Taft High senior Maya Hatton rallied from two shots down at the turn Monday to catch Salem Academy star and longtime rival Katie Goodwin and win the Special District 2 Preview girls golf tournament in Aumsville.
Hatton shot 39 on the back nine for an 18-hole 46-39—85 to win by two strokes over the former Blanchet Catholic player at Santiam Golf Club.
“Again, I can’t say enough about Maya’s hard work,” her coach and mother, Heather Hatton, said.
Taft placed second behind the co-op team of Salem Academy and Blanchet Catholic. A merger of the two squads earlier this season allowed Goodwin to play on a team rather than as an individual this season, Hatton said.
“It created a strong team in our league that will be hard to beat,” she said.
Taft junior Violet Palermini carded her lowest career round with a 102.
Violet Palermini
“She was hitting her irons very well and has just been working on relaxing and not getting so nervous,” Hatton said. “When Violet just goes out to play golf for fun instead of for score, she does well.”
Junior Olivia Baker compiled a 108 for Taft’s third-best score.
Olivia Baker
“I’m ready for her to break through 100 any time,” Hatton said. “She works so hard and is striking the ball very well.”
Sophomore Sammy Halferty posted the low round of her career at 110, while senior Jocelyn Arguello shot 121 and sophomore Noa Stoll 127.
“These athletes are working hard,” Hatton said. “Lately, our focus is to just get out and play. They know what to do. They just need to keep playing so they practice how to score low. Short game is key.”
The District 2 tournament is scheduled May 7-8 at Santiam Golf Club.
Dr. Alexa LaFaunce hands stickers to a crowd of children.
For the past 25 years, a group of physicians and other staff from Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital have participated in medical mission trips around the world, organized through the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church.
This year’s two-week trip, held earlier this year, included two days at Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement in Uganda. More than 70,000 people live at the settlement, displaced by a brutal civil war in the neighboring country of Congo.
Next, the team spent five days in the city of Ishaka. Stationed outside of Ishaka Adventist Hospital, all care was provided outdoors, sheltered by tents.
Under the guidance of Dr. Erling Oksenholt, this year’s team included Dr. Raj Baman, Dr. Alexa LaFaunce and Dr. Janine VanSant, along with pharmacist Dr. Joe Evans, registered nurse Laura Smith and others from the community, including Johnie Souza, a mental health care provider. While the mission trip is sponsored by the SDA Church, mission participants need only be qualified and willing workers.
Dr. Raj Baman sitting behind desk.
Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital has supported the trip all these years by allowing several providers and other clinicians to be away from work at the same time. The hospital has also provided medications for the teams to take.
As a guest on a recent radio broadcast of the “Samaritan Health Report,” Souza told about the trip from her point of view.
“The doctors were busy seeing people with an array of medical problems,” she said. “They saw an incredible garden variety of minor problems to major trauma. Ulcers, significant trauma from physical brutalization, someone suffering from headaches for 10 years, chest trauma from being hit with the butt of a rifle….”
This is the second year she participated. Previous trips have taken medical teams to where there is need and where there are connections to make it happen: throughout Africa, Asia and South America. Those not familiar with conditions in these third-world countries are quick to notice the infrastructure is quite different, the poverty is severe, and the culture is, of course, foreign.
“There is poverty in the U.S. and in Lincoln County, but there is no comparison to what I saw in Uganda,” she said. “Homes don’t have running water and a lot of people work very difficult manual labor jobs.”
As an example, Souza told about a woman with only one usable arm who picked tea leaves 12 hours a day in stifling heat as her only source of income.
While Souza provided some mental health counseling during the trip, her primary task was to provide counseling before and after HIV testing of patients.
“You have to put your western mindset away for a moment,” she said. “I told myself, pretend you are a citizen of the world and don’t place value judgments on others.”
For instance, it’s common in African countries for men to have more than one wife and to have mistresses. The wife has little moral or legal standing. Sexual assault is rampant.
