2015 Sports Preview - Fall

Ellensburg football looks toward another state title run with a new quarterback

Also inside • Kittitas football to depend on senior leadership • Cle Elum football gets a new offense • EHS volleyball seeks another CWAC title • EHS soccer looks to get past districts

2014 RECORD: 12-1 (9-0) Lost in 2A State Semifinals

FOOTBALL

BULLDOGS

ELLENSBURG HIGH SCHOOL

SEASON OUTLOOK

KEY PLAYERS Senior quarterback Donny Ellersick: Ellersick takes over the quarterback position after senior Garrett Hull graduated last spring.

Although Ellersick had limited time last season he did play in five games under center.

In the game on Oct. 24 against East Valley (Yakima), Ellersick threw for a touchdown and ran three times including a 93-yard scamper in the back of the endzone for a touchdown.

He also led the bulldogs to the state semifinals in 2013 substituting for an injured Garrett Hull.

Senior linebacker/wide receiver Seth Walker: Walker will be one of the Bulldogs’ top receivers this season. Last season, he caught 11 passes for 97 yards including six receptions in the season opener at Kennewick High School.

Brian Myrick / Daily Record

Ellensburg High School quarterback Donny Ellersick (10) takes aim at receive Xander Orejudos during football practice.

Bulldogs keep expectations high despite new starters

By RYAN KUHN sports editor

SEASON SCHEDULE Sept. 4: Kennewick Sept. 11: Grandview Sept. 18: at Toppenish Sept. 25: Othello Oct. 2: Selah Oct. 9: at Wapato Oct. 16: Prosser Oct. 23: at East Valley Oct. 30: at Ephrata Nov. 5: Quincy

WHAT TO KNOW

E

llensburg High School’s football team might have lost some key players from its last two undefeated conference seasons, but the one thing that remains is the knowledge of the game.

Head coach Randy Affholter is teaching that knowledge as a base for his football program.

“We have lost some players the last two years, but this group of kids has done a great

2 | FALL SPORTS PREVIEW 2015

job accepting the challenge of our expectations,” Affholter said. “They keep improving and keep our football program at a high level.”

After the Bulldogs graduated out seniors Gabe Caskey, Garrett Hull and Ben Lee, Affholter put systems in place to make the transition easier for the returning players.

Those systems paid off.

Last week, Affholter led offensive drill with three huddles of offenses made up of sophomores, juniors and seniors, with kids rotating in

and out.

“We haven’t seen that in a long time,” he said. “It shows our depth. There are some guys on the bench that could have been starting for us five years ago.”

Bulldogs’ new QB One of the main transitions Affholter had to make this season was at the quarterback position as Donny Ellersick takes over the Bulldogs’ offense.

See EHS Football, Page 3

KEY GAMES Oct. 2 vs. Selah: The Vikings have always been a big Central Washington Athletic Conference rival but it has been a bit one sided the past few years as the Bulldogs hold a six-game winning streak.

Oct. 23 vs. Prosser: Ellensburg has also developed a small winning streak against Prosser High School.

The Mustangs, who have gone 30-9 over the last three seasons have consistently made the state tournament.

Despite Prosser’s success, the Bulldogs have won the last two games, including a 34-20 win in last year’s state tournament.

EHS FOOTBALL Continued from Page 2 Last season he appeared in five games, and prior to that also played some as a sophomore.

“He got a lot of reps last year and I was really happy with how he came out in the spring to work on his game,” Affholter said. “We were a little nervous. He didn’t play quarterback as much as his sophomore year, but he has been throwing the ball really well.”

With the team’s success the last two seasons, Ellersick said he doesn’t feel that much pressure for the 2015 season.

“I feel a little pressure, but we are all experienced,” he said.

“I think it’ll go really well.”

Ellersick will have

plenty of options to throw to this upcoming season as a core group of receivers return, including Bryce Helgeson, Nate Andaya, Christian McDonald and Garrett Cheney.

“A lot of those kids that played last year are really young and they have matured a lot,” Affholter said.

New faces on defense On the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs feature a strong defensive line and secondary, but Affholter said some spots the Bulldogs need to fill are at linebacker.

“We definitely lost a lot of starters on defense, but I feel are backups are just as experienced,” said senior left tackle Matt England. “I think we

will be better than last year. I credit our coaches. They teach us how to play the game.”

