YVCC men struggle but come up winners in opener

LONGVIEW — Despite the pitfalls of what coach Ray Funk called, “a typical early-season NWAACC basketball game,” Yakima Valley prevailed in the first round of the Red Devil Classic tournament Friday, 81-73 over Mt. Hood.

Amir Royal led the Yaks with 20 points, Tomas Ogbaslassie had 19 and Dabrail Henton 16. The game was YVCC’s season opener.

“There were some rough spots,” Funk allowed after Yakima Valley committed 24 turnovers and was outrebounded 64-35. YVCC, however, forced 39 turnovers and limited the Saints to 37 percent shooting.

The Yaks led 41-32 at halftime, but Mt. Hood rode its rebounding dominance to tie the score with about five minutes to play.

“They were getting four, five and six offensive rebounds per possession,” Funk said. “We called a couple of timeouts and eventually figured it out and got some better possessions.”

Johnnie Diggs had a game-high seven steals and Ogbaslassie and Cameron Jensen added four each.

Guard Marcus Moore led Mt. Hood with 18 points while 6-foot-9 Spencer Clayton had 13 points and eight rebounds and 6-8 Curtis Papenfuss totaled 11 points and 13 boards.

YVCC, the defending tournament champion, meets Centralia in a semifinal game today at 6 p.m.

MT. HOOD — Drew Johnson 3-9 5-8 11, Curtis Papenfuss 5-13 1-4 11, Rivers 0-7 1-2 1, Jensen 3-9 2-5 8, Spencer Clayton 6-111-2 13, Orth 0-0 0-0 0, Marcus Moore 4-8 7-8 18, Seehawer 0-1 0-0 0, Yates 1-2 0-0 2, Mitchell 3-7 2-6 9. Totals 25-67 19-35 73.

YAKIMA VALLEY — Diggs 1-4 7-9 9, Amir Royal 8-17 3-5 20, Tomas Ogbaslassie 7-16 5-5 19, Dabrail Henton 7-16 0-2 16, Jensen 3-7 0-2 7, Martinez 0-0 0-0 0, Bagby 0-0 0-0 0, Molina 1-3 0-0 2, Romero 1-4 0-0 2, Flowers 1-2 0-0 2, Zapien 2-5 0-0 4. Totals 31-74 15-23 81.

Halftime — YVCC 41, MHCC 32. 3-point goals — MHCC 4-14 (Johnson 0-2, Moore 3-5, Seehawer 0-1, Rivers 0-4, Mitchell 1-1, Clayton 0-1); YVCC 4-18 (Royal 1-4, Molina 0-1, Ogbaslassie 0-2, Henton 2-7, Jensen 1-3, Zapien 0-1). Fouled out — Johnson, Molina. Rebounds — MHCC 64 (Papenfuss 13), YVCC 35 (Molina 7). Assists — MHCC 16 (Johnson 4, Moore 4); YVCC 17 (Diggs 5). Turnovers — MHCC 39, YVCC 24. Total fouls — MHCC 21, YVCC 26.

Recollections of Apple Cups past

The Apple Cup means different things to different people. In the Yakima Valley, it annually evokes strong emotions because of the area’s central location in the state and the large numbers of both Cougars and Huskies among its populace.
Me? I’m neutral. How could someone be more neutral, after all, than to have attended and graduated from Central Washington?
Among the many extraordinary events I’ve been fortunate to cover have been 15 Apple Cups — the first of which saw the end of Jim Sweeney’s WSU coaching tenure when Washington overcame a 27-14 deficit in the final 3:01 for a 28-27 win in Seattle. It was Don James’ first year with the Huskies.
The most recent was Washington State’s 41-35 triumph in 1997, also in Seattle, a victory that secured the first of Mike Price’s two Rose Bowl appearances.
While walking around Husky Stadium’s west end zone after the game, I watched a triumphant Ryan Leaf gallop to that portion of the field, remove his helmet and kiss the turf.
Most memorable, of course, was t he 1982 game, the first Apple Cup played in Pullman since the 1950s, and one in which the Huskies were heavily favored to win and secure their third straight Rose Bowl berth.
Jim Walden’s Cougs, however, won a 24-20 thriller that forever changed the rivalry.
Anyone remember WSU’s quarterback in that one?
It was Clete Casper.
And I will never forget sitting in Walden’s office two days before the game, listening to the Cougars’ head man mention Washington’s weapons.
“They’ve got so many kids that can beat you,” he said. “Who will it be this time — will it be (Jacque) Robinson? Will it be (Paul) Skansi? If it was a track meet, we’d have no chance. But let me tell you something — this ain’t going to be no track meet.”
Two years later, again in Pullman, was one of the more entertaining Apple Cups. This time, an 8-1 Washington team that had lost only at USC engaged a very good 6-4 WSU squad that featured Mark Rypien and Rueben Mayes.
The pregame atmosphere was electric, and the tension became even more palpable when word filtered through the Martin Stadium press box that Orange Bowl officials were on hand to watch the Huskies.
And a 38-29 UW victory propelled Washington to Miami, where on Jan. 1, 1985, the Huskies beat Barry Switzer’s Oklahoma Sooners 28-17 in the best college football game I’ve ever seen in person.
As for today’s game, it’s hard to get a handle on who has the advantage since neither team has played well of late.
Besides, it’s the Apple Cup.

