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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 23, 2015)
SPORTS SCHEDULE Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, September 23, 2015 WEDNESDAY September 23, 2015 Football Friday, Sept. 25 Dayville/Monument vs. Prairie City/ Burnt River in Dayville, Dayville/Monument 1 p.m. Grant Union vs. Pilot Rock/Nixyaawii in John Day, 7 p.m. Panthers attack volleyball season Thursday, Sept. 24 Grant Union Grant Union vs. Burns in John Day, 4 p.m. Day/Mon vs. Burnt River in Dayville, 4 p.m. Day/Mon vs. Prairie City in Dayville, 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 Prairie City Day/Mon, Prairie City @ Crane Tournament in Crane, 10 a.m. Grant Union vs. Union in John Day, Noon P RAIRIE C ITY S ENIOR P LAYERS By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle PRAIRIE CITY – Six- teen girls on the Prairie City volleyball teams are zeroing in on giving their best on the court and progressing through the season. This year’s Panther roster includes four seniors, three juniors, six sophomores and three freshmen. Three are returning varsi- ty starters. Head coach Louanne Zweygardt said each of the girls bring their own com- bination of skill sets to the table. “Some work hard, some are mentally tough, some are gifted with natural ath- letic ability,” she said. “We are striving to have them de- velop the attributes they can control to become better, more well-rounded athletes and individuals.” “All four seniors are positive inÀ uences and role models to the younger team members,” she said. The seniors include Amaya Zweygardt, Marlay- na Woodbury, Teri Cobb and Jeannie McCarthy. Each said they are excit- ed for the season and feel the team is cohesive this year. “We’re all working to- Volleyball Friday, Sept. 25 gether really well and have become a team,” said Ama- ya, who’s in her seventh sea- son playing volleyball. Woodbury, who’s also in her seventh season, agreed and added the team has a lot of potential this season. Cobb has played all of her four years at high school, and said the team has good chemistry. “I like being a part of something,” she said. “I think we’ll have a pretty good year.” “We all have good atti- tudes on the court and come ready to play,” said McCar- thy, who’s playing her sev- enth season of volleyball. Grant Union vs. Culver in John Day, 5:15 p.m. Ukiah/Long Creek vs. Jordan Valley in Unity, 4:30 p.m. Contributed photo/Tanni Wenger Photography Studios Nathan Gehley Prairie City @ GU junior varsity in John Day, 4:30 p.m. “We’re ready for league play.” Coach Zweygardt said she had three main things for her team to remember: focus on fundamentals, work hard and maintain a positive attitude. She said the fundamen- tal skills build a strong foundation. “Mental toughness is an- other focus in order to im- prove our ability to maintain aggressive play and positive attitudes in adverse situa- tions,” she said. Last year, the Panthers made it to the High Desert District Tournament, but fell short of state competition. They ended the season 3-4 in league with a 13-11 overall record. So far this season, the Panthers have a 4-4 record, and they start league play this Friday against Dayville/ Monument with varsity games starting at about 6 p.m. in Dayville. The team has a busy schedule, with most early matches and tournaments played on the road, but Zweygardt believes they’ll be competitive with their 1A league opponents: Crane, Jordan Valley, Adrian, Burnt River, Harper/Huntington and Dayville/Monument. Since the Prairie City Jeannie McCarthy Marlayna Woodbury football team has combined with Burnt River, some of the Panther’s home volley- ball games will be played in Unity. Coach Zweygardt has coached the Panther pro- gram for eight years, four as head coach, and her assistant coach is Lance Zweygardt. The coach said she’s pleased with the unity her team shows. “They support each other really well, and everybody is included,” she said. “They are realizing how good they can be.” GU GOLFER SWINGS DOWN UNDER Australia trip includes golf, kangaroos By Angel Carpenter Cross Country J Long Creek Saturday, Sept. 26 Monument @ Nike Port- land XC in Portland, TBA Amaya Zweygardt The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Tuesday, Sept. 29 Wednesday, Sept. 30 Teri Cobb The Prairie City Panther team huddles with head coach Louanne Zweygardt and assistant coach Lance Zweygardt during a home game earlier this season. Grant Union vs. Enterprise in John Day, 5 p.m. Grant Union @ Outlaw Invite in Sisters @ 11:20 a.m. B1 Contributed photo The driving range at the Down Under sporting event at Australia’s Gold Coast. Blue Mountain Eagle OHN DAY – He’s a few weeks into the school year; how- ever, Grant Union High School senior Nathan Gehley made a summertime memory that will likely stay with him for a lifetime. He was invited by Down Under Sports to join other gol¿ ng ath- letes for an eight-day stay in July at Australia’s Gold Coast for an international golf tournament. Gehley met several U.S. and Australian athletes through the pro- gram – all with a high level of interest and ability for the game. “It was fun, and I made a bunch of friends,” he said. The adventure began with a golf scramble the ¿ rst day, practice the next, then two tournaments – all on professional-grade courses. On his free day, Gehley enjoyed an excursion to the Great Barri- er Reef which included a plane ride to an island, then traveling in a glass-bottomed boat about 400 yards out. See GOLF, Page B2 Contributed photo The view from Nathan Gehley’s hotel during his stay at Australia’s Gold Coast for the Down Under golf tournaments. T WO COUNTY TEAMS COMPETE F RIDAY Eagle photos/Angel Carpenter The Dayville/Monument Tigers host the Prairie City/ Burnt River Panther/Bulls at 1 p.m Friday at the Dayville field for what will be the league opener for both teams. OPEN Tuesday thru Saturday 11am to 9pm • 541-575-1387 • 417 W. Main • John Day 02687