“Their experiences are completely different from mine,” Souza said, “but it was important for me to engage immediately, to develop a rapport right away. People can tell if you really care or if you are just checking off a box. I had to get creative in helping women to be safe.”
The medical mission team members were assisted by the local university’s medical and nursing students, who acted as translators.
“My level of respect for the students is tremendous. Despite the severe poverty, they make every effort to get this education,” Souza said. “Dr. Oksenholt facilitates and encourages us to provide scholarships to the students so they can continue to do their work. A hundred dollars — that’s a month of coffee or soda at Starbucks for some people — that amount of money can help these kids finish their education, to become a doctor, a nurse or a midwife.”
After an incredibly intense and wonderful week of treating patients, the team took a week to decompress. Souza and others hiked into the Bwindi National Forest to see gorillas in the wild.
“It is so cool that Samaritan allows their staff to do this. It’s more than just sending people to work for two weeks. It’s paying it forward so the next generation of doctors and nurses and midwives can serve their own community. We are helping people achieve their goals.”
Playing in warm weather and on quick greens on the home course of the 2016 NCAA champion Oregon Ducks, the Taft High boys golf team used a team-leading 81 from junior Logan Merry to emerge victorious Monday at a non-qualifying event in Creswell.
The Tigers, playing short-handed with four players at Emerald Valley Golf Club, defeated previously unbeaten Blanchet Catholic, also playing with just four golfers, 388-397 in a casual 18-hole match that included East Linn Academy and Santiam Christian. Individuals also competed from Waldport, Regis and Amity.
Merry, Taft’s leading player, teed off under blue skies and a little warmer weather than last week’s rainy match at Mallard Creek Golf Club near Lebanon, to shoot 43-38—81, his second lowest score of the season to finish third.
Playing on faster greens that were true but tough, according to Taft head coach Andy Morgan, senior Bonny Patel carded a 48-46—94.
Junior William Brooks came ready to play with “a strong attitude” and shot 51-55—106 under sunny skies, Morgan said.
Anchoring the Tigers was senior Dawson Wood, who carded a personal-low 52-55–107 in his sixth competition of the season.
“Dawson has worked every day on improving upon his consistent fairway play,” Morgan said.
The Tigers will travel to Central Oregon for three days of golf at Quail Run Golf Course over the weekend before hosting the Special District 2 District Championships May 7-8 at Salishan Spa & Golf Resort in Gleneden Beach.
And accept it that soon, you’ll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth saving, then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’
Bob Dylan
Huge drops in times were the order of the day throughout the weekend as several swimmers posted their lifetime-best efforts in kicking off the summer swimming season in the Lincoln City Community Center pool.
Hunter Lunstedt
The Lincoln City Swim Club boys, led by a dominant group of 12-and-under athletes, splashed their way to the team title, while the girls placed third Sunday in the annual April Invitational that featured approximately 230 competitors. More than a thousand family, friends and fans thrust a shot in the arm of the local economy over three days of competition that showcased young swimmers of all ages in various sprint and distance events.
The competition, which began Friday evening with the longer races, included qualifying heat races and finals in the sprints and other events as the weekend progressed. Featured was competitive drama that ran the gamut from early elementary schoolers to teenagers.
On starting blocks, left to right, Charlotte Lunstedt, Evan Halferty, Logan Meyer and Heidi Moreno.
Highly decorated Sam Cortes, who had missed practice recently to perform in the orchestra for the Taft High 7-12 production of the Wizard of Oz, confirmed there’s no place like home by swimming four “A” times, while 7-year-old Daisy Cobos won the 200-meter swim in her first-ever event.
“It was a great experience for the kids, sort of a short- and long-course event,” said longtime LCSC and Taft High Coach Lissa Parker of the nine-team meet that was contested in a pool of approximately 33 yards, an unusual length for most Oregon venues.
