Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 18, 2015)
Blue Mountain Eagle SPORTS SCHEDULE Wednesday, November 18, 2015 College football B1 WEDNESDAY November 18, 2015 Saturday, Nov. 21 Oregon St. Oregon State Beavers vs. Washington Huskies in Corvallis, 3 p.m. Oregon Oregon Ducks vs. USC Trojans in Eugene, 12:30 p.m. Oregon delists gray wolves West side wolves still under federal protection Eagle photos by Angel Carpenter Youth wrestling coach Mike Strong, back left, helps the athletes learn proper form in Monday’s practice at Grant Union. By Eric Mortenson Capital Press SALEM — After nearly 11 hours of emotional testimony, back and forth discussion and two timeouts for legal advice from a state attorney, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 4-2 Monday to take gray wolves off the state endangered species list. In making the decision, com- mission members agreed with an ODFW staff appraisal that the state’s wolves have expanded in number and range to the point that they no longer need protec- tion under the state Endangered Species Act. Oregon’s wolves remain cov- ered under the federal ESA in the western two-thirds of the state, and ODFW of¿ cials say the state wolf management plan remains in effect and will protect wolves from illegal hunting. The decision doesn’t close the book on Oregon’s work to man- age wolves. Some commission members made it clear they pre- ferred to delist wolves only in the eastern third of the state, where most of Oregon’s 82 con¿ rmed wolves live, but were prevented from doing so by language in the state law. Meanwhile, conservation groups are expected to ¿ le a lawsuit over the commission’s decision. “I think that’s very likely,” said Amaroq Weiss of the Center for Biological Diversity. “I think they’re in violation of the law. They didn’t pay attention to the science.” Conservation groups believe Oregon’s wolf population is too small and too fragile to delist. They point out wolves occupy only 12 percent of their potential territory. Youth wrestlers learn discipline, hard work Athletes take 27 wins at Pendleton Meet By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle JOHN DAY – The Grant County Wrestling Club is in full swing, and their practice is paying off. At the Pendleton Meet last weekend, which included 400 participants, 12 Grant County wres- tlers competed for 27 wins, nine losses and 16 pins. Last Monday, about two dozen of the local wrestlers started practice at Grant Union with warm-up stretches, push-ups and sit-ups. After a demonstration of wrestling moves by coach Mike Strong, the athletes paired up and went to work. Strong has coached the wrestling club for three years, and has help from several assistant coaches, including Ty Parsons, Drew Knowles, Mike Gast, Terry Harper, Zane Rookstool and Mitch Wilson. Other volunteers include Tobe Zweygardt, Trevor Knowles, Steve Parsons, Rick Jensen, Cindy Dougharity-Spencer and brother Jake and Caleb Batease. This season, 30 athletes are in the club, rang- ing in age from 5 to12 years old. “We have a great group of coaches, and with that many young kids, we need a lot of coaches,” Strong said. He said his team, which is an Oregon Wres- tling Association for Youth club, will attend ¿ ve or six tournaments in Eastern Oregon during the season. Strong said he hopes the success the young wrestlers gain in the program will carry over as they continue on to junior high and high school. “Our goal for the wrestlers in the club is to learn discipline, respect, and most important, hard work,” he said, adding their coaching centers on fundamentals – “learning the basics and doing them right.” Taylor Parsons Tatyn Harper Age: 6 Division 2 Won: 1st Pendleton, 3rd Baker Favorite move: Front flip See WOLVES, Page B8 Age: 7 Division 2 Won: 1st Pendleton, 1st Baker Favorite move: Fireman’s carry Owen Parsons Age: 5 Division 1 Won: 2nd Pendleton, 2nd Baker Favorite move: Windmill Zeke Rookstool Eli Wright Age: 11 Division 4 Won: 2nd Baker Favorite move: Single leg Tristan Clarry Age: 7 Division 2 Won: 2nd Pendleton Favorite move: “I like to pin” Age: 8 Division 2 Won: 3rd Pendleton, 3rd Baker Favorite move: Double leg 1HZ3DQWKHUEDVNHWEDOOFRDFKHDJHUWR¿OOVWDQGV Jonathon Gill leads with high aspirations By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle Jonathon Gill PRAIRIE CITY – “One team, one family, one love – Prairie City!” That’s the new motto for Prairie City’s basketball team, said new head coach Jonathon Gill. Gill, who was an assistant coach for the Panthers last year, said he’s wants to establish a winning mentality and involve the fans. “We want to galvanize the community and get them behind the kids,” he said. “This is a blue collar team that works hard, and reÀ ects the environment of the community, and they can outwork their op- ponents,” he added. Gill is from Mobile, Ala., and has lived in Canyon City for two years. This is his ¿ rst year coach- ing, and last year was his ¿ rst year as an assistant coach to Mark Woodbury. Gill said he’s played basket- ball throughout his life, and his experience includes playing on the high school team, and he was a Division 1 player at Uni- versity of Alabama his freshman year of college. He gave up college ball to pursue his career as a civil en- gineer. “It’s going to be a learning curve for me this year, but I’m dedicated and very passionate,” he said. “I eat, sleep and live basketball.” The coach said he’s optimis- tic this season, and is happy to have some key players back on the court, including team captain Garrett Hitz, Ethan Camarena, Brandon Gillihan and Dorran Wilson. “Our expectations are high,” he said. “Our ultimate goal is es- tablishing these kids to be young men. He said he and assistant coach Bob Hassmiller want to prepare the athletes to be suc- cessful in their families, com- munity and as students. “We want to give them tools,” he said. Although he plans to take it a day at a time, and look for im- provement as the season moves along, Gill said his expectations are high. “I’m a competitive guy, our aspirations are the best – state championship,” he said. The Panthers, in the 1A-8 High Desert League, have scheduled their ¿ rst varsity game for Friday, Dec. 4, host- ing the Redmond junior varsity at 6:30 p.m., following the girls game. They also host Burnt Riv- er Saturday, Dec. 5 at 3:30 p.m. The SPORTS MP3 player that only Sony has: • The memory is built into your Sony Headphone • Controls are on the earbud 2 Versions are available: MP3 player and Waterproof, Bluetooth, Handsfree Phone MP3 player with remote. OPEN Tuesday thru Saturday 11am to 9pm 02995 541-575-1387 417 W. Main John Day