HIGH SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS 2018 A special section of The Columbian
Making it Count Washington’s one-year-old pitch count rule adds a wrinkle to high school baseball
Inside ➤
Preview stories for each local baseball and softball league
➤
Previews and key dates for boys soccer, track and field, girls golf and girls tennis
The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
PAIR OF ACES: Skyview’s Daniel Copeland, left, and King’s Way Christian’s Damon Casetta-Stubbs have dominated despite a limit of 105 pitches per game.
A Pitch for Safety
HIGH SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS 2018
In one year, pitch-count limit has impacted high school baseball
A Special Section of The Columbian ■ Stories by Meg Wochnick,
Andy Buhler, Micah Rice, Tim Martinez and Jeff Klein. ■ Cover photo
by Alisha Jucevich ■ Page design
by Micah Rice
TABLE OF CONTENTS Cover story 4A GSHL Baseball 3A GSHL Baseball 2A GSHL Baseball 1A Trico Baseball 4A GSHL Softball 3A GSHL Softball 2A GSHL Softball 1A Trico Softball Boys Track and Field Girls Track and Field Boys Soccer Girls Golf Girls Tennis
2-3 4 6 8 10 12 13 14 16 17 18 20 22 22
By ANDY BUHLER
Columbian staff writer t was an intense moment on high school baseball’s biggest stage. King’s Way led Cedar Park Christian by one run in the bottom of the seventh inning in the 1A state championship game. The lead was largely due to a stellar outing from Knights ace Damon Casetta-Stubbs, who retired 10 of the last 12 batters he faced. With no outs and a 3-1 count, he suddenly left the game. In that instance, his departure from the mound was not by choice. Last season, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association followed a national mandate and implemented a pitch count rule. It limits pitchers to 105 pitches per game and requires rest between outings. But unless you were at a game where a pitcher left suddenly in the middle of an
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Damon Casetta Stubbs
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The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
at-bat, such as the some adjust“We’ve faced teams took 1A state championment. who have thrown ship, the change Late in the may not have been kids 150, 160 pitches season, it wasn’t apparent. entirely uncomin games and it’s Now with the mon for the pitch 2018 season in limit to be reached just not healthy, swing, what affect in the middle of an obviously.” has the rule had on at-bat. prep baseball in a Skyview senior Damon Casetta-Stubbs year’s time? Daniel Copeland King’s Way senior pitcher There hasn’t was forced to exit been a drastic a loser-out game in change in gameplay. But the the postseason last year with two implementation underscores an outs in the seventh inning. effort by the National Federation Union led Camas 7-6 with two of State High School Associaouts and a full count in the top tions to make the game safer for of the sixth when starter Jimmy pitchers and ensure high school Borzone hit the pitch limit. The athletes are able to continue their reliever, Johnny Lee, entered and careers with a lower risk of injury. threw one pitch to close out the “We’ve faced teams who have inning. thrown kids 150, 160 pitches in The teams had reliable arms in games and it’s just not healthy ob- line to replace their starters. But viously,” Casetta-Stubbs, a Seattle Copeland was admittedly miffed. University commit, said. “Them “In the moment it’s really implementing that is pretty good.” frustrating to have to come out Casetta-Stubbs plans for a of a game when you did nothing future on the mound after high wrong, you just reach a number,” school. Even without a required the Gonzaga commit said. rule, he’s always self-enforced a But Copeland, who said the pitch count. rule doesn’t typically affect him “Ever since I’ve started pitching because of his style of pitching, I’ve done pitch counts,” Casettasupports it despite its occaStubbs said. “My parents, sional inconvenience. pitching coaches, it’s been “I think it’s great to important to us. … I never protect people,” Copethrow over 100, if I do it’s land said. “An arm only 101 and it’s the last batter.” has so many throws, you Once a pitcher hits 105, can’t get around that.” he is considered an inBefore the pitch count rule eligible player, per the rule. was mandated, coaches manAny additional pitches would aged their pitchers on an ad-hoc result in that team forfeiting basis. the game. The WIAA was not And because of that, problems made aware of any such forfeits arose. during the rule’s first season Union head coach Ben McGrew after being instituted, WIAA as- used USA Baseball’s Pitch Smart sistant executive director Cindy protocol, which maps out daily Adsit said in an email. maximum pitches and corre“It is possible, however, that sponding rest day requirements a team had to forfeit due to exbased on age. McGrew and his ceeding the maximum number, coaching staff would input each and did not appeal,” Adsit said. pitcher’s number of throws into Perhaps there was extra atan app for guidance on how to tention to the rule due to its new- manage their rotation. ness. To players and coaches, it “You’d always like to think
that you were pretty good at managing the arms knowing what you know now, but I definitely used it three years ago,” McGrew said. When McGrew was a player, first for Hudson’s Bay, then Tacoma Community College and Oregon State in the early 2000s, pitching was viewed much differently, he said. Studies warning of kids going for long outings were not as readily available. “If you had a stud pitcher, you’d throw him Monday and Friday then again on Wednesday,” McGrew said, “and however many pitches it took to throw a complete game. If it was 130 he threw 130. That’s what your best pitchers did.” Putting that many miles into a developing arm had its costs. PITCH COUNT, Page 3
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Pitch Count From Page 2 Injuries arose—maybe not always in the moment, but later down the line. In 2010, the American Journal of Sports Medicine conducted a 10-year study that followed 481 yout pitchers and determined that kids pitching more than 100 innings in a year “significantly increases the risk of injury.” As a result,“limiting the number of innings pitched per year may reduce the risk of injury.” One year, McGrew and his staff were scouting a potential playoff opponent. A player who McGrew said is pitching in college now had thrown 120 pitches three days prior. He closed the game they scouted, throwing about 50 pitches. Then, he started a game later that day and threw 105 pitches. The following week, McGrew said, that player suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery, a ligament repair procedure that can require a year or more of rehabilitation. “You won’t see that anymore with the pitch count stuff,” McGrew said. “You always hear about the guys who [are able to throw an exceedingly high number of pitches] and that’s not necessarily a good thing. It ends up catching up to them.” When initially proposed, the WIAA re-
Daniel Copeland