FROM THE QUOTE FILE
“I think he takes it seriously. I just think he takes it seriously in the shade.”
— Don James, when asked if he thought talented but occasionally overweight tailback Jacque Robinson took football seriously enough.

Addition by subtraction

Reduced role doesn’t slow Prosser’s Anderson||

YAKIMA — For his third and final season as a standout on Prosser’s football team, Isaac Anderson was promoted and demoted all at once. The reasons were not complicated.

Best interest for you.

Best interest for us.

Changing roles fortunately created no issues since the versatile Anderson bought in completely and the benefits are obvious — the Mustangs are in the Class 2A state semifinals and are propelled by an 11-game win streak.

Coach Benji Sonnichsen and his staff, in an effort to keep Anderson fresher for new full-time duties on defense, have taken 100 carries away from one of the best running backs in the state. Risky for the offense perhaps, but a matter of necessity.

“We knew we needed Isaac more on defense and we also knew we had two other senior running backs (Joey Hurtado and Diego Magana) who are good,” Sonnichsen explained. “Isaac is the ultimate team guy and he understood what we were trying to do.”

Last year Prosser’s season ended in the state quarterfinals and Anderson finished with 233 carries in 12 games. This season the Mustangs have made it a step further and he has 132 carries in the same number of games.

“I figured that would happen, that playing defense would take away from my offensive playing time,” he said. “I miss running the ball more, but I completely understand. If it makes us better, let’s do it.”

What has happened for the offense, statistically, is a classic example of addition by subtraction.

Anderson is getting nearly three yards more per carry over last year and, despite the big reduction in touches, he has increased his scoring from 22 touchdowns to 25.

“We’re featuring him more as an all-around player. We’ve designed some things for Isaac out of the backfield and he’s got five receiving touchdowns,” Sonnichsen noted. “He’s a weapon in so many ways and we’re taking advantage of that without all the carries.”

Anderson spent much of his sophomore and junior seasons as the quintessential workhorse. He averaged a hefty 32 carries in the final three games of his 10th-grade season, and last year he pounded away for a school-record 40 carries in a 23-20 victory over Ellensburg.

That kind of load was made possible by his durability and his limited play on defense as a situational nickel back. But this year the traits that make Anderson such a solid running back — speed, instincts and physical strength — were needed full-time in the defensive secondary. He responded with first-team all-league honors and a team-best four interceptions, including a key pick in last week’s 21-14 quarterfinal win over Ellensburg.

“There are times when I wish I had a little more experience but I’ve learned the defense pretty quick,” said the 5-foot-8, 165-pound Anderson. “I’ve always liked playing defense quite a bit, and we’ve been playing well.”

Indeed, Prosser has four shutouts in its last seven games and the secondary has allowed only one passing touchdown during that stretch.

Sonnichsen, whose three seasons as Prosser’s head coach have paralleled Anderson’s three seasons, will utilize him in Saturday’s semifinal against Archbishop Murphy as a punt returner. That’s something he might have been reluctant to do if he was still calling his number 30 times a game on offense.

“With his playmaking ability his touchdowns are still there, but it’s nice to not have to depend on him so much,” the coach said. “We don’t have him grinding away so much taking all those lumps.”

