Speedway Survivor

Longton returns to defend Fall Classic title ||

YAKIMA, Wash. — Racing at the front in the Fall Classic has always been the ultimate test of attrition. The season’s last charge into Yakima Speedway’s bullring, the best drivers in the region swapping paint and a bunch of money to chase.

To the hardy survivor of 200 laps go the riches and a winter’s worth checkered-flag memories.

Mike Longton, B.J. Tidrick and Erick Hargraves — all locals — have each found a way to persevere in these October marathons, taking turns winning the last three events. But with the 22nd annual Fall Classic set for this weekend, all three have found the attrition impacts winners, too.

Longton, the defending champion, is breaking in a new car that remains largely untested, ’06 winner Tidrick will be the crew chief for 19-year-old Joey Tanner and ’07 champ Hargraves will indeed jump in a car — but head out of town.

Does that mean the big checks will be handed out to visitors like Pete Harding and Garrett Evans, who dominated the early years of the Fall Classic with seven wins? Not necessarily since Longton thinks he’s not far from hitting the right setup and veteran ace Jeff Jefferson is in the field.

“Last year we had such a good car and we got out front early. It was just about perfect,” recalled Longton, who is coming off a promising Northwest Tour season that was spoiled when that “perfect” car was nearly destroyed. “Now, with the new car, we’re still working out the bugs. I feel like it’s a fine-tuning thing, so we’re close.”

Longton debuted the new car in the Tour’s season finale in Yakima two weeks ago and placed eighth. He’ll get more laps on it Saturday in the 125-lap Limited Late Model race, which precedes Sunday’s featured 200-lapper.

“If I had the same car as last year I’d feel 100 percent more confident,” Longton admitted. “But if we hit the right setup we could win it. While we’re still working some things out, we’re not thinking about a top 10 run, we want to win it again.”

With four consecutive top-five finishes, Tidrick has been the most consistent driver in recent Fall Classics. But high racing costs and a desire to mentor Portland-based Tanner steered him into the pits this season.

“It’s difficult to see someone else race my car, but Joey is someone I trust,” Tidrick said. “I’m OK with it. With what it costs to race these cars — tires, fees, fuel — we had to back off financially this season.”

In Tidrick’s car, Tanner won the Northwest Tour’s rookie of the year award and finished fourth overall.

“We had some good runs and a little bad luck,” Tidrick noted. “This weekend, though, I know we’ve got a good car and a great team. The Fall Classic takes patience — be nice to the car and be nice to the tires. That’s what I’ve learned, and Joey gets that.”

Hargraves is just two years removed from his Fall Classic victory, but the 2009 season has been mostly a forgettable one. He ended up 12th in the NWT standings with a high finish of third, but engine problems and dwindling finances slowed the campaign.

“It’s just been a rough year, just crazy,” he said. “Every time we were in a big race something would break or fall apart. And we just ran out of money to keep fixing it. The car we’re running is 19 years old and that’s probably three-quarters of the problem.”

Hargraves, who hopes to rebuild the car and race a full season in Yakima next year, has always loved the Fall Classic and competed very well in it. Which is why it would be too tough simply to watch.

“I’ve had seven or eight years in a row of winning a trophy, either a main event or trophy dash,” he said. “It’s such a great event, but without being able to race I think I’ll just leave town and see some friends.”

IN THE PITS — This year’s Fall Classic has been reduced from three days to two days, eliminating Friday’s events and the Race of Champions.

Saturday’s lineup will be anchored by the Limited Late Model main event, which for several drivers will be the first race of a weekend doubleheader.

The other divisions include Hobby Stocks, Street Stocks and the Northwest Pro 4’s. After Saturday qualifying, heats and dashes, those main events will precede Sunday’s 200-lap Late Model feature.

• In addition to Longton, Harding and Evans, other former Fall Classic winners in the field are Jeff Barkshire (2005) and Chris Hart (1990). Barkshire hasn’t run the October race here since his win four year ago, but he’s a major threat having recorded two top-five finishes on the NASCAR Camping World West circuit this year.

• Gary Lewis and Jeff Jefferson have combined for seven Northwest Tour titles but neither has won a Fall Classic. Both are in the field and in good form. Lewis capped his fourth NWT championship two weeks ago in Yakima, and Jefferson finished second on the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series.

