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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (March 13, 2019)
PAGE LABEL BlueMountainEagle.com Wednesday, March 13, 2019 A9 WEDNESDAY March 13, 2019 Dancers kick off state competition with Spring Showcase Grant Union Gold competes Saturday in Portland By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle The Grant Union Gold dancers wowed the crowd Friday at their annual Spring Showcase with team, duo and solo performances. Dancers took the fl oor at Grant Union Junior-Senior High School, showing skills they’ve learned over the past six months of practice, while also celebrating their kick- off to the OSAA Dance and Drill State Championships. The team will travel to state competition on Friday, leaving the school at 9 a.m., performing at approximately 5 p.m. Saturday at the Port- land Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Head coach Kattie Piazza said she’s coached sev- eral of her team members since sixth or seventh grade. Brandi Hicks is her assistant coach this year. The 10 Gold dancers started off Friday’s event performing to “The Great- est Show,” the theme song from the movie “The Great- est Showman.” In the routine, both Leah Comer and Celine Hicks are lifted up in the air by teammates. Performing solo in a contemporary, lyrical style were Brianna Majors, Leah Comer, Shanniyah Hall, Celine Hicks and Ali Chobo. Chobo and Andrea Eagle photos/Angel Carpenter Grant Union Gold dancers Andrea Comer, left, and Ali Chobo perform a hip-hop routine at the Spring Showcase. Grant Union Gold dancers lift Leah Comer in their fi rst performance at Thursday’s Spring Showcase, dancing to the theme of “The Greatest Showman.” Comer also took the fl oor for a hip-hop number, which Piazza said is a favorite form of dance for both girls. All solo and duo numbers were choreographed by the girls performing them. The fi nale was the big reveal of the state competi- tion dance, the team danc- ing to “Whatever It Takes” by the band Imagine Drag- ons with a theme of “Break- ing Free.” Piazza said they still had a little more to add to it for state. Again, the cho- reography included Leah Comer and Celine Hicks held up by teammates in the performance. Andrea Comer, Celine Hicks and Ali Chobo were recognized as seniors on the team. Emilie Updegrave, a junior, said she was happy with the outcome for the eve- ning as well as the season. “We have worked really Grant Union Gold dancer Leah Comer performs a solo routine, dancing to “Skyfall” by Adele. hard for this, and I person- ally think this is the best year we’ve had in a while,” she said. “This team has meant so much to me because everyone loves dance so much and is here for a reason.” Sophomore Brianna Majors was also pleased. “I think we performed strongly tonight,” she said. “I think we’re ready for state.” The 2A Gold dancers are in for a challenge Satur- day, as they compete against schools in the 1A-4A class. “It’s one of the tough- est divisions in the state,” Piazza said, adding Grant Union is the only 2A team taking the fl oor. She said some of the teams have dance as a year- round sport, and some score as high as 6A teams. Although competi- tion will be tough, look- ing forward, Piazza remains hopeful. “We have one of the best-conditioned teams in the state of Oregon,” she said. “It takes a lot of strength, energy and emotion.” Special Olympians face law enforcement for basketball fun By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle The Grant County Spe- cial Olympics Miners chal- lenged the law enforcement team in a basketball show- down Thursday evening at the Prairie City School gym. “The crowd was gener- ous and supportive,” said Miners head coach Dave Hoeffner. He said shooting the ball, rebounding and defense were key in their preparation. “The team worked hard this year,” he said. “Their skill level has improved.” He said two of his play- ers were unable to play this year, and he hopes they’ll be able to join them next season. John Day Police Chief Mike Durr said the event was fun. “I think next year we’ll practice more, and we’ll be ready for them,” he said. JDPD Offi cer