2019 Bethel School District Athletic Hall of Fame

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2018 Bethel School Dls1rictAthletic Hall or Fame

2019 Bethel Hall of Fame lnduttees In Honor of Cody A. Miller, Jr.

II was a Tuesday nearly three months after Cody's passing 1hat John Zurfluh walked into my omce. I assumed him to be there ior his occasional visil 10 talk wilh my Dad and reminisce about their Bethel High School glory clays bul as I walked our my door, be bellowed "just lhe guy I was looking ior• and of course I again assumed my faIher was standing behind me, bur he was not. .. He was looking for me... We sat down and began 10 talk. lasl, we had seen each other was at my uncle's funeral. We laughecl al lhe moments shared amongst such friends and tallced about the crowds oi people 1ha1 came 10 pay respect. We reminisced for a greal deal of lime, 1her1 we cried, and we spoke some more. For lhose of you that don't know... John ls a blt of a crier and ii didn'l take much to gel me going ellher. So, as J write lhls now four months have passed, and I slill miss my uncle like it was yesterday. Each morning I get into my 1ruck and above my visor is a bookmark handed out at his service with a picture of the man we all adore. It's a reminder to me. A reminder to try and be a better father, belter son, better man, and a beuer community member. John told me the Belhel Athletic Hall of Fame's Jntenllon of honoring and dedicating this ceremony to Cody and I was awestruck. Honored and humbled, of course, I began to put pen 10 page...

I'm not sure exactly where to star!, so let's go back to the beginning of Cody's athletic heroism and his peewee rodeo days spent muuon busling. Not much 10 do aboul Bethel High School but funny nonetheless. He of course was 1he grand champion (I'm sure) at lhe local grange and not a lot of folks are left 10 tes11iy 01herwise. Fonvard a iew years inlo Lillie League where again Cody held the home run record and 1hrew several no-hillers (not all that likely of course, but sounds good and probably very liule objec1ion/. Finally, he earned at Bethel High School, where his true athletic prowess was discovered. He was pan of a Championship Wrestling Team (1962-'63), later on a varsity wrestler and a tremenclnus iootball player. We will hear and read many stories about his days at Bethel 1-ligh School and I'll let his peers tell you about his athletic exploilS, adventures, and championships. While I don't know many of his career st.1tis1ic.�, I do know 1his...1ha1 he was a great athlete, bul more importantly, a greal 1eammate. II was never about the personal accolades, his own spol on the podium, his name fn lights, or a ceremony dedicated 10 him. He always eyed lhe "end game." We don't sit here and re­ member how we were runner-up al the White River Classic or lhat we finished 0-9 in a horrific football season. We remember the people who surrounded us. The people who held us up in lhese times and made us into who we are today. That is 1he championship that Cody won ...

Lei me close by saying Cody was one of lhe most amazing men I have ever met. I-le and my Father were inseparable. This made him more lo me than /usl an uncle and I (hopefully) more than a nephew.

Ahhough ii feels like this dedication is a last goodbye, II most certainiy is not. You wlll continue lo see signs of him all around us. You will hear his Friday nighr cheers on rhe Art Crare Fieid bleachers. You will see his determination in the eye or lhe wrestler striving to hang on in double overtime. Finally, you will see his rears in 1hose senior athletes who just played the final game of lheir careers. He is there for all 1hese mnmenls and will forever be in our heart.

Wirh Love...

Your lionored Nephew,

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a Josh Miller, Yelm liigh School 1996

1018 He1het School D,stnct Athle1,c Moll of Flln>e

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Schedule

Schedule, Sponsors & Volunt� .

Sponsors

Lunch Welcome - John Briehl Presidents Message- Ed Burmester lnlroduction of Directors - John Brich Recognition of Pas! lnductl-es -Jolm Briehl f-eatur<'d Sp<'3ket - Logan Seeley

Cody Miller Program Dcidcation- John Zurfluh Team Inductees ..................................................... Presenter 2005 Spanaway Lake Special Olympics Basketball1eam ..................... Ed Burmes1er 2009 Spanaway Lake Sped.JI Olympics lla.sketball Team····-·· ..-······· .. lohn Zurfluh Individual Inductees.............................................. Presenter Garrell Alwen.................................................... Phil Mlsley Ryan Barrell ....................................................... Ryan Zakula.

Darin Borden ..................................................... Bryan Streleski Jan Dempsey.........................................-........... Kevin Aoki Marjorie Goddard ..........·-·············-·· ..-··········· Kevin Aoki Blaine Guenlhl!I................................................. Eric Kurle Yvelle (Henr y) Barnes ......................................... Teri Leilson Sadena f\Jrks .............-....�............._................. Jim flail Caesar Rayford ................................................... Eric Kurle Brad Sweet......................................................... Scott Stirts Chris Tompkms ......... -...-................................ Ed Burrnes1er Felix Brodigan .................................................... Ed Nichl Gene Clllbow .................................................... Ed Niehl Gene Keller ........................................................ Ed Niehl

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support!!

GOLD Jody Miller Construction Crescent Realty Grear Northwest Homes The Truss Company Tacoma South Sound Sports Commission The lineup Kellie Ham Type&Graph1cs

SILVER

J&J Auto Windom Homes Umpqua Bank

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Coaches ................................................................ Presenler Frank Pavia ......................................................... Ed Niehl

Contributors.......................................................... Presenter Jini Ball .........................................-... -............. Mike Mullen Beth Bardwell .................................................... Brian Streleski LaVada Roy........................................................ Ed Burniest<'r Family ................................................................... Presenter The> Mullen Family (Mike, l"J.l, Molly and Niclq .Jim Ball Closing - lohn Briehl

2ll 11\ llcihel Sd1<J<1I 01,trkl Athlcric I tall ol Fam" 5

John Briehl John anendcd Bethel Junior and Senior High whe,e he served as s1udem body president al bo1h schools. I-le gr;iduall'd in 1966 leu.crlng In Cross Counuy, 8aske1ball and Track. In addftion to his Student Counc-11 responsibilities, he was a member of the k11erman's Club, Key Club, Concert Band, TO(ch I tonor Sode1y, Dmma Club, and he wrote a spons column /or 1he nr IS school newspaper, the Brave T.,Jk. Gradual mg from Washmg1on Stale Universi1y In 1971 a11d 1973, John completed degrees in Broadc.1$1 Commumca1ions. and Sociology. Earlv in his career, he workt�I in 1he me111nl hc.ilth fielci reunrtmg runaway yourh and their families. John rerrred rrom the C11y o(Tacoma af1er 35 years as the Director of Human Rights and the Human Services Departmenr where he led the city's housing and employment antldlsnimm,11io11 efforts and directed thcirsodal services p1ogrnms.