• History shows that Longton’s pursuit of a repeat will be tough. Only Harding (97-98-99) has won consecutive Fall Classics. Brian Pepper has won the last two Street Stocks races, and Randy Marshall Jr. was last year’s Hobby Stocks winner.

• Gates open both days at 11 a.m. with racing at 1 p.m.

10/1/09 Prep Soccer Roundup

YAKIMA, Wash. — Katy Allen got Eisenhower off to a fast start, and then helped the Cadets seal a 4-2 victory over Chiawana in a CBBN girls soccer match Wednesday at Marquette Stadium.

Allen scored three first-half goals as the Cadets opened a 3-1 lead at the break. Then, after Chiawana closed to 3-2 early in the second half on Erin Huisingh’s second goal of the game, Allen assisted on Ruby Ceniceros’ goal in the 67th minute to give Ike some breathing room.

Sophia Pedemonte made two saves to earn the victory in goal for the Cadets, now 5-2 in league and 6-2 overall.

First half: 1, Eisenhower, Katy Allen (Liz Figueroa), 6:00; 2, Eisenhower, Allen (Ashlyn Keller), 7:00; 3, Chiawana, Erin Huisingh (Tieler Kendrick), 25:00; 4, Eisenhower, Allen (Sarah Lopez), 35:00.

Second half: 5, Chiawana, Huisingh (Hannah Bosch), 50:00; 6, Eisenhower, Ruby Ceniceros (Allen), 67:00.

Saves: Sophia Pedemonte (E) 2, Andrea Guardado (C) 13.

BOYS SOCCER

WALLA WALLA VALLEY ACADEMY 6, RIVERSIDE CHRISTIAN 3: At Riverside Christian, Derek Byrne scored twice, both in the second half, but Riverside Christian couldn’t overcome a big first-half deficit in a non-league match.

Eric Sierra scored two of the visitors’ five first-half goals, and Kevin Nateras also had two goals to hand the Crusaders (2-1-1) their first loss of the season.

First half: 1, WWVA, own goal, 4:00; 2, WWVA, Eric Sierra, 10:00; 3, WWVA, Spencer Kuhlman, 21:00; 4, WWVA, Kevin Nateras, 31:00; 5, WWVA, Sierra, 34:00.

Second half: 6, Riverside Christian, Derek Byrne, 43:00; 7, Riverside Christian, Byrne, 56:00; 8, Riverside Christian, Delwin Bazelman 62:00; 9, WWVA, Nateras, 70:00.

Saves: Michael Stein (RC) 8, WWVA goalie and saves not reported.

Walla Walla shuts out YVCC

YAKIMA, Wash. — Jaymie Balcom had two goals and an assist, and Tahlia O’Loughlin and Margo Hickman added two goals apiece as Walla Walla shutout Yakima Valley Community College 11-0 in a women’s college soccer match Wednesday at the YVCC soccer field.

In all, eight different players scored for Walla Walla as it dropped the Yaks’ record to 0-4-1.

First half: 1. WWCC, Jaymie Balcom (Emma Hawn), 2:26; 2. WWCC, Balcom, 9:09; 3. WWCC, Teresa Lopez, 23:07;  4. WWCC, Katie Lucas, 29:36; 5. WWCC, Dominique Alston (Balcom), 41:11; 6. WWCC, Tahlia O’Loughlin (Lucas), 43:00; 7. WWCC, O’Loughlin, 44:00.

Second half: 8. WWCC, Margo Hickman, 56:43; 9. WWCC, Hickman, 61:29; 10:. WWCC, Hawn, 68:37; 11. WWCC, Amanda Keebler (Hawn), 74:03.

Saves: Vaughnessa Garcia (YVCC) 3, Mackenzie Crawford (YVCC) 2; Jordan Simkins (WWCC) 1.

YVCC swept by Spokane

SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane swept Yakima Valley Community College in an NWAACC East Region volleyball match Wednesday night. Spokane won 25-21, 25-17, 25-20.

No other details were reported.

10/1/09 VSW Bulletin Board

BASEBALL: West Valley Little League is having a fall cleanup at the Cottonwood fields from 1 to 3 p.m. this Sunday. WVLL will be holding its annual meeting and election of officers at 6 p.m. Oct. 19 at the West Valley Middle School commons. In order to vote at the meeting, you must have attended at least one meeting during the 2009 season. For more information, call Mike Rubidoux at 834-1386, Dina Williams at 969-3099, Bill Ross at 945-1522, or visit their Web site at www.westvalleyyouthbaseball.org.

