TCP; Cougars finish in Top 10 at NWAACC Championship

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

David Beasley, Sports Editor
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Volume 47, Issue 7
Sports

The regular volleyball season was over, but last weekend the Cougars kept swinging. The NWAACC championship was held at Mt. Hood Community College. The tournament featured 29 teams from the North west. Clackamas placed seventh in the competition.

Thursday, Nov. 21, the Cougars faced Shoreline for their first game of the championships. The game against Shoreline was an excellent example of the Cougars’ intensity and patience. Clackamas measured Shoreline’s attacks well and let the ball go when Shoreline hit it out. The game was one of attrition, so the Cougars patience really paid off. Set number one ended with a trio of well-aimed serves by Clackamas freshman Sierra VeraCruz. The Cougars 25th point ending the set was scored after a hard-fought long volley. The first set was 25-16.
Another long volley beginning set two cost the Cougars a point and Shoreline gained a slight edge with four points to nothing. Kiki Stonebraker started the comeback with a kill, and some inspiring teamwork brought Clackamas another point, bringing the score to 2-4.

Shoreline still held the lead at 4-9, then more Cougar teamwork put the points at 5-9 with a set by Alexa Toth to Bre Gibbons’ kill. VeraCruz continued the momentum with a couple of surprisingly effective back-to-back digs. Toth made great use of the second dig with a marvelous set over the net that scored. Clackamas kept catching-up at 8-9.

The set continued competitively with the score tied a few times. Stonebraker faked a spike and instead tipped the ball over the net, breaking the tie at 13-12. Shoreline ran ahead with a series of scores and was able to win the second set at 20-25.

Shoreline came back for the third set with three straight points, but Clackamas answered with three of their own to tie it up at 3-3. The Cougars held on to a good run, scoring four more before Shoreline was able to get a shot through. Gibbons fired right back with a kill earning the score of 8-4. Gibbons later powered another kill through to put the numbers at 17-13 in the Cougars’ favor. Another Gibbons power shot blasted through at 19-15. Clackamas stayed dominant in the third and won 25-18.

“Bre had like eight serves in a row,” said Stonebraker. “Stringing points together changed the momentum.”

A fourth set was played for the game, and freshman Hanna Olson scored the Cougars’ first point.

“The fourth game we got our momentum back up and when we had really good kills that got our momentum back up too,” said Olson.

It was a close set. The score reached 5-5 and a serve by Gibbons was sent back by Shoreline, meeting the great teamwork of Clackamas. The team’s perseverance gave Gibbons another opportunity to score and she landed another kill, gaining the lead at 6-5. Gibbons’ next score came from her following pin-point serve.

Celena Maxwell hit the next shot after great team set-up. The score was 8-5, but the Cougars didn’t let-up. Maxwell tipped the ball over at 13-5 and Gibbons continued to serve. Maxwell scored again on the run with a great kill, securing 20-5 before Shoreline was able to score again.

“I think the fourth set was the best because we had really good energy and came out and showed them Cougar volleyball,” said Maxwell.

When Shoreline finally did rack-up a few shots, Clackamas viciously battled back with tenacious teamwork. The scoreboard read 23-10 for Clackamas and Olson landed a solid kill. The next point won the set 25-10 for Clackamas and effectively the match was theirs, winning 3-1.

They next faced Blue Mountain. Olson was pumped coming off the game against Shoreline, she said. “I can’t wait, it’s exciting to be here,” she added.

Blue Mountain played a flawless season, entering the tournament with zero losses.

“They’re a solid team but if we come out on fire we can get ‘em,” said Stonebraker. “Anything can happen here. Lower Columbia beat Spokane. We just have to come out ready.”

The Cougars needed strong resolve and faith in their team if they wished to be competitive against the league leader.

“Oh my gosh, it felt so good to win,” said Maxwell. “The last game was a good way to end. We’re gonna come out strong with good intensity.”

Returning to the court Friday morning Nov. 22, the Cougars dropped the game against Blue Mountain, losing 1-3. Clackamas started strong and they were able to grab a victory in the first set with 25-20, but Blue Mountain secured the following three sets 15-25, 20-25 and 15-25. Clackamas was down, but not completely out as they geared-up for the losers bracket. Blue Mountain went on to win the championship against Olympic on Sunday.

The Cougars played Chemeketa later Friday evening. Using great teamwork, the ladies of Clackamas won 2-0 with 25-11 in the first set and 25-19 in the second. The team advanced and looked to keep a winning streak as they faced Spokane Saturday.