quired three calendar days rest for an outing of 91-125 pitches, which would have given Washington one of the highest pitch counts in the country. “We were all kind of looking around in shock,” Skyview coach Seth Johnson said. At that time, King’s Way coach Gregg Swenson was the pitching coach at University of Portland. He took notice. He then took to Twitter. Swenson tweeted at the WIAA multiple times challenging its initial proposal of a 125 pitch count, which was decided by an advisory committee of baseball coaches across the state. When the WIAA tweeted out an opportunity to submit a question to executive director Mike Colbrese, Swenson leapt at the opportunity. “Do you plan to allow the BAC proposed Pitch Count plan to go through?” Swenson tweeted, alluding to the Baseball Advisory Committee. “It allows the most pitches in the country & fewest rest days.” Colbrese, according to multiple coaches watching, answered the question on the broadcast of the 2016 4A state football championship—which Camas won. Copeland said he has always had coaches monitoring his arm, which he Photos by ALISHA JUCEVIC/The Columbian knows is for his own good. “I like to compete, so I’m not just going Kings Way Christian pitcher Sam Lauderdale has signed to play for Washington State. to take myself out,” Copeland said. “I “105 is a lot for a high school arm,” he said. “Your arm isn’t fully developed.” definitely feel like my whole life I’ve had between games where 40 or more pitches Many smaller schools simply don’t have someone there to moderate it, not let me are thrown. large pitching rotation. King’s Way has do too much.” After a year with the pitch count in eight pitchers to play three games a week. But not every young player has a coach place, some see it as an early success. At University of Portland, Swenson had 14 like that. Others acknowledge its importance, but pitchers for four games per week. Any advocate of a pitch count in Washington can likely recall one extreme would like to see fine-tuning. “I tried to emphasize it’s not about us, And it appears those concerns may be incident three seasons before the rule was it’s not about the schools, it’s about the alleviated. The WIAA executive board put into place. kids’ arms and being able to pick it up proposed an amendment to the pitch In May 2014, a pitcher at Rochester when they’re older and play catch with count rule that would allow a pitcher to High School made national headlines their kids, do some things like that,” finish an at-bat if the count is at 100 or less Swenson said. “In the case here there’s a for throwing 194 pitches in 15-innings of a postseason game against when the at-bat starts. couple arms that are pretty special that The rationale? For the sake of continuLa Center. It struck a chord with need to be looked after to make sure their ity—not having to take a Casetta-Stubbs advocates for player safety, and careers aren’t in jeopardy just because out in the middle of an at-bat in the seveven Major League Baseball ace somebody wants to run them out there enth inning of a state title game. David Price, who suggested the every three days.” “Most other states allow the pitcher to coach be fired for allowing him to The change, in some cases, is jarring to continue the at-bat with no adverse consestay in that long. coaches. quences,” the proposal argues. Rochester won 1-0 and the player, “Everybody is different,” Swenson said. Players like King’s Way’s Sam LauderDylan Fosnacht, finished with 17 strike“Tim Lincecum at Washington could dale, a left-handed pitcher committed to outs, three walks and gave up seven throw 135 pitches and it was no big deal. Washington State, don’t come near 105 hits in an outing he later defended amid There was definitely a little bit of individupitches on their best days. backlash directed at his coaches. ality that needs to be accounted for, but “105 is a lot for a high school arm, your “We talked to him every inning, and he to just have a universal rule that allowed said he felt comfortable, he felt good, and arm isn’t fully developed,” Lauderdale them to throw so many pitches was, for said. The senior has thrown as many as he’s a little competitor,” Rochester coach me, setting us up to really have some Jerry Striegel told the Centralia Chronicle 103 pitches, which was in the state semifinals last season, but he typically aims to issues.” after the game. “He didn’t want to come The proposed amendment will be voted keep his count below 70. out of the ballgame. He wasn’t very on by the 2018 representative assemBut most 1A programs don’t have the pleased when I took him out in the 15th.” bly between April 27 and May 4, and if luxury of rotating two Division-I collegeAt that time the WIAA did not have a level arms. That was one of the arguments passed, will be put into place at the start pitch limit—only a rule forcing players to take a minimum of two days rest for keeping pitch counts higher. of the 2019 season.
The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
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4A GSHL BASEBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH Tanner McDonald * Brian Nikolas * Tyler Russell
BATTLE GROUND
Taylor Adams Luke Bruno * Grant Heiser Semisi Schultz Alan Becklehimer * Chase Hendy Daniel Copeland * Carter Hill Liam Kerr Michael Lundgren * Max Rose Jordan Donohoe Mason Hill Carter Sutton Jaxon Woodhouse
CAMAS
HERITAGE SKYVIEW
UNION
There are no easy games in a league loaded with pitching
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Taylor Adams, Camas
4 The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
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kyview returns all but three players from last year’s team that finished third in state. Battle Ground returns three lethal arms from a team that won the 4A Greater St. Helens League. Camas fields a seniorheavy roster with four all-league selections that turned heads during last year’s summer league. Suffice to say, there is no clear-cut favorite in the 4A GSHL. “I couldn’t tell you which way the league’s going to fall,” Camas coach Steve Short said. “Everyone has a pitcher who can beat any team in the league.” And there’s a new limit on the number of 4A GSHL teams that will make the postseason, which makes regular season play that much more competitive. The third-versus-fourthplace 4A GSHL play-in game before bi-districts has been eliminated, which should intensify the race for third. Especially when coaches believe just about any team can win the league this year. “I think four teams in our league are talented enough to make a deep run in the playoffs,” Skyview coach Seth Johnson said. Skyview will be led by Gonzaga commit Daniel Copeland, a right-handed pitcher and returning first team all-league selection. In its third-place finish last year that saw the Storm play at Safeco Field, the team relished the extra weeks playing together in high-stakes games. Team chemistry was “through the roof,” Copeland said. And this season?
ALISHA JUCEVIC/The Columbian
Skyview senior Daniel Copeland has committed to Gonzaga. He is one of several standout pitchers in the 4A Greater St. Helens League. “It’s the same and then some,” Copeland said. But while Skyview’s aspirations are to be playing as late into the postseason as last year, it isn’t looking that far ahead. “We’ve got to start with the league title and anything after that is extra, but we don’t focus on that until we win the league title,” Copeland said. Two of the best pitchers in the county may not play in 4A (hello, King’s Way), but the 4A GSHL is not short of standout arms. And as Johnson was quick to
point out, the last six league champions were the teams with the best pitching. Skyview lost three of its top pitchers from last season, including All-Region player of the year Brody Barnum, who now pitches for Washington State. Short warns not to count Skyview out because of it. “Some of their impact guys on the mound are gone,” Short said, “but Seth always has somebody in his back pocket who is pretty good.” “Right now Battle Ground has the three
best arms in our league,” Johnson said. “For me, that would put them as a favorite in a three-game-a-week league because they have all three of those arms.” Battle Ground returns Tyler Russell, Brian Nikolas and Tanner McDonald, all three all-league selections last season. Russell is committed to Washington State. Union will field a young team highlighted by junior pitcher Carter Sutton, senior infielder Jordan Donohoe and first baseman Jaxon Woodhouse.
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FILES/The Columbian
Junior pitcher/infielder Carter Sutton is a key player for Union, which once again looks to contend for the 4A Greater St. Helens League title.
The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
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3A GSHL BASEBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH EVERGREEN
Cameron Hunt Tommy Snyder * Nate Tomas
FORT VANCOUVER
Zeke Block Nick Laurenza
HUDSON’S BAY
Marco Cadiz Carter Morse * Quadrese Teague
KELSO
Caden Silva Andrew Gulliford * Andrew Hensley * Garrett Moen * Jasper Rank * Joe Nickel Blake Robb *
MOUNTAIN VIEW
PRAIRIE
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ARIANE KUNZE/The Columbian
Mountain View’s Hayden Minich, left, and Grant Francis are aiming for the program’s first state playoff win.