• Yakima National Little League will conduct its monthly October meeting on Tuesday, starting at 7 p.m. in the old Nurse’s Building at Regional Hospital. YNLL will have its annual meeting and election of officers Tuesday, Oct. 20, starting at 6 p.m. In order to vote at the Oct 20 meeting you need to attend the Tuesday meeting or have been at a meeting during the 2009 season. For more information, call Hutch at 969-0852 or Bob Cook at 469-2900.

• Baseball Advantage is holding tryouts for 10 to 14 year olds for 2010 traveling teams. Tryouts will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 11 at Franklin Park, and the cost is $10. Players should bring their own glove, bat and shoes. For more information, call 509-961-6559 or 509-910-9333.

BASKETBALL: Registration has started for the 2009 AAU Fall Youth Basketball League. The league, for boys and girls in grades 1-8, will play games on Saturdays, from Oct. 24 through Dec. 12. Cost is $220 per team, with the early registration deadline Friday. Entry forms and information is online at www.ieaau.org, or available by calling the AAU office at 509-453-2696.

• The Yakima Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring the five-week 2009 Fall Tune-Up League for both men and women, which begins the week of Oct. 19. Registration is next week, Monday through Friday. Cost is $360 per team. For more information, call 575-6020.

10/1/09 Valley Sports Weekly results

Golf

Apple Tree
MEN’S DIVISION
Club Championship, Sept. 26-27
Low gross: Shane Snell 139. Low net: Jesse Oliver 123.
First Flight — Gross: 1, Mark Donahue 149; 2, Pete Pitzer 151; 3, Mike Schlosser 153. Net: 1, (tie) Van Johnson 136, Alex Podruzny 136; 3, (tie) Dan Close 143, Steve Crow 143.
Second Flight — Gross: 1, Mike Cingle 154; 2, Dewey Boynton 158; 3, Tyler Edwards 167. Net: 1, Craig Hisey 138; 2, (tie) Bryan Thoet 143, Alan Walania 143.
Third Flight — Gross: 1, Mark Turnquist 162; 2, Jack Shaw 167; 3, (tie) Glen Durall 183, Don Snipes 183. Net: 1, Mark Loes 135; 2, Jason Galloway 141; 3, Ed Parkins 151.
Fourth Flight — Gross: 1, Larry Oliver 163; 2, Eric Rotondo 176; 3, (tie) Robert Vickers 185, Tim Hein 185. Net: 1, Al Landis 136; 2, Bob Mott 138; 3, Jim Richartz 145.
Gross & Net Tournament, Sept. 17
First Flight — Gross: 1, Mark Donahue 71; 2, Shane Snell 72; 3, Pete Pitzer 73. Net: 1, Van Johnson 65; 2, Alex Podruzny 68; 3, Mike Schlosser 70.
Second Flight — Gross: 1, Dewey Boynton 80; 2, Matt Crocker 81; 3, Butch Lenberg 83. Net: 1, Greg Lenhart 68; 2, Mike Cingle 71; 3, Craig Hisey 72.
Third Flight — Gross: 1, Jason Galloway 82; 2, Mark Turnquist 85; 3, Ron Hicks 92. Net: 1, Mark Loes 68; 2, Jack Shaw 71; 3, Randy Ammerman 75.
Fourth Flight — Gross: 1, Larry Oliver 82; 2, Al Landis 85; 3, Eric Rotondo 88. Net: 1, Jesse Oliver 59; 2, Bob Mott 68; 3, Stan Hixson 71.
WOMEN’S DIVISION
T’s & F’s, Sept. 23
1, Carolyn Bowman 321/2; 2, Linda Lenseigne 341/2; 3, Marlene O’Halloran 351/2; 4, Claudette Haubner 361/2; 5, Connie Wilson 37; 6, (tie) Sara Keefe 38, Carol Romig 38.
Low gross: 1, Linda Lenseigne 93; 2, Carolyn Bowman 94. Low net: 1, (tie) Connie Wilson 71, Brenda Batali 71.

