Head Coach: Andy Duvall (fifth year)
Assistant Coach: Alex Ponce
WELCOME TO LINFIELD UNIVERSITY
PUGET SOUND at no. 20 Linfield
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Scott Brosius
STADIUM MANAGEMENT
Casey Powell Linfield Baseball Team
STREAK STREET
Jessica Hollen
Beth Garcia
Botten’s Equipment Rental
CONCESSIONS
Casey Bunn-Wilson
Jamie Vasas
Women’s Basketball Team
Softball Team
COMMUNICATIONS
Kelly Bird, Conner Jensen
Joe Stuart, Kip Carlson
STATISTICS
Brad Hill, Joaquin Ramirez Dod
Kip Carlson
CLOCK, SCOREBOARD
Richard Dredge, David Dredge
Zach Goddell
VIDEO DISPLAY BOARDS
Kelly Bird, Eric Albios, Tyler Marr, Vern Johnson
CAMERAS
Nate Kassler, Steve Kovac, Riggs Towle, Wyatt McClory
PUBLIC ADDRESS, SPOTTER
Steve Oleson, Tony Johnson
TICKETS
Mary Jo Nichols, Kathy Cook, Suzanne Coggeshall, Jolene Bird, Robin McClendon, Leslie Hayward
PRESSBOX HOST
Madison DeLaTrinidad
GAME PROGRAM
Kelly Bird, Felip Unker, Joe Stuart, Kip Carlson
Ryan Gardner, Eric Mahlum
READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT
2
Kicker Gavin Dalziel’s meticulous attention to detail is setting the table for a career as a physical education teacher and athletic administrator
chopping down the loggers
4
History is on the Wildcats’ side in today’s NWC matchup as Linfield looks to extend its win streak over the Loggers to 34 straight
the northwest conference at mid-season
17
In 1924, Linfield students voted the “Wildcat” as the official mascot. Today, we’re honoring that historic decision with free birthday cake, t-shirts and bucket hats
ANOTHER WINNING SEASON is close at hand
25
A Linfield victory today over Puget Sound will extend the program’s all-divisions record of consecutive winning seasons to 68
get to know the newest hall of fame inductees
27
Two All-America softball players, two high-scoring soccer players, a record-setting track and field sprinter and a national championship baseball team are set for induction tonight into the LInfield Athletics Hall of Fame
your hosts | game day staff
WILDCAT SPOTLIGHT
ready to make an impact
Gavin Dalziel’s meticulous attention to detail is setting the table for a career as a teacher and athletic administrator
by KELLEN WIGGINS ’28
The kicker position in football is unlike any position in sports. Fans expect each point-after attempt to be converted, every field goal to be made.
Linfield University kicker Gavin Dalziel uses a set routine to ensure he puts himself in the best situation to make the kicks fans expect him to make. Dalziel, who aspires to be a physical education teacher once he graduates from Linfield in the spring, doesn’t feel the pressure of making kicks. Instead, he embraces the challenge of converting each one.
Dalziel did not start playing football until he was in eighth grade.
For many football players nationwide, beginning to play football in eighth grade is considered starting late. what inspired Dalziel to begin kicking? Like many kickers playing American football, often there is a soccer background involved. That applies to Dalziel, who played soccer year-round growing up.
Kicking, he says, “combined football but also a soccer element which I was playing year with that thought in mind and having that extensive soccer background, I started practicing for the middle school team and had a ton of fun and success doing so.”
Dalziel first got the idea of trying to kick footballs as he watched two of his favorite National Football League kickers Stephen Hauschka, formerly of the Seattle Seahawks (2011-16) and one-time New Orleans Saints kicker Wil Lutz, (2016-22). Watching these two deliver points for their teams in big moments gave Dalziel the inspiration to experiment with playing football.
“I had always enjoyed watching kickers like Hauschka and Lutz and found it all super interesting.”
Despite Dalziel having prior knowledge of kicking, transitioning to kicking a football r daily practice. He knew he wanted to give football a shot, so he quickly bought into learning the art of kicking a football. Dalziel made kicking footballs who he was. He was soon hooked on kicking and worked constantly improving his technique. Dalziel did all this challenging work with a goal in mind. His goal was to earn the starting position as a high school freshman.
“By the time practices rolled around, I really wanted to be the starter,” he says. “I started to dedicate more time to kicking during the summer and was hooked. After that, it became a daily part of who I was. I worked on getting better every day.”
When it comes to the pressure of converting kicks, Dalziel does not fold. For years, he has utilized the exact same process when preparing for a kick. The routine gives Dalziel the confidence and trust he needs to convert the kick when his name is called upon.
“The biggest thing for me when it comes to pressure is having a really good routine,” he says. “Whether that’s a PAT or a 49-yard field goal, I know in my mind that I’m doing the same thing and whatever is going on around me or whatever the situation is, has no impact on my ability to kick.”
ents, Don and Mindy, have made the greatest impact on his life. From them, he learned core values that he applies every day to draw out the best from himself while earning the respect of his peers.
“My parents instilled in me the values that I carry with me day-to-day on and off the football field,” he says. “The importance of being the hardest worker, of doing things with class and respect, and having a positive mindset and attitude with whatever obstacle may be presented in front of me.”
s parents also inspired him where to go in life. Both Don and Mindy serve as physical education teachers. Gavin got to see firsthand the impact teaching the youth can have. It inspired him to want to make the same sort of impact on young people himself. Seeing his parents’ influence up close gave him reassurance his career goal was a worthy one.
“Both of my parents are educators and have worked as P.E. teachers,” he says.
“So I’ve seen the impact they have. I knew I wanted to follow in their footsteps.”
Beyond teaching physical education, he intends to one day pursue a master’s degree in administration to hopefully become an athletic director.
“I’d love to get my master’s sometime soon after graduation as well so that I can become a school district administrator such as an athletic director whenever I feel I have accomplished everything I wanted to do as a teacher.”
Gavin Dalziel does not know exactly when the call to move into administration will come. But as we can see through his kicking abilities, he’ll be ready at the moment his name is called.
PUGET SOUND GAME NOTES
LINFIELD’S SERIES WITH PUGET SOUND dates to 1924, when Puget Sound took a 55-6 win in Tacoma. Linfield leads the all-time series 36-12-1 and has won the last 33 meetings, including 55-6 in 2023 in Tacoma … The most recent game in McMinnville was Linfield’s 72-2 victory in 2022 … Puget Sound’s last win was in 1987 by a 21-20 score in McMinnville … the Wildcats are 17-5 against the Loggers in McMinnville and 19-7-1 in Tacoma … Linfield and Puget Sound did not play between 1947 and 1983. Before that break, Linfield was just 1-11-1 in the series; since the break ended, Linfield is 35-1 vs. UPS … Linfield lost the first 7 games of the series before gaining a 7-7 tie in Tacoma in 1936, then a 28-19 win in McMinnville in 1939 … from 2013-2015, Linfield scored at least 70 points in each game of the series, winning 79-3 in McMinnville in 2013, 73-10 in Tacoma in 2014 and 72-3 in McMinnville in 2015 … Linfield’s widest margin of victory was 76 points, a 79-3 win in 2013 in McMinnville; Puget Sound’s widest margin of victory was 50 points, 50-0 in in 1928 in McMinnville. Linfield’s widest margin in Tacoma was 63 points, 7310 in 2014; Puget Sound’s widest margin in Tacoma was 49 points, 55-6 in 1924 in the series’ first game.
2024 IS LINFIELD’S 109TH SEASON OF FOOTBALL, dating back to 1896. The Wildcats’ all-time record is 653-273-28 (.699) … Linfield’s all-time home record is 363-93-16 (.786), including a Maxwell Field record of 343-81-11 (.801) … Linfield’s all-time NWC record is 317-112-11 (.733) in 83 seasons dating back to the conference’s initial formation in 1926. In all league games, it is 370-124-11 (.744), which includes games from 1985-1995 when the NWC schools were part of the Columbia Football Association … Linfield has had unbeaten, untied regular seasons 22 times; the most recent was a 9-0 record in 2022 and the first was a 1-0 record in 1900.
SINCE THE START OF THE 2009 SEASON, Linfield is 143-21 (.872) overall, 123-9 (.932) in the regular season, 78-5 (.940) at home and 93-3 (.969) in NWC games … In that time, Linfield has won 12 NWC titles; 11 of those have been outright titles, most recently in 2022 … During that span, Linfield is 20-12 (.625) in the postseason … Since 2009, Linfield has recorded 7 unbeaten regular seasons … In its last 100 regular season games dating back to the 2011 season, the Wildcats are 92-8.
last meeting: october 21, 2023
Linfield 55, puget sound 6
Blake Eaton passed for five touchdowns in a little more than two quarters, Blake Rybar piled up a game-high nine tackles, leading Linfield to a lopsided win at Baker Stadium. The Wildcats built a 28-point lead at halftime, then kept the pressure on the Loggers throughout the second half, outscoring the hosts 27-0.