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Evergreen’s Tommy Snyder, 2017 3A GSHL pitcher of year.
6 The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
Mountain View not short on experience after reaching state
ith nine players back from a team that reached the state baseball playoffs, Mountain View hopes to compete for a 3A Greater St. Helens League title. The Thunder also want to focus on what builds a championship culture. On March 5, Mountain View’s baseball and softball programs hosted Donnie Marbut, who won more than 300 games as Washington State’s baseball coach from 2005-15. He spoke about championship teambuilding through leadership and winning traditions. And what the Thunder took away most, baseball coach Aaron Coiteux said, was to put more value on the game of baseball. “It’s good for myself, the kids and
programs to remember why they’re playing the sport and why it really matters,” said Coiteux, who played for Marbut at Edmonds Community College. “One is competition, and two is playing as a unit.” “We need to have personal goals and team goals and team goals can’t be trumped by individuals goals,” Coiteux added. “Hopefully if we can figure out what’s important as a team, it will help us be more of a unit and stronger and compete for one another.” A team aspect is the strength Coiteux praises most about this year’s Thunder following a season they reached the 3A regionals. Out of the four 3A GSHL playoff-bound teams, Mountain View was the only
one to reach regionals. This year, they hope to make program history. Mountain View knows winning — its last league title came in 2016 in the 4A GSHL. But it has never won is a state playoff game. Not in Coiteux’s tenure. Not since the school’s first baseball season in 1982. With a blend of veterans, including six all-league returnees and talented newcomers, Coiteux believes the ingredients are there to challenge for a league title and go from there and do something no other Mountain View Thunder team has done before them. “Hopefully,” he said, “win one, and win more.”
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The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
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2A GSHL BASEBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH COLUMBIA RIVER
Kade Gerlack Koben Jamison Parker McNeil Nick Nygard *
HOCKINSON
Jake Beslanowitch Matt Henry Noah Stetcher Colton Wheeler
MARK MORRIS
Noah Jenkins Ryan McCoy Jack Childers * Jacob Childers * Kaden Vanderwerf * Spencer Andersen * Kellen Bringhurst Boston Clark Brock Harrison Nole Thompson Preston Thornton Bailey Huston Christian Yager
R.A. LONG RIDGEFIELD
WASHOUGAL WOODLAND
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ALISHA JUCEVIC/The Columbian
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Matt Henry, Hockinson.
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Columbia River’s Nick Nygard was a first-team all-league pitcher as a junior. Now, he’s one of River’s three senior leaders.
Three senior pitchers serve as role models for young Columbia River
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hen the Columbia River baseball team gathered for tryouts this spring, Nick Nygard brought more than a bat and his glove. The senior brought an extra supply of Columbia River baseball caps to give to any freshman who might not have one yet. The gesture was both charitable and symbolic — For even the youngest members of the Columbia River program, it’s important to play the Chieftain way. With just three seniors, Columbia River is one of the youngest teams in the 2A Greater St. Helens League. But with Nygard, Kade Gerlack and Koben Jamison, the Chieftains plan on competing for a league title while grooming the next class of River ballplayers. “While we only have three seniors, they’re our three best arms,” Chieftains coach Stephen Donohue said. “That’s a good place to start.” Speaking of good starts, Nygard struck out nine batters in three
innings as the Chieftains scored a season-opening win over Skyview, a Class 4A state contender. That strong performance didn’t surprise Donohue, who called Nygard one of the area’s top pitchers. “He had some incredible performances in the summer,” Donohue said. “He’s just really calm and cool out there. Every time he’s out there, we expect to win. That’s a really good feeling as a team.” Nygard takes seriously his role as a mentor to the younger Chieftains. There’s a legacy to uphold, after all. Columbia River has reached the state playoffs eight of the last nine years, including six in a row. “Coming in, there are a lot of young guys who don’t necessarily know how the program goes,” Nygard said. “They don’t know what our expectations are. Having been in our program, you’re able to give them the experience they need. You’re able to support them. And we have a lot of young talent. Our freshman class is amazing.”
While Columbia River is coming off a season in which it reached the state quarterfinals, other 2A GSHL teams have league-title hopes. Ridgefield returns 12 players from a team that went 8-4 in league play. First baseman/pitcher Spencer Andersen, an all-region player last year, leads five returning all-leaguers including Kellen Bringhurst, Brock Harrison, Boston Clark and Tim Radosevich. R.A. Long returns league MVP Kaden Vanderwerf and first-team all-league brothers Jack and Jacob Childers. Hockinson graduated two of the league’s best players in Mitch Lines and Brooks Dyer. But the Hawks bring back 12 players from a team that went 9-4 in league play, including all-leaguers Colton Wheeler and Matt Henry. “Ridgefield and R.A. Long are probably the cream of the crop,” Donohue said. “I think we’ll probably be in the mix. But talent-wise, they both bring back a lot of people.”
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ALISHA JUCEVIC/The Columbian
Columbia River’s Koben Jamison, right, pats his teammate Derek Mettler on the back during a season-opening win over Skyview at Propstra Stadium.
The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
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1A TRICO LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH CASTLE ROCK
Adam Luoto Parker Patching * Erik Titus
Swenson takes reins at state champion King’s Way Christian
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Damon Casetta-Stubbs * Riley Danberg Sam Lauderdale * Brannan Meriwether *
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Saige Keep Jack Ossenkop * Clint Smith Hayden Williamson *
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William Goss Trent Howard Tylan Webster
COLUMBIA-WHITE SALMON
Brandon Connell Charles Hobbs Alec Van Pelt
KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN
LA CENTER
STEVENSON
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King’s Way Christian’s Sam Lauderdale has signed to pitch at Washington State.