Mount Adams
MEN’S DIVISION
2-Man Bestball, Sept. 24
Gross: 1, Louis Alcala-Gary Hutchins 68; 2, (tie) Troy Wilmoth-Perry Uchida 70, Mike VanWingerden-Erick Holden 70, Mike Chambers-Ken Hornstein 70. Net: 1, Joe Hoptowit-Leonard Rabanal 60; 2, (tie) Ron Smith-Monty Carl 62, Jim Whitaker-Ron Smith 62, Aaron Louis-Leonard Rabanal 62; 5, (tie) Denver Campbell-Monty Carl 63, Denver Campbell-Jim Whitaker 63.
WOMEN’S DIVISION
Mutt & Jeff, Sept. 23
1, Ursula Pond; 2, (tie) Jackie Blythe, Maria Frank.
COUPLES DIVISION
3/3/3, Sept. 25
Gross: 1, Louis Alcala-Ronnie Bradbury 41. Net: 1, Ron Storkel-Lorene Lenseigne 281/2; 2, (tie) Todd Lenseigne-Carol Storkel 311/2, Mike Chambers-Sharon Hedden 311/2; 4, Randy Anderson-Maria Frank 321/2.
Pro-Am Format, Sept. 26
1, Mike Chambers-Chuck Linker-Debbie Anderson-Larry Blythe 193; 2, Craig Hert-Randy Anderson-Steve Knopp-Gloria Campbell 196; 3, James Rogers-Bob Bergeron-Kelly Linker-Betty Carl 198.
Men’s Dueces: Denver Campbell, Ben Sifuentes, Kim Parker, Gary Hyatt, Chuck Linker.
Ladies gross: 1, Debbie Anderson 92. Net: 1, Gloria Campbell 68; 2, Sharon Hedden 74; 3, Maria Frank 77.
Horserace, Sept. 27
Win: Kim Parker-Gloria Campbell. Place: Todd Lenseigne-Sharon Hedden. Show: Mike Chambers-Sheila Whitaker.

SunTides
MEN’S DIVISION
Fall Bestball, Sept. 26-27
Gross: 1, Corey DeGrood-Dusty Frontis 127; 2, (tie) Ray Gallipo-Ward Jackson 134, West Campbell-Robi Raab 134; 4, (tie) Carey Weedman-Greg Eide 137, Chris DeGrazia-Mike Hickok 137; 6, (tie) Bruce Hiatt-Bruce Steelman 142, Lyn Dasso-Ivan Porcayo 142; 8, (tie) Bill Adkison-Jeff Shaw 143, Greg McCormick-Perry McCormick 143.
Net: 1, (tie) Greg Clark-Darren Holdt 123, Brian Donaldson-Louis Songer 123; 3, Rory Johnston-Steve Smythe 124; 4, (tie) Russ Fuerst-Bob McCutcheon 125, Brooks Kohls-Lincoln Williams 125; 6, (tie) Rod Johnston-Ron Whittaker 126, Lee Baldwin-David Neeves 126; 8, Steve Adams-Steve Stough 127.
WOMEN’S DIVISION
Best 17, Sept. 29
A Division—Gross: 1, Lori Nulliner 81; 2, Karen Cooper 87; 3, Linda Plummer 93. Net: 1, Carol Judy 63; 2, (tie) Claudette Haubner 68; Carol Finney 68. B Division—Gross: 1, Pat Mosley 89; 2, Linda Lenseigne 93. Net: 1, Kathy Thomas 65; 2, Bev Morgan 74. C Division—Gross: 1, Harriet Clark 98; 2, Helen Gallagher 107; 3, Linda Stilwaugh 153. Net: 1, Pat Eckroat 65; 2, Dianne Oeltjen 69.
Buckskin qualifier: Harriet Clark 70.

Westwood West
WOMEN’S DIVISION
Closest to pin #2, Sept. 23
A Division: Bernice Snyder. B Division: Joanne Johnston.
COUPLES DIVISION
Team Scramble, Sept. 24
1, Gail & Kathie Sanders-Adrienne Quinell-Danny Masias 32; 2, (tie) Harold & Bernice Snyder-Jim & Janie Richartz 35; Merl & Merilee Brothers-Dave & Elaine Donahue 35; 4, Don & Geneva Nelson-Gary & Pam Kingsboro 37.