Ellensburg starts the season Sept. 4 against Kennewick and four of their first five games are at home including CWAC rival games against Othello, Prosser and Selah high schools.

Although the Bulldogs have seen success, in recent years, they know they have more to prove.

“We have to get to the next step by getting into that state title game,” Walker said. “If we work hard, we know we can get there.”

The Bulldogs’ game against Kennewick High School will be at 7 p.m.

Last season Ellensburg defeated the Lions on the road 21-6.

Good Luck to all Kittitas County Athletes & Coaches!

Brian Myrick / Daily Record

Ellensburg High School head football coach Randy Affholter speaks to a group of his players during practice.

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2014 RECORD: 4-6 (3-2) Lost in 2B District 6 Playoffs

FOOTBALL

COYOTES

KITTITAS HIGH SCHOOL

SEASON OUTLOOK

Brian Myrick / Daily Record

The Kittitas football practices in the distance in preparation for the upcoming 2015 season. Last season the Coyotes finished 4-6.

Senior class looks to shine for Kittitas’ 2015 season Eilers, Gleason, Ledgard to lead the offense

SEASON SCHEDULE Sept. 4: Wahluke Sept. 11: Grandview Sept. 18: at Toppenish Sept. 25: Othello Oct. 2: Selah Oct. 9: at Wapato Oct. 16: Prosser Oct. 23: at East Valley Oct. 30: at Ephrata Nov. 5: Quincy

By RYAN KUHN sports editor

G

ood things come to those who wait.

Or at least Kittitas High School’s football team is hoping so.

Over the past few seasons, Coyotes’ head coach Jamal Weems has watched his young players grow into senior leaders and looking to improve on last year’s 4-6 record.

4 | FALL SPORTS PREVIEW 2015

“We started with a small group of young guys who have matured a lot,” Weems said. “We just want our football team to grow and get them excited to play football.”

Whether it is on offense, defense or even off the field, Weems has put a philosophy of playing “fit” football in their head.

“We play ‘fit’ football,” Weems said. “That means it’s fast, it’s intelligent and it’s tough.”

An up and down season Last season the Coyotes lost their first three games but came back to win the next three that including a 22-20 win over Mabton High School.

In that game, quarterback Eli Eilers completed 10 passes for 240 yards and ran the ball 50 yards. The Coyotes scored on the final drive of the game.

See Kittitas, Page 5

WHAT TO KNOW KEY PLAYER Senior quarterback Eli Eilers: Eilers was Kittitas’ quarterback last season and returns with more experience.

In the Coyotes’ game against Soap Lake High School on Oct. 10. Eilers scored four touchdowns that included rushing the ball twice into the back of the endzone.

KEY GAME Oct. 2 against Mabton High School: Last season Kittitas traveled to Mabton and squeaked out a 22-20 win over the Vikings. Look for this to be another close conference game.

KITTITAS

Continued from Page 4

Kittitas returns notable players on offense including Eilers, Chase Gleason and Druw Ledgard.

The three showed how potent the offense can be when it scored 72 points against Lake Roosevelt back on Oct. 24.

Coyotes’ goal

But no matter how many points the Coyotes score, Weems only has one goal.

“The ultimate goal is just to be a better football team,” Weems said. “As long as I see improvement from my players on the field, that is a successful season for us.”

Kittitas starts its season Sept. 4 when it hosts Wahluke at 7 p.m. Other key games include one week later at Rainier High School and senior night on Oct. 16 against Warden.

Brian Myrick / Daily Record

Members of the Kittitas High School football team work through a drill during practice in preparation for the 2015 season.

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2014 RECORD: 3-6 (2-3)

CLE ELUMROSLYN HIGH SCHOOL

FOOTBALL

WARRIORS

SEASON OUTLOOK

Brian Myrick / Daily Record

Members of the Cle Elum-Roslyn High School football team work out during practice on Aug. 20.

Cle Elum-Roslyn equipped with new QB, new offense Warriors moving away from option in 2015

By RYAN KUHN sports editor

SEASON SCHEDULE Sept. 4: at Selah Sept. 11: Wahluke Sept. 18: at Zillah Sept. 25: at Cascade Oct. 2: Naches Valley Oct. 9: at La Salle Oct. 16: Goldendale Oct. 23: at Highland Oct. 30: Granger

W

hen Cle Elum-Roslyn High School football coach Brian Avery thought about last season, he didn’t have to think twice.

