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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 28, 2025)
Eight Mustangs earn all-league honors Heppner dominates Elgin in state championship tune-up Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 28, 2025 -- NINE Heppner track and field athletes punch tickets to state 2nd place 4x400relay. Top, Hallee Hisler, Lily Nichols bot- First Team Maya Payne First Team Isabel Payne First Team Ava Gerry (first tom Healy Hisler, Riley Archer. -Photo by Susan Hisler (catcher) base) (pitcher) Lily Nichols. -Photo by Susan Hisler Hallee Hisler second from right. -Photo by Susan Hisler Chris Humphreys First Team Delaney Stefani First Team Katie Spivey (out- Second Team Ciciley Stefani (infield) field) (utility) Second Team Kadie Henrichs Honorable Mention Keeley Nairns (outfield) (designated player) The Heppner Mustang softball team has plenty to celebrate as it heads into the postseason. Eight players received all-league honors, a testament to the team’s depth, talent and dominant season. And on Tuesday, May 20, the Lady Mustangs backed up those accolades with commanding 13-1 and 13-3 wins over the Elgin Huskies in their double- header, led by a standout performance from Isabel Payne. All-League Accolades for Mustangs Five Mustangs were named to the All-League First Team: Maya Payne (pitcher), Isabel Payne (catcher), Ava Gerry (first base), Delaney Stefani (in- field), and Katie Spivey (outfield). Second Team selections included Cici- ley Stefani (utility) and Kadie Henrichs (designat- ed player). Keeley Nairns (outfield) earned Honorable Mention. These honors come as the Mustangs continue their impressive campaign, ranked No. 1 in the OSAA 2A/1A standings with an 18-4 overall record and a 9-3 league mark. Payne Powers Mus- tangs Past Elgin In Tuesday’s win, Is- abel Payne stole the spot- light with a monster game at the plate, going 3-for-4 with five RBIs, including a fifth-inning grand slam that broke the game wide open. Payne’s bat was electric, but her leadership behind the plate was equally im- pactful in keeping Elgin’s offense quiet. The Mustangs jumped out early, scoring three The Heppner/Ione Mustangs baseball team is on the hunt for a deep post- season run after a strong performance in the first round of the state playoffs. Following a 6-3 victo- ry over Illinois Valley, the Mustangs (16-8 overall, 11-5 in league play) are set to face Kennedy on Wednesday, May 28 at 4:30 p.m. in round two. Ranked No. 15 in the OSAA 2A/1A standings, Heppner/Ione finished fourth in their league after a consistent season that saw them score 183 runs while allowing just 121. Despite a 3-7 non- league setback against Jo- seph/Enterprise/Wallowa on May 22, the Mustangs bounced back with compo- sure in the playoffs, advanc- ing to the second round with momentum. runs in the first inning, capitalizing on a single by Maya Payne and an Elgin error. They added runs in the second and third before exploding for five more in the fifth. Maya Payne handled the pitching duties with confidence, giving up just three hits and one earned run—a solo shot by Elgin’s Izabel Martin—over five innings. She struck out seven without issuing a single walk. Delaney Stefani was perfect at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a pair of stolen bases, while Ava Gerry con- tributed two hits of her own. Heppner racked up 13 hits in total and played flawless defense, not committing a single error. Postseason Path Ahead Next up, the Mustangs face Elgin/Imbler again on May 28 at 4 p.m. in the opening round of the 2025 OSAA OnPoint Commu- nity Credit Union 2A/1A State Championship. The winner will move on to face either Grant Union/Prairie City or Toledo in the quar- terfinals on May 30. With a deep roster, eight all-league selections and the No. 1 ranking in the state, the Mustangs are not just postseason contend- ers—they’re championship favorites. Mustangs head to round two in state playoffs The upcoming game against Kennedy could prove pivotal. A win would send the Mustangs into the quarterfinals on May 30, where they will meet the winner of the St. Paul vs. Monroe/Alsea matchup. With strong offensive numbers and a resilient defense, Heppner/Ione is poised to make a statement as they