One Last Spotlight RECOGNIZING ATHLETES FROM FALL SPORTS, THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF THE SEASON, AND SEVERAL OF THE TEAMS THAT PLACED IN STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS YEAR
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By Melia Rasmussen and Gigi Roldan
he Athletic Department tested the ice to resume sports in April 2021 during COVID-19, and the ice stayed strong. Now, the ice has melted and the fall sports season was able to set sail with less obstacles than last year’s freeze. They didn’t hesitate to show they’re not going to waste this year. The volleyball team, both water polo teams, a single cross-country runner, and the football team all fought their way forward to the state championships in the 5A league. The Hi-Steppers, although not solely a fall sport, are in their fall season of competitions. From November to December, they compete against other schools in various leagues based on categories of dances. These categories include hip hop, jazz, novelty, pom, kick, and contemporary. The Hi-Steppers won first in Jazz and Contemporary during the 27th Annual Celebration of Dance on Nov. 20. Continuing to practice throughout the year, state dance competitions are hosted in February and March. 1A through 4A leagues compete against each other. 5A competes against 6A. Although winter sports have already started practicing and competing, these teams get one last light on them because, for many, this is the end of the high school chapter of their lives, and along with it their sport. For others, it’s the prologue of a collegiate chapter.
FOOTBALL 4TH STATE
10-3 OVERALL
With a strong 6-1 win/loss record during the season, the varsity football team advanced to compete for the state title after beating Scappoose 33-0 in the first round. They then beat Dallas 28-9 and advanced to the final four. The Bulldogs lost to Silverton on the road in the semifinals, landing fourth and ending their season.
SOCCER
2ND STATE
18:53.10 TIME
A cross country team needs at least five varsity runners in order to receive points in a race. The placing a runner gets is the number of points the team gets, and schools strive for the least number of points. The entire team heads to districts, with the top seven runners heading to state. Senior Megumi Ludlow was the sole qualifier for state, earning second in the 5A Championship race.
Senior Megumi Ludlow
Q: What was your greatest accomplishment? A: I think my greatest accomplishment would be breaking 20 minutes in a 5k because I’ve been trying to do that since sophomore year... I was able to break 18 [minutes]. Q: What did you wish you’d done differently? A: I wish that I could have started doing track workouts earlier, but I think I did everything pretty well. Q: What was your favorite/most memorable moment? A: The most memorable moment would probably be the finish at state because I thought I was going to be placing third, but I was just able to pass the girl who was running in second at like the last 200 meter finish. It was crazy.
TO READ MORE OF LUDLOW’S STATE CROSS COUNTRY RACE, GO TO WAHSWHIRLWIND.COM
Senior Jeremy Geno
5TH
6-7-1
LEAGUE
OVERALL
The boys varsity soccer team had a 4-4-1 win/loss/ tie record by the end of their season. With an 0-2 loss against North Salem, the Bulldogs did not qualify for the state championship. Ending their season ranked 5th in the 5A league, the team did not go down without a fight.
T H E W H I R LW I N D
CROSS COUNTRY
Q: What was your greatest accomplishment? A: I just wanted to have a more relaxed year compared to junior year, less AP classes, and just enjoy the last soccer season... I still feel like I’m not that great, but somehow I got MVP. Q: What did you wish you’d done differently? A: Because we hadn’t played a soccer game in a while, I was more nervous on the ball. So at the start I was just trying to get rid of it, but then after a few games I got more confidence. So probably from the start, just trying to hold on to the ball for a bit longer to let plays develop. Q: What was your favorite/most memorable moment? A: I think the most memorable moment of the season is when my boy [junior] Neil [Morse] jumped up and hit the header on the back post. So like it came in from the corner and he just banged it in.
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