2012 spring sports preview

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PUBLISHED THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012SUPPLEMENT OF THE RITZVILLE

ADAMS COUNTY JOURNAL

LIND-RITZVILLE/SPRAGUE BRONCOS & LACROSSE-WASHTUCNA TIGERCATS

.............................................. THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012 ................... SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

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LRS Baseball

LRS BASEBALL. The Broncos bring a mix of veteran talent and youthful exuberance to the field this season. Look for them to be competitive in league and in the hunt come playoff time. They open the league season Saturday against Colfax. (back row, left to right) assistant coach Dustan Arlt, team manager Damian Martel, Tyler Greenwalt, Palmer Phillips, Jake Dewald, Aaron Hays, Jesse Miller,

Tyler Frederick, head coach Jason Aldrich and assistant coach Jason Hilzer; (front row) Roberto Valdovinos, Bridger Smith, Toby Pence, Johnny Hernandez, Dylan Hartz, Cort Ruzicka, Matt Leffel, Nathan Pence and team manager Easton Nelson. Not pictured are Bryson O’Neill, Alvaro Garcia, BJ White, Ryan Balkcom, Omar Mora, Taylor Hennenman and Dane Wahl.

Journal photo by Stephen McFadden

By Stephen McFaddenPublisher

Five seniors anchor the baseball roster for the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos this season. After that, the level of experience varies dramatically as the coaching staff works to build and preserve a program that has struggled at times to have enough players.

Head coach Jason Aldrich is looking

LRS baseball: a mix of veterans, newcomersat his team today, knowing they will be competitive. He’s approaching the season like he has many others, with a philosophy that the team will get better every day.

Looking beyond this year there’s some fear the program will continue to experience notable fluctuations in turnout.

“I’m a little concerned for the future,” he said. “We have no eighth grade baseball players from Ritzville. And no Sprague players.”

The numbers are strong enough this season, with 21 players turning out, to field a junior varsity team and plan a 10 game schedule. The entire roster needs to stay healthy and eligible in order for the junior varsity season to be successful.

“Younger players need to pitch and play,” Aldrich said. “Before we combined we didn’t have a junior varsity.”

This is the second consecutive year there is no eighth grade baseball program.

Aldrich knows that building and maintaining interest in the sport starts with young players.

“We’re going to try and keep Little League healthy and productive,” he said.

Coming into the season the roster has five seniors, two juniors and five sophomores. Two of the sophomores are rookies. Five freshman and two eighth graders from Lind have turned out.

Continued on

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW .................. THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012 ................................................ PAGE 3

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Continued from Page 2

The Broncos advanced to the second round of the regional baseball tournament last year.

“Last year we had a good run into the playoffs,” Aldrich said. “I was somewhat surprised we didn’t do better in league.”

The team finished the 2011 season 17-9 overall.

Aldrich’s outlook for this year focuses on the notion that the Broncos will compete and challenge for one of the top spots in the league standings.

“The league might be down a little bit,” he said. “A lot of great players graduated. But they are all getting good coaching and all going to be very competitive.”

Colfax went to the final four last season, Asotin is the team to beat from District 9 and DeSales and Warden command respect.

Just what is to come from this year’s LRS roster remains to be seen. The athletes are all involved in several sports, and typically football and basketball dominate the summer workout time.

“It will all depend on how players develop as the season goes along,” Aldrich said. “We didn’t play any baseball in the summer. All the other kids — Northwest Christian, Colfax and probably Reardan — were playing baseball. We will have to rely on our natural ability and physical

improvements from other sports. We will probably be in the middle of the road knocking on the door.”

The Broncos looked good last week in a jamboree they hosted, knocking off Colfax. Tuesday they traveled to Odessa-Harrington and brought home a pair of wins.

Doubleheaders are the norm for the team.The roster is anchored by seniors Bryson

O’Neill, Aaron Hays, Jake Dewald, Palmer Phillips and Jesse Miller. Each of the veterans contribute directly to the team’s success. They are joined on the field by a handful of up-and-coming players who saw varsity action last year.

“Jesse is one of the most improved guys and will be starting in right field. He’s gotten better at everything, reading a fly ball, catching and throwing,” Aldrich said. “He’s still working on throwing mechanics. He is mentally tough and is good at taking instruction.

O’Neill is moving to third base from his previous outpost at second.

“He’ll possibly play at shortstop when Dylan (Hartz) comes to pitch. He’s doing well hitting. He’s a notoriously patient hitter who handles the bat well and can bunt,” Aldrich said. “He’s worked his tail off to get better and he’ll be batting in the middle of the order.”

Dewald is the No. 1 starter on the mound for the Broncos.

Continued on Page 16

Broncos: Core group of seniors to lead team

Journal photo by Stephen McFadden

MAKING TRACKS. Jesse Miller kicks in his stride as he races to third during the baseball teams jamboree outing against Colfax on Friday, March 16.