Yakima Elks
MEN’S DIVISION
Sept. 23
4-Man Bestball: Bob Sewell-Dave Uhlman-Bill Poulin-Len Durand 198.
2-Man Bestball — Gross: Russ Arbuckle-Troy Wilmoth 70; Mark Mochel-Jim Blevins 71; Russ Arbuckle-Willie Edwards 73; Terry Matthews-Jim Blevins 74; Jim Blevins-John Mills 76. Net: Larry Lenz-Jack Howell 61, Steve Jacobson-Monk Sonker 61; Larry Lenz-Norm Kuhlmann 62; Jack Howell-Norm Kuhlmann 63, Mark Cuneo-Monk Sonker 63.
Front 9, 0-9 HCP — Gross: Jim Blevins 37. Net: Dave Uhlman 37, Mark Cuneo 37. 10-18 HCP — Gross: Mick McDonald 40. Net: Bob Weiss 35. 19&U HCP — Gross: Monk Sonker 43. Net: John Corning 321/2.
Sept. 26
4-Man, 2-Net: Leonard Durand-Bob Sewell-David Uhlman-Bill Poulin 120; Paul Sugden-Robert Weiss-Ron Donaldson-Norm Kuhlmann 129.
2-Man Bestball — Gross: Doug Hearron-Gary Hutchins 68; Denny Stone-Gary Pero 71; Doug Hearron-Jim Page 72, Mark Mochel-John Mills 72, John Mills-Terry Matthews 72. Net: Leonard Durand-Bob Sewell 61, Bill Poulin-Bob Sewell 61; Ron Donaldson-Paul Sugden 62, David Uhlman-Bob Sewell 62, David Uhlman-Leonard Durand 62.
18 Holes, 0-8 HCP — Gross: Doug Hearron 73. Net: David Uhlman 69. 9-14 HCP — Gross: Jim Blevins 78. Net: Les Webster 69. 15&U HCP — Gross: Tom Lovell 86. Net: Bob Sewell 66.
WOMEN’S DIVISION
Odd or Even, Sept. 17
A Flight: 1, Shelly Yarbrough 341/2; 2, Pat Sugden 35; 3, Judy Cussons 351/2. B Flight: 1, Shirley Markland 371/2; 2, Linda Plummer 38. C Flight: 1, Donna Erhart 34; 2, (tie) Nyda Damaskos 37, Eileen Borley 37.
Riverside Qualifier, Sept. 24
Low gross: Shelly Yarbrough 85.
Riverside qualifier: Shelly Yarbrough 69.
A Flight: 1, Shelly Yarbrough 69; 2, Pat Sugden 72; 3, (tie) Judy Jones 77, Janet Hall 77.
B Flight: 1, (tie) Helen Tweedy 75, Judy Gano 75.
C Flight: 1, Becky Besel 71; 2, Evva Lange 74; 3, Kristy Williams 77.
Riverside qualifier: Shelly Yarbrough 69.
Pool

Upper Valley
MIXED DOUBLES LEAGUE
Standings, Sept. 28
Cueball: Little Dutch #1 29, Little Dutch #3 28, Ranch #3 27, T&T Lounge #1 24, Brews n Cues 23, Michaels 20, West Valley #2 18, Old Town Pump #1 11.
Miscue: Little Dutch #6 29, West Valley #1 26, Little Dutch #2 24, Old Town Pump #2 22, Ranch #1 17, T&T Lounge #2 9, Bill’s Tavern #2 8.
8-Ball: T&T Lounge #3 37, Little Dutch #4 33, Little Dutch #5 15, Bill’s Tavern #1 13, Ranch #2 13, Ranch #4 12, Red Rooster 12.
Table Runs: Les Harvey, Mary White, Terry Anderson, Donna McGuire.

Softball

Yakima Parks and Recreation
MEN’S ASA
Standings, Sept. 28
A Division: 2nd Street Grill 2-0, Shockers 2-0, Seven Star Trucking 2-2, Country Financial 0-2, Shields Bombers 0-2.
B Division: Desperado’s 2-0, Firefighters 2-0, Hooligans 2-0, Outlaws 0-2, BHUC/Northwest Auto Body 0-2, Hit Squad 0-2.
C Division: PNWU (Ngo) 2-0, All Seasons 2-0, Max Yield 0-2, Retrofits 0-2.
CO-REC ASA
Standings, Sept. 28
Adams: Demolition Commandos 2-0, Fuzzy Dogs 1-1, TBA Weaver 1-3, Leslie Campbell Inc/Creekside Dental 0-2, Pepsi 0-2, Tremors 0-2, Outlaws 0-2.
Bachelor: Blues 2-0, Multiple Scoregasms 1-1, Hoops 1-1, Hoops Bar & Grill (Hager) 0-2, Bats-N-Brews 0-2, Z-Crew 0-2.
Cascade: Team Domex 2-0, Streamline Car Wash 2-0, Domino’s Pizza 2-0, Madson’s Manipulators 0-2, Green Baron 0-2, Costco Call Stars 0-2.