Hurtado and Magana have shared those 100-plus carries once owned by Anderson and produced nearly 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. Finding better footing in Saturday’s snowy game in Ellensburg, Magana took over in the second half and rolled up 105 yards and the go-ahead score.

Even with the cut in carries, Anderson is nearing the end of an exceptional career that has put him among the Valley’s all-time top 10 in touchdowns (60) and rushing yards (3,839).

“I still have just as many yards and scores and that was my goal,” Anderson said. “I’ve tried to have that attitude where every time I get the ball I try to score. And making a big play on defense is just as important. I want to do anything that makes us better.”

So everybody wins.

 

Prosser-Archbishop Murphy capsule

2A STATE SEMIFINALS

Prosser vs. Archbishop Murphy

When: Saturday, noon.

Where: Lampson Stadium, Kennewick.

State rankings, records: No. 3 Prosser 11-1, No. 5 Archbishop Murphy 11-1.

What’s next: State championship game vs. Lynden-Chehalis winner, Dec. 3, 10 a.m., Tacoma Dome.

Pairing history: Prosser and Archbishop Murphy have met once with the Mustangs winning a 2006 state quarterfinal 14-7 at Lamspon Stadium.

State history — Archbishop Murphy: Two state titles (2002, 2003), two runner-up finishes (2005, 2010), 21-6 overall playoff record. Prosser: Four state titles (1992, 1993, 1999, 2007), four runner-up finishes (1991, 1995, 2005, 2008), 39-19 overall playoff record.

About Archbishop Murphy: The Wildcats have reached the semifinals for the fourth straight year, regrouping from a 26-22 loss to Lakewood to post seven wins in a row. AM has been beastly in the last two weeks, ousting defending champ Tumwater 41-6 and blanking CWAC runner-up Othello 34-0. With back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, Alex Galgano (5-9, 185, jr.) leads a deep stable of RBs for the ground-based team. Conner Kruse (6-0, 190, sr.) and Hans VanderWel (6-0, 200, jr.) have shared the QB duties with Kruse’s three TDs leading the way against Othello. Sam Shober (6-3, 215, sr.) is a two-way Cascade League first-team lineman.

About Prosser: The Mustangs are 8-1 in the state semifinals since 1991. Since a loss to 3A semifinalist Kamiakin in the season opener, Prosser has won 11 straight and allowed just four TDs in the last seven games. Junior QB Ryan Fassler has thrown 28 TDs with 13 of them to junior WR Danny Raap. RB Isaac Anderson has run for 20 TDs and caught five scoring passes, and RBs Joey Hurtado and Diego Magana have combined for nearly 1,000 yards and 14 TDs. Prosser has a plus-13 turnover ratio.

Fall prep sports honor roll

 

NOTE: The Yakima Herald-Republic’s honor roll is a roundup of fall all-league teams involving local high schools. All these teams were selected by coaches. For individual-based sports, such as cross country and swimming, all-league teams were based on district or league results that have already appeared in the paper.

FOOTBALL

CBBN 4A

MVP: Jordan Downing, Chiawana, jr.

Offensive Lineman of the Year: Mike Jones, Eisenhower, sr.

Co-Offensive Players of the Year: Denzel Jones, Eisenhower, sr.; Kolney Cassel, Eisenhower, jr.

Defensive Player of the Year: Miquiyah Zamora, Chiawana, sr.

Coach of the Year: Steve Graff, Chiawana.

Offensive Line of the Year: Eisenhower.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

OL: Gates Michel, Chiawana, sr.; Mike Jones, Eisenhower, sr.; Dennis Christensen, Richland, sr.; Ryan Osterlund, Wenatchee, jr.; Kayden Maughn, Chiawana, so. TE: Austin Lynn, Davis, sr. WR: Miquiyah Zamora, Chiawana, sr.; Cooper Kupp, Davis, sr.; Denzel Jones, Eisenhower, sr.; C.J. Edrington, Chiawana, sr. QB: Kolney Cassel, Eisenhower, jr. RB: Jordan Downing, Chiawana, sr.; Trevon Harris, Eisenhower, sr. Punter: Chris Woodard, Wenatchee, sr. Kicker: Q Taycheck, Richland, sr. Returns: Miquiyah Zamora, Chiawana, sr. All-purpose: Denzel Jones, Eisenhower, sr.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DB: C.J. Edrington, Chiawana, sr.; Miquiyah Zamora, Chiawana, sr.; Cooper Kupp, Davis, sr.; Elijah Gardaya, Richland, sr. DL: Gates Michel, Chiawana, sr.; Mike Jones, Eisenhower, sr.; Jarret Wolf, Richland, sr.; Jarret Snowhite, Richland, sr. LB: Jordan Downing, Chiawana, sr.; Nate Guillen, Eisenhower, sr.; Ethan Whitby, Richland, sr.; Sawyer Powell, Richland, sr.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