Eaton completed 16 of 23 passes to finish with 196 yards. He did suffer his first interception of the season late in the second quarter. Mason Brubaker’s interception with 23 seconds left in the half snapped a string of 174 attempts without a miscue.
Devon Murray caught two passes for touchdowns from Eaton, ending the day with 100 receiving yards. Eleven Wildcats caught passes in the game, with Colton Smith hauling in four receptions and Connor McNabb, Maclain Stoneking and Franco Keplinger adding two each.
Tyler Larson and Jackson Pfeifer each rushed for touchdowns. Backup quarterback Luke McNabb came on in relief of Eaton, completing 4 of 6 passes, including a fourth-quarter TD strike to Caleb Woodcock.
Linebackers Blake Rybar (nine tackles) and Blaze Holani (seven tackles) led the way for Linfield defensively. Rybar, Caleb Sell and Grady Kentch all recorded quarterback sacks in the game.
HEAD COACH JOSEPH SMITH
exceeding expectations
KIn 19 seasons as head coach, Joseph Smith has raised the bar even higher than the legends who came before him nown for a string of consecutive winning seasons that stretches back to 1956 as well as a bevy of conference and national championships, it seems not just anyone is capable of matching the high standards set forth by the Linfield football program.
Now in his 19th season as Linfield head coach, Joseph Smith developed his coaching persona in stages. It took root through an All-America playing career under Hall of Fame coach Ad Rutschman, then blossomed as a defensive coordinator on the 2004 NCAA Division III title-winning team. When Smith succeeded Jay Locey as head coach in 2006, he was more than ready to continue – and ultimately exceed – the winning standards set before him.
Smith owns a career record of 160-30, making him among the most successful program leaders in Division III. His career winning percentage of .842 tops the list of Linfield coaches, is third-best among active Division III coaches and stands 14th all-time across all three NCAA divisions. Perhaps even more remarkable is Smith’s glossy 107-7 career record versus conference opponents, a success rate of 94 percent.
A 12-time Northwest Conference Coach of the Year, Smith has guided the Wildcats to a dozen NWC championships, 12 NCAA playoff appearances and seven unbeaten regular seasons. In 2014, he received national acclaim when he was named the NCAA Division III Coach of the Year.
Smith served as an assistant at Linfield for 13 years, including seven as defensive coordinator from 1999 to 2005. During his first season, the Wildcats finished 6-3, though two of the Wildcats’ losses came at the hands of Top 10 teams and the other was to a NCAA Division II program which enjoyed its best season in many years.
With Smith as defensive coordinator, Linfield finished No. 1 in the NWC in total defense and scoring defense four times.
LINFIELD COACHING CHRONOLOGY
During that span, the Wildcats went 60-6 and made five NCAA Division III playoff appearances. Linfield captured the 2004 Division III national championship with a 28-21 win over Mary Hardin-Baylor, a victory that was clinched by a defensive sack in the waning seconds.
The ’Cats won or shared six NWC titles from 2000 through 2005.
Smith served first as linebackers and defensive line coach before taking over as secondary coach and defensive coordinator.
A second team NAIA All-American in 1992, Smith was a fouryear starter at cornerback and a two-time first team all-conference selection. He earned national distinction as NAIA Division II Defensive Player of the Week in the opening game of 1992, helping Linfield upset second-ranked Pacific Lutheran. He finished his career with 16 interceptions, third-most in program history, and 168 tackles.
Smith was a senior on Linfield’s 1992 team that went 12-1 with its only blemish coming in a 26-13 loss to Findlay (Ohio) in the NAIA Division II national championship game. As a player, he helped the Wildcats capture consecutive CFA-Mt. Hood League championships in 1991 and 1992.
Joseph smith
COACHING AND SUPPORT STAFF
greg mcanally Running Backs
JACKSON VAUGHAN Defensive Coordinator Defensive Line
bob barnes Offensive Line
elliott Offensive Coordinator Quarterbacks
nick kernaghan Linebackers
justin lyons Linebackers
wyatt smith Tight Ends
MACK FARAG Equipment Coordinator
duane duey Head Certified Athletic Trainer
ashley sutton Student Athletic Trainer
dawson lieurance Receivers
ad rutschman Kickoff Return
jacey leyvas Student Athletic Trainer
meara sain Student Athletic Trainer
colton smith Receivers
brianna loza Student Athletic Trainer
krista francisco-sluss Assistant Athletic Trainer
kelly bird Sports Communications and Marketing
jessica hollen Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance
casey powell Assistant Director of Athletics for Facilities
breanna bartek Student Athletic Trainer
cydney hess Student Team Manager
sydney ries Student Team Manager
PUGET SOUND LOGGERS
Jr. LB Fr./So. 5-9 210 Stockton, Calif.
9 Zain Bhakta QB Fr./Fr. 6-0 185 Huntington Beach, Calif.
9 Hayden Smith DL So./So. 6-5 220 Kent, Wash.
10 JT Axelrod LB Sr./Sr. 6-0 215 Parker, Colo. 10 Bobby Best RB/FB Fr./Fr. 5-10 161 Waipahu, Hawaii
11 Cade Knutzen QB Fr./Fr. 5-10 175 Burlington, Wash.
11 Asher Matsui DB So./So. 5-9 160 Honolulu, Hawaii
12 Steven Anaya DB So./So. 5-8 160 San Jose, Calif.
12 Hayden Teeter QB Jr./Jr. 6-1 200 Shoreline, Wash.
13 Mason Binning QB Sr./Sr. 6-2 190 Bellingham, Wash.
13 Isaak Smith DB Fr./Fr. 6-2 175 Everett, Wash. 14 Tyler Rodgers QB So./So. 5-11 190 Indio, Calif.
15 Liam Smith WR Sr./Sr. 5-10 165 Woodside, Calif. 16 Josh Leonard QB Fr./Fr. 6-3 205 Bellingham, Wash.
16 Austin Mallett DB Fr./Fr. 5-10 190 Folsom, Calif. 17 Berlie Fincham WR Fr./Jr. 5-8 170 Tacoma, Wash. 18 Matagi Lilo LB Fr./Fr. 5-11 195 Honolulu, Hawaii 18 Lucas State-Bowman QB Fr./Fr. 5-11 185 Beaverton, Ore.
19 Jayson Barber DB Sr./Sr. 5-9 165 Arvada, Colo.
20 Devon Salausa DB-FS Sr./So. 5-7 145 Puyallup, Wash.
21 Zac Robison DB So./So. 5-11 180 Dallas, Texas / Shelton
22 Julian Quigley TE Jr./So. 6-1 195 Livermore, Calif.
23 Miles Grayson DB Jr./Jr. 5-10 160 Alameda, Calif.
24 Matt Oppliger DB So./So. 5-10 175 Silverdale, Wash.
25 Jarrett Springs CB Fr./Fr. 6-0 190 Puyallup, Wash.
26 Connor Laughlin WR So./So. 6-0 190 Kimberly, Idaho
27 Sullivan Triplett LB So./Fr 6-2 205 Olympia, Wash.
28 Lily Godwin LB Jr./Jr. 5-4 144 Maricopa, Ariz.
29 Jordi De La Torre K/P Sr./Sr. 6-0 215 Aurora, Colo.
30 Jacob Gomez RB/FB So./So. 5-9 177 Chula Vista, Calif.
31 Amarian Culpepper DB Sr./Sr. 6-0 175 Tacoma, Wash.
32 Henry Hernandez RB Sr./Sr. 6-0 200 Yakima, Wash.
33 Sam Axelrod WR So./So. 5-11 165 Parker, Colo.
34 Spencer Oxe LB Sr./Sr. 6-0 205 Pleasanton, Calif.
38 Fernando Munoz RB/FB Fr./Fr. 5-10 195 Escondido, Calif.
39 Jonah Wilson RB/FB Fr./Fr. 5-10 205 Stanwood, Wash.
40 Max Lawson LB Fr./Fr. 6-1 200 Newcastle, Wash.
41 Jackson Fowler LB So./So. 6-0 200 Westminster, Colo.
42 Cameron Magnussen LB Fr./Fr. 5-10 185 Vancouver, Wash.
43 Tyler Shankle DB Fr./Fr. 5-11 175 Bothell, Wash.
44 Benjamin Bradshaw DL Fr./Fr. 5-8 195 Newcastle, Wash.
45 Victor Haimovitch-Gore LB Fr./Fr. 5-11 205 San Diego, Calif.
47 Jaxon Killen
46 Gregory Wallace LB Fr./Fr. 6-1 215 Hillsboro, Ore.
LB Fr./Fr. 5-10 185 Montrose, Colo.