We didn’t have the season we would have liked,” Avery said.

“It was a little disappointing toward the end.”

Cle Elum finished the 2014 campaign with only three wins and lost three out the last four games.

Now, one year later, he and

6 | FALL SPORTS PREVIEW 2015

his Warriors are preparing for 2015 but with mostly new faces.

“We are going to be young this year,” Avery said. “We only have three returning starters but they are an energetic bunch.”

The only returning starters from last year include center Jack Moen, running back Emmanuel Sanchez and quarterback Dalton Hawk.

“We have to make sure as coaches we develop our players as quick as possible,” Avery said. “We have some really good athletes and we have to figure

out how to use them the right way.”

Not only have some faces changed, Cle Elum-Roslyn has adopted a new offense.

Last year, Avery ran more of a option-style offense and this year in which the team struggled, only averaging 16 points per game.

“The offense wasn’t suited for our personnel,” Avery said.

“I suggested we run the option offense and we weren’t able to run it very well.”

See Cle Elum Page 7

WHAT TO KNOW KEY PLAYER Senior quarterback Dalton Hawk: Hawk has played the last two years with Cle Elum-Roslyn but only one year as quarterback.

After injuring his shoulder in the winter of 2013, he was moved to the wide receiver position. Back with a healthy arm, he is ready to lead the Warriors’ offense.

KEY GAME Oct. 2 against Naches Valley High School: Last season the Warriors edged Naches Valley 23-19. The Warriors need a good home win after going winless at home in 2014.

CLE ELUM Continued from Page A6 This season, the Warriors have gone to a jet offense where the team can get downfield easier.

“It’ll give us a better opportunity to win,” Avery said.

Hawk back at quarterback Hawk, who played quarterback two seasons ago, will be running the jet offense.

Hawk played last year in more of a wide out position because of a shoulder injury he suffered during basketball, but he said he is happy being at his primary position.

“I’ve been playing quarterback my whole life,” he said.

Sanchez said the change of offense could also get him out in the open field more.

“It’ll be easier to move all spread out,” he said. “I’m sure it’ll be a lot easier.

In addition to the three returning starters, Avery said there is not too much depth.

“I don’t know if some of these

kids have even played football before,” he said. “We’ll have to wait and see.”

Cle Elum-Roslyn starts the season Sept. 4 when it travels to Selah High School.

Avery said it’ll be a good test to see where his team is.

“Selah is a good 2A team so we will have our hands full no question,” Avery said. “They pushed us around last year so we need to make sure to stop their run and force to beat us with the pass.”

Rounding out the schedule Other games on the schedule include South Central Athletic Conference rivals including road games against Zillah on Sept. 18 and La Salle on Oct. 9.

With the season just two weeks away, Avery just has one goal.

“We want to win football games,” he said. “We just can’t look too far ahead.”

Brian Myrick / Daily Record

Members of the Cle Elum-Roslyn High School football team work out during practice on Aug. 20.

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2014 RECORD: 16-5 (7-2) Lost in 2A State Consolation Semifinals

VOLLEYBALL

BULLDOGS

ELLENSBURG HIGH SCHOOL

KEY PLAYERS Senior middle hitter Kassidy Malcolm: Malcolm returns as one of the captains from last year’s state tournament team.

She finished the season with 174 kills, a 36 percent kill efficiency, 184 digs and 64 blocks.

Junior setter Lexi Ball: Ball was the Bulldogs’ most consistent server, converting 99 percent of her serves and head coach Debbie Landrie said Ball runs the team’s defense. She also contributed 163 digs in 2014.

AP File

Ellensburg senior middle hitter Kassidy Malcol (5) is just one of the returning seniors for the Bulldogs in 2015.

Bulldogs seek first CWAC championship in 14 years

By RYAN KUHN sports editor

SEASON SCHEDULE Sept. 8: Heidi Sullivan Jamboree Sept. 12: at Davis Sept. 15: at Prosser Sept. 19: at Sundome Tourney Sept. 22: at Quincy Sept, 24: East Valley Sept 29: at Selah Oct. 1: at Toppenish Oct. 6: Grandview –Complete schedule at cwacathletics.com

WHAT TO KNOW

SEASON OUTLOOK

I

t has been some time since Ellensburg High School raised a league or district championship banner.

The year was 2001. George Bush was president, the remake of the movie “Ocean’s 11” was released in theaters and the price of a gallon of gas was $1.46.