OL: Ryan Garcia, Chiawana, sr.; Kaleb Garza, Eisenhower, sr.; Jeremy Larson, Walla Walla, jr.; Cody O’Connell, Wenatchee, jr.; Sam Knox, Davis, sr.; Alex Fick, Moses Lake, sr. TE: Jarret Wolf, Richland, sr. WR: David Trimble, Davis, sr.; Elijah Gardaya, Richland, sr.; Connor Black, Wenatchee, sr.; Moe Handcox, Walla Walla, sr.; Ridge Harmon, Eisenhower, so.; Isaiah Brandt-Sims, Wenatchee, so. QB: Deion Wright, Davis, sr. RB: B.K. Robinson, Richland, sr.; Jonah Hoe, Walla Walla, jr. Punter: Isaac Mitz, Chiawana, so. Kicker: Isaac Mitz, Chiawana, so. Returns: Moe Handcox, Walla Walla, sr. All-purpose: Elijah Gardaya, Richland, sr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DB: David Trimble, Davis, sr.; Roger Andrade, Eisenhower, sr.; Moe Handcox, Walla Walla, sr.; Chris Chapman, Davis, sr.; Conner Egbert, Richland, sr. DL: Dustin Hesseldorfer, Eisenhower, sr.; Dennis Christensen, Richland, sr.; Brennen Smith, Moses Lake, sr.; Ryan Osterlund, Wenatchee, jr. LB: Nick Sells, Wenatchee, jr.; Alex Weber, Chiawana, so.; Jacob Martinez, Eisenhower, jr.; Hector Zavala, Moses Lake, jr.

LOCAL HONORABLE MENTION

Offense — OL: Jacob Herr, Eisenhower, sr.; Calvin Henriquez, Davis, sr. WR: Darius Pati, Eisenhower, so. RB: Austin Wagner, Davis, sr. Returns: Denzel Jones, Eisenhower, sr.

Defense — DB: Denzel Jones, Eisenhower, sr. DL: Jorge Alcala, Davis, sr. LB: Orion Karn, Davis, sr.

CBBN 3A

MVP: Zach Umemoto, Kamiakin, sr.

Offensive Lineman of the Year: Joe Hunt, Kamiakin, sr.

Offensive Player of the Year: Grant Woods, Kennewick, sr.

Defensive Player of the Year: Joe Hunt, Kamiakin, sr.

Coach of the Year: Bill Templeton, Kennewick.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

OL: Joe Douglas, Hanford, jr.; Joe Hunt, Kamiakin, sr.; Aaron Beck, West Valley, sr.; Nate Brandhorst, Kamiakin, sr.; Garret Wilz, Kennewick, sr. TE: Dylan Whitaker, West Valley, jr. WR: Josh Richards, Southridge, sr.; Paul Hamada, Southridge, sr.; Jesse Houser, Kamiakin, sr.; Ethan Cantu, Pasco, sr. QB: Matt Mendenhall, Southridge, sr. RB: Zach Umemoto, Kamiakin, sr.; Grant Woods, Kennewick, sr. Punter: Chris Haueter, Southridge, sr. Kicker: David Ellis, West Valley, jr. Returns: Grant Woods, Kennewick, sr.; Jesse Houser, Kamiakin, sr. All-purpose: Chris Haueter, Southridge, sr.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DB: James Swinyard, Kamiakin, sr.; Corey McLean, Kamiakin, sr.; Brock Schuh, Kennewick, sr.; Joey Contreras, Sunnyside, jr. DL: Rudy Navarro, Sunnyside, sr.; Joe Hunt, Kamiakin, sr.; Jake Sullins, Kennewick, sr.; Robert Koch, West Valley, jr. LB: Drew Oord, Kamiakin, sr.; Shaun Smith, Kennewick, sr.; Berlie Walker, Eastmont, sr.; Zach Umemoto, Kamiakin, sr.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