Jnhn livt'S on Tule l.ake In 1-\:rrklancl with his wife and fellow Be1hel Br.we, Lani n,ey have three cl1'1tlren. and two grnndchlldrcn.

Guest S Logan Seelye In July of 200J, Logan Seeyle had just completed his junior yea, al Spanaway Lake I llgh School and was an dSpiring foo1h,1II playl'< with 1he dream of earning ,l Divi­ sion r scholarshi 1 and uJilmall?ly. one tlay, ucing an NFL dran selection As fa1e would \ hnve 11 , while p aying in a 7 on 7 scrimma1,>c al the Central Wa�hlnglon l!nlversily Football Camp, Logan suiicrccl a life changing injury. In a collislon with another layt1r, , Logan broke hr> neck and received a paralyzing spmal cord in1ury. Doctor!; tor ,I him he'd likely nc,, er have feeling 1,11 movement From the chest down.

In nne of the mos! compelling stones ever, Logan refUS1.>d lo let his mjuries define him. Fast forward more than a dl'Glde later, Logan's post injury nchrevemenrs are lruly 1ensa1lonal. Ar1cr months of inrense physlc.rl lhrrapy, he defied d0<.io(s expectations and in lune ol 200,t with the help or a walker, LQjpn made his way acr0$S lhe stage 10 receive his high school diploma. I le earned his 0achelo(s Oc,grcc al CeJJlrnl Wnshing1011 University In four years and presented the commenc<'mcnl sprech Lo his gradwuing class. And, he married his high school sweethear1, lordyan, and purchased a house in the Spanawav area where thc arc raising their young daughter, Skylar. r To learn more about his amaiing inspira11onn s1ory and his creation of his • 10 and 90• foundalilln, lhJ? phllosophy 1ha1 has shaped his life. please I\O lo lhe website hup://www.10and90.loundatinn.

2018 llethcl School District Athlc1ic t tall of Fame ;

About Us

A group of community volunteers have fomied the Bethel School DislriCl Athletic Hnll of Fame. This group is a nonprofit organiz.:,- � tion that has partnered with the Bethel 5'hool DistrlCl Foundation and the GreatL'f Tacoma Communit) Foundation tu heller serve I our purpose. �'"T---LIE='"T■C:

The Hall of f.Jme exists to ensure that the athletic histo,y and tradilions 01 the district arc celebrated. If you aw interested in bL'loming a member, did. un the Membership link on our wclisite �1hclhallo1famt!.org.

Our Mission

The mission of the Bethel School DiS1riC1 Alhletic Hall of Fame is lo honor past teams. athletes, co.1ches and \ contributors o( Bethel, Spanaway Lake and Graharn-Kapuw,;in High Schools.

Our Goal

The goal of lhis organi1alion is to honur induC1ees al a luncheon held each year.

Thank You

The Belhel School District Athletic Hall of Fame would like to thank the following for volunteering and helping us make this event a success.

Your time, energy and inspiration are greatly apprecialed.

• Bethel High Photo/Video Classes

• Bethel High School FOCLA

• Lani Briehl, Rose Burmester, Julie Day, Rick Ham, Krista Ham, Linda Marin, Donna Morgan, Marilyn Poage, Sue McNiven, Ka1hy Knelleken, Doris Hominda, and Michelle Hami lion 20111 Ru1hd SchQof l)l�ltltt ,',1h1L1ic Hnll nf Fame 9

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Athletic Hall of Fame Membershipl

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BECOME A MEMBER The lklhel Sch0<1 I District ,\thlclic 11:tU of Fame.

:in imlcptrnJcnt non-pror.L orgMizatlnn, was started LO cn,un, llmt I.he a, hlclic history and Irnditlons nf the llinricL arc cclcbmtcd.

The c011tmucd opcmLion of the I loll of Fnmc depends on comrnumty involvement.

You ore Invited IO Join uur nrgonl7'1tlon

by Ill-coming a member.

Annu.tl dues are $-10.00 per )'C3r or S200.00 for n Lifetime Membership.

Mc01bccltl1> i$ Jumwry lhrough December of each year.

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Bethel School District Athletic Hall of Fame Membership Form

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Name___________________

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Address-----------------I fnme Phnne_____ Cell Pl�ine ________

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Emal! Address----------------

Send )'Our S40.00 pa)'1111.'111 payable lo: B.S.D.F. and !end wilh this fonn 10, Bethel School Dislrict Ath!L1ic Hall of fJme 11616 18th Ave.[, Spanaw,iy, WA 9836,

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,ou w1ll 1c::cerve your mcrr1bc1ship card w1lhin 14 cl.iys.

Numbcf 01 membersh,ps ___t> S40 ca

TomlS _____

Number nf Llfr1ln1<1 M1,n,hc-rshlp IP 5200.00 •••·

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Total Du1,: ______

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Mon.-Wed. 8-5, Thurs. 8-7, Fri. 8-2 ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

In-Network with: Delta Dental PPO/Premier, Regence, Premera, MeLLife, United Concordia, Aetna, Cigna, Connection Dental, Assurant.

lO 18 Be1hel Sct11x1I Di>1ricr Athle1ir Mall of Fame

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Nomination Guideli es

Guidelines for Nomination and Selection to the Bethel School Distirct Athletic Hall of Fame

A. Anyone may nonunme a cnnd,dme fo, lhe I lall 111 Fame. Adcl111onal nomination 10rms JYililable al all Belhel School Oislricl high school� 8.

The rollowlng iiems mny he considered as a possible basil fnr nomination. 1111.se , items are nm meanI 10 be Inclusive nor does au,unmcnl make ml•ml'K!rship aulomalic.