Saturday’s match decided who moved on and who dropped out. It was a very close game, but Spokane emerged victorious with the Cougars losing 1-2. Clackamas started strong with 25-22. It was a fast-paced, intense game and the Cougars seemed to have the upper hand until the score was tied 21-21 and Spokane ran ahead with a vengeance. Set two ended in 23-25. The final set went to Spokane, 11-15. Clackamas was officially out of the competition and placed seventh.

The Cougars had some excellent moments throughout the tournament. Gibbons lead the team in kills with 14 against Shoreline, 12 vs. Blue Mountain,  nine against Chemeketa, and scored 13 on Spokane.

Sunday, Gibbons and VeraCruz played for the South Region’s first team in the All-Star matches. Olson played on the second team. The North All-Stars defeated the South All-Stars 1-2 with 22-25, 25-21 and 15-11. The South All-Stars also lost to the West All-Stars 0-2 in a couple of close sets with 19-25 and 23-25.

TCP; NWAACC soccer wraps up season

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

David Beasley, Sports Editor
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Volume 47, Issue 6
Sports

NWAACC soccer season came to a close Sunday. Over the weekend, championship titles were awarded to teams.

Outstanding individual athletes and coaches were recognized and they took part in an All-Star match.

2013 NWAACC Women’s Soccer All-Stars from Clackamas were: South Region Coach of the Year Janine Szpara; South Region MVP Tori Roberts at midfield; Midfielder Claudia Flores; Defender Marci Haynes; and Keeper Melanie Trumbull. The Cougar All-Stars played for South-West in the 2-2 tie between North-East and South-West All-Star teams.

The winning women’s soccer team of the championships was Peninsula with a 2-1 victory against Edmonds on Sunday. Peninsula went undefeated in league this season.

Edmonds won their way into the final game with a victory on Saturday. That victory was a hard-fought, disappointing 1-2 loss for Clackamas. The Cougars subsequently placed third in the championships.

The ladies of Clackamas soccer are a classy and talented bunch. They were top in South Region and had an impressive season with 12-2-2 in league play. The Cougars have cause to be proud as they have proved to be one of the top teams in the league.

But luck was not on the Cougars’ side Saturday. The coin toss at the start of the game declared that Edmonds would kick off. The initial leverage of ball possession gave Edmonds a slight edge, putting Clackamas on the defensive early. Edmonds kept up the pressure.

Edmonds took a shot early in the first half that was deflected and went just wide, resulting in a corner kick. Shortly after, another Edmonds corner kick set up a header attempt that went over the Cougars’ goal.

A chill breeze and dark clouds rolled in momentarily, but the clouds passed and sun peeked back out. All-Star Claudia Florez attacked with a goal attempt that went over. The action flowed back towards the Cougars’ goal, Dija Kirkland took a hard fall while defending and a foul was called on Edmonds. Kirkland landed face-first outside the line and was down for a moment.

“She, like, kicked my ankle and I slid on the turf and twisted my ankle,” said Kirkland.

After the resulting free kick, Edmonds brought the attack back again, but Mecca Krutsinger tenaciously defended and deflected the ball. Then a corner kick by Edmonds brought a shot on goal, which Trumbull saved by smacking the ball away with both hands. Edmonds received another corner kick.

Edmonds sought another attack on goal and Trumbull showed how scrappy and resourceful she can be. With the pressure all on her, she saved multiple back-to-back, point-blank shots on goal. The Cougars used excellent teamwork and defense to stifle the attack. Trumbull was fired up. She yelled in triumph and pride for her team’s performance.

The Cougars picked up some momentum and started getting the better of the headers, defending and attacking. Towards the end of the first half, Marci Haynes showed solid defense as Edmonds attacked again. Then Edmonds shot, but it went over the goal.

The clouds returned and the sun was gone, dropping the temperature at 42 minutes on the scoreboard. As the first half neared its end, Tori Roberts took a great long shot that was just wide. It was 0-0 at halftime.

The second half began with an offside call against Clackamas. The play moved back toward Clackamas’ goal and a defensive slide tackle that looked like it hit the ball cleanly at first, was declared a foul, right outside the penalty box. Edmonds took an indirect free kick and managed to put together the first goal of the game. Clackamas was down 0-1.

Trumbull had a couple of really nice saves towards the beginning of the second half. The second attempt was a long shot that was set up by Edmonds, quickly driving up-line. On the offensive, Clackamas’ Marci Haynes intercepted and deflected an Edmonds’ pass and almost scored, but it went just wide. At 67:38 on the scoreboard, Haynes caught an assist from Roberts and scored after great teamwork and passing up-field. The score was tied 1-1.