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There’s strength in numbers. The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague softball team appears to like that theory this year. Head coach John McGregor happily reported that he has 26 athletes on the roster — including six seniors, seven returning starters and four eighth graders.

The net result of those numbers is a junior varsity softball schedule this season.

“It looks a lot better than it did,” McGregor said of the higher turnout. “We have enough kids we can play a junior varsity schedule and that means all the kids will get to play.”

The bonus with numbers is options.

The preseason practice regimen has been the opportunity for McGregor to look over player development and determine who will play in what position. There are still decisions to be made, but he’s feeling good about the team’s chances in the league season.

“I think we’ll be competitive with the likes of Kettle Falls, Colfax and Reardan and those are the top teams,” he said.

A rare treat for the team is a strong contingent of pitchers. To begin the season the team has four of them. With varying degrees of experience among the quartet, McGregor hasn’t settled on who the ace will be.

Alicia Bolin returns with a wealth of experience from throwing last season. Taylor White has been focusing on her

hurling, having taken pitching lessons in the fall and winter months. Brooke Pichette and Jenna Bennett, a freshman newcomer, will help solidify the pitching ranks as they develop their own style.

“Alicia is probably our first pitcher,” McGregor said. “Taylor is in Running Start so I haven’t had a chance to see her do much yet.”

Strengthening the pitchers in the early season is a priority. With four of them, there may be a better balance of use, but conditioning is important.

“We want them to throw 200 pitches a night in practice,” McGregor said.

He’s employing a long toss practice technique common with pitchers in baseball and softball.

“It’s the easiest way for kids to get arm strength,” he said.

A rule change should also improve pitchers’ motion toward the plate. Last season they had to start their wind up with both feet on the pitching rubber. This year they just need one foot on the rubber.

Looking around the field positions, McGregor has a mixture of veterans and relative newcomers. During the preseason interview he said player assignments for some positions are not certain. He has not seen enough evidence yet to convince him certain players should have specific positions. Game situations early in the year will likely provide the confirmation he seeks.

Continued on Page 5

26 fill LRS softball roster

LRS Fastpitch

FASTPITCH. The LRS softball team has an impressive number of ath-letes returning and participating this season, including some eighth grade students. Back row (left to right) are Audrey Smallwood, head coach John McGregor, Darian Morgan, Darby Kurkowski, Brooke Pichette, Elizabeth

Schofstoll, Alicia Bolin, Soraida Chavez, Brittany Blaske, Kim Gimmaka, Madison Morley, Penny Schultz, Amanda Lynn and Liz Biermann. Front row: Jana Mottox, Sara Aldrich, Jenna Bennett, Cathrine Hentges, Raeann Hoeft, Christina Field, Kristin Shaw, Autumn Weideman and Jordan Schultz.


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The infield assignments are solid. Cathrine Hentges returns to first base. Lexie Whitaker will patrol the infield from second base.

Brittany Ste. Marie has the shortstop assignment and Pichette is working from third base.

Bolin will spend some time in the outfield, likely in center. Brittany Blaske is certain to see time in the wide open spaces of the outfield. After that, McGregor is weighing his options for outfielders.

Behind the plate is a new catcher, Soraida Chavez.

Veteran players will provide key defensive support to the pitching staff.

“It’s this whole business of being able to understand the game, especially on defense,” McGregor said. “Being in position, knowing where the cutoffs are, etc. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel and teach them the basics.”

Putting runners on base and having the ability to move them over and bring them home will be the critical key. The Lady Broncos will need to generate

offense.“If we get on base and pressure

some people, we should be productive,” McGregor said. “We have to get kids on and then these four kids, Ste. Marie, White, Hentges and Bolin have to get them in.”

McGregor’s early assessment is that foursome will generate the commotion at the plate that brings in runs.

On the bases, the team won’t be sluggish. There’s speed spread throughout the roster and Pichette, Bennett and Bolin will be hard to stop.

When the league season lights up, the Lady Broncos will need to be in their groove early. They face the top teams right out of the gate.

They opened the season on Tuesday with a non-league outing at Odessa-Harrington.

This Saturday they travel to Colfax, following that up with an April 10 meeting with Northwest Christian.

“They went to state last year,” McGregor said of the two league opponents. He expects them to be strong and challenge his players right from the beginning of the season.

LETTING IT FLY. Alicia Bolin winds up and prepares to deliver a pitch over the plate during the 2011 spring season. She returns to the pitching mound again this year for the Lady Broncos.

