Daniel Engle of Phoenix High School tracks his tee shot on the par-three fourth hole May 19 in the second round of the 4A state championship tournament at Quail Valley Golf Course in Banks. The senior cruised to the individual title, scoring 67 (-5) in both rounds to win by 12 strokes. The Pirates team finished fourth.
Last week I shot the second rounds of the 4A and 3A/2A/1A boys golf tournaments at Quail Valley Golf Course in Banks, about 20 miles west of Portland. The weather wasn't as nice as it had been for the first round (when I wasn't there), but apart from a brief downpour around 11 a.m., the rain basically held off for the day. But sun and clouds were continuously performing do-si-dos all day, making it a challenge to keep the exposure right.
In the morning (4A) I had three golfers to cover: Ryan Melnychuk and Garrett Shwietert from North Valley, and Daniel Engle of Phoenix. Now I don't golf very often, and if I'm going to shell out dozens of dollars for greens fees and club rentals, I'm darn well going to get as many strokes per dollar as I can. These guys clearly have the opposite philosophy.
Schwietert, a senior, played well, shooting 75-78-153 (+9) in the two-day affair to finish tied for ninth. Melnychuk tied for third with a score of 76-72-148 (+4), particularly impressive for a freshman.
Daniel Engle drives from the third tee May 19 at Quail Valley Golf Course in Banks, Ore.
But Engle blew the field away. The senior shot 67 in round one to take a three stroke lead into day two. The next day—under tougher conditions—he shot 67 again to set a new tournament record (-10) and win by 12 strokes. He played like a machine. And to top it off, he finished disappointed with a bogey on the 18th hole. As he told the Medford Mail Tribune, "The first five minutes after that I was kinda bummed," added Engle, "but then I realized I'd won by 12 strokes so it was OK."
[right] North Valley freshman Ryan Melnychuk was impressive, scoring 76-72-148 (+4) in the two-day event to finish tied for third place. His even round on day two was the second-best score of the day.
[far left] Garrett Schwietert putts on the ninth green. Schwietert scored 153 (+9) in the two-day tournament to finish tied for ninth. [left] Myron Clements of Henley High School ran into trouble on the 9th hole as his drive embedded itself two inches into the boundary line on the water hazard. The senior held on for a bogey on the hole, and finished tied for ninth overall with a two-day score of 76-77-153 (+9).
OSAA Golf: Engle storms through Quail Valley Friday, May 29, 2009
From the archives ... Saturday, April 04, 2009
Franklin's Shoni Schimmel drives the basket Mar. 4 in the Quakers' 76-42 loss to Oregon City in the 6A girls quarterfinal match at the University of Portland. Schimmel, who sat out most of the season with a foot injury, led the Quakers with 21 points but also gave up 13 turnovers in the loss. It was the team's first appearance at the state tournament since 1988.
We're backtracking a bit in this post to publish some photos that didn't make it onto the blog last month during the girls basketball tournament.
One of the more anticipated games of the tournament was the quarterfinal match between Shoni Schimmel Franklin and Oregon City. For those of you not familiar with the story, let me recap:
Shoni Schimmel is probably the top-rated girls basketball player in Oregon today. In her first two years of high school, she carried Hermiston to the 5A tournament, finishing fourth and second in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Over the summer her family moved to Portland, and she and her sister Jude now play at Franklin High School, where their mother is now the coach.
However, Shoni injured her ankle early in the season and sat out most of the team's games. Fortunately for her and the team, Franklin plays in the PIL league, traditionally one of the weakest in the state. With a bunch of other players graduating or transferring out of that league this year, Franklin was virtually assured a berth in the state tournament.
Franklin's Jude Schimmel brings the ball upcourt in the Quakers' quarterfinal match at the University of Portland. The 2009 tournament was the sophomore's first real opportunity to show off her skills to a statewide audience. She shot just 1-14 in the game and gave up 10 turnovers as the Quakers were overmatched by Oregon City.