OL: Ivan Diaz, Kennewick,sr.; Tommy Clark, West Valley, sr.; Cristian Reyes, Eastmont, sr.; Marcos Nunez, Sunnyside, sr.; Sean Clausen, Kamiakin, sr. WR: Ronnie Roosendaal, West Valley, sr.; Bodie Simpson, Kennewick, jr.; Brandon Larson, Kamiakin, sr.; Reggie Clinton, Kennewick, sr.; Joey Contreras, Sunnyside, sr. QB: Jason Hutchison, Kamiakin, sr. RB: Chris Haueter, Southridge, sr.; Israel Manzo, Sunnyside, sr. Punter: Rudy Navarro, Sunnyside, sr. Kicker: Chandler Mertens, Southridge, sr. All-purpose: Ethan Cantu, Pasco, sr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DB: Adam Sanders, Southridge, sr.; Jake Oram, Hanford, jr.; Reggie Clinton, Kennewick, sr.; Ethan Cantu, Pasco, sr. DL: Zack Gaston, Hanford, jr.; Kevin Greager, Kamiakin, jr.; Kyle Hoffman, Eastmont, jr.; Garret Wilz, Kennewick, sr. LB: T.J. Fields, Kennewick, sr.; Zack Kreider, Pasco. jr.; Troy Fulton, Kennewick, sr.; Johnny Jansen, Kamiakin, jr.

LOCAL HONORABLE MENTION

Offense — RB: Cody LaRiviere, West Valley, sr. Kicker: Tim Gibson, West Valley, sr. All-purpose: Israel Manzo, Sunnyside, sr.

Defense — DB: Isidro Ramirez, Sunnyside, sr. LB: Raul Aguiar, Sunnyside, sr.

CWAC

Offensive MVP: Caleb Garza, Othello, sr.

Defensive MVP: Joseph Walker, Othello, sr.

Coach of the Year: Stephen Wallace, Quincy.

Sportsmanship: 1, Toppenish; 2, Ephrata; 3, East Valley and Wapato.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

C: Enzo Hurtado, Prosser, sr. G: Anthony Otero, Othello, sr.; Rudolfo Cruz, Prosser, sr. T: Derek Valdez, Othello, jr.; Nolan Saam, Prosser, sr. RB: Caleb Garza, Othello, sr.; Isaac Anderson, Prosser, sr.; Roberto Martinez, East Valley, sr. QB: Ryan Fassler, Prosser, jr. TE: Mac Mitchell, Ellensburg, sr. WR: Danny Raap, Prosser, jr.; Kody Ergeson, Selah, jr.; Juston Lind, Othello, jr. Kicker: Daniel Hernandez, Selah, sr. Returns: Caleb Garza, Othello, sr. Punter: Daniel Hernandez, Selah, sr.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DB: Juston Lind, Othello, jr.; Isaac Anderson, Prosser, sr.; Kris Janis, East Valley, sr.; James Wildman, Prosser, sr. DL: Tyson Mollotte, Othello, sr.; Cody Roberts, Selah, sr.; Damien Roseberry, Ellensburg, sr.; Rudolfo Cruz, Prosser, sr. ILB: Joseph Walker, Othello, sr.; Caleb Hoefer, Prosser, sr. OLB: Matt Melo, Othello, jr.; Joey Hurtado, Prosser, sr.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