Andrew Martin said he’s had some experience coaching basket- ball in Baker City. “I love basketball and helping other people enjoy basketball,” he said. Joining the action on the law enforcement team were Oregon State Police Detective Erich Timko and Trooper Jake Reeves and Grant County Search and Rescue volunteers Sam Palmer, who is also a Grant County commissioner, and Pastor Randy Johnson of the John Day Church of the Nazarene. Miner Caleb Madsen Grant County Special Olympian Caleb Madsen (15) high-fi ves referee Ray Wenger, and Crystal Wimberley runs down the court in the game against law enforcement on Thursday night in Prairie City. Eagle photos/Angel Carpenter Grant County Special Olympians and their coaches and other volunteers pose with the law enforcement and search and rescue members after their basketball game on Thursday in Prairie City. Front: Referees Darrel McKrola, left, and Ray Wenger; middle row (black and white shirts), Brian McKrola, Charley Fronapel, Katie Shockley, Elizabeth Swarthout, Caleb Madsen (behind Swarthout), Jannet Hoeff ner, Crystal Wimberley and Josiah Hoeff ner; back row, Pastor Randy Johnson, Oregon State Police Trooper Jake Reeves, unifi ed volunteer Jason Leighton, OSP Detective Erich Timko (with hat), John Day Police Department Offi cer Andrew Martin, JDPD Chief Mike Durr, Pastor Levi Manitsas (announcer), Grant County Commissioner Sam Palmer, Special Olympics coach Dave Hoeff ner and Special Olympics co- coordinator Deronda Lallatin. scored two 2-pointers and three 3-pointers for the night. He said it was “cool” when Johnson threw him a rebounded ball, which led to Madsen scoring 3 points. “It’s not about who’s the best. It’s about having fun,” Madsen said. “I enjoyed that the law enforcement offi cers came out and played with us,” said Miner Crystal Wimber- ley. “Our team has worked really hard this year, and it really paid off. We hope to come back here next year.” Other Miners team mem- bers were Brian McKrola, Charley Fronapel, Elizabeth Swarthout, Josiah Hoeffner and Katie Shockley, and all contributed in scoring. The annual basketball game is the main fundraiser for the local Special Olym- pians, and the funds go toward their travel and uni- form expenses. Special Olympics assis- tant coaches and unifi ed partners were Jannet Hoef- fner, Jason Leighton, Lauri Shockley and Deronda Lallatin. Other volunteers were Pastor Levi Manitsas of Cor- nerstone Christian Fellow- ship as announcer and refer- ees Darrel McKrola and Ray Wenger. Lallatin and Kathy Jo Gill are local co-coordinators for the Grant County Special Olympics program. The team’s next sport is soccer with practices starting up in mid-April at the Sev- enth Street Complex. On June 7-8 the local Special Olympians will compete at Providence Park in Portland, home of the Timbers. Lallatin said they wel- come more to join the Special Olympics team, as well as those who would like to play as a volunteer unifi ed mem- ber (someone who plays the game, supporting the Special Olympics team members). For more information, call Lallatin or Gill at Sue Z Q’s Thiftstore, 541-575-0715. Grant County Special Olympian Elizabeth Swarthout takes aim during halftime warmups against the law enforcement team. SPORTS SCHEDULE Friday, March 15 Long Creek, Prairie City track and fi eld at Diana Thurmond Invitational in Harper, 11 a.m. (MT) Hailie Wright Kaylee Wright Madi McKrola Tristan Morris Jacob Vaughan Tanner Elliott Blue Mountain Conference All-League recognition Blue Mountain Eagle Grant Union girls basketball Hailie Wright, senior, fi rst team Kaylee Wright, senior, fi rst team Madi McKrola, senior, second team Grant Union softball vs. Burns, 1 p.m., 3 p.m. (may be post- poned to Saturday pending fi eld conditions) Grant Union baseball hosts Ice Breaker Tournament vs. Mac-Hi, 2 p.m. — CANCELED Saturday, March 16 Grant Union boys basketball Tristan Morris, junior, fi rst team Jacob Vaughan, senior, second team Tanner Elliott, senior, second team Grant Union baseball hosts Ice Breaker Tournament vs. St. Paul, 2 p.m. — CANCELED Grant Union dance @ OSAA Dance and Drill State Champi- onships, Portland, 5 p.m. (approximate time)