Oregon City, meanwhile, is a traditional powerhouse in girls basketball, holding more state titles than any other school. So when the two teams met in the first round of the state tournament, it was a chance to see whether Schimmel had recovered well enough to play 100% and whether her supporting cast was able to hold back the Pioneers.
As it turns out, this was not the case. Schimmel led the Quakers with 21 points (mostly from 3-point range) but cause 13 turnovers. Her younger sister Jude shot 1-14 in the game (including 0-10 from beyond the arc) and gave up 10 turnovers. Oregon City won 76-42, and three days later won their 11th state title in the last 18 years.
Hopefully Shoni Schimmel will be injury-free next year and show the state what she can really do on the court. And with more experience behind her, Jude should make that easier by giving the opposition something else to worry about.
Taylor Belmont of Oregon City (no. 31) puts in a layup in the third quarter of the Pioneers 76-42 win over Franklin at the Chiles Center.
OSAA state wrestling championships Thursday, March 12, 2009
Time for me to play a bit of catch-up. These images are from the title bouts at the state wrestling tournament Feb. 28 at Memorial Coliseum.
[right] Rosario Resendez-Rios (top) turns Colby Byers of Wallowa in the class 2A/1A, 112-pound final. After finishing second the past two years, the senior from Irrigon High School became a state champion with a 10-8 decision. (Additional photos of Colby Byers in action are available here.)
[below] Crater's Brock Gutches (right) topples Hermiston's Cody Britt in the class 5A, 152-pound final. Gutches pinned his opponent at 2:15 to capture his second state title.
[below] Bryce McMahon of Hermiston (top) tries in vain to turn Eric Luna Feb. 28 at the state wrestling tournament in Portland. McMahon lost to the Cleveland senior 6-0 in the 140-pound title bout. For Luna, it was his third state title in as many years. 
[below] If you're in the front row of a group shot, and there are 20 cameras pointed at you, for God's sake, please keep your fingers out of your nose.
Oregon City back on top Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Pioneers celebrate after Oregon City beats South Eugene 46-37 in the 6A girls basketball final Mar. 7 at the University of Portland.
Oregon City claimed its record 11th state basketball championship Mar. 7 with a 46-37 win over South Eugene. The Pioneers, whose titles are spread over just 18 years, had been kept off the top step of the podium since 2004.
[right] South Eugene junior Sasha Teninty steals the ball from Oregon City's Melair Holterhoff in the first quarter.
After beating four-time defending champions Southridge Feb. 27 in the second round of the playoffs, Oregon City was nearly ousted by Central Catholic in the semifinals, holding on to win in triple overtime.
In the final, the Pioneers met previously-unbeaten South Eugene. The game was close throughout, and tied at the end of the third quarter. Oregon City opened up a bit of space with about two minutes left, though, and made their free throws as the Axemen were forced to foul.
[left] Mackenzie Kerins of South Eugene shoots a jumper over Oregon City's Ashley Reed.
Free throws were the difference in the game. Oregon City's aim was true on their first 21 attempts of the game. South Eugene shot well from the floor, but was only 9-18 at the line.
[below left] Oregon City sophomore Ashleigh Anderson fights for control of a rebound with South Eugene's Ellen Cook. [below right] Apparently the game was a bit tiring for at least one fan.
Willamette beats North Eugene for second title in three years
Just catching up with some basketball photos from last weekend's big-school girls tournament at the Chiles Center.
In the 5A game, Willamette beat North Eugene 49-33. It was the fourth game of the year between the cross-town rivals, all of which ended with the Wolverines on top.
If the past three years are any indication, whoever wins the semifinal match between Willamette and Jefferson will go on to take the state title. In 2007 the Wolverines beat the Demos 64-45 en route to their first championship. Last year Jefferson ended their season in the semifinal round. This year nobody could stop the Wolverines, who finished with a perfect 27-0 record.
[left] Willamette's Sunny Greinacher grabs a rebound in the second quarter of the Wolverines' 49-33 win over North Eugene in the girls 5A basketball finals Mar. 7 at the University of Portland. The 6-4 German exchange student led all players with 24 points and 12 rebounds in the game, and was a unanimous selection for the first all-tournament team. 
