Photo by Sean Patterson

Pete Russo has been a fixture at Wilsonville High School games for five years and has been active in high school athletics since graduating from college in 1968.

By Sean Patterson
of the Herald

After 32 years on the job - the last 12 of them in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District - Pete Russo figures it's finally time to move on.

The longtime athletic director, educator and coach retired last week from his post as AD at Wilsonville High School, ending a career filled with memories and accomplishments.

"When I made the decision to do this last year, I started looking forward to it," he says with a smile. "But as it's gotten closer, I've felt a little more apprehension, probably because I'll be stepping away from doing something I've loved doing for so many years.

''Over that time, you build a lot of friendships and you develop bonds with people. I guess that's the part I'll miss most - saying goodbye to all those people.''

Russo, who turns 56 in July, has been a winner wherever he's gone since graduating from Arizona State University in 1968.

Right out of college, he landed the enviable job of taking over the Newberg High School wrestling program, traditionally one of the state's best, and ended up winning a state championship.

>From there, he made a move to Canby High School in 1977 to take over the Cougars, who proceeded to win the inaugural Oregon Wrestling Classic in 1984 and take second, third and fourth at state in different years.

By the time he hung it up as a coach, in 1984, his wrestling teams at Newberg and Canby had won more than 300 duals while losing only 30.

At that point, Russo was ready for a new challenge, and he returned to Newberg for four years, from 1984-88, to serve as its athletic director.

"I'm one of those kinds of people who like taking on new challenges," he said. "That was the reasoning behind my leaving Newberg and going to Canby.

I was ready to go to another school and see what I could do with a different program and different kids.

''When the chance came up to be an AD in Newberg, it was one of those opportunities I couldn't pass up.''

Before long, he found himself in West Linn, where he took over the AD reins in 1988. He's been a part of the district ever since, and for five years (1995-2000) he served as AD for both West Linn and Wilsonville while also working extensively with the district's three middle schools.

West Linn did hire Rob Holstrom as an AD last year, but Russo has remained involved in both high schools.

During his tenure in the district, Russo had the pleasure of watching the Lions of West Linn dominate several Class 4A sports in the 1990s. Over that span, West Linn won state titles in boys basketball, baseball, track and volleyball while coming close in several other sports.

And, remarkably, Wilsonville has followed in West Linn's footsteps despite being open only five years. In the past three years alone, the Wildcats have claimed nine state championships.

"I've been very fortunate to work with some of the best high school coaches around," he said. "You don't do this job on your own. You depend on many people. They have made my job easier and I'm grateful for having worked with them."

Russo, a native of Naples, Italy, came to this country with his parents at the age of 9. They originally settled in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn, N.Y., before making the move west to Portland two years later.

Russo grew up in Southeast Portland and attended David Douglas High School before earning a scholarship at Arizona State. There, he won several conference championships as a wrestler and was named to the All-American team two years.

It was when his college career was over that he began his life as a coach and educator - roles he relished to the end.

"I can't remember a single time that I woke up in the morning and didn't want to come to work," he said. "Sure there were tough days and difficult situations, but I always loved coming in."

Now that his career is over, Russo plans on spending more time with his family, traveling and pursuing his hobbies, which include gardening, reading and golf.

In fact, he and his wife Dorothy plan to take an Alaskan cruise this summer before visiting his native Italy in September. It will be his first visit back to Europe since he left as a boy.

And, incidentally, the Russo name won't soon be gone from the local athletic scene: His son, Neil, is currently the head wrestling coach at Newberg. "I'll still be around to some extent," Pete said. "I'll go to an occasional game; I just won't be there every night.

"That part I won't miss - the need to be at a game every night. It'll be nice to have a little more freedom in the evenings."

Canby distance runner Eric Logsdon finally ran out of gas. Coming off an impressive victory in the Golden West Invitational, the 18-year-old Canby High School graduate struggled to sixth place in the two-mile run at the National Scholastic Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Raleigh, N.C., on June 17.