48 Gannon Ginnis LB Fr./Jr. 6-0 230 Fife, Wash.
49 Zach Nayal
35 Ben Coulter LB Fr./Fr. 5-11 185 San Jose, Calif. NO. NAME POS. YR./EL. HT WT HOMETOWN
LB Fr./Fr. 5-9 200 San Jose, Calif.
50 Josiah Jordan OL So./Jr 6-2 285 Seattle, Wash.
51 Daniel Wani OL Fr./Fr. 6-3 270 Tacoma, Wash.
52 Peyton Damasiewicz LB Fr./Fr. 5-10 180 Montesano, Wash.
53 Hayden McPherson DL Jr./Jr. 6-0 220 Edmonds, Wash.
54 Aidan Blanco DL So./So. 5-5 215 Kohala, Hawaii
56 Savith Gurunathan OL Fr./Fr. 6-1 245 Palo Alto, Calif.
57 Evan Durham OL Fr./Fr. 6-0 250 University Place, Wash.
58 Nick Derrick DL Sr./Sr. 6-0 275 Altadena, Calif.
59 Trayson Bagley DL Fr./Fr. 6-0 285 Pocatello, Idaho
61 Vince Saldana OL Fr./Fr. 5-11 265 Tacoma, Wash.
62 Colby Lewis OL Fr./Fr. 6-2 280 Bellingham, Wash.
63 Tevin Larson DL Fr./So. 6-1 245 Longview, Wash.
65 Julien Gillen DL Fr./Fr. 5-9 275 Star, Idaho
66 Mark Athow OL Jr./Fr. 6-0 300 Spanaway, Wash.
67 Thomas Bolt OL Jr./Jr. 6-0 275 Tacoma, Wash.
68 Ben Block OL Fr./Fr. 6-8 250 Spanaway, Wash.
69 Caleb Puapuaga OL Sr./Sr. 6-3 348 Tacoma, Wash.
71 Michael McDade OL So./So. 6-0 320 Federal Way, Wash.
72 Bryce Waxham DL So./Fr. 5-11 260 Lake Stevens, Wash.
73 John Gosser OL Fr./Fr. 5-10 255 Port Orchard, Wash.
74 Brady Edwards OL Fr./Fr. 6-1 255 San Jose, Calif.
75 Alec Martus
OL Fr./Fr. 6-2 260 Boulder, Colo.
80 Kanoa Ferreira WR Fr./Fr. 5-10 165 Ewa Beach, Hawaii
86 Ethan Roeder WR So./So. 5-11 160 Lafayette, Colo.
87 Domenic Paris WR So./So. 5-11 175 Temecula, Calif.
90 Tom Curtin DL Jr./Jr. 6-1 230 Sacramento, Calif.
91 Conner Boehl DL So./So. 6-1 220 Issaquah, Wash.
96 Jesus Barraza K/P Fr./Fr. 6-3 178 Tacoma, Wash.
97 Thomas Goeglein K/P Fr./Fr. 6-0 180 Centennial, Colo.
98 Bryson Boyea-Quiton K/P Fr./Fr. 5-11 170 Aiea, Hawaii
HEAD COACH: Jeff Thomas (13th year)
ASSISTANT COACHES: Jeff Schmidt (Special Teams Coordinator), David Carskie (Offensive Coordinator), Mitch Habryle (Kickers and Punters), Ryan Rogers (Pass Game Coordinator, Wide Receivers), William Hairston (Running Backs), Dennis Sablan (Defensive Line), Anthony Laws (Quarterbacks), Matt Ramirez (Safeties), Judd Erickson (Tight Ends), Jack Valdez (Outside Linebackers), Zoe Fowler (Operations)