“Tori crossed it and Marci shot and scored,” said Krutsinger

Trumbull showed more moxie and bravely challenged an attack by Edmonds, defending well. Then at 71 minutes on the scoreboard, Trumbull deftly saved a straight shot at goal. In an unfortunate turn of events, Carly Turner fouled while defending inside the Cougars’ penalty box. A direct penalty kick was awarded to Edmonds. Hannah Shouse took the kick and made it past Trumbull for her team’s second goal. Clackamas was behind 1-2.

“Defense was such a good effort, but when we messed up is when the goals happened,” said Krutsinger.

Shortly after Edmonds fouled just outside their penalty box at 75:16 on the board. Butler took the free kick straight towards goal. But Edmonds’ goalkeeper, Alecia Longsine, saved it. Tani Harr took another long shot later that was also saved. The Cougars were still battling, trying to attack and keep good defense. At 88:50 on the board, Kirkland showed more solid defense in front of the goal. A corner kick by Edmonds shortly after, turned into a shot on goal that was saved by Trumbull. Trumbull grabbed 11 saves throughout the game.

“I think it was really strong,” Flores said. “We fought all the way to the end, just couldn’t get a goal in, we couldn’t finish. We were fighting hard equally.”

The Cougars felt the sting of defeat as the match came to a close. Clackamas 1. Edmonds 2. Clackamas took third place. Edmonds lost to Peninsula Sunday and got second place.

“I thought we did good,” said Kirkland. “If we had done as good as we did against Spokane, we would have won. We tried.”

The Cougars played a strong game and had an inspiring run this season that brought them to the semifinals. Overall, they grew as a team and helped each other improve individually. Here’s to another great season turned in by the Clackamas Cougars women’s soccer team.

TCP; Cougars squash sasquatch, head to semifinals

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

David Beasley, Sports Editor
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Volume 47, Issue 5
Sports

Last Saturday the Cougars avenged a loss and earned a trip back to the site of that loss for the NWAACC Women’s Soccer Championship Semifinals.

Aug. 27 at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Wash., was the Cougars’ first game of the season. There they were defeated by Spokane 1-2.

“We played them in the beginning, but we are a whole new team and have stepped up to another level,” said Clackamas midfielder Tori Roberts. “We knew number three was gonna’ be tough, but we’re not a one-man team, we play together.”

On home turf this time, the Cougars defeated their Sasquatch rivals 2-0 at OC’s Pioneer Stadium in a wild and spectacular match.

“The first 12 seconds really set the pace,” said Roberts.

Indeed it did, as just 12 seconds into the first stanza midfielder Hope Butler scored a statement-making goal that
sent the crowd crazy with cheers for the Cougars.

“It was Tori that took a shot and I capitalized on it,” said Butler.

Spokane’s frustration showed early, their reaction after the first goal foreshadowed the atmosphere of the rest of the game. The Cougars continued to employ excellent teamwork and solid defense when needed, but they consistently attacked.

Melanie Trumbull put on another goalkeeping clinic with strong defends and brave sacrifice saves throughout the game. With four saves, this was Trumbull’s ninth shutout of the season. She has 58 saves total.

Spokane managed to make Clackamas a little impatient halfway through the first stanza. The hard teamwork by the Cougars momentarily became overzealous as they booted the ball forward instead of passing and setting up plays. But Spokane became too aggressive and with three back-to-back fouls, sent the action back towards their own goal.

Cougars defender Carly Turner and midfielder Tahni Harr each launched well-placed slide tackles in the first half, continuing Clackamas’ tenacious defense. On the offensive again at 34 minutes on the scoreboard, Roberts found herself in front of Spokane’s goal. Facing away from the goal with defenders closing in, she caught a nice pass and turned 180 degrees to shoot it through the defense, right at the goal. The spectacular shot was defended, but kept up the Cougars’ competitive pace and wowed the crowd.

Defender Marci Haynes continued the attack with a good header goal attempt off a volley from a corner kick by Butler. At 40 minutes, head referee James Shields had to issue his first warning to the already heated Spokane assistant coach Jeff Srock.

The game started getting rougher and more physical. A foul was called on Clackamas and as Spokane attacked, Haynes launched the ball back up field with a stiff boot. Spokane took a couple shots in the first, but the score remained 1-0 at halftime.

The Cougars continued the second half with more constructive teamwork, good use of headers and defense against headers. The Cougars won the headers in the air and prevented Spokane from getting useful headers.

