the victory. The match was the Wolves’ sixth overtime match of the sea- son. The Wolves also tied Mon- tana State, Billings 0-0 on Thurs- day. WOU (2-8-2 overall, 1-5-2 GNAC) plays at Concordia Thurs- day at 7 p.m. before hosting Saint Martin’s Saturday at 1 p.m. DALLAS ROUNDUP Volleyball sweeps Central Itemizer-Observer staff report INDEPENDENCE — Dal- las’ volleyball team defeated Central 25-22, 25-18, 26-24 on Oct. 11. The Dragons also competed at the Seaside Tournament on Saturday, defeating Estacada and Philomath before losing to Valley Catholic. Dallas played Woodburn Tuesday after press time. The Dragons close out the regular season Thursday at 6 p.m. against South Albany. The Dragons entered the week with a 12-10 record overall and 6-6 mark in Mid- Willamette Conference play, good for fifth place. The top six teams advance to the postseason. The third- and fourth-place finishers will host a state play-in match. The fifth- and sixth- place finishers will go on the road for a state play-in match. Crescent Valley entered the week in fourth place with a 7-5 mark in league play. CROSS TAKES FIRST AT IN- VITATIONAL: Dallas junior boys cross-country runner Trevor Cross placed first in the Silver Varsity race at the George Fox Invitational. Cross fin- ished with a time of 15 minutes, Cross 47.39 sec- onds. The boys placed third in the team standings. “We had outstanding per- formances from Toby Ruston, Orion Knudson and Gavin Bowling league results Cherry Pickers First Place 18 wins 6 losses High Scratch Game Men: Dennis Fritz 236 Hi g h S c ra t c h Ga m e Women: Sherrie Johnston 223 High Handicap Game Men: Daryl Jones 290 High Handicap Game Women: Doris Stefani 284 High Scratch Series Men: Dennis Fritz 627 High Scratch Ser ies Women: Sherrie Johnston 518 High Handicap Series Men: Daryl Jones 730 High Handicap Series Women: Nancy Baxter 760 PREP VOLLEYBALL Falls City drops close match Itemizer-Observer staff report FALLS CIT Y — Falls City’s volleyball team lost to Willamette Valley Christian 11-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-8, 16-14 on Monday. The Mountaineers played Jewell Tuesday after press time. Falls City will compete in the Casco League tourna- ment beginning Thursday. The tournament’s schedule was not finalized as of press time. “The girls are really work- ing on staying tough in in- tense pressure game situa- tions,” coach Roxi Barnhart said. “We are improving and that is exciting.” Visit our website, www.polkio.com ...for local news, sports and community events. Follow us on G r a s s ,” c o a c h M o n i q u e Lankheet said. “Ryan Bibler had a great performance coming back from injury.” Ruston finished 11th in 16:36.92, Grass took 19th in 16:53.28 and Knudson placed 38th in 17:30.14. Bekah Rocak led the girls. “Bekah set a new personal record and Melody and Mikayla ran tough and got big PRs,” Lankheet said. “Maddie Kennedy and Jaydin Darring- ton had huge PRs as well.” Dallas will host a meet Wednesday (today) at 4 p.m. at Dallas City Park. BOYS SOCCER FALLS TO SILVERTON: Dallas’ boys soccer team lost to Silverton 7-1 on Oct. 11. The Dragons (2-8 overall, 1-3 MWC played Central Tuesday after press time. Dallas plays at Wood- burn Thursday at 6 p.m. and at South Albany Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. GIRLS SOCCER LOSES: Dal- las’ girls soccer team lost to Sil- verton 6-0 on Oct. 11. The Dragons (0-9 overall, 0-4 MWC) played Central Tuesday after press time. Dallas hosts Wood- burn Thursday at 4 p.m. and South Albany Tuesday at 4 p.m. SPARTANS DEFEAT DRAG- ONS: Dallas’ football team lost to Corvallis 40-27 on Thursday. Evan Courtney rushed for 116 yards and two touch- downs. Jaret Stewart and Cam- den Frizelle also scored rushing touchdowns for the Dragons. The Spartans jumped out to a 21-7 lead at the half. The Dragons pulled within one possession twice in the second half, but Corvallis answered each time. Dallas (2-5 overall, 0-4 MWC) hosts Crescent Valley Friday at 7 p.m. It will be the team’s final home game of the season. LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer Josie Smith (11) and Taylor Williamson (8) wait for a point to start during the Dragons’ win over Central on Oct. 11. Falls City Continued from Page 10A Sickles missed the first three weeks of the season, but the senior is thankful to be back on the field. “I got myself into a little bit of trouble, so I couldn’t play,” he said. “I fixed every- thing. It helped me be a bet- ter leader. I’ve been through a lot. When people get down, I’ve been in a rough spot be- fore so I can help pick peo- ple up and keep them fo- cused.” Sickles makes the Moun- taineers a more dangerous team. “Jesse has allowed us to open things up on offense more,” Cook said. “He does a good job of running the show and making his reads. It allows us to put Jeremy (Labrado) in the backfield. Austin (Burgess) is a real good blocker and receiver. Noah (Sickles) is a heck of a runner. Jesse makes us more dangerous.” That was on display on Friday, as Burgess, Labrado, Noah Sickles and Jesse Sick- les all scored touchdowns. With Jesse Sickles at quar- terback, he gives the Moun- taineers a dual threat capa- ble of making plays with his arm and his feet. Now, it’s a matter of fine tuning and eliminating mis- takes on offense and de- fense. “Yoncalla couldn’t stop us,” Cook said. “We stopped ourselves with a few fumbles and stupid penalties.” The Mountaineers close the regular season at Maple- ton Friday at 7 p.m., and both Cook and his players believe that a home playoff game — and a deep run in the postseason — are possi- ble. “I’m probably too hard on the kids at times be- cause I’ve had good groups in the past,” Cook said. “I’ve had teams that haven’t given up 100 points in 13, 14 games. I believe these kids can do the same thing because of how hard they play and their football in- telligence. We just can’t take plays off. This is a spe- cial group.” LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer Jesse Sickles and Jeremy Labrado talk with Falls City coach Laric Cook (not pictured) during the Mountaineers’ 84-32 victory over Yoncalla on Friday night.