LINFIELD WILDCATS
1 Jackson Pfeifer RB 5-11 190 So./So. Silverton, Ore.
1 Bubba Preston M 5-8 155 Jr./Jr. Kaneohe, Hawaii
2 Connor Wolfe WR 5-10 175 Sr./Sr. Albany, Ore.
2 Frank Cooper III R 6-0 178 Sr./Sr. Wilsonville, Ore.
3 Brady Crenshaw S 6-1 190 So./So. Lebanon, Ore.
4 Croz Lehnerz WR 6-4 175 Fr./Fr. Ashland, Ore.
4 Johnny Miller R 6-0 195 Jr./Jr. Lake Oswego, Ore.
5 Cade Welch WR 6-1 180 So./So. Eugene, Ore.
5 Blaze Holani LB 6-0 220 Jr./Jr. Kaneohe, Hawaii
6 Matt Dougherty Jr QB 6-6 230 So./So. Mountain View, Calif.
6 Jett Searle S 6-0 185 Sr./Sr. Tualatin, Ore.
7 Luke McNabb QB 6-3 208 Jr./So. Scappoose, Ore.
7 Colby Kalaukoa M 5-11 190 Sr./Sr. Kaneohe, Hawaii
8 Chance Sparks CB 6-3 190 Sr./Sr. Hillsboro, Ore.
9 Brayden Palmer WR 6-0 175 Fr./Fr. Bonney Lake, Wash.
9 Max Kirsch M 6-1 180 So./So. Happy Valley, Ore
10 Blake Eaton QB 6-3 210 Sr./Sr. Central Point, Ore.
10 Logan Sloman CB 6-0 170 Fr./Fr. Poulsbo, Wash.
11 Deacon Edgar QB 6-0 185 So./So. Medford, Ore.
11 Reid Gray CB 5-9 150 So./So. Damascus, Ore.
12 Carter Studer QB 6-3 200 Fr./Fr. Elma, Wash.
12 Kenyon Johnson CB 6-2 192 Jr./So. Vancouver, Wash.
13 Jacob Slifka WR 6-5 207 Sr./Sr. Banks, Ore.
13 Adin Wolf S 5-11 185 Sr./Sr. Sandy, Ore.
14 Kai Laukkanen WR 5-10 175 Fr./Fr. Olympia, Wash.
14 Thomas Tabor P 6-2 200 Sr./Sr. Seattle, Wash.
15 Sean Emberlin WR 5-10 180 So./So. Camas, Wash.
15 Dylan Iwanaga S 6-0 180 So./So. Portland, Ore.
16 Gavin Dalziel K 6-0 175 Sr./Sr. Brier, Wash.
16 Keola Correa WR 6-0 190 Fr./Fr. Kapolei, Hawaii
17 Caleb Woodcock WR 6-2 184 Sr./Sr. Yakima, Wash.
17 J.J. Thompson CB 6-0 160 Fr./Fr. Vancouver, Wash.
18 Dane Meddaugh WR 6-2 195 So./So. Gig Harbor, Wash
18 Kaeden Miller R 6-1 195 Fr./Fr. Encinitas, Calif.
19 Ryan Cambouris CB 5-11 175 Sr./Jr. Los Altos, Calif.
20 Elijah Howard WR 5-9 145 Fr./Fr. Silverton, Ore.
20 Hudson Reink LB 6-0 200 Fr./Fr. West Linn, Ore.
21 Brandon Thornton WR 6-0 175 Fr./Fr. Eugene, Ore.
21 Cutter Hillock S 5-10 190 Sr./Sr. Issaquah, Wash.
22 Caiden Biege-Wetherbee R 6-0 205 Sr./Sr. Lake Oswego, Ore.
23 Jesse Sandretzky RB 6-0 205 Jr./Jr. Bonney Lake, Wash.
23 Paavan Bankston CB 5-8 175 So./So. Yelm, Wash.
24 Jack Franzen RB 5-10 185 Sr./Sr. Portland, Ore.
24 Hayden Eiguren LB 6-1 208 Jr./Jr. Beaverton, Ore.
25 Divenson Willis RB 5-8 200 Sr./Jr. North Bend, Ore.
25 Ayden Fink CB 6-1 180 Fr./Fr. Gig Harbor, Wash.
26 Luke Amble WR 5-8 160 Jr./Jr. Carnation, Wash.
26 Kyle Holley R 6-0 180 Fr./Fr. Wheatland, Calif.
27 Julian Thomas RB 5-7 170 Fr./Fr. Everett, Wash.
27 Makai Williams CB 6-1 170 Sr./Sr. Snohomish, Wash.
28 Trace Benner WR 6-3 200 Fr./Fr. Bend, Ore.
29 Matthew Spurbeck RB 5-9 195 Fr./Fr. Sumner, Wash.
29 Chase Xiong CB 5-7 145 Fr./Fr. Sacramento, Calif.
30 Carson Mullins RB 6-0 210 Fr./Fr. Sherwood, Ore.
30 Eli Keoho LB 5-11 240 Fr./Fr. Kapa’a, Hawaii
31 Brady Laybourn RB 5-10 195 So./So. Gig Harbor, Wash
31 Payton Anhorn CB 5-11 180 Sr./Sr. Central Point, Ore.
33 Ferrill Johnson RB 5-9 200 Fr./Fr. Raymond, Wash.
34 Charles Shorb TE 6-3 220 Fr./Fr. Powers, Ore.
34 Wyatt Zellner LB 6-0 210 Sr./Sr. Gilbert, Ariz.
35 Blake Rybar LB 6-2 230 Sr./Sr. Monroe, Wash.
36 Jakoby Feist RB 5-11 185 Fr./Fr. Tigard, Ore.
36 Trey Dieringer LB 6-1 200 So./So. Scappoose, Ore.
38 Joseph Higuchi LB 5-8 190 Jr./Jr. Kaneohe, Hawaii
37 Brock Guyette LB 6-2 205 Jr./Jr. Chehalis, Wash.
NO. NAME POS. HT WT YR./EL. HOMETOWN
39 Jakob Honda RB 5-8 180 So./So. Waimea, Hawaii
39 Colton Ouellette LB 6-0 210 Fr./Fr. Reno, Nev
40 Chase Michalczik DE/LS 6-1 215 Sr./Sr. Corvallis, Ore.
41 Tanner Relling TE 6-5 285 Jr./Jr. Eugene, Ore.
41 Kellen Wiggins LB 5-11 215 Fr./Fr. Vancouver, Wash.
42 Cal Brandl TE 6-3 225 So./So. Fort Collins, Colo.
44 Aaron Martinez RB 6-0 220 Sr./Sr. Wilmington, Calif.
44 Chase Dersarkissian LB 6-0 225 So./So. San Marcos, Calif
45 Carter Boise R 5-10 180 So./So. Spray, Ore.
46 Andrew O’Dell K 6-4 220 Fr./Fr. Salem, Ore.
48 Anthony Porter DE 6-0 220 Fr./Fr. Fillmore, Calif.
49 Aidan Highberger DE 6-4 240 Fr./Fr. Sherwood, Ore.
50 Cougar Bailey DE 5-10 215 Fr./Fr. Salem, Ore.
51 Cort Waggoner DT 5-11 240 Fr./Fr. Florence, Ore.
52 Clifford Hegney OG 5-11 265 Sr./Sr. Salem, Ore.
53 Conner Tompkins-Delacerda DE 6-1 223 So./So. Bothell, Wash.
54 Xavier Orozco DT 6-0 240 Fr./Fr. Silverton, Ore.
55 Ridge Huot C 6-2 250 Fr./Fr. West Linn, Ore.
55 Matua Whalen DT 5-9 260 Jr./Jr. Seattle, Wash.
56 Benson Deibele DT 6-0 265 Fr./Fr. Portland, Ore.
57 Alex Frazier-Dow DT 6-3 270 Sr./Sr. Onalaska, Wash.
58 Carter Nores DT 6-0 260 Fr./Fr. Bend, Ore.
59 Alec Prevett OG 6-3 290 So./So. Amity, Ore.
60 Nathan Fillinger-Palotay C/LS 6-1 260 So./So. Sherwood, Ore.
61 Hunter Harding OG 5-11 250 Fr./Fr. West Linn, Ore.
62 Jackson Murphy OG 6-2 265 Fr./Fr. Snohomish, Wash.
63 Alex Bobadilla C 6-0 275 So./So. Redwood City, Calif.
64 Ethan Hoppe OG 6-1 270 Gr./Sr. Salem, Ore.
65 Tanner Thomas OT 6-3 260 So./So. Eugene, Ore.
66 Lane Baker OT 6-4 300 Sr./Sr. Adna, Wash. Adna
66 Abdimaalik Yusuf DT 6-2 270 So./So. Kirkland, Wash.
67 Luca Carmichael OT 6-4 240 Fr./Fr. Benicia, Calif.
68 Trevor Johnson OT 6-4 290 Sr./Sr. Mount Vernon, Wash.
69 Johnny Peterson DT 6-4 280 Fr./Fr. Portland, Ore.
70 Bailey Lee OG 6-3 285 Sr./Sr. Kaneohe, Hawaii
71 Joey Massari OT 6-4 285 Fr./Fr. Lake Oswego, Ore.
72 Austin Leykam C 6-2 275 Jr./Jr. Lake Oswego, Ore.
73 Preston Powers OG 6-0 270 So./So. Novato, Calif.
74 Jaden Nichols OT 6-4 300 Fr./Fr. Rochester, Wash.
75 Alex Hankins OT 6-5 300 Sr./Sr. Snohomish, Wash.
76 Tristan Kieser OT 6-4 240 Fr./Fr. Sherwood, Ore.
77 Howie Smith OT 6-2 250 Fr./Fr. Davis, Calif.
78 Camden Ferguson OG 6-2 290 So./So. Lake Oswego, Ore.
78 Axl Yarbrough DE 6-3 236 Fr./Fr. San Anselmo, Calif.
79 A.J. Brown C 6-0 280 Fr./Fr. Salem, Ore.
80 Maclain Stoneking WR 6-0 170 Sr./Sr. Loomis, Calif.
81 Riley Peterson WR 5-11 155 Jr./Jr. Damascus, Ore.
82 Caleb Hall WR 6-2 175 Fr./Fr. Sedro-Woolley, Wash.
83 Chase McAuliffe WR 6-3 190 Fr./Fr. Merrill, Ore.
84 Griffin Young TE 6-3 225 Sr./Sr. Vancouver, Wash.
85 Kole Knott TE 6-3 205 Fr./Fr. Mount Vernon, Wash.
86 Connley Courtney TE 6-4 230 So./So. Happy Valley, Ore
87 Will French TE 6-3 235 Sr./Jr. Portland, Ore.
88 Jake Wallace TE 6-3 230 Jr./Jr. Happy Valley, Ore.
89 Brandon Dean CB 5-9 160 Jr./Jr. Sandy, Ore.
90 Connor Stevens DE 6-3 235 Sr./Sr. Portland, Ore.
92 Mitch Mahlum DE 6-3 235 Fr./Fr. Portland, Ore.
93 Nick Severson DT 6-1 280 Sr./Sr. Sherwood, Ore.
94 Cole Alva DE 6-3 230 Jr./Jr. Lincoln, Calif.
95 Caleb Sell DE 6-2 240 Sr./Sr. Salem, Ore.
96 Reece Jennings DE 6-4 207 So./So. Gig Harbor, Wash
97 Nic Fortney DT 6-2 295 So./So. Gig Harbor, Wash
98 Eric Murtagh DE 6-3 235 So./So. West Linn, Ore.
99 Gabe Erickson DT 6-1 251 So./So. Sublimity, Ore.
WHEN LINFIELD HAS THE BALL
WR WRWR TE LG RG LT C RT
LINFIELD offense
LT 75 Alex Hankins (6-5, 300, Sr., Snohomish, Wash.)
QB TB KH
PUGET SOUND defense
DE 18 Matagi Lilo (5-11, 195, Fr., Honolulu, Hawaii)
68 Trevor Johnson (6-4, 290, Sr., Mount Vernon, Wash.)
LG 70 Bailey Lee (6-3, 285, Sr., Kaneohe, Hawaii)
73 Preston Powers (6-3, 270, So., Novato, Calif.)
C 72 Austin Leykam (6-2, 275, Jr., Lake Oswego, Ore.)
63 Alex Bobadilla (6-0, 275, So., Redwood City, Calif.)
RG 64 Ethan Hoppe (6-1, 270, Gr., Salem, Ore.)
59 Alec Prevett (6-3, 290, So., Amity, Ore.)
RT 66 Lane Baker (6-4, 300, Sr., Adna, Wash.)
65 Tanner Thomas (6-3, 260, So., Eugene, Ore.)
TE 87 Will French (6-3, 235, Sr., Portland, Ore.)
88 Jake Wallace (6-3, 230, Jr., Happy Valley, Ore.)
WR 2 Connor Wolfe (5-10, 175, Sr., Albany, Ore.)
5 Cade Welch (6-1, 180, So., Eugene, Ore.)
WR 80 Maclain Stoneking (6-0, 170, Sr., Loomis, Calif.)
15 Sean Emberlin (5-10, 180, So., Camas, Wash.)
WR 13 Jacob Slifka (6-5, 207, Sr., Banks, Ore.)
17 Caleb Woodcock (6-2, 184, Sr., Yakima, Wash.)
TB 44 Aaron Martinez (6-0, 220, Sr., Wilmington, Calif.)
1 Jackson Pfeifer (5-11, 190, So., Silverton, Ore.)
QB 10 Blake Eaton (6-3, 210, Sr., Central Point, Ore.)
7 Luke McNabb (6-3, 208, Jr., Scappoose, Ore.)
LINFIELD specialists
KO 46 Andrew O’Dell (6-4, 220, Fr., Salem, Ore.)
PAT/FG 16 Gavin Dalziel (5-11, 188, Sr., Brier, Wash.)
P 14 Thomas Tabor (6-1, 205, Sr., Seattle, Wash.)
Andrew O’Dell (6-4, 220, Fr., Salem, Ore.)