'I. Alhlcll!:s: •ShaJI be a gmduate of a Bclhcl S1 hoot Dls1ricl High Sch0f1i •Shall exemplify charactcrisllc:s or integrity, sportsmanship ,ind dllzeoshlp before and aflcr graduaiion Additional considerations: •Member of a slalc chamfl10nsh1p learn •Qualifit'CI for stale playoffs al least tw,ce •An individual or member nf a 1en111 winning .1 rllsIrie1 or above loumamcnt or mee1 •An indlvinual r1r member llf a 1eam placing in Ihe lop four In ,1 s1a1e 1ournamen1 •Scll'C1Cd 10 an .1ll-le,1gul.'. area, disirlct, regional or all-s1a1e learn •Received muhiple varsity le11rr and/nr 0Iher team or school athletic awards • Received six ur mt1re varsity fellers •Was a sd1()1'1( rcccird holder •Participated in a school and/or community service, outside uf athlcllcs •AIhle1es will be eligible fr,, Mn1inalion ll•n yea� after graduation 2. Coach •Shall have coacherl in a Bethel Oistrit't school fCJr minimum of ten years • Demnnslralt'd an unusually high lcvul of achicveml!/11 which may indude state, regional, dlstrie1 and league chamrlonshlps •Co,,chli'd one nr more aIhlc1es ha,,e received univ,orsity scholar5hips or 01hcr hi&h honors • I In!, - been posillvely invulved in the schoul anrJ/or communil) •Coach will he eligible Ien ye;irs a!Ier le;iving the di�Iria 3. Team

•May include slate, r!!i:lionals, dlsiricl and leal\ue champicmships.

• Team will be eligible len years aner ahovc compe111ion

4. Contributor Includes adminisIrnIors, teachers, school staff, families anrl community members who have made ou1stonrling conlrihutions or offered extramdinary services to studenl aIhlr•tes and Ihc athletic programs of lhc Bethel SchclOI Dislrict.

Contributor will he eligible ai1e1 ten yc,,rs ol tompc.>tiIlun and or award C. All qualified nominees no, selected will remain nn 1he masIcr nomination Hsi

W 18 llelht!I So.houl l)1Stnc1 Athletic I lnli of Fume 1 J

2019 Bethel Hall of Fame Inductees

Garrell Alwert (BHS '98)

Garrell Alwe11 was barn rin Oc1oher, I 9AO In T3, tomn, WashlngInr1 IO fl,trents Lloyd and Cindy Alwcr1. boIh long llmi, Ieach1:rs in lhe Bcthcl Sd11ml DlstriCI. His brother Ryan was also an athlete at Bethel I llgh School.

Garrell gradualed wiIh a J.96 GPA, spending his enure school c:ircer ai Bethel schools fShlntng Mounlain Elementary, Bethel Junior High and Belhel Hinh School).

Athlct1G11ly, Garrett earned six varsily le11ers at Belhel I llgh School· two va1Sit} lc11ers as a member of the iootball learn. His junior )'ear he played wide re­ ceiver and ;afety on 1he slate playoff learn. A\ a senior he MS ,1 c.1pIain .1nrl stnrIl11g quarterhack on a tuam Ihat Onishccf f,-.3 just missing out on lhc post SCilSCm. He earned one v, mity lcucr his scnio1 y1!ar as a mmil,er ol lhe hnskelb.111 team that won the SPSL Oi.implo1ishlp ruid played in the Staie toutnamenl.

I le enmed lhree varsily leners as a member o( the baseball team ploying first bose and pllching. As 3 sophomore ho hit A20 01 1ho plate and was 2-0 on the mound with a 0.00 ERA on the SPSL league Champ1onsh1p team. As a junior he h11 .429 carn111i; 2nd Te.,m All Sl'SL honors ai a pitcher mid uI1lity player. His sernor year he hil .600 with six home runs, go­ ing 5-2 on the mound. I le was awa11k>d SPSL Player of lhe Ye.tr nnd named Tacoma NewsTrllJunc'sAll•Arca first Baseman and All•Area Player of the Ye.ir. I le was named 10 the All-Strue Ie.1m and was ,t USA Tod,1y I lon<>r• able M('J1tion All•Aml'fiCiln. He was tfra/tcd by U,c Cinclnnall RL>ds In U,e 1999 Major League BaseballAmateur Dmf1.

Aner high school he went 10 Washing­ ton Stale University on a baseball scholMsh1p.

He was a 4-time l'Jc-I0 Aaidem1c Honorable Me11Ilon honoree. As a redshlrt freshman he piIdie(I, nfteen Jppemunces, eight Slllrts, ,md hit primarily as the team's designa1ed hiller. His redshirt sophomore .season he hJd ten starts on the mound also recording twu saves uul of the bullpen. As n rcdshirt Junlm he c.1rned a win aJJUinst use In Los Angeles. WSUs first win at USC since I 969. I !is senior SC.JAfJO, ,u a team c.ipta111, ho posted n career l11gh 76 and 2/Jrds innings w11h twenty appearances and seven slaru. lie was named l"dC• I!) Pilchc, of the Weck af1c1 he helrl USC sro� I� over eigh1 In­ nings in a 5-1 win.

I le led the 1e.1m In saves and was given the Croches Cup award ,ecognfzlng the Ie.1m's MVP. Aiter tOll<!JlC Gorrell signed with the Cleveland Indi­ ans. I le pitched for 1he lndinn's minor league a1nlime in Bur­ linH10n1 North Oirohna for a $CnSlJl't before;, chn111k illness ended his playing career.

Garrett is now har>pily married to Knrissa and IngeIher they have Iwo d�ughIers, Kylie 16) and Kenclnll (4), ann one son Kancn t I).

201 fl Reihe! SchQol l)l"rlct Athit•Llc H,111 n( Fame I�

2019 Bethel Hall of Fame lndu�es

Ryan Barrett (GK '07)

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Ry.1n Ramm lr.msfcrrcd 1rom Rogers I hgh School 10 Graham•Kapowsin 1he summer r,( 2005 as a funior. He was fJ.lrt nflhe flrst gradual• Ing class a1 Crnlmm-Kat111wsin In 2007 Ryan ac­ campnshed plerlly in lhc two year� he auenderl Graham-�apowsln High School' Ryan earned �I� v,1rsi1y leUe<s at Graham­ Kapowsln I lli;h Scho,,i, l\\'CJ In football as a �foty/1L-ccivc_r for coach Cric Kwle , lwo lclteis In basketball as a guard lor coach Brian S11elesk1 and iwo as a spnnter ior cooch Ryon Z.1ckula's track 1eam.