Fastpitch: Quartet will tackle the pitching duties


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LRS TRACK. The LRS track team has an about average turnout for the season with an increase in coaching staff. Coaches in the top row are (left to right) Randy Heidenreich, Guy Strot, John Kragt and Greg Whitmore. Back row: Hugh Hennings, Dustin Kommes, Matthew Fryberger, Jarradd Morley, Ryan Whitmore, Luise Oppermann, Madison Mabie and Caleb Stanley. Middle row: Heidi Hennings, Lara Tice-York, Kate Schell, Cassie Ewing, Caitlin Schoessler, Randi York, Ariana Salazar and Haley Campbell. Front row: Katie Manke, Drew Wilke and Sydney Nelson. Not pictured: Maya Wahl and Tyler O’Brien.

Journal photo by Katelin Davidson

LRS Track


By Katelin DavidsonNews Editor

The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague track and field team has about average turnout for the spring season with around 20 athletes participating in track events. With the amount of athletes competing this year, every event should have at least one competitor from the LRS team.

A main change for the LRS team this season is the amount of coaching staff that has agreed to help the team train. Randy Heidenriech has returned as head coach for the team, with assistant coaches Greg Whitmore, Guy Strot and John Kragt.

Heidenreich is optimistic about the season, mainly because of how many returning athletes he has participating this year. Even the majority of the younger athletes have track experience either at the high school level or the middle school level.

The only senior on the team is Drew Wilke, who has competed for Walla Walla High School for his entire high school career until now. Wilke is a hurdler who Heidenreich has great hopes for and believes is going to do good things for the team.

Heidenreich is also looking forward to the returning athletes who performed well during last year’s track season. Last year in the state competition, Matthew

Fryberger ran the 400-meter, Ryan Whitmore ran the hurdles and Randi York, Caitlin Schoessler and Lara Tice-York competed in the 4x100 relay.

“We have a good nucleus of younger athletes,” said Heidenreich. “We have a lot of the events covered, and a good group of freshmen.”

A new athlete to the high school team is freshman Kate Schell, who shows the potential to be the best girl sprinter for the LRS team.

Schell participated in junior high track where she excelled in the sprints and caught Heidenreich’s attention for her potential.

The two other freshmen that have shown great improvement and talent are the Hennings, Hugh and Heidi. Heidi is a distance runner and Hugh is a sprinter for the team.

Some of the throwers for the year consist of Sydney Nelson and Haley Campbell, who plan to compete in multiple throwing events. Jarradd Morley is also throwing, but his primary focus is the discus. Dustin Kommes and Ariana Salazar are distance runners for the team.

Other returning athletes include Katie Manke, who is a thrower with a focus on the discus, and Madison Mabie who is a member of the relay team and a jumper. Caleb Stanley is a sophomore

that Heidenreich is anxious to watch this year because he is stronger than last year and working hard in practice in javelin. Stanley is also part of the relay team.

Maya Wahl focuses most on the 400 but also does 100-meter hurdles. Heidenreich wants to have Wahl at least try high jump at some point during the season.

Tyler O’Brien is splitting his time between golf and track during the spring sports season. O’Brien is a distance runner who Heidenreich says “has improved the distance program with his enthusiasm,” and also competes in pole vault.

The majority of the athletes already know what events they are participating in because of previous experience in those events, but there are a few athletes who still have not decided their official event list.

Junior class athlete Luisa Opperman is from Germany and has never competed in track so she is trying various events to find what is right for her. Freshman athlete Cassie Ewing is also new to the team and may run the 800-meter during the season.

“The good thing about track is it has something for everyone and it is an individual event,” said Heidenreich.

Since the team has four coaches helping this year, it allows Heidenreich the time he needs to focus on the pole-

vault athletes on the team. It is a state law that a coach has to be certified and stay with any student pole-vaulting during practice time without leaving the pit.

Each of the coaches has a different focus and specialty that allows the athletes to receive the instructions and learn from a coach with personal experience in the event or events. Whitmore, athletic director, has assisted with track in the past.

“Guy Strot did discus in college, and his kids are good and competed also. He loves the sport and wanted to help,” Heidenreich said. “John is also helping and it’s nice to have him, he’s young and enthusiastic. The kids are excited and working hard.”

During practice last week, the athletes are competing in time trials in order to slate the top runners for each of the events.

The time trials include the 100, 200-meter and 300-meter. The distance runners are able to decide on which race they want to have a time trial in.

The LRS team competes in their first meet in Moses Lake on March 22 at 3:30 p.m.

The event serves as a junior varsity meet for larger schools. The LRS team then travels to Deer Park on March 30 for the Birdsell Invitational.

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LRS Golf

LRS GOLF. This season’s roster has grown and the team looks to be strong on the links. (back row, left to right) Jacob Anderson, Derrick Laird, Heather Hen-nings, assistant coach Mike Lynch, Drew Hartz, Colby Starrring, Logan Morley

and coach Nick Weishaar; (front row) assistant coach Sheena Rehm, Kristine Lamping, Tristan Meek, Brian Campbell and Brandon Chapman. Not pictured are Brandon Becker, Amanda Yockey, Trevor Jantz and Tyler O’Brien.