53 Hayden McPherson (6-0, 220, Jr., Edmonds, Wash.)
DT 59 Trayson Bagley (6-0, 285, Fr., Pocatello, Wash.)
63 Tevin Larson (6-1, 245, So., Longview, Wash.)
DE 27 Sullivan Triplett (6-2, 205, So., Olympia, Wash.)
9 Hayden Smith (6-5, 220, So., Kent, Wash.)
ILB 4 Max Arneklev (6-0, 235, Sr., Tacoma, Wash.)
41 Jackson Fowler (6-0, 200, So., Westminster, Calif.)
ILB 52 Peyton Damasiewicz (5-10, 180, Fr., Montesano, Wash.)
34 Spencer Oxe (6-0, 205, Sr., Pleasanton, Calif.)
ILB 5 Tamaaulelei Maalona (5-11, 195, Jr., Seattle, Wash.)
7 Warren Sisneros Barber (5-10, Sr., Thornton, Calif.)
OLB 31 Amarian Culpepper (6-0, 175, Sr., Tacoma, Wash.)
21 Zac Robison (5-10, 180, So., Dallas, Texas)
OLB 20 Dewvon Salausa (5-7, 145, So., Puyallup, Wash.)
1 Jaylan Bunch (5-10, 160, So., Evans, Ga.)
CB 0 Tyler Evars (6-0, 160, Jr., Menlo Park, Calif.)
19 Jayson Barber (5-9, 165, Sr., Arvada, Colo.)
CB 12 Steven Anaya (5-8, 160, So., San Jose, Calif.)
13 Isaak Smith (6-2, 175, Fr., Everett, Wash.)
S 2 Dylan Ott (5-8, 175, Fr., Hillsboro, Ore.)
1 Jaylan Bunch (5-10, 160, So., Evans, Ga.)
Chase Michalczik (6-1, 215, Sr., Corvallis, Ore.)
14 Thomas Tabor (6-1, 205, Sr., Seattle, Wash.)
80 Maclain Stoneking (6-0, 170, Sr., Loomis, Calif.) 1 Jackson Pfeifer (5-11, 190, So., Silverton, Ore.)
11 Reid Gray (5-9, 150, So., Damascus, Ore.)
Maclain Stoneking (6-0, 170, Sr., Loomis, Calif.)
WHEN PUGET SOUND HAS THE BALL
R CBCB LB DT DE DE DT LB
LINFIELD defense
DE 90 Connor Stevens (6-3, 235, Sr., Portland, Ore.)
40 Chase Michalzcik (6-1, 215, Sr., Corvallis, Ore.)
DT 57 Alex Frazier (6-3, 270, Sr., Onalaska, Wash.)
97 Nic Fortney (6-2, 295, So., Gig Harbor, Wash.)
DT 93 Nick Severson (6-1, 280, Sr., Sherwood, Ore.)
55 Matua Whalen (5-9, 260, Jr., Seattle, Wash.)
DE 95 Caleb Sell (6-2, 240, Sr., Salem, Ore.)
94 Cole Alva (6-3, 230, Jr., Lincoln, Calif.)
LB 5 Blaze Holani (6-0, 220, Jr., Kaneohe, Hawaii)
37 Brock Guyette (6-2, 205, Jr., Chehalis, Wash.)
LB 35 Blake Rybar (6-2, 230, Sr., Monroe, Wash.)
34 Wyatt Zellner (6-0, 210, Sr., Gilbert, Ariz.)
PUGET SOUND offense
R 22 Caiden Biege-Wetherbee (5-11, 205, Sr., Lake Oswego, Ore.)
4 Johnny Miller (5-10, 195, Jr., Lake Oswego, Ore.)
CB 12 Kenyon Johnson (6-2, 192, Jr., Vancouver, Wash.)
31 Payton Anhorn (5-11, 180, Sr., Central Point, Ore.)
CB 8 Chance Sparks (6-3, 190, Sr., Hillsboro, Ore.)
27 Makai Williams (6-1, 170, Sr., Snohomish, Wash.)
S 6 Jett Searle (6-0, 185, Sr., Tualatin, Ore.)
21 Cutter Hillock (5-10, 190, Sr., Issaquah, Wash.)
M 7 Colby Kaluakoa (5-11, 190, Sr., Kaneohe, Hawaii)
3 Brady Crenshaw (6-1, 190, So., Lebanon, Ore.)
PUGET SOUND specialists
QB 13 Mason Binning (6-2, 190, Sr., Bellingham, Wash.
12 Hayden Teeter (6-1, 200, Jr., Shoreline, Wash.)
RB 32 Henry Hernandez (6-0, 200, Sr., Yakima, Wash.)
36 Willisone Johnson (5-11, 210, Fr., San Mateo, Calif.)
WR 4 Khaleel Robinson (6-0, 190, Jr., Tacoma, Wash.)
87 Dominic Paris (5-11, 175, So., Temecula, Calif.)
WR 5 Joe Gallagher (6-2, 175, Jr., Seattle, Wash.)
15 Liam Smith (5-10, 165, Sr., Woodside, Calif.)
WR 80 Kanoa Ferreria (5-10, 165, Fr., Ewa Beach, Calif.)
6 Jake Elorduy (6-0, 195, Jr., Sacramento, Calif.)
TE 1 Tommy Milton (6-5, 220, Sr., Sacramento, Calif.)
22 Julian Quigley (6-1, 195, So., Livermore, Calif.)
LT 51 Daniel Wani (6-3, 270, Fr., Tacoma, Wash.)
75 Alec Martus (6-2, 260, Fr., Boulder, Colo.)
LG 50 Josiah Jordan (6-2, 285, Jr., Seattle, Wash.)
74 Brady Edwards (6-1, 255, Fr., San Jose, Calif.)
C 69 Caleb Puapuaga (6-3, 348, Sr., Tacoma, Wash.)
73 John Gosser (5-10, 255, Fr., Port Orchard, Wash.)
RG 71 Michael McDade (6-0, 320, So., Federal Way, Wash.)
61 Vincent Saldana (5-11, 265, Fr., Tacoma, Wash.)
RT 62 Colby Lewis (6-2, 280, Fr., Bellingham, Wash.)
56 Savith Gurunathan (6-1, 245, Fr., Palo Alto, Calif.)
98 Bryson Boyea-Quiton (5-11, 170, Fr., Aiea, Hawaii)
Thomas Goeglin (6-0, 180, Fr., Centennial, Colo.)
Thomas Goeglin (6-0, 180, Fr., Centennial, Colo.)
Bryson Boyea-Quiton (5-11, 170, Fr., Aiea, Hawaii) 6 | jett searle
7 | colby kaluakoa
48| thomas tabor
40| chase michalczik
21 | cutter hillock
4 | johnny miller 12 | kenyon johnson
27 | makai williams
zellner
|caleb sell
connor stevens
blaze holani
caiden biege-wetherbee
| payton anhorn 8 | Chance sparks
| Blake rybar 99|GABE ERICKSON 94| cole alva
chase michalczik
severson 37|brock guyette
3 |brady crenshaw 55|matua whalen
PROUD PARTNER OF LINFIELD ATHLETICS
OREGON MUTUAL PROUDLY PRESENTS TODAY’S HALFTIME SHOW!
Plus a live performance by the Linfield Athletic Band
WINTER SPORTS
With the calendar set to turn the page to November, winter sports are soon to be underway at Linfield.
Competition in men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s swimming, and men’s and women’s wrestling get rolling even before the fall sports seasons are completed. Here’s a glance at the Wildcats’ upcoming home event schedules during November and December.
• Take comfort in knowing that your money is
• Experience the personalized care you expect from a community bank with access to the banking technology that makes managing your money more convenient.
Dec. 7 Wrestling Cal Poly Humboldt Noon
Dec. 7 Wrestling Southern Oregon 5 p.m.
A Heritage of Confident Service
AROUND THE NORTHWEST
2024 nwc standings
CONFERENCEOVERALL
next WEEK
Puget Sound at Linfield
Linfield at Pacific
George Fox at Pacific Lutheran
Willamette at Puget Sound
Lewis & Clark at Whitworth 1 jackson pfeifer
SCOTT BROSIUS
a wildcat for life
The former MLB star and national championship coach aims to restore luster to Linfeld’s overall athletics program
Linfield named Scott Brosius as athletic director on May 2. Brosius rose to the top among a deep pool of candidates to oversee athletics at the 166-year-old university known for the success of its NCAA Division III sports teams.
Brosius replaced Doug Hire, who has been serving as interim athletic director during the 2023-24 academic year. A member of the Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame who served various roles in the athletic department for 24 years, Hire retired in June.
“I know Scott shares our values for student-athlete success, in the classroom and in competition,” said Linfield Interim President BeckyJohnson. “He will work with me and others across campus to ensure that each and every team, coach and student-athlete has the support they need for success.”
