Proven players preserve
tradition

Experience a plus as Huskies
embark on golf campaign

By Sean Patterson
Canby Herald

With so many returning players back in the fold, the biggest challenge facing North Marion High School boys golf coach Alberto Torres will be deciding who will play where.

At least one issue is already settled, with fourth-year senior player Josh Cady set to play the No. 1 spot again. And Torres is confident he has a solid No. 2 player in senior John Sovie.

But beyond that, questions abound.

"We've got eight kids returning from last year, and many of them have played three of four years for us," Torres said. "We have a lot of experience, which is a nice situation to have. But it does make it somewhat hard to decide on a final lineup. Many of these players are very close in ability, so it may take time before we know who will be where."

At this point, it looks as though sophomore Kevin Morales, junior Matt McCormick and junior Bobby Clutter are poised to play the third through fifth spots.

Torres also sees potential in sophomore Brent Kahle, junior Tim Hunt and senior Dustin Kenagy. A freshman, Zach Wells, also shows promise. "Our top five have been consistent, shooting right around bogey golf," Torres said. "We're just now getting into competition mode, and our top three should be breaking 40 (for nine holes) by the time the season is in full swing."

Last year, Cady led the way by earning honorable mention all-league honors. The coach said Cascade and Stayton figure to be the teams to beat in league.

"We've got the numbers (14 to 15 players), so I like our chances to move up the ranks," Torres said.

NORTH MARION GIRLS GOLF: The state of the North Marion girls golf team was in limbo last week as head coach Jason Scanlan, who took his boys basketball team to the Class 3A state tournament, had yet to finalize a lineup.

In fact, there is a chance the team won't field a regular varsity squad because of a lack of numbers, according to North Marion Athletic Director Hank Tautfest.

"We're taking a wait-and-see approach with the girls golf program," Tautfest said. "Obviously, we'd like to put a team together and make it happen, but there's still that chance we won't field a team. We'll see what develops."

New courts bolster
NM program

The addition of new courts has translated into a renewed enthusiasm for tennis at North Marion High School this spring.

At least that's the assessment of longtime coach Pat O'Dell, who can't say enough about the impact five new courts have had on the program.

"It's breathed new life into the sport at our school," said O'Dell, now in his third year of coaching boys tennis after heading up the girls program 11 seasons. "We no longer have to travel to Charbonneau or other places to get in our matches. Needless to say, we appreciate the voters giving us the go-ahead to put the courts in. This not only helps us out now, it's huge for our future."

As of last week, O'Dell had 15 players out for a boys team which has made great strides of improvement over the last couple seasons. The Huskies have been third in league the past two seasons after going more than 10 years without winning a single Capital Conference match.

Among those returning are three of four singles players from a year ago, including fourth-year player Juan Ovalle, junior Andrew McBride and sophomore Bryce Marsh. They will most likely fill the first three spots in the order, respectively.

Joining them in singles is a freshman, Ishmael Ovalle, who is the younger brother of Juan.

"I think we'll actually be stronger in singles than we were a year ago," O'Dell said. "In Ishmael, I have probably the most advanced freshman player I've ever had. He should be huge for us."

In doubles, the team features seniors Mike Weigal, Andrew McLaren and Brett Murray, as well as juniors Tim Hunt and Tomo Mori, a Japanese exchange student. Sophomore Orin Newkirk is also out for the team, but he is still recovering from an arm injury he suffered during the wrestling season.

"My hope is that we can move into the top two (in league) this year," O'Dell said. "We're a lot further along at this point than we have been the last couple years. The weather has been nice, so we've had a chance to get out and enjoy the new courts."

Once again, the Huskies will play in a district that spans the state, with a handful of private schools and teams as far south as Mazama competing in the district. For that reason, O'Dell is understandably unsure of where his team fits into the mix.

"The private schools always have quality players year after year," he said. "All I know is, our program is on the rise because of these new courts. Kids are excited about the chance to play on them."