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On the boys side of the golf roster, head coach Nick Weishaar says it will be difficult to determine the Top Six for some matches. The athletes are very competitive on the practice links this season and challenge each other throughout the year for the prime roster positions.

Three returning golfers on the girls side means veteran experience and potential for success. Amanda Yockey has already earned the medalist honors at the first match of the season. Kristine Lamping has returned and Heather Hennings is working the golf course with them.

Weishaar and assistant coach Mike Lynch have been joined by a veteran golfer who is volunteering as a coach, Sheena Rehm, who played on the Eastern Washington University golf team, is bolstering the coaching ranks.

“She’s a super swing coach,” Weishaar said.

Just one state qualifier from last season graduated and moved on, Ryne Neilan. Colby Starring and Lamping are expected to do well this season and reprise their state tournament roles.

Two freshman have joined the boys team, Trevor Jantz and Brian Campbell.

Second year player and sophomore

Logan Morley looks to challenge Starring for the top spot on the golf roster. Starring finished the first match of the season tied for the medalist honor.

“It’s going to be tooth and nail,” Weishaar said. “Starring and Morley shoot similar scores in practice all the time. Logan is going to be a new bright spot. He’s really a good little golfer.”

Jacob Anderson is expected to be competitive as well.

“If he gets a few of his things right, he will be right in there,” Weishaar said. “He hits the ball a ton.”

For a freshman, Jantz delivers raw talent.

“He has a natural golf swing,” the coach said.

Looking over the league on the boys team side, Weishaar expects to be playing for top honors.

“There are a lot of teams that have returning players, but no real scratch golfers,” he said. “There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be competitive.”

On the girls side, the trio should post notable accomplishments this season. The girls do not have enough golfers to compete as a team, but as individuals they make their mark.

“They’re consistent players,” Weishaar said. “The biggest thing will be organizing their short game. We need to get them to chip and putt well.”

Golf roster grows, strengthens

DRIVING. Amanda Yockey takes a swing as she prepares to drive the golf ball dur-ing the season opener on Monday, March 12. The match was one of two that will be played on the Ritzville course. Yockey was the medalist in the match among the girls who golfed that day.

Journal photoby Stephen McFadden

............................................. THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012 ................... SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

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LRS TENNIS. The LRS tennis team takes a break from practice for a team picture during a preason workout. Back row (left to right): Justin Templin, Zeth Swanger, Chelsey Heidenreich, JD McBride, Carissa Peavey, Zach Swanger, Ashley Cappel, Stephen Ulrich, Josh Fritts and Kelly Melville. Front row: Alex

Wheeler, Alanna Wheeler, Trace Yow, Tracy Melville, Dezarae West, Lindy Brown and Nozomi Miyamoto. Not pictured: Ethan Melville, Rachel Barrus, David Ruse, Emily Buriak, Kym Webb and Taylor Templin. Coaches are Liz Melville, Lorrie Swanger and Janna Gingrich.

LRS Tennis


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The LRS tennis team has strength in numbers with a total of 22 athletes playing tennis and the majority of them having previously played tennis. The LRS tennis coaches are as strong as the players, with three coaches leading the team.

Liz Melville is the returning head coach for the LRS team, and this is her second year as head coach for the LRS Broncos. Melville previously coached tennis in Sprague for close to 10 years and enjoys being part of the sport.

Joining Melville in coaching positions are Lorrie Swanger and Janna Gingrich. Swanger is in her third year of coaching with Melville. Gingrich coached the Lind-Ritzville team for about seven years, took a few years off, and is back as an assistant coach this year.

“We have a really good coaching group,” said Melville. “It’s nice to have multiple options.”

At the beginning of the practice season, Melville decided to have host challenge matches between the athletes in order to decide the positions for each of the players. Since the majority of the athletes have experience playing tennis, challenge matches seemed to be the best way to make each athlete earn their spot on the team.

LRS works the court in tennis “By the middle of the

week, we’ll be starting a ladder. For the girls, we have an inkling of where they’ll play. For the boys, we have three that are experienced: Zach Swanger, David Ruse and Taylor Templin. The rest are more beginners after that,” said Melville.

Melville is expecting that Kelly Melville and Chelsey Heidenreich to play doubles together since they were an alternate team for state in doubles last year. Together, the girls are a tough team to beat, but Kelly has also shown interest in playing singles during this season.

Another girls’ pair that Melville has recognized to be very good tennis players are underclassmen Tracy Melville and Nozomi Miyamoto. Even though Tracy is a freshman, she has shown her talent and is expected to earn a place on the top team for either doubles or in singles.

Alanna Wheeler, another returning athlete, is a strong doubles player and intends to play doubles again this season, but her doubles partner is yet to

be determined. Returning players, Lindy Brown and

Z. Swanger, worked on their tennis game over the summer and Melville believes that work greatly improved their tennis game. Both of them are expected to play at a high, competitive level throughout the season.

