June 5, 2014

By Cliff Richardson

McKenzie Varsity Sports Schedule This Week

McKenzie High School will host its annual Spring Academic/Athletic Awards Program on Tuesday, June 3, 6:00 pm., in the Old Gymnasium.

2A/1A Special District 3 Baseball Update

Monroe, the # 2 seed out of the SD 3 League easily dispatched the visiting Union/Cove baseball team representing the SD 7 League, winning the first round OSAA playoff game 20-2 on Wednesday, May 28. The Monroe Dragons fell behind early, allowing 1 run in the top of the 1st inning, but roared back, overwhelming the visitors by scoring 11 runs in the bottom of the inning. Monroe’s first inning onslaught was keyed on 6 hits and aided by 4 walks, and 5 hit batters. For the game, Union/Cove committed 8 errors, walked 8 Dragon batters, and 7 Monroe batters were hit by pitches. The Dragon’s Tyler Sherman led his team by going 3-5 at the plate and Austin Crowson had two hits, including a triple while recording 3 RBIs. Monroe advanced to the Quarterfinal Round, hosting Dufur/South Wasco County from the SD 6 League. That game was played at Monroe on Friday, May 30 and the Dragons continued to burn the competition as they beat Dufur/South Wasco County 16-9. Monroe’s Austin Crowson was spectacular for the Dragons at the plate, hitting for the cycle with 7 RBIs on a 5 for 5 day at the plate and equally as impressive on the hill as he fanned 9 Dufur batters. Monroe has now scored 36 points in two State playoff games and the Dragons will next host Regis in a semifinal game to be played at Monroe on Tuesday, June 3. Monroe (25-5) defeated the Rams (23-5) early in the season, 11-9, at the Umpqua Valley Christian Spring Tournament.

Toledo, the number 1 seed representing the SD 3 League, drew a tough first round match up with perennial baseball powerhouse Regis of the SD 2 League. The Boomers of Toledo dropped a rare home game, losing to the visiting Rams 8-7 in an 8 inning game played on Wednesday, May 28. The loss ended Toledo’s season with an overall record of 21-5. Regis advanced to the May 30 Quarterfinal game to face Kennedy, a first round 11-4 winner over Reedsport Charter.

Eagle Girls Earn 3rd Academic All-State Award

The McKenzie Girls Track and Field team earned a Dairy Farmers of Oregon Academic All-State Award for the current season. The Award is given to OSAA athletic teams that post a team GPA of 3.0 or higher. The Eagles earned a team 3.03 GPA. The current Award follows the ones earned earlier in the Fall season by McKenzie’s Volleyball team (3.44 GPA) and the Eagle Girl’s Basketball team (3.42 GPA).

Sarah Dean (Hanchett) Finishes 21st at West Prelims

Portland State University senior and McKenzie Alum Sarah Dean ran the 10,000 meter race at the NCAA West Preliminary Meet held at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Arkansas last Friday, May 30. Dean qualified for both the 1,500 meter race and the 10,000 meter race, but the standout runner dropped the 1,500 meter race to concentrate on the 10,000 meter challenge. Dean’s time in the race was 35:11.57 minutes, good for 21st place. The top 12 times advance to Eugene for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, thus Dean missed qualifying for that meet. Nonetheless, congratulations to Dean for a very fine season!