Sports

Marina Gephart
Editor-n-Cheif

The spring sports season has definitely been a wet one and, at times, a snowy one. Vancouver’s out-of-the-ordinary weather really puts a damper on the Girls’ Tennis team, a team who eventually gets to enjoy the sunshine of early spring. “The weather has been a factor this season—a negative factor. It has been moist. That is bad,” says Coach Joel Bieker. Rainwater makes the tennis courts especially slippery, eliminating any chance for the girls to play on them. Their only options are postponement or to manually dry the courts, which is a particularly unpleasant experience.

But the team has been managing well, especially with returning players: seniors Teresa Makar, Kristine Madsen, Erin Roetker, Cheyenne Sutcliffe, and Captain Anna Stice. All four-year, varsity players, these girls lead the team in various ways. “Kristine and Anna are providing traditional team leadership (leading cheers, running fast, offering encouragement) while Erin, Cheyenne, and the rest made us a sweatshirt design,”Coach Bieker explained.

Their season hasn’t quite picked up yet, with only a few matches under their belt, but Captain Anna Stice is optimistic, “We have a solid team and once we get some more practice time in, we should do great. We have a lot of heart.” To keep the mood up, the team uses a beat-up, mismatched radio aptly titled “Ghetto Blaster” during the scant sunny day. All of the team can agree that they all can pull in some wins this season. “We’ve only been on the court seven times this season, but I think we can win a number of maches,” Coach Bieker offers.

The saddest part of the upcoming season is the departure of Stice, Madsen, Roetker, and Sutcliffe, who were friends before tennis and have grown closer because of it. “The four of us came out our freshmen year not really knowing what we were doing but we’ve really grown as players and now it’s a big part of our lives,” Stice says. Coach Bieker feels the same way. “It has been really fun just to play tennis together and start the season, but also time is slipping away. Kind of like the way you feel on the Friday of Spring Break: you still have a weekend, but you also wonder where the week went (and wish you could get it back). I guess I’m just sorry for myself because I will miss them.” But all in all, Girls’ Tennis 2012 should be a pleasant experience for all involved, despite the shuffling of the team.

By: Tyler Moulton
Reporter

Spring time is lacrosse time, so get ready to play. This year, instead of Heritage just playing, all four of the high schools have combined and are practicing at Frontier Middle School. Lacrosse is not a single person sport but a team sport, indicative through the communication and teamwork they use in order to make a good pass and score some points. Luckily for the girls, everybody who got cleared was able to be on the team. “At least a few people from every school joined; there were twenty- five from Heritage, one from Evergreen, eight from Mountain View, and twenty from Union, so with an overall of fifty- four players,” says Shawn Perez, five year head coach for lacrosse. Some returning players are Senior Jocelyn Cole, Junior Dawn Lumen, Junior Emily McCoy, and Senior Hunter Armstrong.

This year, the lacrosse team is in the Varsity Nisqually league. “We have a very talented team this year. I think we will do very well,” says Coach Perez. “There is no state competition for lacrosse. Instead, it just goes to a playoff system and Heritage has not gone to playoffs,” continues Coach Perez. Their goal this year is to mainly win games at the varsity level. But also, to win 4 games at the JV level so their program will continue to grow. “Practice, practice is the key. The game of lacrosse is so new to everyone, they just need to practice cradling, throwing, and catching,” says Coach Perez.

If the team continues to practice on their techniques, they should be as good as they plan to be, for their goal is pretty big.

Amber Downing
Reporter

Girl’s Basketball
This year the girls basketball team made some great strides. After winning 5 games last year, we ended our season with 11 wins and 8 losses, which is a step in the right direction. they ended up in 4th place in league, and beat Battle Ground who is 2nd place in league, 2 out of 3 times we played them. The girls are graduating 4 seniors, and we will need to work in the offseason to replace them. Our returning ladies will need to step up into larger roles and take this team where they want it to go next season. Our ultimate goal is to always put ourselves in a position to complete in post season play.

Gymnastics
The girls gymnastics team is pretty much undefeated putting them out there as our schools greatest achievers. “we had an overall great season, our team was undefeated. Everyone worked hard and had a blast with each other. I wish the season was longer.” Says Cassidy Larer. The girls worked hard to get to the top and most of the girls admit they will miss the season or will come back to it. “ Im going to miss the girls on the team so much. Everyone was very nice and helpful, I’m proud of everyone, the team did great this season.”Says Jessica Goudge.

Girls bowling
The girls bowling team ended with a bang when varsity bowlers Amanda VanMeter and Katelin Burkhart left for state and bowled against girls from all over Washington. Amanda bowled a game of 1170 total points in 6 games and a high score of 266 landing her in second place in state, and Katelin bowled a total of 224 points and bowled her first 200 game.

Ronnie Hester
Reporter

The boy’s swimming team consisted of two members, Ben Johnson and Aidan Cogdill. They did not have enough members on the team to win any meets, and it was difficult to get boys on the team since they have to provide their own transportation to Cascade Athletic Club on Mill Plain Blvd.

Last season Johnson swam for Evergreen High School and when he transferred to heritage his sophomore year and has made some very big improvements since he swam at EVHS. Johnson placed at districts and qualified in many different events, he placed 7th in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:23.78 and 7th place in the 500 freestyle with a 6:50.75. In other events this year, Johnson had a 27.21 in the 50 free, 59.80 in the 100, and a 1:19.33 in the 100 fly. This proves that he has made very big improvements.

“Aidan is a new swimmer and learned a ton that he will hopefully carry on into next season”. Says coach Shoup. “I am also hoping that next season there will be a few more swimmers on the team”, He continues on with explaining That having relays is a lot more fun, and it will increase the chances of winning some meets”. Even thought there were only two guys on the swimming team, they still gave it their all.