The LRS team only has three seniors that are completing their tennis experience at the high school level: Templin, Ruse and Dezarae West. The majority of boys on the team are freshman or sophomores and the majority of the girls are juniors.

With so many underclassmen currently participating in tennis, Melville is optimistic about this season and the next seasons to follow, knowing that the younger players have the opportunity to continually improve during their high school career.

As the LRS tennis team continues to compete in challenge matches against each other during practice times, the official decision has to be made by Thursday, March 15 when the team participates in their first match.

The LRS tennis team faces Reardan in a non-league match in Ritzville on March 15. The match is used as a season opener and practice that helps the athletes determine their positions and strengths. The team plays in their first league match on March 22 in Freeman.

RETURN. Emily Buriak keeps her eye on the ball as she connects for a solid return during the 2011 tennis season.


TIGERCAT TENNIS. Ten players will take to the Tigercats’ courts this season for tennis. Back row (left to right): head coach Karyn Allen, Jena Goude, Lura

Potter, Anna Roberts, Chelsea Kneale, Wesley Kelley and Tony Cole. Front row: Amber McCabe and Kadie Whinery. Not pictured: Justin Wargo and Levi Allen.


LaC-Wash Tennis


The LaCrosse-Washtucna tennis team is out in force this year, with a total of 10 athletes joining the team. In addition to the number of athletes, the team is also welcoming a new head coach to the group, Karyn Allen.

Allen played tennis during high school and decided to apply for the coaching position after the previous coach resigned from the position after last season. Allen felt the need to apply to keep the program alive since LaCrosse is the last school in the county that still has a tennis team.

The Bi-County league for tennis stretches as far north as St. George’s with LaCrosse-Washtucna being the most southern team in the league.

Currently, the LaCrosse-Washtucna team is still practicing and competing for positions, but she believes she has the majority of the line up figured out. Since this is Allen’s first year with the athletes, she wants to have a good idea of talent and preference of position from the athletes.

“We have four new athletes, Tony Cole, Amber McCabe, Anna Roberts and Wesley Kelley,” said Allen. “We have a lot of returning athletes that are strong players.”

The LaCrosse-Washtucna team is composed of six female and four male athletes, making the decision for the boy’s positions easier than the girls. The male athletes for the team are Cole, Kelley, Justin Wargo and Levi Allen. The female athletes are McCabe, Roberts, Jena Goude, Lura Potter, Chelsea Kneale and Kadie Whinery.

Currently, Allen has Wargo slated for No. 1 singles for the boys and Whinery for No. 1 singles for the girls. The No. 2 position for boy’s singles is yet to be determined. Potter, a freshman, is most likely to play the No. 2 singles position for the girls.

Even though Potter is a freshman, she comes from a family that plays tennis on a regular basis. Potter has six or seven years of experience playing tennis. Her father, Dave Potter, is assisting the team at practices and matches.

Goude, the only senior on the tennis team, has experience playing tennis and Allen hopes to slate her as either the No. 2 singles player or as the No. 1 doubles team. Kneale is expected to play as one member of the No. 1 doubles team, but it is undetermined whom she is to partner with.

L. Allen and Kelley are going to be the No. 1 doubles team for the boys since the two get along on and off the court. Cole recently joined the LaCrosse-Washtucna team and is not eligible to play in the first match because he

has not attended enough practices yet. Allen hopes to work with all of the athletes to

determine where they feel the most comfortable playing. Allen said it is important to take into consideration the friendship and communication between players on a doubles team because if they are not friends off the court, they might not work well together as teammates.

Some of the team members also have not yet decided what position they like best, and Allen wants to wait until each athlete has discussed their personal preference. Allen’s main goal is to work with the athletes and put them in the match where they feel the most comfortable and confident.

The LaCrosse-Washtucna tennis team has just concluded their second week of practice, and Allen believes that in the next week all of the athletes can find their best place on the team. The team has their first match on March 22 in Othello at 3:30 p.m.

New coach leads T’Cats in tennis

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LaC-Wash Track

TIGERCAT TRACK. The Tigercats have increased numbers on the track and field team with 11 athletes competing on the LaCrosse-Washtucna portion of the team. Back row (left to right): Assistant coach Sparky Jensen, Sam Harder,

Sawyer Hostetler, Jacob Johnson, Darcy Stamper, Graham BeDell and head coach Tim Stamper. Front row: Cameron Ellis, Gail Harder, Brooklynn Hostetler and Kaese Ramos. Not pictured: Anne Fleming and Stephanie Kelly.



Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Golf

Date Opponent Location Time March 13 NWC, Cusick, Colfax, Inchelium Ritzville 2:30 p.m. March 20 Odessa-Harrington, Republic, NWC, W/C Harrington 2:30 p.m. March 27 Kettle Falls, W/C, Davenport, Republic Ritzville 2:30 p.m. April 10 Kettle Falls & Inchelium (Top 6) Colville 11 a.m. April 12 W/C, Colfax, Inchelium, Davenport Wilbur 3 p.m. April 17 Northwest Christian (Top 6) Fairways 2 p.m. April 23 Northwest Christian (Top 6) Deer Park 2 p.m. April 26 Warden, Odessa-Harrington (Top 10) Warden 2:30 p.m. May 1 Inchelium & Kettle Falls Colville 11 a.m. May 7 Sub-District 7 Meadow Woods 10:30 a.m. May 14 District 7 Meadow Woods 10:30 a.m. May 22-23 State Tacoma TBD

Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Softball

Date Opponent Location Time March 20 Odessa-Harrington Odessa 2 p.m. March 24 Colfax Colfax 12 p.m. April 10 Northwest Christian Ritzville 2:30 p.m. April 12 Almira-Coulee/Hartline Ritzville 3 p.m. April 14 Kettle Falls Kettle Falls 12 p.m. April 20 Reardan Ritzville 3 p.m. April 24 Mary Walker Springdale 3 p.m. April 28 Davenport Davenport 12 p.m. May 1 Liberty Ritzville 3 p.m.

Lind-Ritzville/Sprague JV Softball

Date Opponent Location Time March 23 Northwest Christian Colbert 3 p.m. March 29 Warden Warden 3 p.m. April 17 Mary Walker Ritzville 3 p.m. April 19 Colfax Ritzville 3 p.m. April 26 Warden Ritzville 3 p.m. April 30 Mary Walker Springdale 3 p.m. May 3 Colfax Colfax 3 p.m.

LRS SCHEDULES


The LaCrosse-Washtucna athletes for track and field total 11 athletes for the season, making this team larger than some of the past teams. Since LaCrosse-Washtucna is a combined team with St. John-Endicott, the group has decided

to purchase new uniforms that combine school colors.

St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse-Washtucna has been a combined team for three years and the uniforms are combining the main colors for the teams: blue, red and white.

Tim Stamper, head coach for the LaCrosse-Washtucna team, is excited

about the season and believes there is a lot of potential from returning athletes as well as the younger group. Stamper is also coaching baseball for the St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse team and has assistant coach Sparky Jensen to help with the track athletes.

“Our most experienced athletes are Sam (Harder), Sawyer (Hostetler) and

Darcy (Stamper). Graham (BeDell) is our only javelin thrower and he’s a lot stronger this year,” said Stamper. “Our only senior athlete this year is Annie (Fleming) and St. John-Endicott also has one senior.”

The LaCrosse-Washtucna track athletes are still determining all of the events that they want to participate in, but coach Stamper also has a few events he believes that athletes would excel in.

D. Stamper placed fifth in state last year in the high jump, and continues to practice that as well as long jump. He has run in the 4x100 relay in the past and Stamper hopes to also have him compete in the 4x400 relay as well.

Harder is primarily a triple jumper but also runs the 100-meter consistently in meets. Harder is another member of the 4x100 relay and his other event rotates between the 200-meter and the 4x400 relay.

Hostetler has thrown the shot put for the last three years and constantly is improving each year. Shot put remains his primary event, but he also participates in the 100, 4x100 relay and Stamper is looking to put him in one more event.

BeDell is the sole javelin thrower for the LaCrosse-Washtucna team and also ran in the 800-meter race last year. He continues to do both events and possibly could be a member or an alternate for the 4x400 relay team.

The LaCrosse-Washtucna team has two boys that are going to participate in all, or most, of the sprinting events and those athletes are Kaese Ramos and Cameron Ellis. Both Ramos and Ellis are still determining which event they like the most.

Jacob Johnson focuses on throwing shot put, but possibly is throwing the discus during the season. Stamper said Johnson is contemplating running and if he does run, his event is most likely the 400.

Though the girls of the team are slightly outnumbered by the boys on the team, they participate in just as many events. Brooklynn Hostetler, a freshman, is focusing on discus for her primary event but is considering throwing javelin and shot put. B. Hostetler may also be a member of the 4x200 relay team.

Gail Harder, also a freshman, has two events decided for the season, the 200 and long jump. She is possibly another member of the 4x200 relay and might be running the 400-meter.

Stephanie Kelly, an athlete from Kahlotus, is also practicing with the LaCrosse-Washtucna group and is a new participant in track.