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fter 22 years of coaching college baseball, Gregg Swenson is getting reacquainted with the high school game. “It’s certainly a different pace,” Swenson said. “I’m used to having six months to get ready for the season. Now, it feels like we have six days.” Swenson has been in fastforward mode since being named as King’s Way Christians new baseball coach on Feb. 12, two weeks before the Knights’ first practice of the season. Swenson replaced Ty Singleton, who resigned in January after launching the King’s Way program four years ago and leading the Knights to the 1A state championship last spring. Swenson got his coaching start at Sehome High School in Bellingham, but the bulk of his coaching career has been at the college level at the University of Washington and most recently at the University of Portland. “At the college level, it’s all about results, wins and losses,” Swenson said. “And to a degree that’s true at the high school level. But what it’s really all about is teaching and about shaping boys into becoming young men. That’s what I like about it.” The transition has been going well. “I don’t think there has been anything he’s said that I have disagreed with,” senior pitcher Damon Casetta-Stubbs said. “There hasn’t been a drill we’ve done that I have disagreed with. Right now, it’s all about teaching and getting ready.” With Casetta-Stubbs and left-handed pitcher Sam
Photos by ALISHA JUCEVIC/The Columbian
King’s Way Christian head coach Gregg Swenson has 22 years of collegiate coaching experience. Most recently, he was the pitching coach at University of Portland. Lauderdale, Swenson has as good of a core as any team in the state. CasettaStubbs has signed to play for Seattle University, and Lauderdale has signed with Washington State. Scouts were out in force at an intersquad scrimmage last week with about a half dozen speed guns fixed when the Knights’ two aces were throwing. “I doubt you’ll find many teams with a 1-2 punch like we have,” Swenson said, referring to Casetta-Stubbs and Lauderdale. “And we have other key players back as well. Now it’s just a matter of filling the holes.” The Knights also bring back all-leaguers in seniors Brannan Meriwether and Riley Danberg. “We lost of lot of key play-
ers off last year’s team, but we still have good players coming back,” Lauderdale said. “But we’ll be a lot younger. We’ll have a couple of freshmen in the lineup, but they’re good players.” Swenson feels good about the players on this year’s team, and the players feel good about their new coach. “The more I’ve coached, the better I’ve learned to keep things simple,” Swenson said. “Try not to complicate things. Just let athletes be athletes.” LA CENTER — The Wildcats have senior leadership along with some good young players this season. Saige Keep has signed with Colorado Mesa. Hayden Williamson is a two-time first-team all-leaguer who has signed with Bellevue
University in Nebraska. Jack Ossenkop, the team MVP last season, also returns, along with senior Clint Smith. STEVENSON — The Bulldogs went winless in league last season, but return six lettermen led by juniors — pitcher Brandon Connell, center fielder Charles Hobbs and shortstop Alec Van Pelt. The Bulldogs hope to compete for a district playoff berth. REST OF LEAGUE — Castle Rock returns all-leaguers Parker Patching (IF) and Adam Luoto (P). ColumbiaWhite Salmon returns William Gross (IF) and Trent Howard (OF). The Bruins bring back seven starters from a team that fell one game short of reaching the state tournament.
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The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
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4A GSHL SOFTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH BATTLE GROUND
Alexis Morrison * Grace Stillman * Morgan Stradley Jennifer Westrand Peyton Bates Kennedy Ferguson * Katie Hancock * Abby Wong Anne Chaika Lorena Villa Mikelle Anthony * Abby Fischer * Maleya Burns * Kaelani Gamble
CAMAS
HERITAGE SKYVIEW UNION
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Camas senior Kennedy Ferguson has signed to pitch for the University of New Mexico.
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Battle Ground senior shortstop Morgan Stradley is a returning all-league selection, a four-year starter at shortstop and is a multi-sport athlete, earning all-league recognition in basketball as well.
ANDY BUHLER/ The Columbian
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Battle Ground’s Morgan Stradley gets a boost from basketball
y now the quick change from basketball to softball season is a part of Morgan Stradley’s annual routine. The Battle Ground senior, who is committed to play softball at D-II Regis in Denver, is a four-year varsity letter earner in both sports, a combination that has become increasingly more uncommon as specialization continues to grow as the norm. Her conditioning for basketball season has always given her a leg up into spring. During the basketball season, she sometimes attended hitting practices on Sundays. “I like playing multiple sports because it broadens you and you can get burned out playing one sport. Playing multiple sports really helps to keep you grounded,” Stradley said.
Stradley was named first team all-league as the leading scorer on Battle Ground’s basketball team, which crosses off a goal she set at the start of the season. Her goal for the softball season? This year, she hopes to help lead the Tigers back to the state playoffs. “It’s rare,” Battle Ground coach Arielle Wiser said of Stradley’s success in basketball and softball. “You don’t really see it very often. Maybe 4-5 years ago that was still common, but now coaches expect their kids to go all year around. But she makes it work.” For Wiser, who starts her fifth year as Battle Ground’s head coach, Stradley has been a mainstay in the lineup the last three seasons. That started her freshman year. Stradley earned the re-
spect of Wiser and her elder teammates not long after she stepped onto the field. She entered into a position battle at the start of the season at shortstop with a junior who had started the year before, which Wiser said was a “battle every practice.” The upperclassman came into the season with a starting spot, and Stradley showed enough effort, heart and playmaking ability for Wiser to give her the nod. She’s kept the spot ever since. “It doesn’t happen that often,” Wiser said. “Even as a freshman she spoke up as a leader and helped other girls out. She’s just kind of done that since a pretty young age.” It’s her competitiveness that separates her from others, Wiser said. Stradley hopes to channel
that same drive during the season. Battle Ground returns four all-league selections from a team that reached the state quarterfinals last season. The Tigers hope to challenge defending league champion Camas. The Papermakers won the 4A Greater St. Helens League by five games last season. And they should be just as tough. Camas graduated two infielders, but returns All-Region player of the year Kennedy Ferguson, who is committed to pitch at University of New Mexico. Ferguson can hit, too. She hit a three-run home run against Eastlake in a Jamboree already. “Between us, Union and Battle Ground, I think we’ll (make it back to state),” Camas coach Dale Lunde said.
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3A GSHL SOFTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH Hailey DeHaven * Lexi Henderson * Dakota Pivoesan * Kallie Bonneville Ta’Shayla Wagner Regan Kelly Erica Morley Saydie Harris * Megan Holt * Hailey Parsons * Jordyn Ragan * Raelyn Clemmer Serena Fogg * Maelyn O’Campo *
EVERGREEN FORT VANCOUVER HUDSON’S BAY KELSO
MOUNTAIN VIEW PRAIRIE
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Clarissa Martinez * So. INF Kailey St. Peter Sr. OF * = First-team all-league in 2017
Photos by AMANDA COWAN/The Columbian
The Hudson’s Bay softball team gathers around coach Tony Christiansen in between innings in a game against Washougal on March 12. Hudson’s Bay is hoping success in fall slowpitch carries over to this spring.
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Hudson’s Bay’s Regan Kelly (6) stretches out to make the out at first base against Washougal. Fielding was a skill the Eagles improved on during the fall slowpitch season.