Lydia Prins
Among the biggest drops in times were posted by: Abby Halferty, 25 seconds, 200 freestyle; Cooper Holloway, 17, 100 back; Logan Meyer, 28, 200 free; Angel Moreno, 16, 200 free and 17, 200 individual medley; Heidi Moreno, 15, 25 breaststroke; Isabelle Serrato, 26, 100 breast; Noah Serrato, 26, 200 free; and Mike Young, 48, 200 IM.
The Evenson brothers and Jose Luis Cortes garnered several “B” times. Thirteen-year-old Mugen Evenson earned a State time in the 50 free.
For more information on Oregon, Lincoln City Swim Club and Taft High swimming, click here
Taft High sophomore Ella Knott broke her own school record in the javelin Friday after setting the mark just two days earlier in Corvallis.
Knott hurled the javelin 130 feet, 6 inches at the Central Coast Invitational track and field meet in Florence mere hours after breaking Rose Hollingsworth’s 13-year-old school record with a throw of 129 feet, 2 inches.
Knott also won the pole vault with a personal-best jump of 8 feet in leading the Taft girls to sixth place in the 13-team event hosted by Siuslaw High School.
The Taft boys, led by senior sprinter Gabe Arce-Torres’ victories in the 200- and 400-meter dashes, placed fifth.
Perennial Class 4A power Philomath won both the boys and girls team titles.
While Knott was the only Taft representative with a top-three finish in the girls competition, senior distance runner Preston Nightingale won the 1,500-meter run, Arce-Torres finished second in the 100 and junior Mad Scott was third in the javelin for the boys.
Sophomore Emma Coulter hit and pitched Taft High to victory with two RBIs and a six-hitter Friday for a key 4-2 home win over Dayton in a showdown between unbeaten West Valley League teams.
“Tonight’s game was a huge win for us,” Taft coach Sandy Stuart said. “We came out totally confident and clear-headed. We earned a big win and a big step in taking the league title. Dayton is a rival in our league and the team to beat.”
Coulter survived the hitting of leadoff batter Malina Ray, who collected half of Dayton’s hits and scored both runs, by shutting the Pirates down after Taft scored twice in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game, 2-2. The Tigers (10-5, 4-0 West Valley) scored two times in the fifth off Pirates’ starter Ani Heidt to secure the win.
“Emma pitched an amazing game,” Stuart said. “She worked hard from start to finish.”
Senior third baseman Naomi Rini, sophomore catcher Hailee Dannecker and freshman shortstop Claira Tolan had two hits each for Taft, while Dannecker and senior centerfielder Alyysa Tanksley drove home runs against the Pirates (10-6, 4-1).
Dannecker scored twice and Rini and freshman leadoff hitter Kyla Knott once each for the Tigers.
“Not only did we have nine base hits off of a great pitcher, but we played tough defense and maintained a winning attitude throughout the game,” said Stuart, who cited Dannecker for a pivotal throw to second to help keep the Pirates off the base paths.
Coulter, Knott and senior Madison Clanton had Taft’s other hits.
“Our defense was placed in different positions, but they rose to the occasion and played so well,” Stuart said. “The girls really wanted the win and it showed.”
Taft 4, Dayton 2
DAYTON AB R H BI
Malina Ray 4 2 3 0
Catie Jacks 4 0 1 1
Ani Heidt 2 0 0 0
Kalina Rojas 3 0 1 1
Maddie Fluke 3 0 0 0
Sofia Cicirone 2 0 0 0
Emily Elliot 3 0 1 0
Jodi Desmet 3 0 0 0
Gabby Shadden 3 0 0 0
Madison Clanton 3 0 1 0 TOTALS 27 2 6 2
Now we know precisely why the Taft High baseball team is recognized as the finest small-school team in the state.
Every batter collected at least one hit and scored and drove in at least one run Friday in a hitting exhibition likely to rival any in school history as the No. 1-ranked Tigers routed Dayton 19-0 in a West Valley League home game limited to five innings by the 10-run mercy rule.
Trenton Fisher
“We had some guys who have been slumping come out of it today,” Taft coach Matt Hilgers said.
No kidding.
