TCP; Cougars step up to plate

This article originally ran at www.theclackamasprint.com. Too see the original, click here.

David Beasley, Associate Sports Editor
Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012
Volume 46, Issue 8
Sports

Passing by the baseball field this term may have been a confusing scene at times. Usually baseball would be seen in the spring, but fall has been busy for the men of Clackamas Community College’s baseball team as they have been hard at work keeping in shape and preparing for the spring season.

The Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges’ rules allow baseball to include a fall and winter schedule, before they start the spring season.

The fall schedule is seven weeks long with four game days planned against other schools. The rules allow baseball 12 weeks from Sept. 15 to Nov. 15 and Jan. 15 to March 1.

November and December are for conditioning only. March 1 is the first day allowed to play spring games. During the spring they are allowed 22 game days against opponents.

Returning this fall to CCC baseball are four key players:

  • Scott Myers, all-league third baseman from Kearns HS, Utah.

  • Richie McCarter, pitcher from Kearns HS, Utah.

  • Thomas Kelly, catcher from Warrenton HS.

  • Josh Combs, outfielder from Hudson’s Bay HS, Vancouver, Wash.

This fall Clackamas has a good group of freshmen recruits on campus including:

  • Joe Strand, catcher from Seattle, Wash.

  • Skyler Barkdull, infielder from Utah.

  • Trevor Achenbach, infielder from Nevada.

  • Kyle Austin, infielder from Wilsonville HS.

Clackamas has one of the fastest outfield groups in the northwest:

  • Josh McLeod, outfielder from Seattle,Wash.

  • Zach Caligdong, outfielder from Seattle, Wash.

  • Justin Sievers, outfielder from Canby HS.

Several pitchers have shined this fall, including:

  • Andrew Marquez from Milwaukie HS.

  • Kylar Heaston from Tigard HS.

  • Kennon Von Hollebeke from Connell HS, Wash.

  • Zach Carter from Post Falls, Idaho.

All information and stats provided by CCC baseball head coach Robin Robinson.

TCP; Strife ensues at Starfire Stadium

This article originally ran at www.theclackamasprint.com. Too see the original, click here.

David Beasley, Associate Sports Editor
Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012
Volume 46, Issue 7
Sports

Roaring past Starfire Stadium Saturday morning in Tukwila, Wash., a train overshadowed a pugilistic battle of strategy and athleticism going on below. In the train’s shadow the women of Clackamas Community College were engaged in a battle of attrition against a strong, well balanced Spokane team.

The hard fought game ended in bitter disappointment for the Cougars with the Sasquatch ladies winning 1-0. With the victory, Spokane entered the NWAACC Championship to face the Peninsula Pirates, losing 3-2 on penalty kicks on Nov. 18.

“It’s a hard way to go out,” said sophomore forward Courtney Johnson. “I think we had to deal with the ref all game. Sometimes they’re just not on your side.”

The game was close and Clackamas had a good opportunity to win, but after the 90th minute mark had passed, their efforts were stifled not by the opposing team, but by a belligerent official call, on a negligible foul by Spokane.

While Clackamas was advancing the ball up field in amazingly dexterous coordination of teamwork, the referee decided to halt their progress by making them take a free kick over fifty yards behind the advancing ball.

Clackamas was defending well the whole game, and made consistent valiant attempts at scoring which could have eventually lead to frustrating their opponents and created a winning attack. The following result of the free kick was one of Spokane’s players standing close in front of the free kick to deflect it with a header aimed towards the Cougars side. The ball found a Spokane teammate who took advantage of the poor refereeing to score on surprised cougar defense signaling the end of the game and Clackamas’ run at the champion title.

“They did really good. I’m proud of my sister,” said Jordan Hollamon, sister of Kenzie Hollamon. “The ref call was just unlucky.”

Clackamas displayed a tank strength clinic of defense in the first half, frustrating the offensive attacks of Spokane.

At halftime the teams took cover escaping the rain under trees and tents. The scoreboard reflected the even 0-0 score. Clackamas kicked off for the second half and as the wind picked up, it seemed the Sasquatch offensive did too. With six corner kicks acquired through the campaign, the ladies of Spokane proved that they were there for a fight and wanted to score.

The Cougars had an impressive run at the NWAACC tournament, rivaled by few in the 2012 season. This season showed the consistency and dedication of the hard working women of Clackamas. With such a strong performance this year, Clackamas is sure to be even stronger in the years to come, with 13 potential returnees.

“I think they played a great season,” said Tyler Trumbull, father of goalkeeper Melanie Trumbull. “They improved and coach Janine Szpara helped a lot.”

TCP; Cougars emerge from mist to win

This article originally ran at www.theclackamasprint.com. Too see the original, click here.

David Beasley, Associate Sports Editor
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012
Volume 46, Issue 6
Arts & Culture

A quiet haze fell over Oregon CitySaturday evening as the chill of fall enveloped OCHS Pioneer Stadium. Thrust in to an alternate dimension, the playing field morphed in to a Brigadoon time warp. A giant dolphin emerged out of the mist chanting and yelling, along with him were a pod of underlings entranced by his presence.

The NWAACC women’s soccer quarterfinal game against Shoreline was a surreal event for the Cougars, ending with a spectacular 1-0 finish in the 5th minute of sudden death overtime.

“Oh my gosh, it’s such a relief,” said sophomore forward Courtney Johnson on winning in dramatic fashion. “We’ve been working hard all season and it means the hard work pays off.”

The cold weather was an added inclement.

“We knew we needed to stay warm, so constantly during warm-ups we tried to stay warm and stretch,” said Johnson. “It’s definitely a change, but I think we adjusted well.”

The Cougars began with excellent short passes and teamwork to control the ball. Then, the Dolphins picked up momentum towards the end of first half. Clackamas showed a lot of fancy footwork despite the debilitating cold. Often times the Cougars flicked the ball effortlessly, passing it behind or to their side with surprising whip kicks.

Clackamas fired off some nice attempts at the goal during the last few minutes of first half and no score had been made by either team at half time.

The Cougars were amped up with an aggressive start to the second half creating good shots at the goal early. However, the rigid cold reflected the stalemate of the battle. The end of regulation time showed no score from either team resulting in a ten minute overtime of sudden death.

“That was one of the most hard fought good efforts I’ve seen,” added head coach Janine Szpara.

Suddenly the perfect opportunity to score opened up, as Kelsie Knight passed a laser assist to Tayler Ficek, who scored! Goal!

“I was in the right place at the right time,” said Ficek of the game winner.

The home crowd erupted with cheers for the Cougars’ victory.

“They played hard all year,” said fan Dan Scharbach. “Tonight they played aggressive and when they play aggressive they win.”

The Cougars talked a lot about how much work they have put in to get to this point. Now, they are only two wins away from the ultimate goal.

“We worked really hard every day,” said Ficek. “NWAACC Champions was the goal from day one.” The Cougars advance to face Spokane in the Final Four on Saturday, Nov. 17 at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Wash.