Continued on Page 15

Tigercats’s track roster larger than normal, 11 prep for season outings

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW .................. THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012 ...............................................PAGE 15

Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Tennis

Date Opponent Location Time March 15 Reardan (non-league) Ritzville 3 p.m. March 22 Freeman Freeman 3:30 p.m. March 24 Mead Mead TBD March 27 Davenport Ritzville 3:30 p.m. April 10 Reardan Reardan 3:30 p.m. April 14 Odessa-Harrington Ritzville 11 a.m. April 17 Wilbur-Creston Wilbur 3:30 p.m. April 21 LaCrosse-Washtucna LaCrosse 11 a.m. April 26 St. George’s Ritzville 3:30 p.m. April 27 Inland Empire Tournament Spokane TBD April 28 Inland Empire Tournament Spokane TBD May 1 Wilbur-Creston (non-league) Ritzville 3:30 p.m. May 3 Make-up Matches TBD May 5 Seconds Tournament TBD May 10-12 District Tournament TBD May 18 Regional Tennis TBD May 25-26 State Yakima

Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Baseball

Date Opponent Location Time March 15 Jamboree Ritzville 3 p.m. March 20 Odessa-Harrington Odessa 2 p.m. March 24 Colfax Colfax 12 p.m. March 31 Riverside Christian Ritzville 12 p.m. April 10 Northwest Christian Ritzville 2:30 p.m. April 14 Kettle Falls Kettle Falls 12 p.m. April 17 St. George’s Ritzville 2:30 p.m. April 20 Reardan Ritzville 3 p.m. April 24 Mary Walker Springdale 3 p.m. April 28 Davenport Davenport 12 p.m. May 1 Liberty Ritzville 3 p.m.

Lind-Ritzville/Sprague JV Baseball

Date Opponent Location Time March 29 Warden Warden 3 p.m. April 19 Colfax Ritzville 3 p.m. April 26 Warden Ritzville 3 p.m. April 30 Mary Walker Springdale 3 p.m. May 3 Colfax Colfax 3 p.m.

Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Track & Field

Date Opponent Location Time March 22 Moses Lake JV Moses Lake 3:30 p.m. March 30 Birdsell Invitational Deer Park 3 p.m. April 10 League Meet Colfax 3:30 p.m. April 14 Undeberg Invitational Medical Lake 11 a.m. April 17 League Meet Davenport 3:30 p.m. April 21 Quincy Invitational Quincy 10:30 a.m. April 24 League Meet (Reardan) Lakeside 3:30 p.m. April 28 Riverside Invitational Riverside 10 a.m. May 1 League Meet Colfax 3:30 p.m. May 8 District 7 1B/2B Sub Districts Riverside 10 a.m. May 19 District 7 2B District Meet Whitworth 10 a.m. May 25-26 State Track Eastern Washington Univ. TBD

Track: T’Cats will compete with St. John/EndicottContinued from Page 14

“We’re looking to find an event that she can excel at. I think it’s going to be discus and the 100-meter,” said Stamper.

Anne Fleming is concluding her high school track career by participating in the 4x100 and the 4x200 relays. Stamper is currently trying to teach her how to long jump and might also teach her to throw shot put.

“Overall, I’m looking for big things from both Darcy in high jump and Sam in triple jump. They could both be contenders this year,” said Stamper. “Darcy could win the league in high jump. He grew and is stronger this year.”

D. Stamper had a personal record of six feet, two inches in high jump as a freshman last year. He is also participating in baseball and splits his time between the two sports like coach Stamper does.

“The best thing about track and these kids is that they are constantly competing against themselves. They all focus on their primary event and every day try to beat themselves from the day before,” said Stamper.

The LaCrosse-Washtucna team has most of their meets in Pullman this year, previously they had been held in Colfax. The first meet for the St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse-Washtucna team is on Saturday, March 17 at 11 a.m. at the Lapwai Invitational.

Need another copy of the newspaper?Copies of the current issue of the Ritzville Journal are avail-able at the following locations:

Bob’s Chevron101 W. Galbreath Way

Ritzville Hardware • 108 W. FirstConnell Oil • 1302 W. First

Harvest Foods • 610 W. FirstRitz Food Mart1507 S. Bauman

Pretty Good Grocery115 W. Main

Ritzville Drug Co.209 W. Main

Sun Mart102 W. Galbreath Way

Jake’s Texaco1508 W. First Ave.

Jim’s Market in LindJava Bloom in Washtucna

Sonny’s Tavern in Washtucna

Current and back issues are available at the

Ritzville Journal216 W. Railroad


LaCrosse-Washtucna Tigercats’ Track Schedule

Date ...................................Opponent ..........................................Location .............................................TimeMarch 17 .......................... Lapwai Invite ...........................................Lapwai ..............................................11 a.m.March 21 .......................... Clarkston HS .........................................Clarkston .............................................3 p.m.March 28 ............................... Mac-Hi ........................................ Milton Freewater .......................................3 p.m.April 12 .............................. Pullman HS ...........................................Pullman ..............................................4 p.m.April 14 .......................Undeberg Invitational ...............................Medical Lake .........................................11 a.m.April 19 .............................. Pullman HS ...........................................Pullman ..............................................4 p.m.April 21 ........................Coeur’d’Alene Invite ............................... Coeur’d’Alene ........................................10 a.m.April 25 ............................... Dayton HS .............................................Dayton ...............................................3 p.m.May 2 ................................ Clarkston HS .........................................Clarkston .............................................3 p.m.May 9 .................................Sub Districts ............................ Walla Walla (Martin Field) ................................2 p.m.May 17 ...................... District Championships ..............................Clarkston HS ..........................................3 p.m.May 18 ...................... District Championships ..............................Clarkston HS ..........................................3 p.m.May 25 ........................State Championships ..................................... EWU ................................................. TBDMay 26 ........................State Championships ..................................... EWU ................................................. TBD