[right] Alyxe Bruns of Willamette fights off the half-court trap of Kelsie Knight (left) and Yvonne Couts. [below left] A.J. Smith (no. 5), Alyxe Bruns, Alyssa Garner, Katie Collins and Tori Mahaffie celebrate as time runs out in the Wolverine's 49-33 win over North Eugene. [bottom right] Willamette senior Alyxe Bruns is all smiles as she brings the first place trophy back to her team.
OSAA State Basketball Tournament (girls) Thursday, March 05, 2009
A quick post with some photos from this week's action at the 6A and 5A girls state basketball tournament at the University of Portland (left).
The tournament started Wednesday with the 6A quarterfinals. The 5A quarterfinals started today. Up-to-date scores and stats are on the OSAA website. More photos to come ...
[left] South Eugene players storm the court after Ellen Cook sank a three-point buzzer-beater to tie the game at 50. South Eugene beat Jesuit 59-53 in overtime. [below, right] Sasha Teninty (left) hugs Elizabeth Severson after the Axemen won in overtime.
[above, left] Shayla Ball of Hillsboro (right) stretches for a loose ball around Ashland's Allison Gida Mar. 5 in the Spartans' 58-46 loss 
in the quarterfinals of the class 5A state basketball tournament in Portland. 
[right] Allison Gida of Ashland (right) drives in on Hillsboro's Shayla Ball in the third quarter. [left] Brenna Heater (left) and Allison Gida celebrate Mar. 5 after Ashland comes from behind to beat Hillsboro. [below] Brenna Heater shoots from inside the paint. The senior, who scored 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, was named player of the game for the Grizzlies.
State wrestling tournament, day 2 Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wrestlers and spectators come and go from Portland's Memorial Coliseum Feb. 27 between bouts at the state wrestling tournament. The 12,000-seat arena--formerly the home of the Trail Blazers--was dedicated in 1961.
Jeremiah Pine of Umatilla struggles to escape Brice Haskell's grasp on Feb. 27 in what would prove to be the last match for the Viking wrestling program.
[If you've been following my photos in the East Oregonian, you'll note that one appeared twice in today's online edition. One of them should have looked like this. -ed.]
[left] Thurston's John Hedge gets a nose adjustment as he tries to pin Pendleton's Mike Savage in the 135-pound semifinal. [below] Hedge (bottom) strains to keep his sh
oulders off the mat against Savage. Hedge held off the attack to win 11-6.
State wrestling tournament, day 1
Cleveland senior Shaun Palakiko makes quick work of Pendleton's Sheehan Barnhart, pinning him in just 15 seconds Feb. 26 in the first round of the class 5A, 285-pound bracket at the state wrestling championships in Portland. Palakiko is the defending heavyweight champion.
The state wrestling tournament kicked off at Portland's Memorial Coliseum Thursday with the early rounds of the class 4A, 5A and 6A brackets. With the class 3A and 2A/1A wrestlers, who joined them Friday morning, there are more than 1100 athletes participating in the event.
Hermiston 145-pound wrestler Ethan Parks (right) winces as he lands awkwardly on his left arm early in his first round match against Ashland's Jake Scarminach. Parks continued the match but lost 8-0.
No doubt all these kids are tough, but special mention has to go out to Hermiston's Ethan Parks. The senior, who was sidelined with an injury for most of the season, expected to do well at the tournament. But just seconds into his first round match, he landed awkwardly on his left arm as he was taken to the mat by Ashland's Jake Scarminach.
After consuming his entire two-minute injury allotment, I thought he was done for the year, but he resumed his match. Though he was obviously in pain and his arm was basically useless, Parks managed to survive the full length of the match. He lost 8-0, but prevented his opponent from picking up any bonus points.
The tournament continues through Saturday night. Full results are posted on the OSAA website.