Different game, but slowpitch benefits Hudson’s Bay come spring
udson’s Bay had its day in the sun last fall, and nearly had another. It did for football, reaching the postseason for the first time in a decade. And it nearly did for slowpitch, a sport established to balance out football as part of the Title IX initiative, if weren’t for what coach Tony Christiansen described as one of the worst games his team played in a winnerto-state contest against Skyview. But the double-digit wins on a memorable 12-6 fall season became a high point for a program that features four dual-sport players — slowpitch and fastpitch —
and seeking to use the fall success as a springboard into the spring. Slowpitch continues to gain momentum at Clark County schools. The sport got established locally five years ago to create equal opportunity in the fall sports season. As a non-sanctioned Washington Interscholastic Activities Association sport, slowpitch attracts athletes cut from other fall sports or who might otherwise not participate in high school athletics. That’s no different at Bay. Christiansen, who coaches both the slowpitch and fastpitch teams, had close to
20 fall players and growth in numbers isn’t the only positive once the calendar reaches spring. “Since slowpitch came in,” he said, “we’ve gotten better in fastpitch because they’re gotten more innings. It’s definitely helped us.” What’s helped, too, is player crossover. Pitcher Regan Kelly, second baseman Lizzie Deloria, shortstop Erica Morley and center fielder Elie Erickson are experienced in both sports. Kelly, whom Christiansen described as the team’s top hitter, earned slowpitch allleague honors along with
Morley. She also will handle a lot of the pitching duties. While the notable differences might be obvious, one similarity between the two sports that’s benefited the Eagles is fielding. Unlike fastpitch, there’s no stealing or bunting in slowpitch, meaning more balls in play. And defense happens to be Bay’s strength, said Christiansen, the GSHL slowpitch coach of the year. “We have a good defense,” he said, “and we can hit. On that side of it, we’re competitive with other teams. “This group of girls played those positions in slowpitch and that’ll carry over.”
The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
13
2A GSHL SOFTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH Cassie Baldino Gabbi Collins * Hannah Dyer
COLUMBIA RIVER
Sr. Sr. Jr.
OF/C INF OF
Amber Griffith * Abby Runyon * Jenna Remenar * Jaylee Robinson-Waser
Sr. Jr. Jr. So.
C/2B/P P SS OF/3B
Stephanie Burns Sarah Russell
Jr. Sr.
P INF
Sr. Jr.
2B/OF SS/OF
Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr.
C/1B SS/P P/1B OF INF/C
Brittnee Harvill McKinzie Todd Emma Jenkins * Sarah Jenkins Kaia Oliver * Karli Oliver * Calli Martin Maggie Hungerford Dana Martin Ryenn Soule Hannah Toops
HOCKINSON
MARK MORRIS R.A. LONG RIDGEFIELD
WASHOUGAL
WOODLAND
Photos by MICAH RICE/The Columbian
Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.
OF INF INF INF/P
Kaily Christensen * So. SS Chloe Eddy Jr. 1B Olivia Grey * Jr. P Lila Russell Sr. OF * = First-team all-league in 2017 Abby Runyon, Hockinson.
14 The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
Ridgefield pitcher Kaia Oliver, left, struck out 189 batters last year on pitches called by catcher Emma Jenkins.
Pitcher-catcher connection has Ridgefield riding high
R
oughly 45 feet separates Kaia Oliver from her catcher when she pitches for the Ridgefield softball team. That’s more than close enough for Emma Jenkins to read Oliver’s mind. Last season, Oliver pitched Ridgefield to the state playoffs for the first time in six years. The junior was the Class 2A Greater St. Helens League MVP, posting a 1.73 earned-run average with 189 strikeouts. As Oliver delivered a symphony of strikeouts, Jenkins was the conductor. The junior catcher has called nearly every one of Oliver’s pitches since the two debuted on varsity as freshmen. Does Oliver ever shake off Jenkins, opting for a different pitch? “That’s only happened five times,”
Ridgefield coach Dusty Anchors said. Each game, it doesn’t take Jenkins long to know which of Oliver’s pitches are working best. “I know what pitches to call based on how she throws her warmup pitches,” Jenkins said. “After that, it’s based on the hitters.” Jenkins knows most local hitters through years of playing against and with them during high school and club seasons. Jenkins and Oliver have been teammates in softball and basketball since sixth grade. “I have a lot of trust in her and I believe in her,” Oliver said. “She definitely can figure me out pretty fast. She definitely is good at communicating. I enjoy that about her.”
What is most impressive about Oliver? She rarely gets rattled, Jenkins said. “What still amazes me is how she’s able to pull herself together if she’s struggling,” Jenkins said. “When I go out and talk to her, she’s able to get back in the zone.” Ridgefield’s roster has only one senior, but the Spudders have plenty of experience. All eight juniors on this year’s team played varsity as freshmen. That has Ridgefield thinking big. The Spudders want to place at state for the first time since winning the state championship in 2004. “We’ve all had the same goals for a while,” Oliver said. “It would be really special if we could pull it off.”
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FILES/The Columbian
Columbia River senior infielder Gabbi Collins aims to lead her team back to the postseason. The Chieftains reached the 2A district playoffs last year.
ARIANE KUNZE/The Columbian
Ridgefield softball coach Dusty Anchors, left, was honored as coach of the year in the 2A Greater St. Helens League last season.
The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
15
1A TRICO LEAGUE SOFTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH Rachel Anderson * Emily Ashby * Kerianne Cline * Kyndil Kirkendoll * Trinity Naugle Zoe Naugle
CASTLE ROCK
Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So.
OF P INF INF P P
Sr. Sr. Sr.
OF C INF
COLUMBIA-WHITE SALMON
Cristani Coe Kathirin Hylton * Amanda Waldron Coral Clark Ceanna Johnston Sydney Mairose Macy Randolf * Madison Rose
LA CENTER
Jr. OF So. INF Jr. INF/P Jr. INF So. OF * = First-team all-league in 2017 Photos By ARIANE KUNZE/The Columbian
La Center junior Madi Osborne, catches the ball in the outfield during practice. The Wildcats have just one senior.
Young La Center retools after back-to-back state title appearances
T
La Center head coach Randy Martinez coaches a team that graduated several stars but has young players eager to step into key roles.
16 The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
he La Center softball team is coming off a historic run of success. Three consecutive state tournament berths. Back-to-back appearances in the state title game. A state championship in 2016. But as the Wildcats returned to the diamond this spring, they are taking a much different approach to the season. “Our goal is still to get back to state,” junior Sydney Mairose said. “And if we can do that, that’s great. But that’s not our sole focus. It’s really just about having fun together.” Junior Coral Clark echoed that sentiment. “We’re really just trying to get better and build relationships.” That’s because the 2018 Wildcats have plenty of new faces on the roster. “We will be extremely young,” coach Randy Martinez said. “It’s going to be a rebuilding year for us. We have one senior on the team, and she is playing softball for the first time in four or five
years. We have a lot of freshmen out. We have some good players, but there will be a lot of learning happening this year.” Anchoring the Wildcats’ run of success was a class of players who graduated last June – league MVP Abby England, offensive player of the year Megan Muffett and defensive player of the year Kaylie Faul. But it’s not as if the cupboard is completely bare in La Center. The Wildcats bring back five all-league players, including Mairose, Clark, junior Macy Randolf and sophomores Ceanna Johnston and Madi Rose. With such a young roster, Martinez said he is depending on returning players like Mairose and Clark to serve as on-field coaches to tutor their younger teammates. “I don’t really feel like I can tell them what to do,” Mairose said of her younger teammates. “But I definitely feel like I can relate to them. I can
remember when I was the new, young player on the team, and I can share my experiences with them to help them get better.” Martinez said the Wildcats will stay with their tough non-league schedule the team has played in past seasons to prepare for the Trico League season. He said Castle Rock is the team to beat in the Trico as the Rockets bring back an experienced squad. The rest of the league is wide open between La Center, Columbia-White Salmon and Stevenson, which is returning to varsity play this season after being unable to field to squad last year. “With just four teams, we all get to go to district, which will be good for us,” Martinez said. “The district will be very tough with teams from up north like (defending state champion) Montesano, Elma and Hoquiam. So getting through district and making it to state will be a challenge with just three berths.”