So when EHS volleyball head coach Debbie Landrie met with her seniors to talk about the upcoming season,

8 | FALL SPORTS PREVIEW 2015

they knew what their goal was.

“We want a league and district championship, along with another trip to the state tournament,” Landrie said.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 12-2 overall record last season and made it to the 2A State Consolation Semifinals before losing to Liberty 3-2. It was their first trip to the state tournament in seven years.

“The girls realized they could play at that level,” Landrie said. “They were unsure at first, but now they

are believing in themselves” Ellensburg graduated its top outside hitter in Miah Perez, but Landrie said there is a core group of players who can take over and lead.

This season, Ellensburg returns eight players, including senior middle hitter Kassidy Malcolm. She finished the season with 174 kills, a 36 percent kills efficiency, 184 digs and 64 blocks. She was also named first team All-CWAC.

See EHS Volleyball, Page 12

KEY GAMES Sept 8 hosting the Heidi Sullivan Jamboree: The Bulldogs start their season at home as they host a four team exhibition at Ellensburg’s High School’s gym. Last year they swept both Kittitas and Cashmere.

Sept. 19 at Yakima Sundome Tournament: The Bulldogs will be just one of the 80 participants of the Sundome Tournament over the weekend of Sept. 19.

Last year they went 5-1 in pool play but lost in the first round of the championship bracket to Central Valley, 25-7, 25-14.

SEASON STORYLINES Defending home court: Last season Ellensburg went 5-1 during home matches and won two more matches in the district tournament.

The Bulldogs have seven home matches this season and look for the same success inside Ellensburg’s gym.

By RYAN KUHN sports editor

S

Good Luck es!

Athletes & Coach

Girls soccer returns 11 players from 2014 season Cle Elum-Roslyn’s girls soccer team will return 11 players from last year and looks to improve on some of last year’s success.

Although the Warriors did not make the District playoffs, they finished with an 8-7-1 record and had some key wins against Kiona Benton at home.

Cle Elum started the season winning its first three games without giving up a goal before losing its next four.

This season the Warriors host five out of their first six games and end the year playing La Salle on Oct. 22.

The first home game is Sept. 8 against Royal.

Kickoff is at 4 p.m.

2014 RECORD: 8-7-1 (4-6)

they really earned it,” Whitemarsh said.

This season, Cle Elum looks to start strong again as they travel to Royal for their first game of the season then have two home games on Sept 10 and 15 against Wahluke and Zillah respectively.

But more importantly than starting strong, the Warriors’ ultimate goal is improving on last year’s results.

“Our goal is to do better than last year,” Whitemarsh said. “We did better than in 2013 and I want to teach these kids what it is like to play together and trust each other.”

All Cle Elum-Roslyn home volleyball games start at 6:30 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER

econd year head coach Andrea Whitemarsh knows building the Cle Elum-Roslyn High School volleyball program will be a challenge, but she has a plan.

She is going to take it one game at a time.

“We are going through a building process and I don’t know how long it is going to last,” Whitemarsh said. “We were in the bottom of our pool but volleyball hasn’t been a strength in Cle Elum for a long time.”

The Warriors finished 4-11 last year, but Whitemarsh said she is trying to build a successful program and not just get

through a season. She has gotten the word out and has helped the middle school developing program.

“Cle Elum has had three coaches in the last four years,” she said. “Give us five years and we should be pretty competitive.”

The Warriors return two seniors this season including Shayna Hyatt.

Hyatt was the team MVP last season and Whitemarsh said she really liked her play close to the net.

The Warriors started the 2014 strong, winning their first two games of the season against Royal and Wahluke before losing 10 out of their last 12 games.

“Those early wins make the kids so much more confident and they know

CLE ELUM/ROSLYN

2014 RECORD: 4-11 (2-10)

Warriors look to improve on 4-win season

VOLLEYBALL

SEASON OUTLOOK: VOLLEYBALL AND SOCCER

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2014 RECORD: 13-6 (8-1) Lost in the 2A District 5/6 Crossover Game

GIRLS SOCCER

ELLENSBURG

SEASON OUTLOOK

Ellensburg girl’s soccer refueled for another CWAC league championship

By RYAN KUHN sports editor

E

llensburg High School’s girls soccer team is looking for some redemption in 2015.

After an excellent season that saw them win nine out of their last 10 regular season games, the Bulldogs struggled entering the postseason.