[right] Hermiston senior Dillan Massey takes Crater's Jeremiah Swing to the mat en route to a 9-0 win in the first round of the class 5A, 160-pound bracket. [below] Quayde Fisher of Illinois Valley (left) tries to grab Dalton Sheets's leg in a hard-fought 10-9 over the McLoughlin senior in the first round of the class 4A, 135-pound bracket.
Girls basketball playoffs
Brooke Davis of Hermiston dribbles around Cleveland's Joanie Pioli in the second quarter of the Bulldogs' 72-31 win over the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs Feb. 25 in Portland. Hermiston plays Willamette (23-0) Saturday in Eugene.
We're just getting into one of the two best times of year for sports fans. Some might prefer October when baseball playoffs coincide with the beginning of the basketball and hockey seasons and the heart of football season, but I'm partial to the spring, when pro hockey and basketball are heading into the playoffs and baseball is beginning again, not to mention the NCAA's March Madness. Add to that high school playoffs for wrestling and basketball (and swimming) and you have a steady stream of high-intensity sporting action (balanced by the laid-back atmosphere of baseball's spring training). And for those living in Canada, there are major curling bonspiels as well.
I've been busy shooting high school sports this week, including the first playoff game for the Hermiston girls basketball team in the post-Schimmel era. (Shoni Schimmel, the sophomore who led the Lady Bulldogs to the state final last year, transfered to Franklin in the off-season along with her sister Jude.)
The Bulldogs (10-14) easily beat Cleveland, 72-31, but they face a much tougher opponent today when they travel to Eugene to play Willamette. The Wolverines have not lost any of their 23 games this year and are ranked no. 1 in the 5A polls. The results will be posted here.
2009 State Swimming Championships Sunday, February 22, 2009
Pendleton's Nolan Hill (top) dives in as Deven Jennings completes the third leg of the boys 200 yard freestyle relay at the 5A state swimming championships Feb. 21 in Gresham. The Buckaroos finished sixth with a time of 1:33.67. [below] Taylor Goodwin makes the first turn in the boys 100 yard breaststroke. Goodwin tied for second in the final with Wilsonville's Mark Guyler.
I spent Saturday morning at the pool at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, shooting the 5A state swimming championships.
I find swimming one of the most challenging sports to shoot: there are limited positions to shoot from, the start/finish line is very cluttered, the athletes are out of sight about ¾ of the time they're racing, and during the race the participants are all repeating the same motion over and over again.
The standard swimming shots (e.g. Iverson and Hill below) are very easy to get—you get several chances in every heat. They look good, but they're also very common—and they look the same regardless of which meet you're shooting.
To get something different, I brought my new ultra-wide lens to the pool this weekend. The shots (above) are hardly original, but certainly a different view
[left] Jordan Iverson of Crescent Valley swims in the girls 100 yard breaststroke. The junior won the event in a meet record time of 1:04.34. [right] Pendleton senior Lucas Hill swims in the boys 200 yard freestyle. Hill's time of 1:50.51 was good for fourth place.
Click here for the full results from the 5A championships.
Sunset vs. Westview: away from the action Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Westview fans razz Sunset's Wade Moyer as he waits to inbound the ball in the second quarter of the Apollos' 58-55 win over the Wildcats Jan. 9 in Beaverton.
Since Westview and Sunset are just three miles apart, both high schools had a lot of fans in attendance at last week's basketball game. And with such a close game between the rivals, there was a lot of emotion on and off the court. Here are some non-action photos from the game.
[below] Sunset fans participate in a group cheer in the fourth quarter.
[left] Sunset coach Todd Sherwood gives directions to his team in the fourth quarter.
[right] Westview junior Hayes Garrity appeals to the referee after being called for an offensive foul in the fourth quarter.
[left] Westview coach Pat Coons wonders what's going on. [below] Sunset cheerleaders and fans react after Wade Moyer sinks a three-point shot to put the Apollos in the lead with 14 seconds left in the game.
[right] Sunset fans stream onto the court to congratulate the players after the Apollos came from behind to upset Westview 58-55 Jan. 9 in Beaverton.
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