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BOYS TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES TO WATCH RYAN CIBART, HERITAGE: The senior reached state in the 800 meters. Has a personal best of 1:54.64.
GABRIEL DINNEL, WASHOUGAL: The junior placed seventh in the 2A state in the 3,200 meters.
TYLER FLANAGAN, WOODLAND: One of the most versatile
athletes in the area. Adds javelin to his repertoire after qualifying for state in the hurdles.
JEREMY HARJU, EVERGREEN: The senior placed fourth in the 3A state meet in the 300 hurdles.
BAILEY JONES, HOCKINSON: The senior placed fifth in
javelin at state meet with a throw of 181 feet, 4 inches.
TREY KNIGHT, RIDGEFIELD: The sophomore placed second in the 2A state meet in the shot put and discus. Set the state freshman record in the shot (60 feet, 9 inches).
DANIEL MATON, CAMAS: The junior is he defending 4A
state champion in the 800 meters and 1,600 meters.
AMANDA COWAN/The Columbian
Ridgefield triple jumpers Nick Jenkins, left, and Bryan Tavera are still relatively new to track and field.
NOLAN MICKENHAM, PRAIRIE: The sprinter was named 3A Greater St. Helens League track athlete of the year last year as a sophomore.
KEY DATES MARCH 24
TIGER INVITE: One of the area’s largest
APRIL 13
TWILIGHT MEET: Columbia River hosts the
MAY 9-10
DISTRICTS: 4A and 3A district titles will be
meets brings Southwest Washington athletes to Battle Ground.
John Ingram Twilight Meet. Top athletes from Camas and Union head to Eugene for the Oregon Relays. won at McKenzie Stadium.
MAY 24-26 STATE: The best 2A, 3A and 4A athletes
gather at Mount Tahoma High in Tacoma for the annual extravaganza. Small schools compete in Cheney.
B
Ridgefield triple-jump duo aiming for another burst
ryan Tavera and Nick Jenkins are searching for their next wall. The Ridgefield triple jumpers already burst through one on their way to memorable jumping seasons in 2017. The next wall awaits. “Once you go past that wall,” Tavera said, “you don’t know what you can do.” What the pair hope to do is continue to build off their success that helped the Spudders share the 2A state team title with Cheney at last May’s state meet. Along with nowgraduated teammate Conner Ball, Ridgefield went 4-5-6 in the 2A boys triple jump final to account for 12 of Ridgefield’s 48 team points at the three-day meet. A surprise finish in a season full of surprises for Tavera and Jenkins. Tavera, a junior, and Jenkins, a sophomore, are still jumping newbies. Tavera began jumping his
freshman year but also has a sprinting and long-distance background in cross country. For Jenkins, he took up track last spring seeking that perfect sport to excel in since basketball, soccer, cross country and baseball didn’t work out. Figuring he’d be good at the sprints because of his burst of speed, longtime Ridgefield track coach Gregg Ford instead put him with the jumpers. Jenkins became hooked the first week. “I have a lot of fun doing it,” he said. “It’s fun trying to get your (personal record) every time practicing it and seeing you get faster on run-ups. Also having good teammates because they can help you and motivate you to jump further.” And that motivation came into play at last spring’s district meet, a
picture-perfect day for jumping at Columbia River, the two said. Ridgefield swept all three state berths in the triple jump, led by Tavara’s 44 feet, 2 1/2 inches for the district title. “It came out of nowhere,” Tavera said. But the best part, the two said: all three jumpers — Tavera, Bell and Jenkins — set personal-best marks. Matthew Armstrong also placed fourth in the long jump, one spot from advancing to state. Tavera and Jenkins, along with Armstrong, said that day was a surprise. The motivation, though, they have to push one another is built off a friendship grown through jumping. That, and pushing through another wall. “If you have good chemistry with teammates,” Tavera said, “you can accomplish anything together.”
The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
17
GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES TO WATCH ALYSSA CHAPIN, HOCKINSON: The senior has placed in
top five at 2A state meet in both 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles each of past two years.
MERI DUNFORD, PRAIRIE: The sophomore placed second in state in the 1,600 and 10th in the 3,200. 3A district champion in both events.
SARAH ELLIS, COLUMBIA RIVER: One of state’s best
gymasts cleared 11 feet to win 2A district pole vault title.
EMMA JENKINS, CAMAS: Washington State-bound senior reached state in both 1,600 and 3,200 last two years.
MADISON PEFFERS, CAMAS: The senior is the defending 4A high jump state champion. Won with PR of 5-foot-6.
EMILY PHELPS, FORT VANCOUVER: The junior reached last year’s 3A state meet in the 1,600 and 3,200.
SARAH RETTER, WOODLAND: The senior won 2A state
high jump title with a personal-best leap of 5-foot-4.
ERIKA STRAIT, MOUNTAIN VIEW: Sophomore placed sixth at 3A state meet in high jump. Personal best of 5-foot-3.
MCKENNA FLANAGAN, WOODLAND: Senior was the state
ARIANE KUNZE/The Columbian
While Valerie Schmidt specializes in the hurdles, the Prairie senior competes in four individual events.
javelin champion in 2016.
KEY DATES MARCH 24
TIGER INVITE: One of the area’s largest
APRIL 13
TWILIGHT MEET: Columbia River hosts the
MAY 9-10
DISTRICTS: 4A and 3A district titles will be
meets brings Southwest Washington athletes to Battle Ground.
John Ingram Twilight Meet. Top athletes from Camas and Union head to Eugene for the Oregon Relays. won at McKenzie Stadium.
MAY 24-26 STATE: The best 2A, 3A and 4A athletes
gather at Mount Tahoma High in Tacoma for the annual extravaganza. Small schools compete in Cheney.
18 The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
V
Fuzzy race memory a good thing for Prairie hurdle standout
alerie Schmidt doesn’t remember much about her 300 hurdles race at last year’s regional meet. She ran what turned out to be the first of two back-to-back personalbest times over consecutive weeks to eventually end her junior season placing ninth at state. For Schmidt, Prairie High School’s top hurdler, not remembering a race is common. In fact, it’s a good thing because that means not overly thinking. That, too, is a good thing. “That’s how all my best PRs have happened,” she said.“It’s because I was so focused, yet relaxed. “When it happens, it feels so natural.” What’s natural, too, is Schmidt being a busy bee on meet days for Prairie. In today’s world of sports specialization, Schmidt, a home-
school student who has competed for Prairie throughout high school, is anything but a specific event specialist. She does four individual events, stemming from her background as a heptathlete. But by her own admission, hurdles are her first love. Especially the event that takes the least amount of thinking: the 300 hurdles. Last year, she added the pole vault — an event coached by her father, Frank — late in the season. After two meets, she qualified for regionals to compete in all four of her events past sub-districts: 100 and 300 hurdles, high jump and pole vault. Schmidt hopes for more of that. Her goals for her final high school track season are simple: improve on times and marks, and not overthink during competition.