NORTH MARION GIRLS: Apparently, the newfound interest in tennis isn't restricted to the boys' side. With some 25 players out for head coach Judy Spence, the Huskies have a record turnout.

Like O'Dell, Spence attributes the enthusiasm to the newly constructed courts.

"I think there's a feeling that it would be a privilege to be the first players to play on them," Spence said. "I think that definitely has something to do with it."

Returning for North Marion will be Stacey Ovchinnikoff, Alexis Fobert and the doubles team of Suesanne Hogeland and Anna Valverde.

Ovchinnikoff can play singles or doubles, and she might very well pair with Fobert when she does play doubles.

The Huskies also feature singles players in Eva Kasachez and Kirsten Cogburn, while in doubles the pair of Lindsey Light and Melissa Trumps figure to team up. A senior, Megan Floyd, has played singles in the past and may find a spot in that rotation again.

Spence also has a large freshman group to work with.

"It's really hard to pinpoint an exact lineup because we have so many girls and so many new faces," the coach said. "I have a feeling we'll see the lineup seesaw a bit as players challenge one another. A lot of them are pretty evenly matched."

The coach said Stayton and Molalla traditionally lead the way in the Capital Conference.

The addition of new courts has translated into a renewed enthusiasm for tennis at North Marion High School this spring.

At least that's the assessment of longtime coach Pat O'Dell, who can't say enough about the impact five new courts have had on the program.

"It's breathed new life into the sport at our school," said O'Dell, now in his third year of coaching boys tennis after heading up the girls program 11 seasons. "We no longer have to travel to Charbonneau or other places to get in our matches. Needless to say, we appreciate the voters giving us the go-ahead to put the courts in. This not only helps us out now, it's huge for our future."

As of last week, O'Dell had 15 players out for a boys team which has made great strides of improvement over the last couple seasons. The Huskies have been third in league the past two seasons after going more than 10 years without winning a single Capital Conference match.

Among those returning are three of four singles players from a year ago, including fourth-year player Juan Ovalle, junior Andrew McBride and sophomore Bryce Marsh. They will most likely fill the first three spots in the order, respectively.

Joining them in singles is a freshman, Ishmael Ovalle, who is the younger brother of Juan.



"I think we'll actually be stronger in singles than we were a year ago," O'Dell said. "In Ishmael, I have probably the most advanced freshman player I've ever had. He should be huge for us." In doubles, the team features seniors Mike Weigal, Andrew McLaren and Brett Murray, as well as juniors Tim Hunt and Tomo Mori, a Japanese exchange student. Sophomore Orin Newkirk is also out for the team, but he is still recovering from an arm injury he suffered during the wrestling season.

"My hope is that we can move into the top two (in league) this year," O'Dell said. "We're a lot further along at this point than we have been the last couple years. The weather has been nice, so we've had a chance to get out and enjoy the new courts."

Once again, the Huskies will play in a district that spans the state, with a handful of private schools and teams as far south as Mazama competing in the district. For that reason, O'Dell is understandably unsure of where his team fits into the mix.

"The private schools always have quality players year after year," he said. "All I know is, our program is on the rise because of these new courts. Kids are excited about the chance to play on them."

NORTH MARION GIRLS: Apparently, the newfound interest in tennis isn't restricted to the boys' side. With some 25 players out for head coach Judy Spence, the Huskies have a record turnout.

Like O'Dell, Spence attributes the enthusiasm to the newly constructed courts.

"I think there's a feeling that it would be a privilege to be the first players to play on them," Spence said. "I think that definitely has something to do with it."

Returning for North Marion will be Stacey Ovchinnikoff, Alexis Fobert and the doubles team of Suesanne Hogeland and Anna Valverde.

Ovchinnikoff can play singles or doubles, and she might very well pair with Fobert when she does play doubles.

The Huskies also feature singles players in Eva Kasachez and Kirsten Cogburn, while in doubles the pair of Lindsey Light and Melissa Trumps figure to team up. A senior, Megan Floyd, has played singles in the past and may find a spot in that rotation again.