They defeated Selah 3-0 in the first round of districts, but lost the next two games to Ephrata and West Valley (Spokane) to miss the state tournament.

“It’ll definitely be a goal to go further than we went last year,” said head coach Levi

Teasley. “It showed us the level of play we need to be at by that time of the season.

I think we improved as the season went on, but we faced some very good teams.”

Despite the loss in the district crossover game, Teasley said it was one of the best seasons his girls team has had, finishing 13-6 and as CWAC League Co-Champions with Ephrata and East Valley.

Bulldogs return 9 starters The Bulldogs return the majority of the team on offense including junior forward Reyna Schedler, who was selected as part of the All-CWAC first team.

“We have a lot of girls who have the ability to score, but she has a knack for finding the net,” Teasley said. “She was the most consistent every game.”

On the defensive side, the Bulldogs graduated their starting goal keeper, Rachel England, who was also a second team all-league selection. In 19 games, she only gave up 1.15 goals per game and finished the season with 10 shutouts.

“That’ll be a big position we need to fill this year,” Teasley said. “We will probably have some young players fighting for the position, but it’s really up in the air right now.”

Other key returners include juniors Tamzen Shissler and Rachel Jefferies and seniors Kaila Hansen, Jordyn Arlt, Maya Swan, and Dalya Sanchez.

Ellensburg starts its season Sept. 5 when it takes on Eastmont at 1 p.m. Other key games in 2015 will include matches with Ephrata and East Valley on Sept. 22 and Oct. 8.

“We have some spots to fill, but we have a nice mix of senior leadership and young players,” Teasley said. “We have two weeks before the season starts and hopefully we can pick up where we left off.”

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SEASON OUTLOOK

ELLENSBURG

Ellensburg junior Nate Jensvold finished last season 16th in the district race.

X-COUNTRY

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llensburg High School’s cross country team is not only one of the biggest but one of the most successful, too.

The Bulldogs have the largest program in the Central Washington Athletic Conference with 90 kids participating.

“We have a pretty deep team,” said head coach Jeff Hashimoto.

The Bulldogs’ boys team won league, finished second districts and finished sixth in state while the girls team won league, finished fourth in districts and finished eighth in state. Also 10 junior varsity

players were sent to the state finals.

The boys won all their races last season.The boys will be led by top returner junior Nate Jensvold who finished 16th in in last season’s district race. Other returners include Connor Montgomery and Travis Gylling.

On the girls side, Ellensburg will be led by sophomore Uhuru Hashimoto and Salma Preppernau, who finished eighth and 13th in districts.

Ellensburg has three home races this year on Sept. 12, Sept 24 and Oct. 22. The Bulldogs will also host the District 5/6 Championships on Oct. 31 for the first time at Rotary Park.

2014 BOYS RECORD: 9-0 2014 GIRLS RECORD: 9-0

By RYAN KUHN sports editor

2014 GIRLS RECORD: 7-1-5

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Good Luck Athletes on a Great Season

EHS girls swimming looks ahead

By DAILY RECORD STAFF Ellensburg’s girls swimming program looks to rebound after losing eight seniors from last year’s team.

One in particular is Taylor Wilson who placed at the 2A State Swim Meet all four years.

Despite the losses, head coach Debbie Netherie is confident about this year’s team.

“(Taylor’s) sister, Krista, is going to be a sophomore and we have Samantha Dennison returning,” Netherie said.

“Swimming is a individual sport so I’m going to set goals for every girl on the team.”

Ellensburg starts the season Sept. 12 at Moses Lake High School and has its first home meet one week later against Cheney High School.

All home swim meets are held at Central Washington University’s pool.

EHS VOLLEYBALL Continued from Page 8

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“She just has a lot of natural ability,” Landrie said. “She is tall, has a great vertical and understands the game.”

Other returners include juniors libero Lexi Ball, setter Megan Rogers, middle hitter Karina Charlton and senior right side hitters Aubreigh Morse and Tahleiya Davis.

The Bulldogs start the season Sept. 8 when they host a four-team exhibition the Heidi Sullivan Jamboree in EHS’s

gym.

“This will be the first time to get the girls on the court and try different combinations,” she said.

Other key games include a tournament at Yakima’s Sundome on Sept.

19 and a conference game in Selah on Sept. 29.

Despite a tough schedule, Landrie said she is excited and will be confident with the team she will assemble.

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