By Sean Patterson
of the Herald

It isn't every day this kind of talent drops in for a visit. To the wrestling aficionado, last week's All-Phase Wrestling Camp at Canby High School featured a who's who list of local grapplers who have made it big.

There was Wilsonville native Chael Sonnen, the former West Linn High School standout and current Oregon star who most recently placed third in his class at the Greco-Roman Olympic Trials, just missing a trip to Sydney, Australia, as a member of the United States team.

Also present was Randy Couture, the 37-year-old workhorse from Gresham who won a 1997 world title in ultimate fighting and who also placed at the Olympic Trials this year.

And, teaming with Sonnen to oversee the camp, was Kevin Keeney, a three-time state placer for Canby High School and a three-time Pac-10 placer for Oregon before last year's coaching stint at Wilsonville High School.

All told, 53 students between the ages of 8 and 18 turned out for the weeklong session, picking up techniques from the best this region has to offer.

"It's been a fun, productive week," said Keeney, who will take over Canby Mat Club duties this year. "These are kids who are willing to make the sacrifices it takes to be a better wrestler. They've taken time out of their busy summer schedules to learn.

''And we've gotten athletes from all over, from Canby, Gresham, Portland. Once word got out, it filled up pretty quickly.''

For Sonnen, the camp offered a chance to pass the torch, as he put it, to the next generation of wrestlers.

"This is a high-caliber group of kids," he said. "I'm probably looking at six 2001 state high school champions in this room right now. They've all worked hard and sacrificed to be here."

Sonnen, who has won two Greco national titles, admits he was disappointed with his placement at the Trials: In June, he wound up third at 187 pounds in Dallas, Texas, and only the winner qualifies for the national squad.

At the same time, he isn't dwelling on what could have been.

"Life goes on," he said. "Right now, I'm concentrating on finishing up school and winning an NCAA collegiate title. I may try it again in 2004, we'll see. I just know it isn't the end of the world."

Likewise, Couture has put his failure to make the U.S. team behind him. His wrestling career, though, is over.

"I'm retiring from wrestling, but I'll continue to fight and compete in the mixed martial arts," said Couture, who lost 3-2 in the semifinals at the Trials. "I've been impressed with what they've got going here in Canby.

It seems to be a hot spot for wrestling, with state placers coming out of here year after year. I've enjoyed being a part of the camp."

The event also featured Dean Dixon, the legendary Oregon coach who headed up that program for 21 years. Also in attendance was Canby High head coach Dan Nugent, who has guided several Cougar individuals to district and state titles.

"This is good for Canby wrestling and great for wrestling in general," Nugent said. "This is what commitment is all about. To have these kinds of numbers in the summertime speaks a lot about the commitment to the sport in this area."

Instructors took time to go over techniques, often demonstrating in front of the entire group the moves that have made them champions.

"We plan on doing it each year and may even host other camps at different times of the year," Keeney said.

By Sean Patterson
of the Herald

The Splash 14-and-under softball team wrapped up its season with a 2-3 showing at a 39-team Newberg tournament last weekend that featured squads from Washington, Oregon and Arizona.

In pool play Thursday, the Canby girls lost their first game to Salem's Sudden Impact 7-2, as five errors teamed with six hits to give Salem the victory.

Maria Madeira had the Splash's only hit, and Erinn Hogan pitched well the first four innings, surrendering five hits, striking out one and walking three. Reliever Jeeni Schantin came on to close out the contest.

Canby didn't stay down for long, though, bouncing back for an 11-2 triumph over the Salem Surge. Schantin went 2 for 2 and Madeira, Leah Bungo, Hogan and Katie Peters each belted out singles.

The girls also played better defensively, only committing two errors to support the pitching of Schantin, who went the distance on the mound and allowed just four hits while striking out five.

The Splash continued its winning ways with a 7-0 shutout of the Bonnie Lake Washington Fury on Friday. Madeira ripped a double in the first inning to lead things off, and Schantin and Aubree Petit followed with consecutive singles to set the tone for the game.

Moments later, Jamie Brisbane added an RBI to stake the Splash to a 3-0 first-inning lead. In the end, Petit went 3 for 4, Schantin had two hits and Hogan chipped in a single.

It was all enough for Schantin, who pitched a no-hitter, walked only one and struck out five.

The Splash next faced the eventual tournament runner-up, the Premier from Arizona, which ripped 11 hits and played flawless defense. Madeira, Petit and Schantin provided Canby's only hits, and Hogan and Schantin combined on pitching duties in a 7-0 loss.

The girls then lost their second game of the double-elimination event, coming up short against last year's 12B state and regional champions, the Springfield Killer Bees.

The Splash actually jumped out in front in the first inning, scoring three runs, as Madeira walked and Schantin and Petit followed with singles. Brisbane then scored Madeira on a fielder's choice, and Bungo sacrificed a run in.

Rikki Smead accounted for the third run with an RBI single.

Unfortunately, the team didn't put a string of hits together again until the fifth inning, and by then the Killer Bees had taken the lead. The final count was 12-5.

For the tournament, Schantin batted .500 along with Peters and Leah Cullington. Petit hit .461 and Hogan batted at a .300 clip.

"Our season was successful as far as our goals were concerned," coach Diane Schantin said. "We chose to play in an older league and were classified as 'A' most of the season to become better softball players as opposed to trying to rack up the win column.

''We finished .500 in the 16/18U league play and were close to the .500 mark against 14U teams in tournaments. At the beginning of the season, our goal was to challenge ourselves and hopefully finish around .500. We did finish third at the West Linn 'A' tournament, and second at the USSSA 'B' state tournament. Both of those tournaments, the team played some excellent defense."

The team ended up 15-22 overall this summer, with a 5-5 league record and a 10-14 mark against under-14 teams.

Team members this season included Madeira, Schantin, Petit, Brisbane, Bungo, Cullington, Jennifer Elrod, Smead, Hogan, Rachael Wood, Regina Raines, Peters and Sarah Boatright.

The team will play in a recreational fall league that involves games only, no practices. Those interested in playing with the team this fall may contact Diane Schantin at 266-9507. It will involve five Sundays and cost approximately $20.