Ryan lumed oul ro, football m 1he full of 20<)5. I le made 1he varsily squad playlng defensl\'c bade and wide receiver his junior and senlnr year Ryan helped 1he Eagles make II 10 1he pl,,ynfTs both years.

During his senior tThlr 1he team·� league record was 5-S and Ryan was named lo Soull1 Pugct Sound League hconorable menilon learn.

Ryan ,1lsc1 pla,<ed Lwo )'eats as a varsity b.lskethall player under coach Bryan Streles­ k1 as a po1n1 i:uard. I le led 1he 1e,1m wilh assists both yea.rs and In his senior yc.u was voted Mr. Offense hy hos 1camma1es.

Ryan's mo�I accrl-ditcd sport was 1rack. He panic,J):llcd two ye.,rs on 1hc varsilv track learn co.1ched by Mark Conrad a11d Ryan Zackula, He r.m the I 00-meter, 200-meicr.

400-meler and 1he 1600,meier Rel�) ' fnr lhe Eagles.

In 2006 Uunim Year), R)-an ran the I 00 and 200-meler race and qua IIfled for sr;,ie for e.ich event. He was pan of the 1600-meter Relay learn 1ha1 plar.ed 5th 1ha1 year with 1eamma1es Mau Smith, Ryan Ancheta and Evan Schwanlner. Ryan received lhe GK •Mr. Track" aw,1rd that year.

In 2007 !Senior Yt,ar), He qualified for s1a1e In the IOO•mclcr where he placed 51h and ran ihe 200,meter, He rnn !he 400-m�tcr rac�. wlih a llme of �U.C.7 placing r.rfl while becoming the first Cmhan1-Ka1)()1vsin !rack 4 1\ champlon-stlll a school record today! Ryan then ran 1he I f,011-mctcr relay wlU, teammates Ryan Ancheta, [van Schwantncr and Reggi Chrls­ ror, with a time or 3.19.56, 10 place firfl again. I le received 1he SPSI Mall' Track Athlete of the Year Awa,cl and Graham­ Kapows,n gave him, for the second year, the Mr. Tmck Award. Ryan held the school records in 1he 400,mctc, and 1600-me­ tcr relay event,. \o\fi1h h,s accomplish111cnts Kyan was among a select list invued 10 compc1c in the al Brooks Washlns1on/ Oregon Meet of Champions 1ha1 year where Ryan won lhc 400-nietcr and help<.'CI !he WA team win the I b0l).meier relay!

Graham-Kapuwsin Jlso chose Ryan as the GI>. Spring A1hle1c of lhe Year ,n 2007.

Af1er hi&h school, Ryan w.is awamed a scholarshi11 fn track 10 Clark College where he aucnded for twn years before he lransferred lo Washington Slate Unlversi1y, ,1lso with a i,chnlarshlp In 1mck.

At Clnrk Culll'gc he was cooched by fnrmer Cougar All,Amcrit;Jn fohn Ca11lm1an, earning 1wo varsity lene,, in 1mck ns a sp,intt'f. /\s a freshman Ryan \\'On the 400-meter. 4x400-melcr relay and took second in WO-meter al Northwest Alh­ letlc A!C<OCiallon of Community Colleges championship. During his sophomore year, Ryan took second at NWMCC ln lhc 400-mcter In a PR lime of 47.39 and was selected ,IS MVP ol Clark team lwlCL'. In Iota! Ry.in 1eccivcd <even AII­ Amenc.in honors. R)•an was selected lnlo 1he Clnrk College Hall ol Fame.

Afterlmnsierring 10 WSU, Ryan had a top lime in the 400-meier of �q56i ,rnd 200-rneicr lime of 22.461 al the Husky Classic 12/lJ/I 0. Se.illlcJ and he also ran the team'5 best 400-mcte, lime of �ll.07 :u Ml. SAC Relays (4/16110, Wainu1), Ryan's SCM(m-Ol!Sl 20(),mc1e1 time of 21.98w was at the Stanford Invite (3/27fl 0) ,ind he also 0nhhed 15th in �DO-meter m l>.1c-l 0 Ch,1mp,on5hips !49.49J. Ryan Gradu,11ed from Washington Stnie Universil) in 2012 wllh a degree In Social Sciences.

Ry.m's pa,enL, a11: TodiJ ,md Brenda Barrett of Cralmn. Ryan's sister Is Kaylee Barrell (GKI IS I J'l whn also graduated fmm Grah,,m-Kapowsin in 201J. Ryan currently lives In Gr.iham, where he runs his businesses, (Hnrrelrs fnierprise. !Jarrett's Trucking & flarretl'S L;Jndsraping S. Coristruction).

lO 18 Bc,he) School D,�nc1 A1hle11c Hull n( F:imc, 1 7

2019 Bethel Hall of Fame lndu

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1he 01hcr four mucht�JWm,.

Af1er !he 1 !-12 Ile wi1h Be1hel, Peninsula lns1 1wo g3mes arid dropped uu1 of con1en1ion fnr 1he league lillc. l11is me,1nt 1ha1 1hc ou1comc (If Bc1hd's IJst i:amc 11/ thr scascH1 agalns4 the federal Way Eagles would <le1ermine w'hich 1eam would he 1he league champion. II was only fillinii 1ha1 1his coolest would pit two of 1he preseason fovorltes-Fcoeral Way !7--0--01 ancl Bethel ( 6-0-1). In order tn ra ke lhe 1rtle, Bethel had In win the game. A lie ,vould ncJC he cnough. l11e prt-gamc _coverage In _ 1hc press. wcnl throughout King Jntl Pierce counl1<$. A column In TI,c News Tribune, in part, statl-d lhe folluwmg; •IJe1l1e/ \ ( is pnma11/y J rushing teJm, alth()ugh in a 4/r-O rout of Yelm on J\fmlstJao Day, the Or.l\es racked up J04 )'Jfds passing and 100 rushing. Cary Allison. Gene Curbow and Gene Ke/lei Jte st.1ndours it, the bJckiie/d, alnng with Felix Bmrligan, ,,n l'nrl, m 1he /Jraves offCJ1se.'