If the latter happens, the former should come more easily. “The fastest you’re going to run,” she said, “is relaxed.” That’s how she lowered her career-best time to 46.46 seconds at the 3A state meet at Mount Tahoma Stadium. Her ninth-place finish was one spot off the podium. And already, her season is off to a fast start one meet in. Schmidt said she already feels faster than this time a year ago and credits a more focused off-season training plan. She specifically targeted improving strength in her lower legs and hopes the work translates to lowered times and higher marks for 2018. It’s early, but she’s noticing a difference mentally and physically. “I’ve never felt this fast the first day (of practice),” she said.
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SAMUEL WILSON/for the Columbian
Woodland senior McKenna Flanagan won the state javelin title as a sophomore. In addition to the javelin, she plans to compete in distance-running events this season.
Camas Post-Record
Madison Peffers of Camas is shown here competing in the 2017 Tiger Invite in Battle Ground. At last year’s state meet, she cleared 5-feet-6 to win the 4A title.
The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
19
BOYS SOCCER PLAYERS TO WATCH
New coach Dan Macaya keeps standards high at Camas
4A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE * Grant Reinhardt, Battle Ground Josh Schneider, Camas * Spencer Clark, Heritage * Mike Kimbrell, Skyview
Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr.
Def. Fwd. Mid. Fwd.
3A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE * Levan Zhividze, Evergreen * Pablo Alvarado, Fort Vancouver * Owen Clayton, Prairie * C.J. Henry, Prairie * Quentin Roemer, Prairie
Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So.
Fwd. Mid. Mid. GK. Def.
2A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE * Candler Bolte, Columbia River ^ Jake Connop, Columbia River * David Gonzalez-Martinez, Col. River * Nick Charles, Hockinson * Jonathan Flury, Ridgefield
Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr.
Def. Fwd. GK Fwd. Def.
Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So.
GK Def. Mid. Mid. Fwd.
1A TRICO LEAGUE * Colton Lange, King’s Way Christian * Jared Cox, La Center * Austin Taylor, La Center ^ Alec Watkins, La Center * Sean Larkins, Seton Catholic * = First team all-league in 2017, ^ = League MVP
Columbia River defender Candler Bolte (15).
FILES/ The Columbian
20 The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
H
istory says you can always bet on Camas to make the state playoffs. That’s been the case for the last 19 years. But this season will be Camas’ first without longtime coach Roland Minder at the helm. First-year head coach Dan Macaya, who spent the last two seasons waiting in the wings on Minder’s staff, is determined to continue the success of his predecessor. Minder turned around a program that had not posted a winning season prior to his 1995 arrival. The Papermakers have since been a steady force in the 4A Greater St. Helens League. Macaya is himself one of the standout players Minder produced over the years. A Camas grad in 2003, he of all people knows he has massive shoes to fill. He has retooled the Papermakers’ offense and hopes one of the steadiest programs over the last two decades won’t miss a beat. “Many of the Camas traditions are still in place, but I hope to bring a renewed sense of possession-oriented offense,” Macaya said. The Papermakers replace five seniors from last season, most notably AllRegion player of the year Danny Wing. They will also be without All-Region selection and Oregon State commit Dominic Fewel, who underwent season-ending ankle surgery before the start of the season. Another thing Macaya has emphasized is the importance of the team’s bond to the Camas community. Before the Papermak-
ANDY BUHLER/The Columbian
Camas coach Dan Macaya has taken over for longtime coach Roland Minder, who turned around the program and led Camas to 19-straight state playoff appearances. ers’ season-opener, he said as much in an impassioned speech for the team. “He said we’re playing for Camas, this is for everyone who has played before us,” senior Josh Schneider said. “I really feel like that got to the guys.” Some of the players said they enjoy playing for a coach they know well from being with the program. “It’s been awesome,” senior midfielder Jake Fuller said. “He’s come in and has a lot of new views on things. … So far the team’s embraced what he has to say and everyone is really ready to go.” The Papermakers will be battling in a competitive 4A GSHL where the only returning head coach is Heritage’s Brian Housley. Skyview promoted JV coach Colleen McKinney and Union and Battle Ground promoted former
varsity assistants Jason Moore and Edward Reinhardt, respectively. The Storm could be a force to be reckoned with, too. Multiple coaches tabbed Skyview, which returns All-Region senior forward Mike Kimbrell, as the team to beat. 3A — Some coaches believe Prairie is the league favorite, but don’t expect the Falcons to run away with the title. Defending league champ Mountain View lost three first-team all-league selections and the co-league MVP, but the Thunder field a seniorladen roster. 2A — After earning the top seed at last year’s state tournament before falling in the opening game, Columbia River returns all 11 starters and two firstteam All-Region players from a team that went 17-2 and won the 2A Greater St.
Helens League last season. For that, the Chieftains should be the 2A Greater St. Helens League favorite. Ridgefield will compete for the top spot in league, too. The Spudders have made 10 consecutive state appearances, but replace the majority of their starting lineup from last season. R.A. Long finished .500 in league last season, but the Lumberjacks return first-team all-league selections Jesus and Manuel Cabrera. 1A — Expect a battle between La Center and Toledo-Winlock for the top spot in Trico. The Wildcats roster features seven seniors and ToledoWinlock, which went undefeated in league last season, should be strong again. Seton Catholic finished fifth in this Trico last season, but returns all but one starter.
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The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
21
GIRLS GOLF GOLFERS TO WATCH TAYLOR BLAKLEY, COLUMBIA RIVER: The senior reached state after finishing fifth at districts last year.
KIANA COBURN, FORT VANCOUVER: The junior placed 18th
at 3A state tournament after placing second at districts.
EMMA COX, CAMAS: The junior tied for third in state last
year, shooting 75 and 73. District champ was All-Region girls golfer of the year.
VANESSA FRANKE, WOODLAND: The senior was runner up at 2A GSHL championships and qualified for state.
HALEY OSTER, CAMAS: The Montana State-bound senior tied for ninth in state last year and was second at districts. Aiming for her fourth state trip.
DELAINEY PATTERSON, PRAIRIE: Last year’s 3A district
champion placed 14th at state. The senior will golf at Corban University in Salem, Ore.
KALLIE SAKAMOTO, WASHOUGAL: The senior was runner-up at 2A state tournament, shooting 155. District champ.
KEY DATES APRIL 16
TITAN CUP: A Ryder Cup-style event
APRIL 23
PRAIRIE INVITE: Ten teams will compete
MAY 7-8
3A-4A DISTRICT: Berths to state and
will bring three of the area’s top teams (Camas, Union and Prairie) to Camas Meadows. at one of the area’s largest high school tournaments. It moves to Lewis River this year due to construction at The Cedars at Salmon Creek.
bi-districts will be won at Tri-Mountain.
