December 4, 2014

McKenzie Varsity Sports Schedule This Week

The McKenzie Varsity Girls Basketball team hosts Trinity Lutheran on Wednesday, December 3, with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 pm. The Eagle team next travels to Yoncalla on Friday, December 5 for a game with Yoncalla (annual two day Yoncalla Tournament) and game time is scheduled for 6:00 pm. The team will return to Yoncalla on Saturday, December 6, with game time and the opponent to be decided.

The McKenzie Varsity Boys team will travel to Yoncalla on Friday, December 5 to play Yoncalla (Yoncalla Tournament) with game time tip-off slated for 7:30 pm. The Eagle Boys will also play at Yoncalla on Saturday, December 6, at 7:00 pm. against an opponent yet to be determined.

McKenzie Volleyball Touted For Academic Success

McKenzie’s 2014 Varsity Volleyball team not only had a fine season on the court, they also performed well in the classroom, posting a 3.46 team GPA. The team placed 22nd in the final 1A team listings, highest of any Mt. West League teams.

Lowell also made the listings with a 3.43 team GPA, followed by Eddyville Charter (3.05) and Mapleton (3.04). The Oregon School Activities Association honors all teams that earn a team GPA of 3.00 and greater. Umpqua Valley Christian and North Clackamas Christian tied for top 1A honors with a team GPA of 3.95. Three Mt. West League football teams were distinguished by OSAA with Yoncalla posting a 3.14 GPA, followed by North Douglas at 3.03 and Mapleton at 3.02.

Eagle Wrestling Dropped

McKenzie will not participate in Varsity wrestling this season. Too few, qualified athletes to field a team was the stated reason. Last season, the Eagle’s Head Wrestling Coach R.O. Gamez coached four athletes in his first season as a varsity head coach.

Gone to graduation are Casey Mitchell and Lane Kruse. Dylan Garr, a senior this season and Levi Sturgill, a sophomore, competed on last season’s team. Garr finished his 2013 season with a third place finish in the Special District 2 Wrestling Championships at the 195 lb. weight class and the Eagle team brought home the 2014 District Sportsmanship Trophy.

Eagle Equestrian Krystal Kruse Will Compete For Colts

McKenzie freshman Krystal Kruse will take her equestrian skills to Thurston in a cooperative athletic arrangement for the 2014 season. McKenzie does not sponsor a Varsity Equestrian team and Thurston does. The Colts participate in the Oregon High School Equestrian Team program and is a member of the South Valley District, currently represented by 24 OSAA schools, over all classifications.

Other 1A Mt. West League schools that are members of the S.V. District are Lowell, Mapleton, and Mohawk. A South Valley District Meet #1 is scheduled for February 6-8, 2015 at the Oregon Horse Center in Eugene. The Eagles also sent athletes to Lowell last baseball season in a cooperative deal and have also done so recently in middle school football.

Eagle Basketball Opening Rosters Posted

McKenzie Boys Varsity Basketball posted its first roster of the 2014 season this week and nine out of the thirteen athletes taking the hardwoods will list six feet or taller. Returning for McKenzie Hoops is 6-4 senior Alex Nastasiuk, 6-1 junior Drew Hamlow, and 6-1 sophomore Chanse Hamlow. Senior Blue Bloomer, 6-1, returns to the Eagle team after attending school at Thurston last year. Also returning from last season’s team are 5-9 senior Eric Huffman, 5-11 senior Trevor Spray, 5-7 sophomore Matt Brownlee, 6-0 sophomore James Rimmer, and 5-8 sophomore Jason McCarrick.

Coach Scrivner welcomes newcomers 6-3 senior Trevor Evans, 6-2 sophomore Scott Willis, 6-1 freshman Ian Dundon, and 6-2 freshman Codee Clark.

The latest McKenzie Girls Varsity Basketball roster shows eight athletes with senior Kailyn Ringler now listed and senior Mikalah Gonzales not currently listed. Other Eagles returning for Head Coach David Duncan’s team are seniors Katey Totten, Buggy Hiddleston, and Aly Heins, juniors Jorden Smith and Idgie Joe, and sophomore Miyanna Hayes. Coach Duncan welcomes just one freshman this season thus far, Paige Lowry.

McKenzie Alumni Update

Several Eagle alumni are participating athletically at the collegiate level. Currently, Jordan Wiley (MHS 2012) is playing basketball at Western Oregon University. Wiley starts for the Wolves who are a NCAA Division II team. Karissa Harbick (MHS 2012) is playing basketball for Oregon Institute of Technology, a NAIA member team. Trey Harbick (MHS 2010) and Taya Harbick (MHS 2012) both play for the New Hope Christian College Mens and Womens Basketball teams respectively. New Hope is a member of the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association).

1A Football Update

The Adrian Antelopes defeated the Sherman Huskies, 46-28, earning the Eastern Oregon team the 2014 OSAA State 1A Football Championship. The Championship Title is the first in school history for Adrian in eleven State playoff appearances.

McKenzie River Reflections