On November 20, l 953, on a 1-0llSY• 1111scmblc fielcl-.ilmost lo the p01nl of bcmg unplayable-I he 1wo ,earns locked ,rr io what turned out 10 be a tough, hard-fought de/enfive S1ruggle. The i:a)lles scored first, 1ak,ng the Of1Cr11ng kickoff 62 yards in ten rlays. TI1e Bmves cnme righ1 b.1ck anrl SCllred, m<Jvmg 69 y;,rrls in iive pl,1ys. The key play in 1he drive was a long � p.,ss from Gene Ketter 10 fellJ, good for 55 y;irds 10 the Federal Wdy three yard line. Gene Curbo,, wmt In for the score on the nl!)(t play. Wllh Federal Way leading hy a score ul 7-{), the nl!llt three qu,1r1er1 were lrterally ,1 sralemnte Jnd the ou1come was ne.er certain un1II 1he Eagles scored 1he winning mud1down with only 5'i $«Onrl!. lcf1 10 go in the game. Federal Way revalled by a score nr 13-6 and won lhe league d1ampiomhlp with a pe1foe1 8-0-0 record. Yes, by llnishing 51.'Cond in 1he cague slanclings II was a successful season, albcl1 bi11crsw1>el In nol winning lhe lllle.

Felix had an oul5tlllding year, both on oflc115e and ilefense. ror the season, as a 1eam, Bethel lhmw eight touchdown p.isses--iive 10 reHx nhree from Curbow anti IWO from KCitetJ. I Ii� six 1ouchdowns and $ix P.A.T.'s (42 mini po1111sl mnkcd second on the 1cam 10 Gary Allison's 49 pomls 18 T.D.'s and 1 PAT.!. Nol too bad for a i:uy whose abbreviated (oorhall career s1arted ou1 as a defons1\0C tackle.

Quile frankly, Bethel's ruse lwo tiaskethnll 1eams wen; not ve,y good ( 1950-'5 I I apd ( I 9:il­ ;i2). A more complete history of these early se.1sons c,m be found in Gene l(eltl!f's b,ography Hmvt.wr, the l 952-'53 season was inrlet.'CI a dlffl-rcnt slory. The learn lost lhri,e ,tnrlffl frnm lhe previous year due 10 graduation, Including 1he slar center and leading scorer, lee McGee. fell� proved tn lw a w;lf1h) replacement Reihe( posll>d 115 iirsl winning m1son wirh a 8-!, 11.'Cord and finished lied (cir fourth in the eight team league. Felix and Wall Leigh were lhe leam's high polnl men In lhree games each and shared a rourth, followed by Dave Rid1 with lluee, l<m Olive wilh two ,rnd Gene Keller and Gene Curnow with one each. Because nf the lie, the Rr.ivcs had to play Peninsula fnr the las1 spot in rhc •A• League Dislrid Tournaml'lll. The playoff game resuhro In a 5!>-47 Se.ihawk win. Wah 1.clsh led 1hc Braves wilh 14 points. followed by rellx wi1h 11.

The neic1 year, ,he 1953-'54 season, proved 10 be magrc.,I, The Rraves played rour non• lea)lUC contests, t,vo with Bcllerm111e 1wh,c t, llri,y IOS1J and two w11h fmnklin Pierce (wmmng one and losing onel. When the season opened 1he learn was ready and they rook lhe league champ,. onship with ,, perfl'Ct I (r-0 reco,cl. Felix wa, n malor contributor, I le was n dominating lnrce in rehou,1dlng. bOlh on r,flense .111d tie/en�, .1rld he ,-.ms� perfect complimenl tll 1he or her lour stun­ Ing players. Wall Leigh (IS lr,,guc ga111�233 polnt-15.5 ,l\'cmgc per game) and Gene Keller (16 league games, 2 poinl�. 133 average fief game) were 1he scorers, ,1loog wllh 1he scrappy, ha1d-nosed rlay or D,ive Rich (8.5 awrage (ll!f g.,mel and 1he steady play of C.,ry Allison (6.0 nv­ emgc per gamcl rounding out this <up<!!b lineup. In 16 league gam�, f-ellx scort'<I I 90 poinis for an average off 11.9 points per gan1e, which was third on die le.im. As to just how Important felix was 10 1his 1eam can be shown In some Tacoma News Tribune press clippings which nppeamd 1hroughou1 lhe se,,son; - In a non-league loss lo lhc Bcllcnrnne lions 15748) the r;ame summary slated the following; •rhe /Jells' helghr was a deridms facror ,n rJ1e game, d5 llerhel was plnying 11111hm,I its ru1J8ed center, fell>. IJ,odigan, who was out with J sprained ,1nk/c, Bradigan stands 6'3."

- 'Led by Gene l(euer anrl Felix Brodigan, rhe Belhcl Umves scored 5� I victory ove1 the defending champion Yelm T01nadoes In an early West Cerur.il League 'Crucial' here Tuesday nlgh1. "' 'Keller connected for 23 points and Rrodigan for 17..: - In a short column cnlilled 'BETI IEL BRAVESTO MFET FIFE,• rhe wrlter staled lhal, •In order ta win, Flfr> w,II ha,'!' 10 rtnp CC/II' KeJWr, /JethPI fmwarrl wl10 srored 2.3 pr,/11/J and f-e/lx Bmdigan w/10 hrt 17 fuPfd.,y JgJin)t\t!lrn,· • In a 63-35 win ovt'J White River, the game summary Included lhe folluwlng: •Gem- Kt-tter paced 1111• winners with r \ ' ,� poinrs .. .reli.• 01/)cl igiJn, neihe/ c,•n11•r was ou1sI,111r/ing ()11 the boarru in the 15 minutes 1,c was in tire game.· • 8e1h0l's S 1-12 vrctorv owr fa1onvllle was especl�lly gra1ify1ng-11 was 1he first in lhree years-·Oave Rich Gene Kel· cer Jnd Wair Leigh turned in ourswndtng 1obs for the winners wrih J//·llf0und good lloo, p/Jy and rebounding. re/ix /Jrodigi!n, 1Je1/rel C't!nter, CJught fire 1111he secpnr/l,3/{ and pourL°'CI 15 porn/J llrrough the hoop. I /,s total of 18 was /ugh fOI the night• • The Brave's c.ipltrred 1hcir 141h straight vic:1ory by edging the l'enmsula Seahawks 59-57. This clincheq 1he league title. TI1e press repon on lhc game sta1t>d 1he folluwlng; ·Felix Brod/gJn's wo,k un 1/,e llOilrdJ fr:,, the winners was a cfero/1'!! fac1.or «elhe( 1113bbcd 44 rebriunds compnrl'd to LO (m 1'l'rln1sufa • continued on nexl page