LaCrosse-Washtucna Tigercats’ Tennis Schedule

Date ...................................Opponent ..........................................Location .............................................TimeMarch 21 ............................... Othello ................................................Othello ............................................ 3:30 p.m.March 24 ......................Odessa-Harrington .......................... LaCrosse/Washtucna ..................................11 a.m.March 27 ........................ Valley Christian ............................. LaCrosse/Washtucna ..................................11 a.m.April 10 ..............................St. George’s .......................................St. George’s ........................................ 3:30 p.m.April 14 ............................Wilbur-Creston ............................. LaCrosse/Washtucna ..................................11 a.m.April 17 .................................Reardan .............................................Reardan ........................................... 3:30 p.m.April 21 ...................... Lind-Ritzville/Sprague ........................ LaCrosse/Washtucna ..................................11 a.m.April 26 ............................... Davenport .......................................... Davenport ......................................... 3:30 p.m.May 3 ...................................Make-upsMay 5 ..........................Seconds TournamentMay 18 .................................RegionalsMay 25-26 ...............................State .................................................Yakima


“Jake’s made strides in terms of arm strength,” Aldrich said. “He can throw his fastball a little faster now and has three pitches that he has good command of. I expect big things. He’ll probably play first base or outfield when he’s not pitching.”

Hays will take the mound as the No. 3 pitcher in the starting rotation.

“Aaron will start in centerfield,” Aldrich explained. “He makes such good contact with the ball he went from being the ninth hitter to fourth in the line up. He has really improved and is really fast. We’re working to build confidence in him as a base stealer.”

Johnny Hernandez, a junior, will take the starting second base job.

“He’s made big gains in strength and size,” Aldrich said. “He has good feet and hands and will be number five or six in the pitching rotation.”

Sophomore Tyler Frederick will see plenty of action at first base.

“As a freshman he came in and played a bunch when Palmer was ill,”

Aldrich said. “He was a starter on the football team and a varsity basketball player this year. He’ll be out No. 2 starter. He has a natural throwing motion that is kind of deceptive and he’s fearless.”

Bridger Smith will work out of left field. “Bridger is lightning fast,” Aldrich said. “I don’t want to hold back that natural aggressiveness. He’s also our back up catcher. He caught junior varsity last year. His arm strength is up, he has great feet and hands. Bridger is learning how to call the game.”

Aldrich said Smith’s notoriety may come from base stealing. Assistant coach Dustan Arlt holds the honor of being the team’s top base stealer from years past. He racked up 36 stolen bases in one season.

“Dustan had the green light all the time,” Aldrich said. It might not be long for the same is true for Smith.

Phillips returns to his starting assignment at catcher.

“He understands the game of baseball,” Aldrich said. “He knows how to call a good game. He’s worked with all of those guys (pitchers). He knows the

pitchers’ stuff and I’ve always thought it’s better for a catcher and pitcher to call the game. Palmer has good arm strength and instincts.”

As a freshman last season, Hartz earned a spot on the All-Opponent team and finished the season with the second highest batting average on the team. He returns to his starting role at shortstop and will spend some time on the mound as well.

“Teams are going to be looking to pitch around him,” Aldrich said. “Dylan is our best hitter returning and he has turned into our lead off hitter. He can hit with two strikes and finished over .400 last year.”

Tyler Greenwalt will round out the upper end of the roster.

“He’s the utility guy you’ve got to have,” Aldrich said. “He can catch and pitch. He gives us some options. And he can run the bases.”

The Broncos open the league season this Saturday at Colfax. The outing will be a good barometer for where the team is going into the league schedule.

Speed: Broncos a sure base stealing threat

Journal photo by

Stephen McFadden

RULE CHANGE. Head coach Ja-son Aldrich shows off the new bats the Broncos will be swinging this year. A rule change for high school baseball could make a major change in how the game is played. Aldrich said he expects a notable reduction in power hitting with the introdcution of these new bats. “They feel like wood and the ball is not traveling as far,” he said. Al-drich said the bats used last year had a thin barrel that was easily manipulated or wore down in a manner that made them “springy” thus increasing the ki-netic energy created when the bat and ball collided. The new bats have thick-er walls and have reduced the ball exit speed off the bat.

2012 spring sports preview

Documents

league season

junior varsity season

grade baseball players

baseball roster

junior varsity team

younger players

sprague players

young players