By James Day
A pair of former Silverton High School softball players were strong contributors for this spring’s Chemeketa Community College team.
Taylor Medley, a freshman catcher and outfielder, batted .295 in 32 games, with one homer, 15 RBIs and four stolen bases. Another former Fox, third baseman Jordan Martin, batted .304 in 10 games, with one homer and 11 RBIs. The Storm finished 21-19 overall and 8-12 in the NWAACC South.
Here is a look at some other area college performances by local athletes:
Former Silverton distance runner Morgan Anderson is attending Oregon State but competed unattached this spring. She turned in OSU’s second best 800 mark, a 2:15.35, and the eighth best 1,500 time, a 4:46.33. Anderson also earned the No. 10, No. 13 and No. 22 spots on the Beavers’ 1,500 list.
Former Kennedy High cross country and track and field athlete Leo Jines ran for Western Oregon University this spring, turning in a best time of 2:09.60 in the 800 and 4:17.39 in the 1,500.
Former Trojan athlete Franky Rodriguez saw limited action for the Chemeketa baseball team. He was 0 for 3 at the plate but walked twice and scored a run.
Oregon State University quarterback Sean Mannion has been chosen by his teammates as one of the Beavers’ captains for the second consecutive season. The other captains are wide receiver Brandin Cooks, offensive guard Grant Enger, cornerback Rashaad Reynolds and linebacker Michael Doctor.
Mannion connected on 64.7 percent of his passes for 2,446 yards and 15 touchdowns last season despite missing two games with a knee injury. Mannion, a 6-5, 208-pound junior, was an honorable mention on the all-Pac-12 academic team. Mannion’s family lives in Silverton and his father, John, is a social studies teacher and head football coach at Silverton High School.
The Beavers finished 9-4, losing 31-27 to Texas in the Alamo Bowl. OSU opens the 2013 season at 3 p.m. Aug. 31 at Reser Stadium against Eastern Washington in a game that will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.
Homer Classic: It’s not too late to participate in the 8-kilometer run or 2-mile run-walk at the Homer Classic, which is Sunday, Aug. 4. Folks can register on the morning of the race starting at 7:45 on the track at the old high school campus on Schlador Street. Registration costs $20, with a technical T-shirt (if available) an extra $15. The races start at 9 a.m. Proceeds benefit the cross country and track and field programs at Kennedy and Silverton high schools. For information call Kennedy Coach Steve Ritchie at 503-845-1801.
Key dates for fall: In a blink of an eye we will be back into the high school sports season. Volleyball, football, soccer and cross country teams can begin their conditioning work Monday, Aug. 12. The first day in which the OSAA allows formal practice sessions is Monday, Aug. 19. The first date for fall contests is Thursday, Aug. 29, with the first football Friday on Aug. 30. Kennedy opens its football season at Rainier, while Silverton hosts Springfield.
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