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JO IR Re1hcl Sdmol Olmlrt A1hie1fc Hall nf F,1me 2.l

2019 Bethel Hall of Fame lndu es

Gene Curbow (BHS '55)

·().irr,•/111<1,·/kn and r,,,,w Cumow Mdrted a tradilkln and 1/Jey ser 1/te ,1J11dirrd fn, ,,� many 8fedl run11ing IJiJcks 1vf10 played (n, 8Nlwl in 1/w 1951)\ dnd '(,0;.• -0.tve Rich (Bl IS '55), a 1eamma1e or Mr. Curbnw.

In 1hc I 940's, Ihc Blad< Knights of Army flt!lck...:1 som!' great foolb ,111 tc.1ms. In lhe micJ. 1940's Army had 1wo running backs 1vhc, would become legl'llds, oot only at Wcsl Polnl, bur in ihe hisrmyoi college 1001baU as well. Fullback Felix •ooc· Blanchard was known as 'Mr. Inside• ,ind halfback Ck'fl Davis was 'Mr. Ours,de• and 1oi,-e1her, 1hey led Army 10 two national charn­ pionsh,ps (1944 and I 9451. 801h were Hef5man Trnphy winnttrs-8Iandrnrd In 1'145 nnd Davi� In 194&. Beginning In 1951 !hi, Bclhcl Braves had rhelr own vee;lnn of 'Mr Inside' and •Mr. Outside!

1951 w:is Ihc rfown or a now era for Bethel lllgh School 1001ball. Earl Pl.ill. as prin­ cipal. hired Ed N,ehl 10 be rhe new head foot­ ball coach, Mr. Niehl was a 1 '151 graduate or Washing1nn State College and in his words 'was a, green as rhcy come.• The season would pose some real problems fnr Mr. Ed Nlehl a, alrnDSt all nr 1he key player.; rrom rhc 1950 championship lt:am had gradua1ed and there were only nine re• turning lettermen, llie harrl� hit was the oifen• slve backfieid-lhree of lhc rour wen• cone. ll1e only holdover w�$ fullback Darrell BO<dcn, now a junior, TI1e line, both on r,ITcnsc and defense, al.so wJS In question slnce only two remaining first�eam linemen were still avai1;1ble. Obviously, this meanr that six oul OI 1he nine relurning leU1)rmen wurc substitutes f,om the ye.'lr beft)re, and tha1 the ream needed lo be rebuih around those 111drv1duals.

After only two weeks or practice rn September, he.id coach Ed N1chl managed 10 somel,ow pul 1oge1her a solid 0I• fcnsiw and defonsilll) line, as well as a gre.'lt backfield. Cordon Barna, a Junior, was the new quanerback ond sophomore Glen Fuhrman was al 1111e h.1Hhack posilion. Of cooe.;e, D,mell Borden would be lh� fulll,1ck-i>ut there was a •catch' to nil or 1his-Jn unknown qunntily-a kid, a freshman, would be lhe other mrting halfllack. Darrell Borden, •Mr. Inside' would now be joint-d by 'Mr. Outside: Gene Curbow, For 1he nex1 1w11 )'l!ars, they would create sheer bedlam for the flpposing defenses. Acccirding ID M1 Nld1I, rhcsc rwo players were a perfect march, a •one-t\\1'1 punch" If you will. 801h well! strung, •h,ud,nosecJ." detcrminl'Cl b.1cks who could really punish a defense.

The 1951 season •�1rtcd our on a cuuple nf dlsm.,I noles. In the first annual 'King"s Axe' i;ame against Ea1onvllle­ a non-league affalr -the Cruiser.; prev:illed o-0. In a heart-breaking loss to Peninsula, the only score of 1hc game was a safery and n 2-0 Se.1hawks win. Finally, tho. followJng week, !he Braves defeated the Orting urdlnals 6-0 to pas! the flrsI victo•y or the season. llte Oc1ober 12, 1951 gnme agninsl 1hc fife Trorans was probably the turnrng po1nl oi the season for 1he Braves. Federal W,,y and Fife were I.sored to win the league ri11e and this game w,1s a ·must· for Be1hel In rhe second quaner, Darrell Bordl'fl rarr>­ IJk-d 70 yards lo the Fife 1en aml scored three plays later. After a Berhel funiblc, Fife scored !he tying IOUthdown. Al �IC slilrt of 1he second half, Danell Borden returned the kickon 10 rhe Fife 45 yard lrne and wrlh Gene and Danell nhemotely airry,ng rhe f011lb11li, Gene S(tlred the win• comin11erl on ne,1 page 2018 Bethel School OlSlnct Alhlet,c Hall of Fame 25

2019 Bethel Hall of Fame lndutt�es

se,1;,c1ned veler.tn .,ml a ro1,:e IO be reckoned wllh for lhe nexl two years.

Tiw season began on ScpIembc1 I B, 1953 wilh the now tmdillon,,I "Kings l\xe" game against E.itonvilll'. In an 16-0 win, Gene, Gary Allison and Felix Brodi­ gan scored Ihe Ihree rouchdowns. I\ "eek laler lhe Braves Ir.welled 10 011ing and In a 14-0 win. Gary Allison scored Ihe firs1 rouchdown ond Gene Kcucr nccou111ed for lhe second-a three yard pass from Gene Curbow . lhc nexI Jl,lme was against the Vashon P,raIes, now ., member of Ihe newly formed nine learn Wesl Cenrml le.1guc.