Football, volleyball polls

Here’s this week’s Associated Press state football poll (Zillah shoots up to fifth in 1A, no love for Eisenhower yet). And see below for the state coaches volleyball poll.

FOOTBALL

Class 4A
1, Skyline (8)    3-1    98
2, Bothell (2)    4-0    92
3, Auburn    4-0    78
4, Jackson    4-0    72
5, Wenatchee    4-0    40
6, South Kitsap    4-0    39
(tie)Ferris    3-1    39
8, Gonzaga Prep    3-1    35
9, Curtis    4-0    28
10, Central Valley    4-0    10
Others receiving 6 or more points: 11, Marysville-Pilchuck 8.

Class 3A
1, Lakes (10)    4-0    100
2, Liberty    4-0    84
3, Union    3-1    77
4, Bellevue    2-2    70
5, O’Dea    3-1    61
6, Timberline    4-0    45
7, Meadowdale    4-0    42
8, Juanita    4-0    27
9, Mt. Spokane    3-1    23
10, Camas    3-1    12
Others receiving 6 or more points: None.

Class 2A
1, Ellensburg (8)    4-0    97
2, Archbishop Murphy (2)    3-1    92
3, Lynden    3-1    77
4, Othello    3-1    53
5, Interlake    4-0    45
6, Prosser    3-1    38
7, West Valley (Spokane)    4-0    31
8, Chehalis    4-0    30
9, Blaine    3-1    16
10, Selah    4-0    15
Others receiving 6 or more points: 11, Mark Morris 14, 12, Burlington-Edison 13, 13, North Mason 10, 14, Black Hills 8.

Class 1A
1, Montesano (7)    4-0    97
2, Connell (3)    4-0    92
3, Cascade Christian    4-0    79
4, Cashmere    2-1    64
5, Zillah    3-1    54
6, Cascade (Leavenworth)    3-0    44
7, Royal    3-1    37
8, Meridian    3-1    28
9, Orting    3-1    23
10, Nooksack Valley    3-1    18
Others receiving 6 or more points: None.

Class 2B
1, Colfax (7)    3-0    70
2, La Salle    4-0    61
3, Asotin    4-0    53
4, Adna    4-0    52
5, Napavine    3-1    39
6, Naselle    4-0    34
7, Tacoma Baptist    4-0    23
8, White Swan    4-0    19
9, South Bend    3-1    12
10, Wahkiakum    3-1    8
Others receiving 6 or more points: None.

Class 1B
1, Cusick (5)    4-0    67
2, LaCrosse-Washtucna (2)    4-0    65
3, Almira Coulee-Hartline    4-0    56
4, Neah Bay    4-0    42
5, Colton-Pullman Christian    3-0    38
Others receiving 6 or more points: None.

VOLLEYBALL

Class 4A — 1. Mead; 2. Graham-Kapowsin; 3. Olympia; 4. Southridge; 5. Kamiakin; 6. Edmonds-Woodway; 7. Curtis; 8. Eisenhower; 9. Richland; 10. Jackson.
Class 3A — 1. Blanchet; 2. Eastside Catholic; 3. Seattle Prep; 4. Mount Spokane; 5. Auburn Mountainview; 6. Timberline; 7. Meadowdale; 8. Shorecrest; 9. Mount Si; 10. Enumclaw.
Class 2A — 1. Burlington-Edison; 2. Archbishop Murphy; 3. Black Hills; 4. Selah; 5. Tumwater; 6. Fife; 7. Woodland; 8. Pullman; 9. Colville; 10. West Valley (Spokane).
Class 1A — 1. King’s; 2. Castle Rock; 3. Lynden Christian; 4. Cascade; 5. Cedar Park Christian; 6. Onalaska; 7. Annie Wright; 8. Bellevue Christian; 9. Royal; 10. Chelan.
Class 2B — 1. La Conner; 2. Colfax; 3. Ocosta; 4. Riverside Christian; 5. Kittitas; 6. Adna; 7. Tekoa-Oakesdale; 8. Toutle Lake; 9. Lind-Ritzville; 10. Bear Creek.
Class 1B — 1. Lacrosse-Washtucna; 2. Wilson Creek; 3. Colton; 4. St. John-Endicott; 5. Moses Lake Christian; 6. Crescent; 7. Almira-Coulee-Hartline; 8. Northport; 9. Klickitat; 10. North Sound Christian.