Logsdon crossed the line in 9 minutes, 2.15 seconds to finish well behind winner Daythan Ritzenhein. The Michigan resident cruised to victory in 8:48.06, shattering the meet record by 10 seconds.

"(Ritzenhein) is the only undefeated high school distance runner in the nation," CHS track coach Tom Millbrooke noted. "He's the only one who's faced everybody and beaten everybody."

Millbrooke said that if Logsdon had been in peak form, he would have covered the distance in about 8:50.

"He didn't run really well," Millbrooke said.

The race marked the conclusion of a stellar season for Logsdon, who threatened Steve Prefontaine's 3,000-meter record in winning the state title last month.

"That really ends Eric's postseason high school career," Millbrooke said. "The only thing he has left is the Junior Elite Training Camp in Chula Vista, Calif., at the end of July."

Of course, Logsdon's future in track is still bright. He'll compete for the University of Oregon next year - and he'll be running alongside someone who beat him at last week's meet.

Nole Paulson, who just graduated from Cascade High School, captured third place at the National Scholastic Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He beat Logsdon by about 5 seconds.

Brian Henninger, playing in his first major golf tournament in three years, failed to make the cut at the 100th U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, Calif.

The Wilsonville resident, who formerly lived a Canby Ferry ride away on North Holly Street, made the historic centenary championship after posting two 73s in qualifying in New Jersey.

However, the windy and foggy conditions, coupled with early over-par holes, pushed Henninger down the leader board.

Nothing, however, could put Tiger Woods of his game. He posted rounds of 65, 69, 71 and 67 to card a 12-under par total of 272 strokes to win his first U.S. Open title and a purse of $800,000.

Miguel Angel Jimenez and Ernie Els finished 15 strokes back at 3-over par. Henninger, 36, failed to make the cut, despite Pebble Beach being one of his most familiar and favorite courses.

His total of 150 strokes, or 8-over par, put him above the cut.

He shot a six-over par 77 in the fog-bound first round although he missed the worst of the inclement weather after teeing off at 4:45 a.m. on Thursday, his earliest ever round of golf.

In Friday's second round, Henninger shot a solid 73, and then told reporters he was happy with his play, apart from on some greens.

The U.S. Open marked the 11th missed cut of the season, and his fourth missed cut in a row.

Henninger has won twice in his PGA Tour career - both times winning rain-shortened tournaments.

Nevertheless, he said he hopes the tournament will prove to be a good turning point for his season.

If you're an athlete looking for something to do this summer, look no further than the Canby Community School office.

Whether it's soccer, football, basketball or volleyball, there's plenty to keep youngsters - and in some cases, adults - plenty busy.

A football camp is taking place this week at Canby High School, but that's just the start of summertime sports offerings.

Later this month, the CHS boys basketball program will host a camp for ages 8-10 at CHS on June 26-30. The same week, a camp for ages 11-14 takes place at CHS.

Sessions run from 9 a.m. to noon (ages 8-10) and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with fees of $40 and $60, respectively.

For volleyball players, a camp set for July 13-16 is designed for grades 5-12 and meets each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Canby High School. It costs $85 per player.

In July and August, the Canby High soccer program will host its ninth annual camp for youth (ages 6-12) and advanced players (ages 13-18).

The sessions run July 24-28 for the younger players and July 31 to Aug. 4 for the older kids. Both will meet in the morning, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for the former group and 9 a.m. to noon for the latter.

In addition to working on skills, players will be engaged in a World Cup competition. The cost is $75 per player, which includes a T-shirt and ball.

Also this summer, nearby Langdon Farms Golf Club will offer a series of lessons under the direction of instructor Tom Rudy. They will unfold July 24-26 and Aug. 7-9 at a cost of $109 per player.

In addition, the Canby Community School office is offering tae kwon do lessons, tennis camps and a number of adult recreational activities.

For more information on schedules and times, call the Canby Community School office at 266-2086.