Brosius is one of the most storied names in Wildcat history. Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 1987 after his junior year at Linfield, he spent a decade playing there before being traded to the New York Yankees. In New York, he went on to play in a MLB AllStar Game and four World Series, ultimately winning three titles and collecting a World Series MVP honor.
He announced his retirement from professional baseball on Linfield’s McMinnville campus in 2001, and returned to the Linfield community as head baseball coach from 2007-2016. Named
Northwest Conference Coach of the Year five times, he led the Wildcats to the Division III Championship Finals four times and claimed the national championship in 2013.
Brosius then went on to be a hitting coach, field coordinator and third-base coach for the Seattle Mariners organization and, eventually, senior director of player development at USA Baseball. In the latter role, his duties included hiring and supervising coaches and ensuring success of the national teams – including developing and supervising the coaching staff for the Women’s National Team.
“I bleed Linfield purple, and I’m a Wildcat for life,” Brosius said. “I’m deeply honored to be entrusted with the responsibility for a department so rich in history and success. I look forward to working with our coaches, athletes, administrators, faculty members and supporters to make the next era in Wildcat athletics its most successful yet.”
After his MLB career, Brosius returned to Linfield to finish his bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2001. His wife Jennifer (Moore) Brosius ‘89, daughter Allison (Brosius) Harris ‘14 and son David Brosius ‘20 are all Linfield graduates, as well. A second daughter, Megan, attended Oregon State.
LINFIELD DANCE TEAM
alyssa catalani
kleary brown sophia bennett
kaley cloutier sophie buhler mattie dodge
kayley dombrigues yesenia esquivel
bella hollamon
isebelle henry-sullivan
cynthia gonzales-rubio
ava hoffman
sophie cornwall kalysa dombrigues
abby labuhn grace lian
Audri Rouse
mallory hollandcharlotte ingalls
zaira ramirez merecias
Olivia Welsh
sophia kanso
hannah johnston
coach gina regalado
Ryan Wahlstrom
Savannah Smith
mack the wildcat
jada utberg
LINFIELD CHEER TEAM
shaylee dukes
grace chrstiansen
Rylee Black
miki dunham taylor douthit
mary ebenezer
Taetum Lynn Kalani
madi hardy
lizzy olivan savannah michaelson gabby louis
shaelynn silva ang serna-andradae
ashley dunn
deiana gutwig
mia perez
daylett vazques-oseguera
ava vallencourt
marissa valdivieso
hannah wilken
elizabeth vasquez
jess wright georgia white-house
coach kristen regalado
THE WILDCAT ATHLETIC BAND
The new-look band no longer marches but director Joe Ready is excited for the group’s long-range potenital
Linfield football fans may notice a new look to the band performing at games this fall. Previously known as the Linfield Marching Band, the revitalized Wildcat Athletic Band will continue supporting Linfield’s athletic teams by performing a variety of musical tunes and bringing a fun atmosphere to events.
“The Wildcat Band is focused on musical excellence and entertaining audiences,” Ready said. “Fans and community members should expect engaging, higher quality music performances during athletic and community events.”
Leading the Wildcat Athletic Band is Joe Ready, who began at Linfield in August. Ready earned his Bachelor of Music from the University of Oregon, and Master of Music from Bowling Green State University, both in tuba performance. Prior to moving back to Oregon in 2018, Ready was an associate member with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
In addition to his role as Linfield’s athletic band director, Ready is the principal tuba for the Portland Opera and has performed with orchestras in the Pacific Northwest including the Vancouver Symphony, Eugene Symphony, Oregon Coast Music Festival, Oregon Ballet Theater and Oregon Symphony. He is also the lead low brass instructor for the Seattle Cascades Drum & Bugle Corps, an associate artist for The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass and low brass instructor at Pacific University.
“The unlimited potential of what the Wildcat Band can be is what attracted me to this position,” Ready said. “I appreciate the sense of community and culture at Linfield.”
The band – currently 18 members strong – made its debut at the Sept. 7 home football game against Denison. Linfield students of all majors and skill levels are welcome to join. As a bonus, band members are eligible for up to $2,000 in scholarships and can earn paracurricular credit for participating. On average, the band rehearses five hours per week, with performances on nights and weekends during football and basketball seasons.
Ready hopes to build the excitement and interest in the band over the next few years.
“My primary goals for the Wildcat Band are for all members to have fun performing music to the best of their ability, and to continue building camaraderie within the band and the Linfield community,” he said.
PACIFIC OFFICE AUTOMATION HAS YOUR OFFICE GAME PLAN
MANAGED PRINT
PHONE SERVICES
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
CONSECUTIVE WINNING SEASONS
WITH A WIN TODAY, Linfield would extend the longest streak of winning seasons in college football history at any level to 68. The Streak began in 1956 and in that span, Linfield is 559-122-10 for a winning percentage of .816. Linfield’s record at home during The Streak is 297-44-4 (.867), and at Maxwell Field it is 294-44-4 (.865) … Linfield’s Northwest Conference record during The Streak is 281-34-5 (.886). In all league games during The Streak, it is 335-46-5 (.874), which includes games from 1985-1995 when the NWC schools were part of the Columbia Football Association.
active streaks all-time streaks
5.
6.
2024 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
JEFF BROOKS ATHLETE 1983 – 1985
Few athletes in the history of the Linfield men’s soccer program can match the scoring prowess of 2024 Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee Jeff Brooks.
In the 50 seasons that Linfield has offered men’s soccer as a varsity sport, the Benson Tech graduate is one of just three Wildcats to ever reach the 80-point plateau. In the span of his three-year playing career, Jeff racked up 32 goals and 16 assists over 48 matches. He continues to hold the Linfield single-season record for goals per match (0.67) and ranks second for assists per match (0.33).
His place in Linfield’s hallowed Hall of Fame nearly never happened. Jeff came close to attending another school to play soccer, but decided that the legacy of his grandparents, who both graduated from Linfield in 1932, plus the generous financial aid package that was offered, were strong enough reasons to convince him to enroll.
Soccer had been established as a varsity sport at Linfield fewer than 10 years before Jeff arrived as a freshman in 1983.
That first season playing under divisive coach Marty Bouveron, Linfield won seven matches. Jeff remembers the 1983 team as being “competitive, but lacking cohesion. I helped establish a ‘will to win’ among the players.”
Former teammate, John Cassinerio, says “Jeff brought speed, agility, skill and strategy to a young program that was in dire need of a positive influence. He could see the pitch in a strategic way that we had not encountered until he came aboard.”
Once the 1983 season reached a conclusion, Jeff approached Linfield athletic director Ad Rutschman with a plea to bring in a more experienced coach.
He got his wish. John Morton, who had coached Jeff in youth soccer since he was 8 years old, was hired. Playing a rugged schedule that included regional powers University of Portland and Warner Pacific, the Wildcats elevated their season record to 8 wins, 5 losses and 3 ties.
Jeff’s junior season was, in his words, “a rebuilding year,” mainly due to the loss of a strong class of seniors. Individually, Jeff established a single-season scoring record 12 goals, many of them coming on free kicks, including a lofting 60-yard strike that somehow found the back of the net all the way from across the midfield line.
He suffered a serious knee injury during the summer before his senior year. That spelled an end to a Linfield playing career that had come be known for its remarkable consistency. Jeff scored at least nine goals and registered no fewer than five assists in each of his three active seasons. A three-time conference all-star, he earned the respect of his teammates and was appointed Wildcats’ team captain.
Among the Linfield records Jeff holds are marks for most goals (5) and points (10) in a single contest, set against Western Baptist (now Corban) in 1984.
Turning down an opportunity for a redshirt season, Jeff completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1987. He eventually returned to Linfield to take the reins of the men’s soccer program from 1991 until 1993.
He recalls his time as a player and coach at Linfield as both “fun and challenging. We overcame a lot of imposed demands but we were successful and had very competitive squads. I was always proud to play and coach at Linfield. I felt I brought some credibility to the program that laid the groundwork for the success of future teams.”
Jeff went on to spend 16 seasons as head boys soccer coach at Mountain View High School in Vancouver, leading the Thunder to the 1993 Washington state championship and a No. 10 ranking in USA Today national poll. His teams won four Greater St. Helens League championships and he finished his tenure with 229 career victories.
His coaching resume also includes time as head boys soccer coach at Benson High School and as an assistant coach at Jesuit High School. He contributed his soccer acumen to the Oregon Olympic Development program, the Oregon Youth Association, and the West Villa Soccer Club.
Today, Jeff is a Wealth Manager and co-owner of City Fiduciary Group, a financial services agency in southwest Washington. His hobbies include camping and cooking. He and his wife, Christina, reside in Washougal, Washington. Their son, Brandon, went on to play soccer at Linfield for two seasons 30 years after his father competed for the Wildcats. Their eldest son, Shawn, recently retired after serving for 20 years in the Oregon National Guard.