The first-place Tigers scored 11 runs in the first inning and eight in the second, and supported senior starter Jack Stempel with 18 hits to win their ninth straight game and sixth in a row with 10 runs or more.
Tyee Fisher
“When the team jumps out early, it makes our job easier,” Hilgers said.
Centerfielder Caleb King went 3-for-3 with three runs and five RBIs for Taft as six of the nine players collected at least two hits each against three Dayton pitchers.
Caleb KingJack Stempel
Stempel held the Pirates (6-9, 3-2 West Valley) to just two hits, struck out five and walked none for the Tigers (15-2, 6-0), who have averaged 11.5 runs this season.
Senior Josh Salbery and sophomore Trenton Fisher also had three hits each for Taft. Sophomore Eli DeMello drove in four runs and scored three times, along with King, Salsbery and sophomore Caleb Jones.
Josh Salsbery
“This was one of those days that anyone could have been throwing against us and we would have hit,” Hilgers said. “We were zoned in and had some good approaches at the plate.”
Eli DeMello
Taft plays next at last-place Sheridan (1-12, 0-6) Tuesday, April 24. The Tigers defeated the Spartans 28-0 at home earlier this season.
The first-place Tigers scored 11 runs in the first inning and eight in the second, and supported senior starter Jack Stempel with 18 hits to win their ninth straight game and sixth in a row with 10 runs or more.
Approximately 230 athletes from throughout Oregon have converged in the Community Center pool this weekend for the Lincoln City Swim Club’s annual April Invitational.
Competition, open to the public with concessions and raffles, were held in the 200- and 400-meter races Friday night, and will resume at 10 a.m. Saturday in the sprints and 9:30 a.m. Sunday. The event will conclude at approximately 1:30 p.m. each day.
Twenty-three members of the Lincoln City Swim Club (LCSC) swam Friday night in various 200-meter, short-course age-group events, including 7-year-old Daisy Cobos for the first time.
“It’s a kickoff for the summer season since we swim short-course meters and a lot of families love to come down to the beach,” LCSC coach Lissa Parker said.
Excuse Taft High girls golf coach Heather Hatton for feeling a little like she’d just finished 18 grueling holes of competitive tournament play using just a putter — only to find she’d been extended to sudden death.
“This is my 20th season coaching, my last home match as the head coach, and my senior daughter’s final home athletic event of her high school career. I was an emotional wreck today, but made it through,” she said.
Hatton, her assistant coach and husband, Rick, and her star player, daughter Maya, bid farewell to organized tournament golf at Chinook Winds Golf Resort on Thursday by winning the team title and medalist honors in fitting fashion.
Maya Hatton
“Today was filled with emotions and energy, and Maya handled it like a champ,” Hatton said of her 17-year-old star player, who broke 80 for the first time in her stellar four-year varsity career with a 79 to lead the Lady Tigers to the championship with their lowest score of the season.
“Today was the most emotionally and athletically exciting day of my high school golf career,” Maya said. “I would like to thank my parents for their support and patience with me. They are the sole reason I have been able to accomplish everything within my golf and academic history.”
Maya, who will attend the College of Idaho on a golf scholarship, bettered her previous-best score on the resort hotel course by four shots. Blanchet Catholic’s Katie Goodwin and Sweet Home’s Haley May tied for second at 85.
“I’m so proud of her — not just because of her golf skills, but because she has become an amazing human,” Hatton said. “I’m so impressed with her work ethic. She doesn’t know the word quit.”
Taft took advantage of gorgeous playing conditions to overcome the challenge of eight schools, including five that fielded full teams.
In addition to Maya Hatton, senior twin sisters Jocelyn and Jorja Arguello were honored prior to the competition for their contributions to the program.
“It was humbling to see the people who showed up to support our senior athletes,” Hatton said.
Former player Shelby Wright, who graduated in 2017, was among those following the Tigers.
“Maya and Shelby have been friends a long time, and to see a former teammate show support like that is a coach’s dream,” she said.
The support carried over to other Taft players, such as sophomore Sammy Halferty, who posted a career-low 99.
