ADMINISTRATIVE
FACES IN THE CLUB The MAC Climbing Team had one of its best-ever showings at Divisional Championships, finishing third overall in the team competition. Ten of the 21 MAC climbers who competed advanced to National Championships, held in Madison, Wisconsin, in early February. Climbers headed to Nationals, along with MAC coaches, include, front row from left, Aidan Schenk, Sloane Warmkessel, Sutton Warmkessel, Jack Urness and Gabe Laurent; middle row, from left, Tori Siegel, Celia Diffely, Zak Surma and Head Coach Drew White, back row, from left, Coach Justin Rom, Brett Walker, Ryan Patridge and Coach Chi Harris.
To submit information for Faces in the Club, contact Communications Manager Tony Roberts at 503-517-7220 or troberts@themac.com.
Swimmer Van Mathias won this year’s Mel Fox Amateur Athlete of the Year Award at the annual Banquet of Champions in January. Mathias was among eight nominees for the award. He was chosen after a season in which he became one of the most versatile swimmers in the program’s history, setting MAC age-group records in the 200 backstroke, 100 and 200 fly, and 200 and 400 IM. His 100 fly set a new state record, and was the fourth fastest time a 14- or 15-year-old swam in the history of USA Swimming. His time, 55.95 seconds, put him just 0.14 seconds behind Michael Phelps at that age. A lifelong member, Mathias has been swimming in MAC’s pools since he was 6 months old.
MAC synchronized swimmer Jeanne Newmark won the Joe Loprinzi Inspirational Award during the annual Banquet of Champions in January. She was among three nominees for the award. Newmark has been swimming on the MAC masters synchro team for the past 30 years, helping the squad to 14 consecutive national championships, and participating as they became the first team to compete in the 80 to 89 age group. The team gained international fame, landing in a photography book. Over the past three years, Newmark swam a duet with her daughter, Phyllis, winning gold and bronze medals in regional tournaments and swimming at world championships.
Intermediate member and former MAC Scholar Athlete Brennan Scarlett was a key cog in the Stanford Cardinal defense this year. Scarlett became Stanford’s first-ever graduate transfer this year when he graduated from the University of California and headed across the bay for his final year of eligibility. After a Cal career that was plagued by injuries, Scarlett played in all 14 of Stanford’s games at defensive end, recording 43 tackles, including eight for a loss, and breaking up two passes. Scarlett also had 5.5 sacks, including one in the Cardinal’s 45-16 drubbing of Iowa in the Rose Bowl. Scarlett also had the opportunity to practice alongside his brother, Cameron, a redshirt freshman at Stanford this year.
New Member Coach Diego Valeri led the Portland Timbers to an MLS Cup Title in December. Valeri scored the fastest goal in MLS Cup history, taking advantage of Columbus keeper Steve Clark’s miscue to score just 27 seconds into the match. He was named MLS Cup MVP. Valeri missed the first two months of the 2015 season as he rehabbed from a torn ACL, suffered in the final game of 2014. But he came on late and was a driving force behind the Timbers playoff run, netting a goal and five assists in five games. A native of Argentina, Valeri is the Timbers alltime assist leader, and is second all-time in goals. Valeri will run a soccer clinic at the club. february 2016
New Youth Programs/ Court Sports attendant and instructor Topher Davis started playing Ultimate Frisbee at the University of Oregon in 2008, and played for five years, making four appearances at College Nationals. The team was three-time Northwest Regional Champion, and Davis was captain for two years, leading the team to a third-place finish at nationals both years. After graduating, Davis played on the USA U23 Mixed Team that won Gold at the 2013 U23 World Games. Now living in Portland, Davis is playing for the professional ultimate team the Portland Stags for the third year. He teaches after-school basketball classes and speed/agility/ quickness class.
| The Wınged M |
11