A melee broke out in front of the Cougars’ goal. Trumbull had to fight hard for the save and defended well, putting herself in the line of fire.

With 63 minutes showing on the scoreboard, a foul was called on Spokane’s Brittany Bruegeman and Clackamas was awarded a free kick. The foul brought Spokane their first yellow card of the match.

Spokane attacked aggressively again with a battle in front of the Cougars goal, but the determination of Clackamas fended off the attempt. Spokane’s team and their fans in the stands were becoming increasingly upset with the referees.

The rage turned belligerent at 69 minutes as Srock began verbally attacking Shields and questioning his refereeing. The Spokane assistant coach would not back down and Shields issued him a yellow card. Srock relentlessly continued, so Shields issued him a red card, ejecting him from the game and the field.

“We knew it was going to be a hard game,” said Roberts. “The other team didn’t think it was playing fairly but we kept our composure and I think that’s why we won.” 

Spokane was visibly frustrated, but still competitive as the game continued with the Cougars in the lead. On the defensive, Clackamas forward Claudia Florez shot in with a clean, well-timed slide tackle. Shortly after she found another tackle, but fouled. Spokane made their way towards the Cougars’ penalty box and sent a shot towards goal that was deftly deflected by the head of defender Stephanie Corea. Shortly after, Trumball saved a Spokane corner kick.

The second half continued on with Clackamas still winning headers and consistently defending. Spokane was still vocally upset with the referee. The score in the second was almost a stalemate. Then a free kick awarded to Cougar defender Carly Turner set up a long header by Butler that sailed perfectly into Spokane’s goal. The stands exploded with cheering voices.

“We’ve actually been practicing that a lot, [free kicks] working on diagonal balls,” said Butler. “As far as this game goes, we applied everything we learned in practice. This was by far our best team game.”

With 90 minutes on the scoreboard, the official game time kept on-field was counting down. Another fierce battle in front of the Cougars’ goal ensued and Clackamas defended again. The game ended with Clackamas emerging as the victor.

“I feel great,” said Roberts. “Now we’re in the final four.” 

The Cougars play Edmonds at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Wash., for the right to play in the final match of the NWAACC championship the next day at 3 p.m. Roberts predicts Walla Walla to be the team they will face.

“We were a lot more positive as a team,” Butler said. “As long as we play like we did today, we’ll do well.”

TCP; Seasoned Cougars vs. Newcomers

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

David Beasley, Sports Editor
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Volume 47, Issue 5
Sports

Being a Cougar is something to take pride in. Friday night the men’s basketball team scrimmaged former members of CCC basketball, and the alumni proved once a Cougar always a Cougar in an exciting and competitive exhibition at Randall Hall.

The alumni team comprised former Southern region champions, NWAACC champions and players who continued college ball after CCC. Some were recently on the team and some graduated over a decade ago. The mix was interesting and entertaining.

It was a good game all around, but CCC’s current squad dominated the friendly match. The first half was CCC’s best, with quite a few useful defensive and offensive rebounds. The younger team showed their hard training and teamwork. Powerful plays by Tim Lot were some of the highlights during the first half, a slam-dunk being one of them. Anthony Russel of CCC scored the final shot of the first half with a three pointer at the buzzer. CCC was ahead 46 - 32.

In the second half the action was even more competitive as the alumni gained leverage with some spot-on plays. Some of the alumni team’s momentum was due to consistent three-pointers. They were able to accumulate 30 points out of 18 attempts in the second half. CCC seemed to still battle and put together great plays, but the alumni had a slight edge in the second.

The alumni garnered 55 points in the second half to CCC’s 50, an impressive comeback after the first half, but not enough to redeem it. CCC won 96-87 against the very game alumni.

Leading in points Friday night was alumnus Justin Steinke, earning 33 points with eight successful three-pointers out of 13 attempts. For the current Cougars, Mitchell Beckwith earned 18 points with two nice three-pointers out of three attempts. Beckwith was followed closely by Lott, who accrued 17 points including a couple of solid slam-dunks.

The last preseason scrimmage was a fun ice-breaker to foreshadow the 2013-14 season. The Cougars return to Randall for their first game of the season as they face Concordia University JV at 7 p.m. this coming Friday.

TCP; Cross Country finishes fourth in team results

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

David Beasley, Sports Editor
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Volume 47, Issue 5
Sports

“That was probably the best race of my life, it’s tough to lose that close,” said second place winner Jorge Gil-Juarez of CCC.