Ronnie Hester
Reporter

This month’s male athlete of the issue is senior varsity basketball player Cherno Sowe. Sowe has been playing basketball ever since he attended Frontier Middle School, and he achieved being on the “A” team. His hopes for this season are to get a better record than he had last season. He dedicates his time to basket ball every day after school until 5:15.

According to Sowe the biggest supporters to the team are Dakota Kerns, and Alex Sam. “Alex and Dakota have been to every game” says Sowe. “Alex was on the team, but coach did him wrong, and he still comes to every game to support our team, love you Alex!’ says Sowe.

Sowe’s biggest motivation is for him to get better and work harder to get his self ready for college sports. His inspiration would have to be his mother, because she is the strongest woman he has ever met. “Knowing she fights everyday to beat the cancer makes me want to persevere no matter what happens to me.” Sowe tells us.

When Sowe graduates his plan is to go to Western Oregon University, and play international basketball. “Sports have taught me a lot, teamwork, leadership, perseverance, accountability and ownership.” Says Sowe.

Sowe also enjoys taking part in football, and track. Sowe’s favorite memory happened when Tim Hergert had gotten hurt while practice was in session and coach Forbes was about to break down in tears. Before each game Sowe likes to take a pre-game bathroom break, and always listens to Wale’s hit single “DC or Nothing”

“I love everyone that has been a part of my life in anyway,” States Sowe.

“N.G.U;” Never give up. “Only the strong survive” are quote Cherno lives by.

Amber Downing
Reporter

This month’s athlete of the issue is junior gymnast Britni atwell. Britni has been doing gymnastics for the school since her freshman year but she has been doing gymnastics since she was two years old. in her free time britni likes to spend time with her friends and family. Her hopes for this are to go to state all around. When Britni isn’t at school or working on her her homework, she spends her time at the gym and works on her routine for 2 hours Monday through Thursday and on Wednesdays she’s there from 3 to 9:30.

According to The Columbian Atwell has won the all-around title at the Winterfest meet with a score of 37.25, just edging out Cadie Pratt of Spokane’s Mead High School (37.2). Atwell also won the vault (9.55) and the floor exercise (9.7). And she was first in her session in the bars (9.0) and was second on the beam (9.0).

Britni’s biggest supporters are her mom and her coach, not only is her coach her biggest supporter but she is also her biggest motivator alongside her teammates. Atwell’s inspiration comes from elite gymnasts Carly Patterson and Shawn Johnson. Britni believes that “if you don’t shoot for the stars and try 100% you’re not shooting for your dreams.” Atwell plans on going to UW (university of Washington) and continuing on with her gymnastics career. Britni’s influence on life is that everything in gymnastics has to be with life as in learning to be determined, prideful, along with learning pace, technique, balance, leadership and teamwork.

Not only does Atwell show competitiveness in gymnastics, but she is also an active member of track and swimming. Atwell has been doing track and field since sixth grade and swimming since her freshman year. She enjoys working out and knowing the fact that she can pick up most boys. Atwell’s favorite memory would have to be when she went to state her freshman and sophomore year.
Before a big meet Britni enjoys listening to music and she wishes all of her teammates good luck. Atwell would like to like to put out they’re still undefeated and still going strong and “I love you girls!”

John Ebert a junior, tennis player has worked his way up the top and is this October’s Athlete of the Issue. “It feels awesome to know that you’re the Athlete of the Issue because all the work that you have put into the sport has been recognized,” said Ebert.
Men’s Tennis has many practice meets that help the players work on their skills, which will be put to the test against their opponents. “Boys tennis is doing really good; there are many incoming freshmen on our team. We have to train even harder now that there are more players because we’re only as strong as our weakest link,” said Ebert.
Boy’s tennis does not cut players so you can join, practice a lot and improve. “It takes long hours of practice and dedication to be an experienced player, never stop practicing,” said Ebert. Men’s Tennis is very active; having many matches keeps players active and continually working on their game.
Athletes at Heritage High School go through vigorous training and intense practices so they can increase their skills and be the best they can be. “It takes long hours and practice to be an athlete; it requires lots of dedication and hours working on our skills,” said Ebert.
T here are many athletes at Heritage and they do a good job, there is not one athlete who is bad or has no talent. Join a sport or club and encourage others to do so, because if everyone was in a club or sport then Heritage will be a great role model for all the other High Schools to follow.

-Written by John Furdui

Abby Knight, a senior varsity cross country runner, is this October’s Athlete of the Issue. She has performed exceptionally well at her meets,
“The girl’s team improved a lot, there’s also a good shot that If everyone performs to the best of their abilities that we make it to regionals,” said Knight.
Being an athlete takes time from your day due to practice, and attending meets and games. “Hard work, dedication, everything you do affects you’re running,” explained Knight, who has made regional’s many times. Putting her experience to good use; she teaches the incoming freshmen tips and tricks she has learned over the years. “Cross country is my favorite sport because running helps keep people fit and healthy.”
The cross country team is improving annually, with more freshmen joining every year. Students who attend the cross country meets help encourage the team; the more people cheering for the team results in higher school spirit.
“I’m excited to be the Athlete of the Issue, I hope to inspire more students to join clubs or sports so that everyone would be participating in something at Heritage High School,” said Knight. She influences people and wants them to understand that they can join a sport or club without being picked on. “We have lots of competitions and you have to train hard to be prepared,” said Knight. Sports and Clubs motivate you and give you self confidence, as well as looking good on your resume. If you’re in a sport or club encourages others to join so we can change the school together.

-Written by John Furdui