SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
10 — Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Speed, strength; bolstered by numbers
The Journal of the San Juan Islands | SanJuanJournal.com
Journal photo / Steve Wehrly
Front row, from left; Megan Wilson, Coleton Cartmill, Danil Sonjaya, Willie Blackmon, Sergio Trujillo, Gemma Richards, Alaina Scheffer, Penelope Dupont. Middle row; Tabatha Keane, Jerry Gan, Lenora Johnson, Kyle Jangard, Nelson Wynn, Genevieve Gislason, Ana Felix. Back row; Caleb Frink, Cameron Willis, Roni Woodard, Patrick Obrien, Kim Fromme, Tony Hao, Gary Lan, Derrick Junda. (Not pictured: Katherine Close, Kim Fromm).
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rack Coach Darrin Scheffer and the track and field athletes are looking forward to a banner year in 2014, with ten more athletes and several strong veterans ready to go in nine multi-school meets, plus a league championship meet in May. Because some kids participate in other sports in the fall and winter, Scheffer knows that group is in shape for running the track. Willie Blackmon is a good example, he says, because he plays football in the fall and works out between football and track seasons. “Willie did two miles in 11 min-
utes on tryout day. He’s ready to go,” Scheffer says. The others get worked out every day, though some of them don’t round into condition until the meets start. “Meets are practices too,” the coach says. “Not only for getting in shape, but also for trying out new events.” Blackmon in the 300 meter hurdles is the coach’s pick for having the best chance to get into the state championships. “He keeps getting better, and he works hard,” says Scheffer. Willie holds the school record in the hurdle event and he’s gone to the state championships two years in a row. “He’ll also anchor our 4X100 meter relay team - the first time we’ve had enough team speed to compete in that race,” Scheffer said. The other relay team member will be Danil Sonjaya, Jerry Gan and Sergio Trujillo. Other athletes who keep improving and may have a
Home games in bold
Date Mar. 20 Mar. 21 Mar. 27 Apr. 3 Apr. 10 Apr. 16 Apr. 24 May 3 May 6
Opponent NW 1A/2B/1B League Meet Bedlington Invite (Boys Varsity) NW 1A/2B/1B League Meet NW 1A/2B/1B League Meet NW 1A/2B/1B League Meet Lynden Christian (Boys Varsity) NW 1A/2B/1B League Meet BC Invite (Boys Varsity) NW 1A/1/B/2B LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP MEET
Time 3:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:15 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. TBD TBD TBD 3:00 p.m.
chance at post-season competition include Alaina Scheffer in the javelin, Kyle Jangard in the high jump, Lenora Johnson in the discus and Megan Wilson, who missed qualifying for the state meet by two inches, in the long jump. “They’ll all do well and we hope they’ll all get better as — Steve Wehrly the season progress,” Scheffer says.
Roster re-tooled, new lineup ready to roll W
Home games in bold
Date Mar. 22 Mar. 25 Mar. 29 Apr. 7 Apr. 15 Apr. 15 Apr. 18 Apr. 22 Apr. 26 Apr. 28 Apr. 29 May 2 May 2 May 3 May 6 May 9 May 10
Opponent Nooksack Valley La Conner Meridian Darrington Concrete Concrete Orcas Island La Conner University Prep. Blaine Darrington Orcas Island Orcas Island Lynden Christian Concrete La Conner Mount Baker
Time 4:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. (TBD) 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. (TBD) (TBD) 4:30 p.m. (TBD) 1:30 p.m. 12:00 p.m.
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ith only two seniors returning to the roster, first-year Head Coach Brian Lambright knows there are challenges to be met. Still, Lambright and assistant coach Kirk Holt are thrilled to be leading the Friday Harbor girls fastpitch softball team in the 2014 season. They jumped at the chance after having some success and good times together coaching in the 8th grade fast-pitch league. “We said if there were ever an opening that we should take a shot at it,” Lambright said. “There was, so we did. Coaching girls can be really rewarding, if you can get on their good side. You gotta know how to approach them.” After coaching his own
two daughters, Lambright ought to be well-versed on those angles of “approach.” As for challenges, the first is in on the mound. The Wolverines will be without all-league pitcher Jean Melborne for the first time in four years. Lost as well to graduation is Melborne’s longtime battery mate and team slugger, Kaylen Meeker. But junior Caitlyn Domenech proved a skilled and effective understudy for Melborne a year ago, and fellow junior Ronnie Hanson was equally adept at filling in behind the plate. So, there’s an answer for challenge No. 1. Second up? The infield. Only one starter from last year’s infield is back, sophomore Madi Kincaid, at first
Coldwell Banker
Journal photo / Scott Rasmussen
Back row, from left; Coach Brian Lambright, Ronnie Hanson, Cady Wilson, Sara Rist, Hayden Mayer, Madi Kincaid, Lili Wood, Alex Hayes, Brook Ashcraft, Ashley Lambright, asst. coach Kirk Holt. Bottom row; Patricia Deitz, Caitlyn Domenech, Samantha Pluff, Hannah Hopkins, Lauren Ayers, Emily Guard, Alexa Mora, Emma Wickman, Fiona Sutherland, Audrey Sable, Samantha Finch (Not pictured, Isabel Place).
base. A lingering ankle injury forced shortstop Allie Galt to forego the season. So, Lambright is counting
on all-league center-fielder Emily Guard, one of the two seniors and speediest of the See SOFTBALL, Page 12
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