Leading Cougar runner Gil-Juarez finished the men’s eight kilometer race first with a time of 24:20, but so did Daniel Schofiel of Spokane CC. If not for an untimely fall, Gil-Juarez may have edged ahead at the finish line, but the tumble cost him a few inches and Schofield broke through the tape first.

“I rolled my ankle at the end,” said Gil-Juarez. “My legs just gave out, it was a fast race.”

The NWAACC Cross Country Championship race took place at Lewisville Regional Park last Saturday along the banks of the East Fork Lewis River. The waves of runners resembled the rushing river as they followed the flow of the current. Teams maneuvered around the bends and adapted to the varied terrain of the course. The caravan of athletes seemed an unstoppable force of nature.

Race fans were grouped around the start to kick off each race with loud cheers. As racers circled the loop they again passed by fans who loudly encouraged the athletes. The loudest, most frantic cheering was at the finish line when the first few runners neared the end.

The Cougars help each other through each race as a team. Using team strategy, they group together and keep a close pace to give each other confidence and pace the trail correctly.

Courtney Repp was proud of the teamwork the women’s team was able to accomplish throughout the season and at the championships.

“We all did really good as a team, all the girls did really good,” said Repp.

Repp finished first for Clackamas and 16th in the race with a time of 20:04. She also received the week three NWAACC athlete of the week award.

The terrain of the course was a challenge to some of the competitors as there were a few injuries. The ground was moist and varied from grass to gravel or pavement.

“It wasn’t an easy course, it was muddy, bumpy and holey, kinda’ twisted my ankle at the beginning,” said Repp.
“But it was easier than when we ran it earlier this season.”

Jessica Mildes of Spokane CC placed first in the women’s 5 kilometer race with a time of 17:51. Freshman Kira Norton followed closely behind Repp; she finished second for Clackamas and placed 32nd with a time of 20:44.
Also close-after was Clackamas’ Jessie Hansen, scoring 35th with 21:01.

“Jessie Hansen had a pretty good race, she looked good today,” said Cougar cross-country director Keoni McHone.

Kylee Johnson earned 39th with 21:21. Grace Klovski placed 49th at 22:16. Falisha Aho got 58th at 23:03 and Allison Pugsley earned 60th with 23:21, finishing 7th for the Cougars.

“It was alright, it was a hard race, it wasn’t easy,” said Repp.

At noon, an hour after the women’s race began, the men were off. After the first bend in the trail Cougar Badane Sultessa was at the lead of the pack with only one runner in front of him.

“After the third mile the other group took off,” said Sultessa. “Our plan was to work together, but right when the race started we got separated.”

The men’s eight kilometer race was a grueling fast pace. Clackamas’ runners struggled to stay ahead. The cold weather and the pressure of NWAACC championships were factors to be considered for the racers.

“Everyone is nervous, you kind of have to use those nerves to your advantage,” said Gil-Juarez.

Sultessa finished second for the team and sixth in the race with 24:45. Third across the finish line for Clackamas was week six NWAACC athlete of the week Bake Benthin, who finished 14th at 25:16. Austin Peila placed 22nd at 25:40. Danny Robertson earned 25th with 25:53. Jackson Baker was 27th in 26 flat. Scott Schmitt came in seventh for the Cougars and 45th out of the 68 placing runners at 26:37.

The Cougars men’s team placed third in the championships, the women placed sixth. As a whole, the men and women ranked fourth in the combined result.

“The season was really good,” said Sultessa. “The team was the best I ever had, better than last year.”
Sultessa earned the NWAACC athlete of the week award for week eight. Also awarded an NWAACC athlete of the week title was Gil-Juarez for week one. Gil-Juarez was happy with the cross-country season, but like many others he is now getting mentally geared-up for track pre-season training.

“Cross went amazing this year and if track goes well too I might think about going to Oklahoma State,” said Gil-Juarez. “They have a good animal science program and a good steeplechase program. Steeplechase is my event.”

Also eying track season is Sultessa, who runs the 800-meter and 1500-meter races in track. Even though he is an outstanding distance runner, he prefers a firm, consistent track over bumpy, winding trails.

“My focus is track,” said Sultessa. “Everybody takes two weeks off, then we start practicing for track.”

Head coach Kaitlyn Reid has lead the Cougars through a very successful season of cross country. She was awarded head coach of the year honors at the Southern Region Championships. On home turf the Cougar men’s team won and the women took sixth.

“We had a really good season,” said Repp.

The NWAACC championship was a close race, but the Cougars remain dominant in the Southern Region.