The 8mves had linle difOCtJhy in flOSling a lS-0 vlcIory. Gary Allison scored lwice, Gene Ketler onre. and Gene Ihrew a touchdown p ,1ss 10 Felix Brodigan. TI1e Braves d1alkl.'d up Ihelr Ihird league win JgaInst E.11onvill-33�l. Gene �red 1hree limes on runs n( one, nine nnd SO yards. lohn Kerr added Bethel's 0II,er u:iuchdowns on runs or 511 anrl two yards. This SCI Ihe �Jgl! for a mJICh-up oc<\ween llcthl!l and Pcn­ lnsula, twn of the Ihree pre-season fovorill!S. foderal Way was the othet.

Gene. In what was one or the 0nesl games of hls career, toc,k l'eninsula's op11ning kickoU 90 yards to Ihc Scahnwks three 1r.1rrl line Two plays later he nipped a pass 10 follK Brodigan ior the score. Auer �nmsula ucd h wilh a touchdown in the second quoner, Gene scored asoin on a two yard plunse-Bethel led aI halftime I 2-6. That score helc1 up u11Iil, with five minutes left lo go in the game. f'enrnsulo scored a touchdown and lhc game ended m a 12-12 tic. One post-game wnte-up stiled the following: ·Curbow amassed 221 yards from ,crimmage during the g.Jme. Oe/en$lvely, ends fohn Kerr and Gene Ken er !,tood ouI for BeIhel • An or her summ,11) stated IhaI •too game was a h1ttt•r sl!ugglc from slM1 Ill 0nish with boil, Ic.1rm show­ ini; thclr rower on the offense as well as defensively. Gene Curbow, BeIhel back. was easlly the outstanding offensive stat of the g.1me." Gene's 211 rushing y.,rd!. w� a school record at the lime. lletht'l shut out their next Iw1, opponen!s-13-0 over a ncw-<:omcr to the ICilgut', iluckl�-y 0alt"r known as While River) and 14-0 over nfc.

In !he Bucklev game. Cary llllison scort'd Jrom short varda11e and John Kerr scored 1he lns1 touchdown on a H yard run. The Fife game proved 10 be more rnleres11n11 and part of !he game summary i11 The Nt 'IVS Tribune read ns follows: "II 48 yard pass play, Gene Curbow to Dave Rich, acc-ounted for Bethel's initral touchdown. Rich aiught the toss on the Rfo 20 anrl mmrcd Ihe rest of the way unlouched."

• . .Midway in 1he third qu,iner, Curoow·s punl rolled clead in 1he mud on the Rfe 2-y.,rd llne to set up Bethel\ second touchdown." TI1e Tm]ans then Irll.'d 10 riunI nnrl a bad snap fro111 cenIer resuherl in Gary Allison falling nn 1he ball in the end zone.

TI,c Draves pul themselves in a position for anmher champl11nship clash wiIh Federal Way frir the league tlile wlIh ,t 4f,.-O victory over Yelm. Gene Kc:llcr had his be;t game of the se,1son, throwing three Ioud11lown p.1sses-11110 10 Felix Rrodig.1n and one 10 Dav� Rich. Gene Curbow added another IP 8rudig.1n. C'..iry Allison l2l nod Dennis McGraw Ill ac­ counted for iJ1c other scores. Now, for lhe second lime In 0iree years, the Braves and 01c Eagles would Jock horos In a game wilh charnI1ionship implicaIions. only lhis Iim�, unlike 1951, Ihe winner would rake Ihe league title ouIrigh1. rederal Way's record was 7-0-0; Berhcl's iv.is C,..0..1. The game was scheduled for November 20, 1953 at Federal Way. I lowcvcr, 11 w,1s deiermmecl that the field was unplayable and the contest was moved 10 Sumner High School and 1hat field wasn't much heller.

The �agles tC>ok the orienmg klck-ctfl and wenl (,2 y,mls in ten plays to score the flrst lnuchdown The Braves oimc right baclc 10 sa11c. moving the ball 69 yard, in five plays. A pas, Imm Gene Keuer to Fell• 81lXllgan w,, gcx1d for 55 yard,, to Ihe Federal Way three yard line. Gene weni in (or Ihe touchdown nn the next play. Fm Ihe next 1hrre quarters, the game turned into� hruIal, defensive ballle and Ihe outcome was never cenaln unlll Ihe E.rgles scmed a second tuuchdown whh nnl)' 55 seconds l1'ft to go In the game. Ft'tleralWay would prevail 13-6 anrl llc1hcl would flnish alone in SC.'Cllnd place with a 6-'1-1 rccmd (7-1- 1 ov1.-rall). For the Wi!SOn, the team stntisllcs were lmprcssivc. llelhcl finished st'COnrl 10 Federal Way in polnrs scored in league piny wltl, J f,J (181 overall) a11d tied them for the fewest points allowed wlIh 15. nu, Braves also recorded six league shutouts (seven ovemlll. Ga') Alii$0n led lh� team with 49 points, followed hy rcli• 0rocllgan with 42 and Gene wi1h �1. Gene also Ihrcw iivc rouchdown passes-three to Felix Brodigan and one each 10 Gene l<cner and Dave Rich. Gene Kener threw 1hrro--0ne 10 Dave Rich and 1he other two to Drocl,gnn.

