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SPORTS
Echo Friday, April 28, 2017
Out of the PARK
It gives (the baseball team) an opportunity to play on the big stage and really show what they are capable of. Cole Beaton, sophomore Under the lights: Senior captain Jack Elias winds up to throw a fastball at U.S. Bank Stadium against Richfield April 18. Elias threw six strikeouts in four innings, holding Richfield to two runs. The Orioles won the game 9-2 in what senior captain Connor Cornell called a “once in a lifetime” opportunity.
Esther Gendler esthergendler@ slpecho.com
Competitiveness does not interfere with spirit
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here is nothing I hate more than losing. I have always been extremely competitive, sometimes to the point where sports were no longer fun anymore. I would cry over losing simple games, even when losing didn’t affect me at all. After playing basketball for seven years, it was hard for me to transition into a sport that revolves around spirit and selfrefereeing. When I joined Ultimate Frisbee two years ago, I was taken aback by the “spirit of the game” rule. After each point, win or lose, high What’s the you five the opPOINT? ponent. I am not one to Winning high five my is not competition, everything especially if I lose. When I first started playing, I wasn’t sure if the sport was for me. I didn’t understand how everyone was smiling and high fiving the other team after we lost. When the game is over, both teams do something to recognize the other team, like a high-five, handshake or cheer. As I continued playing ultimate, I realized the spirit of the game did not stop me from being competitive, but helped me recognize my competition and be able to congratulate the opposing team on a good play. I have come to love the sport of ultimate and I have made friends with people on other teams because of that. Even though it is sometimes frustrating, the spirit makes ultimate different from any other sport. Playing ultimate taught me that I can be competitive while also being a gracious loser. I still have the drive to win, but I am able to accept losing. When I play ultimate, I play with a smile on my face. Win or lose, ultimate has always been a sport that I feel happy playing and I have made many friends playing. Even on opposing teams, I have friends I look forward to seeing again. I never thought I would look forward to seeing my competition, but ultimate taught me competition does not have to be unfriendly. Losing is never fun, and it never will be. My competitive nature will always be a part of me and will always affect the way I play sports, but I learned through ultimate that winning isn’t always everything and good spirit makes the sport so rewarding and amazing.
Photo Josh Halper
Baseball team plays at U.S. Bank Stadium Team defeats Richfield in professional stadium
Jane Anderson & Anna duSaire janeanderson@slpecho.com & annadusaire@slpecho.com
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enior captain Connor Cornell said playing at U.S. Bank Stadium was an experience he will remember in the future. “It was a once in a lifetime kind of thing. It was super nice and it was really fun, something I’ll remember always,” Cornell said. Varsity head coach Brian Kelly said immediately after receiving an email offering a chance to play at the stadium, he got approval and found an opponent to ensure the spot. “An email went out toward the end of 2016 from the guy that does all the communication to the head coaches,” Kelly
said. “As soon as I got the email I was like ‘oh man this is something I would love to have our boys have the opportunity to do’ because, at the end of the day it’s all about getting the kids opportunities.” The Orioles beat the Richfield Spartans 9-2 April 18, which was their first win of the season. Kelly said the team prepared by practicing like any other game and lessening outside distractions. “It sounds kind of cliché, but we tried to make it just like any other game,” Kelly said. “We struggled early in the season with distractions and the boys not really playing up to potential because of a bunch of external distractions.” According to senior Abby Bremner, going to the game was the first time she was at the stadium and she thinks the crowd and stadium brought energy to the team.
“I thought Stats at the Stadium it was fun and 0 earned runs allowed 0 errors it was cool to 9 hits be in the stadium because Infographic Emma Dietz I have never Source mnbaseballhub.com been,” Bremner said. “I’m sure it was a lot more fun for them and there was a big audience, so I’m sure that pumped them up.” Cornell said one of the challenges while playing in the stadium was adjusting to the depth perception because of the size of the field. “The stadium is a lot larger and the depth perception was a little bit weird because of how huge it was and it was super echoey so it kind of gets in your head,” Cornell said. The next game is 7 p.m. April 29 against Bloomington Jefferson at Dakota Park.
Boys’ track excels against elite competition Invitationals prepare athletes for championship meets William Phelan & Jacob Stillman williamphelan@slpecho.com jacobstillman@slpecho.com
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fter taking third place at a home invitational, head coach Richard Keith said the boys’ track team benefitted from a higher level of competition. “By competing against teams such as Edina and Wayzata, the boys got a taste of what it will be like to run at Sections and State,” Richard Keith said. Richard Keith said Park had success at the meet despite many injuries. “Some kids had small tweaks or injuries and it was kind of cold so I erred on the side of caution and had them sit out,” Richard Keith said. “There were two events in which we did not even have people in, so the fact that we finished third was good.” According to senior captain Ryan Keith, competing against tougher opposition elevates the performance of the track team. “It is definitely more intimidating going up against Edina than teams in our conference,” Ryan Keith said. “I think it is good
Photo Josh Halper
Clear it: Senior captain Owen Geier contorts his body to clear the high jump at the invitational meet April 18. Geier finished first in the high jump and 110-meter hurdles. though because it pushes us to do better, since they are so good.” Richard Keith said invitationals like Tuesday’s help runners get used to the routine of participating in a large meet. “(Officials) run these invitationals as professionally as they can, which mimic Section and State competitions, so kids get a feel for what the end of the season meets will be like,” Richard Keith said. “Learning when to check in or when to start their warm up are important for kids to learn, so when they get to the most important meets they are familiar with the process.” According to Ryan Keith, wind and rain impacted the performance of the runners.
“The weather was not the best, so that definitely played a factor,” Ryan Keith said. “On the straightaway there was a strong wind in our face, so that definitely slowed us down.” Despite the weather, Richard Keith said the team performed well at the meet showed promise for the rest of the season. “This meet was a good indicator of where we are at as a team. I saw a few promising things with the sprints as well as distance, and there were some outstanding performances by throwers,” Richard Keith said. “Overall, it was a successful meet.” The next meet is 4 p.m. April 28 at Park against Chaska.