Prep volleyball–Going the distance

Selah opens 2-0 lead, then holds off East Valley in five//

SELAH — In dominant form and threatening to sweep, then on the ropes and in danger of losing at home.

Selah’s fourth-ranked volleyball team went from one extreme to another Tuesday night, but in the end the Vikings remained undefeated in CWAC play.

Losing a 2-0 lead to a gritty East Vally squad, Selah bounced back to prevail 25-21, 25-12, 19-25, 23-25, 15-11 at Carl Kellman Gym and extend its conference record to 5-0.

In the fifth and deciding set, the Vikings broke out to a 5-0 lead and maintained the cushion to the end.

“I was proud of our resilience but it would have been nice to play a little better in the third game,” said Selah coach Kay Aberle. “We made a lot of serving and hitting errors in that game and gave East Valley a lot of confidence. They battled hard, both teams did.”

Selah’s three-year standout hitter Erin Smith put down 13 kills, and Natalie Fickes and Jamie Alliston combined for 26 assists.

East Valley, which is the first CWAC team this season to take a set off the Vikings, slipped to 3-2 but those losses were five-setters to Selah and Grandview.

Selah-East Valley Volleyball Photo Gallery

Photos from Tuesday night’s match between Selah and East Valley. All photos by Sara Gettys/Yakima Herald-Republic

Top talent saddles up for Pro-West Rodeo finals

The contestant list looks, at a glance, like it could easily be a rodeo on the PRCA’s Columbia River Circuit. Maybe even the circuit finals.

But the action this Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (2 p.m.) at the Central Washington State Fairgrounds grandstand will be the season finale of what’s generally referred to as an “amateur” rodeo circuit — not-withstanding its name, the Professional Western Rodeo Association, nor the fact that the top competitors are indeed paid.

The checks just have smaller amounts.

“It’s pretty much the same people,” said Shane Erickson of Terrabonne, Ore., who’s in the team-roping finals with partner Brent Falon of Yakima and has already clinched the season calf-roping title.

Willy Hart, a longtime PRCA team roper who has gone back and forth between various circuits, agreed. “There’s plenty of amateur rodeos and they’re getting better all the time,” said Hart, who this year — because he was breaking in a new horse — stuck to those Northwest amateur rodeos, the first time in two decades he has done that.

“Most of the (PRCA) circuit guys come to the amateurs,” Erickson said. “You’re roping against some of the same people all of the time, pretty much. There’s a handful of circuit guys that maybe think they’re too good and won’t come to them, but that’s about it.”

Ellensburg team-roping heeler Brady Minor isn’t one of them. He’s already qualified for this December’s PRCA National Finals Rodeo, his third NFR in four years, but he’s also a qualified finalist in this weekend’s Pro-West event.

“Some of the (Pro-West) guys are like Brady — he goes to the pro rodeos and does real good at them,” said Falon, a two-time Pro-West team-roping heeler champion (2005, 2006). “But there’s a lot of guys that don’t go to the pro rodeos because they have jobs and can’t take the travel time, that rope just as good as the guys going to the PRCA rodeos.”

Falen and Erickson also finished third in the team-roping standings in the Oregon-based Northwest Pro Rodeo Association (NPRA), with Erickson also running away with the calf-roping crown — his first Pro-West title in that event.

Saddle bronc rider Danny Alires of Moxee is in position to break through for the first circuit or association title of his career, having been close several times — including this year in the NPRA (third). Until recently, though, he didn’t even know it.

“I don’t ever pay attention (to the standings),” said Alires, who leads his closest competitor, Jacob Stacy of Soap Lake, by less than $300. “Somebody told me the other day I was winning the deal. I keep my records and books and stuff, but I don’t ever really total that until the end of the year.”

At 33, winning his first circuit title would be a thrill for Alires, beyond the championship buckle and the winner’s purse. “It’s a very big deal,” he said. “That’s kind of the end-of-the-year goal for everybody.

“I had a really outstanding year as far as drawing (good horses),” added Alires, who got a late start to his season but was on a serious roll by late summer. “I was just really blessed, like the Lord really favored the draw for me this year. I got on some good horses and it made rodeoing fun. It’s fun when it’s like that.”

Rodeo admission is included with fair admission. There will be the two sessions, and overall scores from both will determine the champions.

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