Spence also has a large freshman group to work with.

"It's really hard to pinpoint an exact lineup because we have so many girls and so many new faces," the coach said. "I have a feeling we'll see the lineup seesaw a bit as players challenge one another. A lot of them are pretty evenly matched."

The coach said Stayton and Molalla traditionally lead the way in the Capital Conference.

Watson, Millison return to
tennis courts for Cougars

Forgive Mike Vaught if he seems a little excited about his Canby High School girls tennis team this spring.

With 11 returning lettermen, including many of his best players, the coach has reason to like the Cougars' chances of making an impact in the Pacific-9 Conference race this season.

Now in his fourth season with the program, Vaught can't say enough about his team.

"We're excited because we've got talent while still being fairly young," said Vaught, who has six returning sophomores. "We've also got experience in singles with the return of senior Wendy Watson, who only had three people beat her last year, and Rachel Greiner, who plays year-round.

''We should also be helped by a change in the schedule. Rather than play everyone twice, we play each league team once. Last year, we won six of our first eight and then other teams got us in the second round because they switched their lineups around to create better matchups. That won't happen this year.''

The Cougars are solid in singles, where Watson is back for her third year as the team's No. 1 player. Greiner, a sophomore, figures to play the No. 2 spot, and junior Kerry Vaught is poised to play at No. 3.

Another sophomore, Kelly Keith, will contend for the fourth position along with juniors Alex Gex and Christina Chavez.

In doubles, Canby has several players who are all close in ability. First and foremost, the team has Tori Beck and Justine Rhodes back after that pair reached the quarterfinals of district a year ago.

The team also has proven players in Miki Hipp and Amanda Weygandt, who didn't lose any of their five varsity matches at No. 4 last spring.

Also returning is Whitney Rotrock, who reached the district quarters as well. She will probably team with Maggie McMains since her partner from last season, Nicole Lundgren, is hurt and unable to play.

A fourth doubles team figures to be junior Chauna Roberts and freshman Kelsey Brouillette.

With six sophomores, three juniors and only two seniors returning, the Cougars are still young.

"We were fourth in league last spring, and I can see us moving up at least a spot or two," coach Vaught said. "Tualatin is always strong, but I like our chances to even challenge them. It should be a fun year."

CANBY'S BOYS RETURN MILLISON, OTHERS: Like their girl counterparts, the Canby boys the bulk of their lineup and one of their most consistent players in Colin Millison.

Millison advanced all the way to the district quarterfinals before getting beat, and he figures to play at No. 1 for head coach Myra Brown this year.

Joining him in singles will be No. 2 man Josh Stinson, No. 3 player Brian Stuhr and a sophomore, George Ovchinnokov. Ryan Bierman, new to the program, and junior Tien Tran may also play singles, and Stuhr is versatile enough to play either singles or doubles.

"Tien and Ryan make up a nice doubles team, but they are among a group of players who can go either way," Brown said. "I would say we look like we'll be stronger in singles than doubles, but last year I figured we'd be stronger in doubles and it was the other way around, so you never know."

Also taking the courts will be doubles players Nate Krytenberg, Quang Tran, Brandon Brown, Lane Nebeker, Wayne Staehly and Andy Mardock. Brown and Nebeker will pair up, and Staehly and Mardock figure to form a team.

Three other players should also make contributions at the varsity level: Scott Lundeen, Brad Puntenney and Collin Simons.

As usual, Tualatin and Tigard figure to be the teams to beat in the conference, although the Timberwolves did lose several seniors from a team that went 14-0 last year.

"We were right in the middle of the pack at 7-5-2," coach Brown said. "I'd like to say we can move up to second or third if all goes well. It would be asking a lot to knock off Tualatin, but we should be able to move up a place or two."

Unlike last season, when ties were left as that, teams will instead determine the outcome by counting games won in those matches that end up as ties. Had the league done that last year, both of Canby's ties would have been victories.

Both the Canby boys and girls embark on their spring seasons this week, with each scheduled for three matches.