MAY 16-17 2A DISTRICT: 13 Class 2A teams will
compete at Orchard Hills in Washougal.
MAY 23-24 STATE: 4A and 2A tournaments are in
Spokane. 3A and 1A are in the Tri-Cities. Boys tournaments also take place.
22 The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
MICAH RICE/The Columbian
Camas golfers Haley Oster, left, and Emma Cox hope to lead the Papermakers to a high state finish this spring. Oster, a senior, placed ninth in state last year. Cox, a junior, placed third.
Camas standouts Emma Cox and Haley Oster have state-title goals
E
mma Cox has a good feeling about this golf season. And it’s not just because the junior finished her opening round by chipping in from off the 18th green at Camas Meadows on March 6. Cox believes Camas, which has placed second in state the past two years, has what it takes to end Bellarmine Prep’s run of eight straight 4A titles. “It just feels like this is the year,” Cox said. Camas has two players who will likely be in the mix for the individual state title. Cox finished tied for third last year. Haley Oster, a senior who will golf for Montana State, placed ninth. “I think it’s going to be difficult because (Bellarmine) is really good,” Oster said. “But I think we have a chance if our top six or seven players go to state and make the cut for the second day. I think that should be a main goal.” Oster and Cox have played in a combined five state tournaments.
Five other Camas golfers (Ashley Clark, Abby Jiang, Lauryn Tsukimura, Wenny Cai and Avery Salvato) have all competed at state at least once. Camas coach Bob Foster said that experience is valuable. “It’s basically how to handle your nerves when you get into high-level competition,” Foster said. “When you get into state, there’s 80 girls there and they’re all good.” While state championships are a focus this spring, Cox and Oster have been working toward longer-term goals as well. Oster spent the winter doing more strength training to add the distance she’ll need to compete at the college level. She’s also working on more nuanced shots, like hitting cuts and fades with her driver. She traveled to Arizona for winter tournaments, preparation for which saw her hitting at a snowy Camas driving range on Christmas. “I really want to be the top player in the state,” Oster said. “I know it
will be hard, but I think it’s possible if I work really hard this year.” Cox also had a busy offseason. Last summer, she played in Oregon Junior Golf and Rocky Mountain Junior Golf Tour events. This winter, she focused on strength training to address some wrist and back injuries that flared up during her busy summer. “Just making sure my body is strong so I can fight off injuries really quickly,” Cox said. “I’ve also been working on my short game for sure. That can really make or break a round.” Whether Cox or Oster finish higher at state isn’t on either of their minds. Both just want each teammate to play the best they can. They hope the team’s best will be good enough to end Bellarmine’s dynasty. “They’re very supportive of each other,” Foster said. “They both want to see each other do well. You couldn’t ask for two better teammates.”
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GIRLS TENNIS PLAYERS TO WATCH ANDREA BESARA, BATTLE GROUND: The senior was a
bi-district qualifier and first-team 4A Greater St. Helens League selection last season.
FAITH GRISHAM, COLUMBIA RIVER: The junior placed fourth in the 2A state tournament last year. She’s the area’s top returning state placer in singles.
JUWOON KIM, MOUNTAIN VIEW: The junior was last year’s 3A Greater St. Helens League player of the year.
NICOLE KNUDTSON, UNION: The senior teamed with
Elysha Fu to place third in state in doubles. Also won the district doubles title.
ANNA LU, SKYVIEW: A state doubles qualifier last year while at Mountain View, the junior is a likely No. 1 singles player for Skyview.
SAM MERRILL, CAMAS: A first-team all-league selection last year, the senior will likely be in the mix for the 4A Greater St. Helens League district title.
KEY DATES APRIL 13
BEND TOURNAMENT: Camas, Union and Mountain View travel to face tough competition in Central Oregon.
APRIL 20-21 THUNDER INVITE: Mountain View and
Club Green Meadows host players from around the Northwest.
MAY 11-12 DISTRICTS: 4A will take place at
Vancouver Tennis Center. 3A and 2A at other sites.
MAY 18-19 BI-DISTRICT: State berths will be on the line.
MAY 25-26 STATE: 4A tournament will take place in
Richland, 3A in Kennewick, 2A in Seattle and 1A in Yakima.
JEFF KLEIN/The Columbian
Columbia River junior Faith Grisham placed fourth at 2A state last year and is using that result for motivation in 2018.
Columbia River junior Faith Grisham motivated for bigger results
W
hile the boys tennis season was wrapping up at the end of October, Columbia River junior Faith Grisham was just getting started. Or more like keeping up her momentum from the summer. Grisham is the area’s top returning state placer in singles from 2017, having finished fourth at the 2A tournament. That has motivated her to get even better for 2018. “I’ve been practicing pretty much every day,” Grisham said. “I’ve really tried to incorporate moving forward and being more aggressive in my game. I’m going to win rather than just hit the ball in. Hit more winners and make my opponent go on the defensive.” Confident words from a player who is coming off a successful summer of United States Tennis Association junior events that saw her reach several tournament finals and consolation finals. Grisham currently ranks 17th in the USTA Pacific Northwest Section in the girls 18s age group. “It’s kinda fun to look (at the rank-
ing), but I just need to work hard every day,” she said. Helping with the work-hard portion is new Columbia River head coach Kevin Erickson, himself a former three-time 2A state singles champion from Ridgefield. “I know she wants to build on last year’s fourth-place finish at state,” Erickson said. “Faith is feeling confident. I think she could have a really good year.” 4A GSHL: This could be a wideopen year as for who could get to state with the graduation of Camas’ Hannah Gianan, who was state runner-up last spring. Returning seniors who were first-team all-league last year include Andrea Besara of Battle Ground and Sam Merrill of Camas. Two-time defending league champ Union will have junior Nicole Knudtson, who was half of the Titans’ third-place doubles team at state. She will team with senior Anna Foster in doubles. The Titans also have sophomore Miriam Muntean, who will mostly play singles during the
season, but coach David Heitsch said Muntean could do either singles or doubles at district. “We look to battle against a great league from top to bottom this year,” Heitsch said. Skyview gains a likely No. 1 singles player in junior Anna Lu, who competed for Mountain View last year. Senior and doubles state placer Karly Metz is in the singles mix for the Storm this year. 3A GSHL: Mountain View ran the table in its first year at 3A and could be tough again with two state qualifiers and four of eight bi-district qualifers returning. Junior Juwoon Kim leads the Thunder after a trip to state last year, and senior Sabrina Wang was a doubles state qualifier. Don’t count out Prairie or Fort Vancouver as both programs have huge turnouts. First-year Prairie girls coach Shiori Baba has senior Misa Le and junior Sarah Shirley as top singles players. Hudson’s Bay returns senior Avery Honaker, who was a state qualifier last year.
The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
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24 The Columbian, Sunday, March 18, 2018
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