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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (June 13, 2018)
Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, June 13, 2018 A9 WEDNESDAY June 13, 2018 Going for gold 44 participate in Gold Rush Run & Walk By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle ark Kerstens was the first male to cross the finish line in Saturday’s Gold Rush Run & Walk, which kicked off day two of the ’62 Days Cele- bration in Canyon City. “It’s so fun coming to ’62 Days and running in this race,” said Kerstens, who lived in the area three years ago and now resides in Coos Bay. He fin- ished the 5k race with a time of 20:23. “It was a great introduction to the area, and it was a really fun course,” said Audrey Wheatcraft of Corval- lis, who ran the race for the first time, and was the first female to fin- ish. Her recorded time was 24:15. Twelve-year-old Grant Hall, who has been racing in the Gold Rush Run since age 5, was third to cross the finish line, after his dad, Dr. Dave Hall. “It was fun,” Grant said. “I like how uneven it is and how hard it is to do it.” Organizer Hugh Snook of Salem said it was the 20th running on the course, which takes participants from Washington Street to Highway 395 and to Humbolt Street. Runners and walkers then face the steep in- cline of Rebel Hill Road before fin- ishing at the start. “I was impressed that we had a good turnout race morning in spite of the rain,” Snook said. Heavy rain held off until noon. The fastest woman over age 40 was Sheila Comer of Canyon City. The fastest man over age 40 was Dr. Zac Bailey of John Day. The youngest participants were Noxi Long and Sam Bailey. M Eagle photos/Angel Carpenter Gold Rush Run & Walk participants make their start on Washington Street in Canyon City. 2018 Gold Rush Run & Walk top 10 NAME Mark Kerstens David Hall Grant Hall Kevin Nelson Jeff Nelson Logan Breshears Sinu Cletus Audrey Wheatcroft Katie Nicolato Sheila Comer CITY Coos Bay John Day John Day John Day John Day Canyon City Salem Coos Bay John Day Canyon City TIME 20:23 21:17 22:19 22:20 23:30 23:38 23:49 24:15 25:11 26:08 PLACE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 AGE GROUP M20-29 M30-39 M10-14 M50-59 M30-39 M20-29 M20-29 W20-29 W20-29 W40-49 A dog named Baby finished the race with owner Morgan Randleas of Canyon City. Tammy Bremner of Canyon City removes Mt. Vernon resident Tammy McKenna’s racing information after she crosses the finish line. Jim Soupir of Prairie City is in back. Mark Kerstens, center, gives Audrey Wheatcroft a high- five after the Gold Rush Run & Walk. Kerstens was the first male finisher, and Wheatcroft was the first female finisher. Prospector softball players receive state recognition Blue Mountain Eagle Three Grant Union Pros- pector softball players were selected for 3A All-Oregon honors. Prospector senior catcher Brianna Zweygardt, a Prai- rie City student athlete, was named to the First Team. Grant Union senior Mariah Moulton, pitcher/infield, was named to the Second Team. Grant Union senior Cody Jo Madden, pitcher, was given honorable mention. The teams were voted on by league representatives on June 1 at the State meeting. The 3A Oregon Softball State Chair Tracy Cleaver said only First Team All- League/Conference winners are considered at the State meeting. Three Prospectors, Brian- na Zweygardt, Whitney Mc- Clellan and Cody Jo Madden, also played in the 3A Senior All-Star Games on June 3 at the Oregon State University softball complex. There were 27 girls from five different leagues/conferences playing. Contributed photo Contributed photos/Tanni Wenger Photography Brianna Zweygardt Mariah Moulton Cody Jo Madden A group of 3A senior All-Stars gather after their game June 3 at the Oregon State Softball Complex in Corvallis. Grant Union Prospectors in the photo are Brianna Zweygardt, third from left in the middle row, and Cody Jo Madden and Whitney McClellan, front row, second and third from left. Prospector assistant coach Lance Zweygardt is second from left in the back row with head coach Zach Williams to his right. 4-H sharpshooters will head to state competition Boys seeking donations for trip By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle A group of three 4-H sharpshooters, Logan Na- mitz, Cody Bowden and Trevor Gabbard, will compete at the state level on Monday through Wednesday, June 18- 20, in Albany. They are seeking dona- tions for their three-day trip. Bowden, who was named a 4-H ambassador, will be in Albany for five days for train- ing in that role. After participating in three months of qualifying rounds in a mail-in tournament, with a different course of fire each month, the group was invited to the state competition. The boys shoot using a .22 rifle and a pistol for the com- petition. Their coaches are Steve and Brenda Namitz. Steve said the boys were troopers during the winter months of shooting at the Bear Creek Range in harsh weather conditions. “We had to call practice a couple of times due to white- Contributed photo Grant County 4-H sharpshooters, from left, Trevor Gabbard, Cody Bowden and Logan Namitz have qualified for the state-level 4-H shooting competition in Albany. outs, but for the most part, we were able to get our shoots in,” he said, adding they of- ten had a bonfire to warm up between shoots. Some of their competitors on the west side, by contrast, practice at indoor shooting ranges. Bowden, 16, is the squad captain, and is in the ad- vanced division. Logan Na- mitz, 14, and Gabbard, 12, are in the intermediate divi- sion. Namitz and Bowden will add a hunting competition, which includes rifle, pistol and archery, to their events at state. “Cody has been shooting with the 4-H program now for approximately six years and helps provide leadership and mentoring to the younger shooters,” Steve Namitz said. “Over the years, Cody has received several champion and reserve champion place- ments for his age bracket at the county level.” Reid and Brady Dole-Wy- llie have also been a part of the group and won ribbons in the qualifying rounds, and more youths join during the summer months. Steve Namitz said Gab- bard has been impressive as a first-year shooter and is the most-improved shooter over the course of the mail-in tournament. Gabbard said he enjoys that the program allows him to be with his friends to shoot. “It’s going to be fun to go and compete with other peo- ple from different places,” he said. “I’m proud of my team.” Steve Namitz said there are excellent leaders making a difference with the youth of the community. “I believe the 4-H shoot- ing sports program is a great educational tool that teaches life skills and safe firearm be- havior,” he said. “The county has a great shooting sports program whether your inter- est is rifle, pistol, archery or shotgun.” He lauded the members of the Bear Creek Range who allow them to use their facil- ity. “I’m really proud of what these boys have accom- plished and look forward to moving on to the state com- petition,” he said. To sponsor the team with a donation, call Brenda Na- mitz at 541-620-2803 or Teri Bowden at 541-575- 2112. Donations may also be dropped off at A Flower Shop N More in John Day. Eagle file photo Junior golfer Clyde Holliday chips the ball onto the green at last year’s Grant County Junior Golf clinic at the John Day Golf Club, as instructor Ron Lundbom, left, claps and Madelyn, Eliza and Max Bailey and Riddick Hutchison look on. The lessons begin June 18 this year. Grant County Junior Golf starts June 18 Blue Mountain Eagle Grant County Junior Golf will be offered three days a week starting Monday, June 18, at the John Day Golf Course. Coach Ron Lundbom announced the lessons for boys and girls ages 8-18 will be offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for two weeks. Clubs are avail- able, and the cost is $30 per person. A golf scramble and ice cream party will be held on June 19, the final day. For more information, call Lundbom at 541-575- 1850 (at John Day NAPA) or 541-620-0427. The John Day Golf Club number is 541-575- 0170.
