Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 22, 2017)
4 September 22, 2017 T he C olumbia P ress Hall of Fame: Sports supporters, teams to be honored Continued from Page 1 all sports and an innate sense of fairness as well as a performer’s flair, which made him the best announcer in the state, organiz- ers said. Chase grew up in Warrenton, spent 22 years in the Air Force and Navy and earned a teaching degree upon his return to the city. He taught at Knappa Ju- nior High for 20 years, helping them establish a sports program there. “Ed was professional, impar- tial and a real entertainer,” or- ganizers said. “Ed also volun- teered his services at car shows, auctions and assorted fund-rais- ers. He has always been a stunch supporter of WHS athletics and made Warrenton proud.” J oannE h EllBErg Hellberg is being honored for 31 years of service as an edu- cator, 29 of them at Warrenton Grade School. She was administrator over the school district’s Title 1 pro- gram, which ensures schools with high numbers of children from low-income families meet state academic standards. Hell- berg and longtime aide Lois Searles coordinated a reading room that helped struggling stu- dents excel. “She was truly devoted to her students and was always de- lighted by their successes in the classroom and life,” organizers said. She retired from the district in 1997, but continued her life’s passion of enlightening young readers by writing four chil- dren’s books with Scandina- vian themes. She also became a Court Appointed Special Advo- cate for children. m isty W adE t ynkila Wade, a Northwest League most valuable player in basket- ball, graduated from WHS in 1995. She holds the record for single-game scoring (40 points), blocked shots at a state tourna- ment (eight), and field goals in a game (19). After high school, Wade at- tended Portland Community College, where she helped turn their program around, earning more wins than any other PCC team in history. Upon graduation, she married Jason Tynkila and the couple live in Ilwaco with their three children. She continues to coach youth teams and heads up the Peninsula Youth Basketball League. She also has competed in the Portland women’s basket- ball fund-raiser for the Human Rights Campaign. B utCh J ohnson Johnson, who lives in War- renton, was an all-league third baseman and part of the 1975 and 1976 WHS semifinal base- ball teams. But his work after high school makes him a de- served inductee. “After graduation, Butch be- gan a 40-year career giving back to the community he loves,” or- ganizers said. He volunteers at Warrenton High School and coaches in the Babe Ruth programs and has spent more than four decades officiating baseball, softball and basketball in the region. He has worked 13 state basketball tournaments, 40 state base- ball games and 25 state softball games. He also organized offi- cials for community sports. d iCk m aizE Maize, who graduated from Warrenton High in 1955, was an all-around athlete, playing foot- ball, basketball, baseball, track and golf. After graduating from Oregon State, he returned to Warrenton and rain Maize’s Market with his wife, Ann. He served on Warrenton’s School Board, City Commission and was president of Warrenton Chamber of Commerce for four years. He has sponsored Little League teams, served as an in- structor for Astoria Country Club’s golf programs and as a state youth golf chairman. 1971 f ootBall t Eam This is the only undefeated team in Warrenton history and it occurred during their first year in the tougher A league. Four of their wins were by shutout. Two were tie games. “During this era, athletics at WHS were at a high point as the athletes’ willingness to compete led to success in all sports with their basketball team winning 18 games and qualifying for state,” according to organizers. The team was coached by Ray Downs and Bob Cole. At the end of the season, Downs told a reporter: “They were the best bunch of boys I ever had.” Team members: Darcy Bjork, Don Dyer, Mike Curnow, Bill Earls, Steve Rogers, Kenny Dean, David Hoffman, Joe Welch, Duane Keller, Scott Crites, Phil D’Agostino, Mike Rogers, Mike Brim, Terry Wheatley, Al Lyons, Danny Dunn, Mike Balensifer, Lee White, Kurt Kirscher, Bill Harney, Robin Bergerson, Tad Primus, Jim Harney, Bill Baldwin, Eric Carlson and Dennis Bjork. 1978-80 g irls t raCk The teams, coached by Jes- sie Wallace, were arguably the best-run of any sports teams in Warrenton history, organizers said. Each finished second at the state meet and two won district championships. They earned 14 individual state champions and 20 who finished in the top three. Com- bined, the teams had 10 WHS all-time track bests, records that have held up for four decades. Individual members of the teams: Susan Gramson, Kim Williams, Jill Dunham, Cynthia Shepard, Judy Hoff, DeeAnn McCoy, Dianne Davis, Debbie Warren, Julie Maize, Kay Han- na, Allyson Oakley, Georgan Pearch, Shellie Nyberg, Sher- ry Conner, Cheryl Nichols, Pat Rosenburg, Arlene Klingerman, Diane Gertulla, Jackie Cooper, Cassie Gramson, Allison Birk- holz, Stacey Hansen, Dawna Horton and Barbara Havner.