2024 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
EMILY (FELLOWS) TERRY ATHLETE 2010 – 2014
It’s unfair to compare the career statistics of Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Emily (Fellows) Terry with any other student-athlete who ever wore a Linfield women’s soccer uniform.
That’s because Emily was a generational talent and unquestionably the best pure goal scorer to grace the Linfield campus. Her career totals of 84 goals, 187 points and 34 match-winning tallies simply dwarf every other entry in the Linfield record book.
Former Linfield women’s soccer coach Dom Doty says “When talking about players who have been a part of the Linfield women’s soccer program, Emily is the best of the best. She was powerful, skillful, strong, fast and intelligent. She embodied all the elements of a player that will be recognized as arguably the best to ever do it at Linfield.”
To put Emily’s knack for scoring in perspective, she twice tallied four goals in a single match, and scored three goals in the same contest three times. She finished her career with 11 multi-goal efforts; the next closest Wildcat netted two goals or more on only six occasions.
A two-time NSCAA All-American, three-time Northwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and fourtime first team all-conference honoree, Emily dominated the women’s soccer pitch during the most successful stretch in program history, spanning 2010 until 2014.
Emily’s most productive season, statistically, was her freshman year of 2010. That year, she took the Northwest Conference by storm with a school-record 26 goals and six assists.
Not counting her sophomore season of 2011 when she was forced to the sidelines with a torn knee ligament, Linfield won or tied 63 of 81 matches, including a remarkable 46-14-7 record in conference play. That run included three league runner-up finishes.
Emily says her Linfield soccer experience taught her “perseverance, how to overcome hardships, timemanagement skills, teamwork and effective communication. These are all skills I learned and strengthened through playing soccer that help me in my day-to-day life.”
Those same qualities enabled Emily to return from her major injury and record two NSCAA All-America campaigns over her final three seasons, scoring a combined 51 goals to go along with 12 assists.
Looking back, Emily says the time spent with her teammates was more memorable than any single goal, match, season, or award.
“The moments that stand out the most to me are the trips we took as a team. We went to Bend my freshman year and went to the coast for day trips every other year. I just enjoyed the moments when we got to connect off the field.”
Emily says traveling to California with her team for out-of-conference matches and mid-week bouts under the stadium lights are also special times that she cherishes.
It’s hard to believe, but Emily’s record-setting soccer career at Linfield almost never got started.
After leading Jesuit High School to the Class 6A girls state championship as a senior, Emily says she was burned out on soccer and “had pretty much decided that I didn’t want to play in college. I was not active in any conversations with other schools.”
One visit to Linfield changed her mind. She chose to attend Linfield because “it just felt like a family! I remember sitting next to (former Linfield basketball coach) Larry Doty and watching a game on my visit and he made me laugh the entire time! It just felt like a great environment and that was something I wanted to be a part of.”
These days, Emily and her husband, former Linfield football player Curtis Terry, live in Gig Harbor, Washington, and are raising three children: 4-year-old Charlotte, 2-year old Ford, and 1-year-old Kennedy.
Emily began working with Dutch Bros in McMinnville while still a student at Linfield. In the years since, she’s been elevated to a regional operator with the company, where she manages a team of high school and collegeaged workers.
2024 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
EMILY (KEAGBINE) CONNER ATHLETE 2008 – 2011
Described by her coach as one of the top all-around softball players in program history, Emily (Keagbine) Conner aptly demonstrated both her versatility and her resilience during four incredible seasons in a Linfield Wildcats uniform.
As evidence of her skill on the softball diamond, the 2024 Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame inductee held starting roles at three different positions, earning three NFCA All-America citations and two NCAA Championship Series AllTournament Team awards over the course of her career.
Emily was a member of four Northwest Conference championship teams, two regional title teams, and was a key contributor in leading Linfield to the 2011 NCAA Division III national crown.
Appearing in 184 games, she accounted for 38 doubles, 41 home runs, 143 runs scored, 162 runs batted in, 215 hits and 380 total bases. Thrust into the role as the starting catcher as a freshman in 2008, Wildcats coach Jackson Vaughan remembers Emily as having “arguably the best arm we’ve ever had in the infield. She was a tremendous all-around player – at catcher, third base and shortstop – and was fantastic at all three. She’s a top-15 player in almost every major offensive category and has a career fielding percentage of .936 playing the three toughest defensive positions in softball.”
As a junior in 2010, the Wildcats came close to losing Emily for the season after an errant ball hit her face, breaking some teeth as well as her jaw. She missed just two games, returning to the lineup with her jaw wired shut for the next four weeks.
Emily remembers that “after a couple weeks of consuming just V8 Juice and SlimFast shakes, Karleigh (Prestianni) took me to KFC. We found that if you mix enough gravy with their mashed potatoes, I could slurp them through my teeth. Karleigh and I spent a lot of time going to KFC after that.”
On the field, Linfield advanced as far as the national championship game, falling 5-4 to East Texas Baptist despite twice leading by two-run margins.
Emily and her classmates vowed they would return to win the championship. And indeed, the resulting season was one for the history books.
Piling up 595 hits, 484 runs and a Division III-record 103 home runs, the 2011 team was an offensive juggernaut. Emily was a major contributor, registering one of the finest seasons ever recorded in Linfield history with a .434 batting average, 14 doubles, 17 home runs and 60 RBIs. In 11 playoff games, she hit .344 with three doubles, a home run, six RBIs while facing some of the best pitchers in Division III. Statistics aside, Emily proved to be emotionally strong, too, as she coped with the passing of her brother, Danny, to cancer in the early going of her senior season. The team rallied around Emily, going so far as to affix DJK stickers to the backs of the team batting helmets.
Softball, Emily says, played a big part in helping her process the loss of her sibling. “I’m thankful every day for my family, my teammates, and softball during my senior year. Those three got me through the hardest time of my life.”
A multi-sport athlete at Beaverton’s Valley Catholic High School, Emily was recruited to play softball at Concordia-Portland, Seattle University, and Pacific. “I chose Linfield because of the program Jackson has put time into creating. I loved the Linfield campus since I first stepped foot on it. It’s really true that you know where you’re supposed to be once you’re there.”
Emily and her husband, Kyle, have been married since 2018 and are raising a 3-year-old daughter, McKenzie. Emily is in her eighth year of teaching high school mathematics at St. Pius X School.
Many of the lessons learned on the softball field at Linfield remain with Emily today, she says.
“First, the importance and ability to work as a team and putting the team above your own interests. Second, the work ethic Jackson instilled in us. He would always talk about our potential and how good we could be. We spent hours practicing, hitting, lifting, conditioning, and working together. The hard work is what gave us our success as a team and individually.”
2024 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
KARLEIGH (PRESTIANNI) POTTER ATHLETE 2010 – 2013
There can be no argument in saying that 2024 Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Karleigh (Prestianni) Potter belongs on the short list of the all-time best ever to play third base in NCAA Division III softball history.
The four-time All-American already owns a place among Linfield’s top-5 alltime statistical performers in an eye-popping 14 different statistical categories. That includes a .437 career batting average, .513 on-base percentage and .809 slugging percentage, all of which currently rank third in program history. Perhaps more impressive, the 2013 Linfield graduate stands among the top 25 players in Division III softball history in career hits (258), RBIs (225), home runs (52) and total bases (478).
During her four dominant seasons from 2010 until 2013, the Wildcats won 175 games while capturing the 2011 NCAA Division III national championship, claiming two national runner-up trophies and winning four Northwest Conference titles. Individually, Karleigh was named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2011 and 2012 NCAA Finals. She was Linfield’s Rookie of the Year in 2010 and Most Valuable Player in 2013.
Coming out of Grants Pass High School, Karleigh says her sights were set squarely on joining Coach Jackson Vaughan’s winning program at Linfield. “My uncle Terry was a Linfield graduate and I was aware of the history and success of the softball program. I was very excited to be a part of that and hopefully make an impact right away.”
Coach Vaughan calls Karleigh “one of the top players to ever come through our program and all of Division III softball. She’s a tremendous all-around player with both a high average and power. She started almost every game of her career at third base. Without question, Karleigh is very deserving of Hall of Fame recognition.”
As a freshman, Karleigh was thrust into a starting role and produced immediately, helping the Wildcats reach the NCAA championship game. That year, she hit .424 with 19 home runs and 61 RBIs on her way to first team NFCA AllAmerica honors.
The following spring, Karleigh played a prominent role as part of arguably the best offensive team in Division III history The Wildcats went 51-3 that season, hitting a Division III-record 103 home runs on the way to securing the program’s second national title in five seasons. Karleigh hit .416 with 14 home runs and 59 RBIs and posted a nearperfect .982 fielding percentage.
In the national championship game against Christopher Newport, it was Karleigh’s sixth-inning home run that broke a 2-2 tie, effectively securing the championship for the Wildcats.
