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Keep an eye on Kennedy: Track, baseball teams show promise

James DayBy James Day

This could be a special season for Kennedy High track and field. The Trojans’ girls team returns athletes who scored 45 of Kennedy’s 63 team points at last season’s OSAA Class 2A meet, in which the Trojans finished second to Portland Christian.

Loghan Sprauer won the high jump in a state-meet record 5’-6’, won the 200 in 26.70 and finished second in the 400 at 59.09. The 28 team points that Sprauer collected are a school record.

Madison Sprauer took third in the 100 hurdles (17.15), fourth in the pole vault (8’-6”) and eighth in the 300 hurdles (51.14). Lauren Stokley took fourth in the 3,000 (11:34.78) and fifth in the 1,500 (5:14.51).

In addition, the Trojans also will have on hand Mia Grosjacques, who was second in the 100 hurdles in the 2012 state meet. Grosjacques, who currently has the leading mark in the state (17.30) missed last year’s state competition with an injury.

“The girls team has talent and state meet experience with the Sprauer girls, Grosjacques and Stokley,” Kennedy Coach Steve Ritchie said. “Those four probably can get a trophy, but to get the right trophy I think we needed state meet points from some other girls. Not sure who that might be, and our relay teams are a work in progress.”

Ritchie will be looking for the development of newcomers Taylor Brown (sprints and jumps), Sarah Therkelsen (hurdles and high jump) and Alyssa Ecklund (pole vault) and expects to have a strong nucleus in the throws with Sidney Pulse and Arely Nunez.

The Trojans’ boys team includes 30 athletes and has improved depth, allowing Kennedy to participate in all 17 events. Daniel Glaede is the only returning state meet performer. Glaede took third in the javelin a year ago.

Ritchie has a promising group of distance runners, including John Savage, Adrian Parra, Brent Lang and freshman Noe Jines, and Jesus Conejo will help out Glaede on the throws.

“District is a ways off (May 16-17),” Ritchie said, “but I think we have the quality and the depth to compete for the district titles, and the girls should be in the hunt at state.

“If we can keep people healthy and help them improve, it should be a very fun season for Kennedy track and field.”

Silverton track and field: Foxes sophomore Maddie Fuhrman is making her presence felt in three events. Fuhrman is ranked second in Class 5A in the 3000 (10:40,56), third in the 800 (2:20.10) and fourth at 1500 (4:57.00). Fuhrman finished 11th in the 3000 at last year’s state meet as a freshman.

Silverton dance: When Our Town published information on Silverton winning the OSAA Class 5A small state dance and drill title we intended to note all of the team members and coaches. We apologize for the omission and here is a list of the individuals who put in all of the hard work. Head coach: Paula Magee (20th year); Assistant coaches: Emily Sword and Alex Reese

Squad members: Senior Renae Stratton; juniors India Bossardt, Nicole Finch, Emma Freauff, Chelsea Godon, Jena Hendrix, Maddy Hulett and Olivia Rumpca; sophomore Caley House; and freshmen Elizabeth Hoke, Sierra Lowry, Alina Stratton and Chryssi Wagner.

How they finished: 1) Silverton, 79.61; 2) Hermiston, 77.28; 3) The Dalles, 77.03; 4) Summit, 73.72; 5) Sandy, 72.58; 6) Dallas, 71.53; 7) Corvallis, 65.33; 8) Willamette, 64.00

Kennedy baseball: The Trojans are right in the middle of the fight for control of Special District 2. The Trojans are 7-3 overall and 3-1 in district play heading into the April 12 game at St. Paul. Culver leads the league at 5-0, followed by 4-0 Country Christian and 4-1 Regis. Kennedy visits Country Christian on Wednesday, April 16, hosts Culver on April 23 and gets a second shot at Regis on May 5 in Stayton.

Kennedy downed Regis 4-3 on April 7. Kennedy is also the highest-ranked team in the district. The Trojans are ranked sixth by the OSAA in Class 2A-1A, with Country Christian currently seventh. Country Christian, Kennedy and Regis all reached at least the quarterfinals of last year’s state playoffs. Country Christian downed Regis in the quarters, while Kennedy was losing to Umpqua Valley Christian. Country Christian lost to Umpqua Valley Christian in the semis.

Hall of Fame: Former long-time Silverton High coach and athletic director Jack Antonson is being inducted into the Oregon Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame. Antonson, who served at Silverton from 1977-1997, will be honored April 12 at the OADA’s annual conference in Sunriver.

Follow me on Twitter @jameshday.
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