The 1954 (uotball sea50n would enrl lh1re yea,� nf fruslrnllrln for lhu Bethel foithful-thc learn would IIe Fire for the lea!llJC O,ampionship. Going intc, lhe seaS<1n lhe Bra= \\'Quid ha,c to replace lhrec stalwans on offense and defense; lohn Kerr, Cary Allison and Felix Brodigan, and, as In the past, the =ches made lhe nght decisions. Wah Leigh replaced llronlgao at nn encl position, Gene was joined by a new rullbatk, Gene Ressler nnd funi11r Oennls McGr.111, backed ur by sophomore Wayne Bush, rep lared Cary Alliron as the other haln1,,ck Sadly. nnI .di of the game sumnmrres were available and It's unfonunalc because Ihe '54 season was probably lhe be,;t year for both Gene and Gene KeueL nic llravcs opened the •eason wlIh a I;..() win over the Vashon PiraIes Wilh about a mimtle le/1 10 go in the g.,me, Get1e Keller's 11 yard touchdown pass K• Gene Ressler was lhe tlilfercnc"- In the ne,,t game, thi, le.>m defm1k-d the 'King's

rontin11ed 011 nexr p,,ge

20 I H Bethel School Oi,trict I\Jhletic Hall uf Fame 21

Bethel Recreation Association

The Oethel Kecreation Association ,va,; c:rea1ed hy the comhincd wisdom of the then Bechel School Dislric1 Alhle1ic Director [d Nichl and communily members Don Leise, ,ind Larry and Wanda Smnloy in 1967. lnilinlly the progmm p.innered wld, the Pierce Coonty f\uks system but evemually broke aw,ry 10 form their own non-profit organiZillion. [cl Niehl became lhe first Dis1ric1 fieprcscntut1ve with Don Leise the initial president 01 1hc Bethel Recrealinn Assoda1io11 llo.1rd of Oireaors. llnoor Nirhl', leadershlp and Lelse's gukL,nce, the program offered flag foo1bnll, \'OI• IL-yh,111, basketball, baseb.,11 anrl softball (or grades fou1, fi,1! ,md six. After a /ew years, T-ooll was addl<d fnr the prim.iry grades. In an l'ifon to keep 1hefocusc111 the program, each elementa­ l}' schOOl lompl11yed a llelhel l!eaealion Coo1dlna1or who was p;lirl SI 0.0<) a month. Th1ough lh1: continued e/fons of ill<! ;chool coo,dlnatc,rs, 1-olunteers Sonny Beegle, Donna Morgan and otheis 100 numerous 10 mention, the Bethel Recreation progr:,m bccam� a staple o( lhe Oethel communilv.

In 1979 the N1ehVLe1se era ended and in 1981 hm Ball iook the leadership reigns. n,e prlll)ram continued 10 lncre.ise in popular­ ity and al 11s penk dunng the (lall admm1slration rt9A 1-2000) there were an astonishing 300 baseball, softball, 1-ball tCilms, 180 &Iris and boys basketb.111 tc.1ms al grade levels four, five ,11111 six, w11h an approxi mate yc.:ir 101.11 oi 3500 pan1c1pan1s. Aitcr Jim Dnll 1esigned others 10 become Director were Brian Grassl, Ed Burmester, Carly Cappe10, N,ck !ones and 11<Jw presently jol 1c Moxl ey.

During its almost 50 years or exis1e11ce, th� Bethel Recreullnn Assoclati<in has always promoted safety, good sportsmanshi p, and fair play. 11 embr:,ces the p,1rticlratlrin of hoth genders while encouraaing involvemem of s1JJden1s who are expericnclna pl,1y for 1he fim time as well as !hose that hav� played before The program relies hCilvily on adull volunteers for co.1d1ing, and offuis nn np1x1rtuni1y !or high school s1udenb 10 return 10 the program as an official, coach, or 111 lulntl volunll-cr hou�. Al ,111 estimate. annual participation numbers a,e 4000 per year with lhc pro&ram reaching nC1J1ly 200,000 partlcipanb since its e?tis1ence.

Currently, the Bt'lhel RoocaJion orr.ce Is loc.ited al the l!clhcl Leaming Cen1e1. Fnr more iniormalfon on Bethel Recrealion call 25368J-5941 or al bethelrec.org.

30 oay Obedience Boot Camp 101 tt Hrtlwl Schrn,1 IJislncl Alhlt'llc Hall m fame l9

2018 Bethel Hall of Fame Inductees in I qRII wi1h majors In Business Managemem anrl SI,�msh (High Honnrs). In 1992 she carnL'<I a Masiers' of Business /\dmlnls1rallnn degree from P.lclflc Lulheran Universlly.

Jnn worked al PLU as an advisor of undcrgmdu01c siudcnts and Director 01 1he MllA program. Sint-e leaving 1he program In 1999 she ha5 been work­ Ing in 1nforma1,on tech­ nology managing pmiccls

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companies. She lives In 1he Boston I larhor a!lla o( Olympl,1 with husband n/ 26 )'('ars, Tom Sampson.

11e, athletic focus h<IS shif1t>d to less competitive sports, s1and up paddle boarding and cycling. She is an avid bike commuter and co-GJpl.!111 of 1he 'Easy Riders' Bike MS 1cam. Each vear 1h,s te.1m rides to raise monL'Y or MS research and to deliver services to those lhnt face the challt:tnges of Muhrple Sclerosis fan's n1hletic .ichlevemen1s distinguish her as one of lhe ground hre.1kers for excellence In 8e1hel women's sports

HOM Interior and Exterior Projects WildonHomes@out/ook.com

10111 8eIhd School Oismcr Athll.'l,c flnll ar FJme ll

2019 Bethel Hall of Fame lndudees I

1'1esll'k?nL� Ilooor Roll all foui years from 1983 10 198(, In 1986 she received a Bachelor'< Degree In Liberal A/15 for Arts

and I llmwnilles.

l'o5l gradtJallon Maqorll! has coached girls' soflball, boys Lillie Lc;iguc bascliall and five ye.1rs i;irl< high Khool vol­ levball 01 Lee Davis I ligh schm:,I in Mechanicsville, Virginia. nnlshing �Lh In Stole In 2012 Mar1onc was marrrcd m Hawa11 and Is now Hvinn In Richmond, VA wllh husbJnd l'lno Ricc.11dL 11,ey have a rl,1ughlcr R1anna, ? 1 years old and son Onan, 19 years, who arc 001h 1 lonor S1udcms ai Virgmio ComnHlnwcahh Umversny and. of course, ours1anding n1hletes. She works as an lnlcnor IJ<.ocorator and Personal Trainer specializmg 111 physic.ii rehab,I 1ta1lon al a YMCA in Richrnonrt, Virginia.

No .1 premier alhletr in rhe first tk.-'Cilde of �irl; league sports, Marlorie Godrfard showed 1hm llelhel's vollcyhall program met the standard for slale comperlli<>n,

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WI 8 llelhcl Scfa10I Drsmo Athlvlic I 1�11 01 �ame JJ