look to continue their postseason journey. Track and field seniors honored Heppner High School track and field seniors were honored by head track coach Russ Nichols at a just-for-fun home meet last Wednesday, May 21. Graduating seniors for the track and field team are Marty Medina, Hayden McMahon, Nicholas Wenberg and Hallee Hisler. Pic- tured L-R: Obdulia Medina, senior Marty Medina, Martin Medina, senior Hayden McMahon, Landon McMahon, Shawn and Stephanie Hisler, senior Hallee Hisler, Healy Hisler, Paul Hisler, Peter Wenberg, Nicholas Vandenakker, Sheena Shank-Wenberg and senior Nicholas Wenberg. -Photo by Andrea Di Salvo Healy Hisler. -Photo by Susan Hisler Joseph Albitre. -Photo by Susan Hisler The Heppner High School track and field team turned in a stellar performance at the 2A-SD4 Special District 4 Champi- onships on Friday, earning multiple state qualifications and delivering a number of personal records (PRs) in a highly competitive meet. Both boys and girls teams finished strong, with the Lady Mustangs cap- turing an impressive sec- ond-place tie with Grant Union at 115 points, behind Weston-McEwen’s 145. Eight of Heppner ’s athletes will now advance to the OSAA State Track & Field Championships, held May 29–31 at Hay- ward Field, University of Oregon. Leading the charge for the boys’ team, senior Marty Medina had a stand- out day, clinching first in the 800 meters (2:08.59) and placing fourth in the 1500 meters (4:24.29 PR), qualifying for state in both events. Chris Humphreys, a ju- nior, earned his trip to state with a first-place throw in the javelin (47.46m) and a solid fourth-place showing in shot put. In the field events, Joseph Albitre grabbed second in the high jump (1.82m) to qualify for state, and also turned in PRs in both the 110m hurdles and 300m hurdles. The girls’ team featured a number of dominant per- formances. Senior Hallee Hisler blazed through the 100m (12.80 PR), 200m (26.12), and 400m (58.56), qualifying for state in all three events. Her younger sister, sophomore Healy Hisler, was not far behind, also qualifying in the 200m (4th – 27.75) and 400m (3rd – 1:01.49). Junior Lily Nichols proved to be one of the most versatile athletes of the meet, winning the 800m (2:25.28) and 1500m (5:02.90) while finishing second in the 300m hurdles (49.57)—qualifying in all three. Junior Riley Archer took first in the 3000m (11:30.87 PR) and third in the 1500m (5:25.14), earn- ing two state berths. Sophomore Brooklyn Hendricks also earned a spot at state with a strong third-place finish in the 3000m. The girls’ 4x400 re- lay team of Hallee Hisler, Healy Hisler, Lily Nichols, and Riley Archer finished second in 4:17.36 and will also advance to Hayward Field. Heppner now heads to Eugene with momen- tum and medal hopes. The Mustangs will look to make their mark among Oregon’s elite at Hayward Field later this week. Full team stats from the district meet were: Boys Varsity Results 100 Meters – Finals 6th – Hayden McMahon (12) – 12.06a 9th – Nick Wenberg (12) – 12.15a PR 200 Meters – Finals 8th – Hayden McMahon (12) – 25.35a 800 Meters – Finals 1st – Marty Medina (12) – 2:08.59a – State Qualifier 1500 Meters – Finals 4th – Marty Medina (12) – 4:24.29a PR – State Qual- ifier 110m Hurdles (39”) – Fi- nals 7th – Joseph Albitre (11) – 19.02a PR 300m Hurdles (36”) – Fi- nals 6th – Joseph Albitre (11) – 47.05a PR Shot Put (12 lb) – Finals 4th – Chris Humphreys (11) – 12.06m 8th – Gage Heideman (9) – 11.52m PR 9th – Landon McMahon (11) – 11.30m Discus (1.6 kg) – Finals 5th – Landon McMahon (11) – 33.49m 12th – Chris Humphreys (11) – 27.51m 14th – Gage Heideman (9) – 25.75m Javelin (800g) – Finals 1st – Chris Humphreys (11) – 47.46m – State Qualifier 7th – Gage Heideman (9) – 34.94m PR 10th – Lucas King (9) – 31.30m PR High Jump – Finals 2nd – Joseph Albitre (11) – 1.82m – State Qualifier Long Jump – Finals -Continued to PAGE TEN DON’T FORGET GRADUATION Greeting Cards, Money Cards Balloon Bouquets, Wrapped Flowers & More NEW HOURS STARTING JUNE 1 217 North Main St., Heppner, OR Phone 676-9158 Floral 676-9426 murraysdrug.com Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm • Sat 8am-6pm • Pharmacy- Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Espresso Sat 7am to 4pm/Sun 8am to 2pm window only