Sammy Halferty
“Sammy has really showed up in a big way at a time we need her to,” Hatton said. “I love seeing the excitement on a player’s face when they shoot low and see the results of their hard work.”
Juniors Violet Palermini and Olivia Baker posted 104 and 110, respectively, for the Tigers.
“Violet’s scores are progressively coming down the more she plays,” Hatton sad. “Olivia works so hard. After her round she grabbed a bucket of balls and continued to practice. She is never done working on her swing.”
Sophomore Noa Stoll carded a career-low 127 for Taft.
Noa Stoll
In closing, Hatton cited the involvement of the Chinook Winds Golf Resort staff for making the day special for the players, coaches and fans.
“I couldn’t be a prouder coach for my final home tournament,” she said. “This has been an amazing day that I will remember for a long time.”
They say records are made to be broken. Good thing. This one is likely to have an exceedingly short survival rate.
Taft High sophomore Ella Knott broke the school girls’ javelin record Wednesday at a West Valley League track and field meet in Corvallis with a heave of 129 feet, 2 inches.
“We can expect that record to change a few more times before 2020,” Taft Coach Joey Arce-Torres said of the hefty winning throw, which broke the 13-year-old mark established by Rose Hollingsworth in 2005.
The 16-year-old Knott timidly said she knew an extraordinarily long throw would result upon the release, but added her goal was 140 feet . . .
For this season!
“Our freshmen and sophomores are flexing their muscles and making juniors and seniors a bit nervous on how close they are getting to surpassing them,” Arce-Torres said following a thorough exhibition of achievement by his underclassmen. “It should make for an interesting final few weeks of the season.”
Knott also won the pole vault and finished second in the 200-meter dash in the conference meet, which was hosted by Santiam Christian at Crescent Valley High School.
Freshman Jordyn Ramsey won the 800-meter run and junior Kayla Brown the high jump for the Taft girls.
Jordyn Ramsey
Senior Margery Price, junior Maleah Smith, sophomore Olivia Williams and Ramsey teamed to win the 4×400-meter relay.
Sophomore Autumn Ellis was second in the 400-meter run, the 1,500-meter run and the 3,000-meter run.
Autumn Ellis
Junior Lydia Prins was second in the 800-meter run, and sophomore Brooke Orendorff was second in the high jump.
Lydia Prins
Ramsey was third in the 1,500, Prins third in the 3,000 and Brown third in the pole vault.
While team scores have yet to be posted, the Taft boys won eight of 17 events and accounted for several other top-three finishes. Arce-Torres said he believes the Tigers won both the boys and girls competitions.
“When the weather warms up, times start to drop,” he said. “We are but three weeks from Districts [May 11-12 at Dayton High School] and are beginning to peak at the right moment. We have a couple of nagging injuries that we are dealing with, but should be healthy for Districts.”
On the boys side, senior Preston Nightingale won the 400- and 800-meter runs and was second in the 3,000.
Preston Nightingale
Senior Gabe Arce-Torres won the 100-meter dash, sophomore Kaden Wright won the 200, freshman JJ French won the pole vault and junior Mad Scott won the javelin.
JJ French
Wright was second behind Arce-Torres in the 200.
Kaden Wright
Taft swept the 400 behind Nightingale’s first-place finish, with junior Jacob Mayoral second and freshman Oscar Rodriguez-Meza third.
Wright, junior Logan Mclendon, freshman William Calderon and freshman Jose Flores won the 4×100 relay, while Mayoral, Flores, sophomore Edison Fuentes and Arce-Torres won the 4×400.
William Calderon and Logan McClendon in the 4×100 relay
Freshman Alex Del Valle was third in the 200, junior Bridigo Zacarias third in the 800, Mayoral third in the pole vault and French third in the 300 hurdles.
Taft competes Friday in the Central Coast Invitational at Siuslaw High School in Florence.
“Our coaches are excited by our PRs and the competitive spirit being displayed during our meets and practices,” Arce-Torres said.