Looking back on that storybook season, Karleigh lists “beating PLU in the conference tournament, outscoring our opponents 49-0 at regionals, and losing to Texas-Tyler but being able to come back to beat them to make it to the championship,” among her season highlights. And, she says, “obviously hitting a home run to put us ahead in the national championship game stands out. It was such a blast being able to do that with my best friends!”
The next two seasons were nearly as impressive, totaling two more league championships, a regional championship, plus two first team All-America citations to cap it all off. The Wildcats went a combined 82-15 during her final two campaigns.
With so many hours invested in practices, games and road trips, it’s not surprising the work ethic of the Linfield “Catball” program becomes habitual.
Says Karleigh: “We didn’t make it to three national championships by chance. It was all the hours we put in in the batting cage, the weight room, team building, and so on. That type of work ethic and teamwork is something I hope to instill in my own kids.”
Karleigh and her husband, Austin, were married in 2018 after a chance meeting at the Pendleton Roundup, which she was attending with several of her old Catball teammates.
Their oldest daughter, Wesleigh, is nearly 5 years old, and youngest daughter, Walker is 2½. The Potters enjoy camping, hunting and spending time with family and friends.
These days, Karleigh is a Senior Credit Analyst at Hampton Lumber Sales, where she’s worked since graduating from Linfield 11 years ago.
ADVANCE YOUR CAREER
MASTER’S DEGREES IN SPORTS SCIENCE AND ANALYTICS, BUSINESS AND NURSING
Uncommon place
Uncommon people
Find your uncommon
2024 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
MELODY SHERMAN ATHLETE 1997 – 2000
Track and field sensation Melody Sherman, a multi-time sprint champion, national-meet competitor and school record holder, came close to not being known for any of those accomplishments.
Hailing from Burbank, California, the 2024 Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame inductee wasn’t recruited to compete in track and even wasn’t planning on continuing her athletic career in college.
Says Melody: “I chose to attend Linfield when I visited a college fair in my hometown. I was persuaded by the small size and beautiful environment.”
Amazingly, she went on to represent Linfield in national competition three times, was a two-time Northwest Conference Women’s Track Athlete of the Year, and accounted for five conference championships over three seasons.
As a freshman in 1997, Melody enjoyed immediate success as a member of the Wildcats’ 4x400 relay squad that went on to place seventh at the NAIA Championships in Atlanta.
Melody truly came into her own as a sophomore in 1998. Linfield hosted the Northwest Conference Track and Field Championships, providing her the ideal stage to enjoy a breakthrough weekend. It was at Maxwell Field where she won the 100-meter dash (12.04), the 200 dash (24.60) and was a member of the 4x400 relay squad whose school-record time of 3:51.56 continues to stand as the program’s all-time best 27 years later.
Melody’s athletic career was not without its share of adversity. During a routine physical exam in 1999, a nurse detected an irregular heartbeat. That began a landslide of visits to doctors in Portland and Los Angeles and at one point, she was told that her running career was likely over. Eventually a cardiologist performed a procedure to regulate her heartbeat and provide clearance for her to return to training. But by then, her medical issues had resulted in the loss of her entire junior season.
The spring of 2000 saw Melody return to previous blazing form, again claiming conference titles in the 100 and the 200. That year, she teamed with Katie McArthur, Lisa Taylor and Amber Larsen to capture the Northwest Conference 4x100 relay championship in a school-record time of 48.75 seconds.
Her point production on the track contributed substantially to the Linfield women’s squad finishing as NWC team runner-up each of her three seasons. Melody took as much pride in her own team’s accomplishments as she did any individual awards.
She capped her college career at the 2000 NCAA Division III Championships in Naperville, Illinois, running the fastest split of her career on the 4x400 relay.
Whether it was part of a relay or as a member of the entire team, Melody says she “enjoyed being a part of something bigger than myself. Competing and doing my best has always been to help others out and not let them down. I’m very competitive and was motivated to set goals, break records, and set new ones.”
Former Linfield sprints coach Jim Good calls Melody “one of the toughest athletes I’ve ever coached. Her burning desire to complete always showed on meet days. Not only was she a great athlete, she was a great teammate, always supporting her fellow Wildcats during practice and at meets.”
Not surprisingly, competing in track and field at Linfield taught Melody important life lessons. She calls herself “a naturally a competitive person who is always striving to do more. I continue to persevere in times of difficulty throughout my life.”
Since graduating from Linfield in 2000, Melody has gone on to complete a master’s degree from Cal StateBakersfield in education curriculum and instruction. A four-time all-league performer at John Burroughs High School, she was inducted into that school’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
Today, Melody lives in Santa Clarita, California, with her partner, Glen Kubasak. Her oldest son, Aiden, is a freshman lacrosse player at Sonoma State University. Another son, Zander, competes in soccer as a high school freshman. And her 11-year-old daughter, Lily, enjoys playing soccer as well.
For the last 19 years, Melody has been teaching elementary students in the Saugus Union School District. She’s twice been honored by her peers as the Teacher of the Year. To help others, she’s involved in a new teacher mentorship program, providing support for new teachers in their first two years.
2024 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
2013 BASEBALL TEAM NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
An unselfish attitude and a burning desire to win catapulted the 2013 Linfield baseball team to the Division III mountaintop.
Earning a rightful place among fellow all-time greats in the Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame, this special group of Wildcats achieved a long list of extraordinary accomplishments, including a school-record 42 wins, the National Pitcher of the Year award, three All-America citations, Northwest Conference and West Region team titles, and the crown jewel: the coveted NCAA Division III national championship.
Led by seniors Tim Wilson, Kyle Chamberlain, Jordan Harlow and Michael Hopp, the Wildcats claimed Linfield’s first baseball championship since joining the NCAA, adding to the program’s NAIA championships in 1966 and 1971. Statistically, the 2013 Wildcats established a slew of new team and individual records.
Undeterred by adversity and always confident of victory, Linfield never lost back-to-back games throughout its championship season. The Wildcats went 4-1 in games decided by one run and 24-3 in contests decided by five runs or more. In perhaps the most memorable game of the year, Linfield was held scoreless for six innings before mounting a four-run comeback against Wisconsin-Stevens Point that put the ‘Cats in the driver’s seat at the NCAA Finals.
The 2013 pitching staff was perhaps the finest ever assembled at Linfield. It featured two All-America pitchers in Chris Haddeland and Aaron Thomassen, plus an outstanding third starter in Zach Brandon.
Haddeland enjoyed a season for the ages, recording a school-record 15 wins, 96 strikeouts and a 1.07 ERA. Thomassen struck out 84 batters while going 12-1 overall. Against Division III opponents, he was a perfect 12-0 with a 1.54 ERA.
Offensively, Tim Wilson and Jake Wylie posted astronomical numbers and were deservingly recognized as first team All-Americans. Wilson hit .401 as the leadoff hitter and stole 31 bases. Wiley provided ample run support from the cleanup spot, hitting .396 with 66 RBIs and eight home runs.
Wilson, the Wildcats’ All-America outfielder and leadoff hitter, says “I don’t think anyone expected a national championship run heading into the season. We had just come off a rollercoaster of a season. And there were a lot of unknowns, needing to replace some key contributors from the previous year.”
Linfield began the season unranked in the national polls and was picked to finish third in the Northwest Conference. But the Wildcats’ dominance quickly became apparent when they outscored their opponents 30-4 over the final three games at the Arizona Desert Classic. From there, the ‘Cats rolled through the conference schedule with a 21-3 record.
By the middle of the season, Linfield had soared to its first No. 1 ranking of the Division III era.
The road to the national championship began in earnest at the NCAA West Regional in Austin, Texas. It was there that Linfield had to knock off a dangerous Trinity team twice in order to earn a trip to the NCAA Finals in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Throughout the postseason, stellar starting pitching performances by Haddeland, Thomassen and Brandon carried the team. And offensively, Nick Fisher, Kramer Lindell, Corey VanDomelen, Clayton Truex, and Michael Hopp all elevated their games to propel Linfield to the title.
The pivotal point of the championship finals came in the semifinal game against Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The Wildcats trailed 3-0 in the sixth inning before erupting for five unanswered runs to survive and advance.
With three teams remaining, Linfield dropped its first game of the finals to Ithaca by a score of 6-4, but the ‘Cats remained poised. In the championship game against Southern Maine, the Wildcats found themselves trailing 1-0 in the fourth inning. That’s when Kyle Chamberlain stepped to the plate and delivered the game-winning hit to spark a 4-1 win, sparking Linfield to the school’s third national baseball crown.
Afterward, Wildcat coach Scott Brosius sensed Linfield’s potential for greatness from the very beginning, saying at the time: “Before the season even started, I liked how the pieces fit in terms of flexibility. Off the field, Brosius remembers the 2013 team was made up of “guys of great character…they believed in each other, they had a team-first mentality, they pulled for each other.”