C: Jacob Barth, Quincy, sr. G: Cody Roberts, Selah, sr.; Salvador Rodriguez, East Valley, sr. T: Erik Lillquist, Ellensburg, sr.; Ezequiel Viramontes, East Valley, sr. RB: Damien Roseberry, Ellensburg, sr.; Micah Ohl, Ephrata, sr.; Joey Gomez, Othello, sr.; Joey Hurtado, Prosser, sr. QB: Matt Bennett, Ellensburg, jr. TE: Dustin Rodgers, Othello, sr. WR: Kody Berens, Quincy, sr.; Kris Janis, East Valley, sr.; Wyatt Baker, Prosser, sr. Kicker: Tyler Hensley, Ephrata, sr. Returns: James Wildman, Prosser, sr. Punter: Michael Heitstuman, Quincy, sr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DB: Kody Ergeson, Selah, jr.; Kody Berens, Quincy, sr.; Austin Roylance, Othello, sr.; Matt Jones, Othello, jr. DL: Joey Gomez, Othello, sr.; Mac Mitchell, Ellensburg, sr.; Kenny Hood, East Valley, jr.; Mitchell Brown, Ephrata, sr. ILB: Kaleb Schrank, East Valley, jr.; Kyle Duke, Othello, sr. OLB: Austin Bolt, Prosser, sr.; Alec Alvarez, Othello, jr.

LOCAL HONORABLE MENTION

Offense — C: Alex Katzfey, Wapato, sr. G: Corbin Richardson, Ellensburg, jr. T: Thompson Roberts, Toppenish, sr. RB: Miguel Jimenez, Toppenish, sr.; Kaleb Schrank, East Valley, jr. TE: Michael Espinoza, Selah, sr. WR: Kody Graham, Ellensburg, sr.; Herman Herrera, Grandview, jr.; Josh Lopez, Prosser, sr. Kicker: Victor L. Lopez, Toppenish, sr. Returns: Kody Ergeson, Selah, jr. Punter: Osvaldo Martinez, Toppenish, sr.

Defense — DB: Wyatt Baker, Prosser, sr.; Peter Equihua, Toppenish, sr.; Nacho Ibarra, Wapato, sr. DL: Tyler Renollet, Prosser, jr.; Corbin Richardson, Ellensburg, jr.; Justin Bixler, East Valley, jr. OLB: Sergio Reyna, East Valley, so.; A.J. Valenzuela, Grandview, jr.

SCAC West

Offensive Player of the Year: Michael Newman, Cle Elum, sr.

Defensive Player of the Year: Jake Gall, Cle Elum, jr.

Coach of the Year: Tony Kretschman, Cle Elum.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Tyler Kretschman, Cle Elum, jr. RB: Jake Gall, Cle Elum, jr.; Caleb Resendez, Granger, sr.; Michael Newman, Cle Elum, sr. OL: Kurt Wilkins, Goldendale, sr.; Wyatt Stiles, Zillah, sr.; Devon Winters, Cle Elum, sr.; Ryan Smart, Cle Elum, sr.; Abidan Duarte, Granger, jr. TE: Griffin Alexander, Cle Elum, jr. WR: Derick Ross, Zillah, sr.; Antonio Gonzalez, Highland, sr.; Travis Kretschman, Cle Elum, sr. Kicker: Braydon Ross, Goldendale, sr. Punter: Antonio Gonzalez, Highland, sr. Returns: Michael Newman, Cle Elum, sr.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Josh Aho, Zillah, sr.; Mitchell Millsap, Cle Elum, jr.; Jordan Foley, Goldendale, sr.; Ryan Smart, Cle Elum, sr. LB: Trevor Fink, Zillah, sr.; Jake Gall, Cle Elum, jr.; Michael Newman, Cle Elum, sr.; Nolin Bare, Goldendale, sr. DB: Wade Gaston, Goldendale, jr.; Brady Widner, Zillah, so.; Travis Kretschman, Cle Elum, sr.; Derick Ross, Zillah, sr.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Lucas Denney, Goldendale, jr. RB: Nic Woodard, La Salle, sr.; Wade Gaston, Goldendale, jr.; Mitchell Millsap, Cle Elum, jr. OL: Manuel Andrade, Granger, jr.; Stewart Stuart, Cle Elum, jr.; Steve Stiekema, La Salle, sr.; Nolin Bare, Goldendale, sr.; Mathieu Hatchel, Naches Valley, sr. TE: Isaac Messenger, Goldendale, jr. WR: Koleman Johns, Naches Valley, jr.; Ethan Enstad, Goldendale, sr.; Dalton Huck, Naches Valley, sr. Kicker: Trevor Heitzman, Granger, jr. Punter: Braydon Ross, Goldendale, sr. Returns: Derick Ross, Zillah, sr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Manuel Andrade, Granger, sr.; Gus Mendoza, Granger, sr.; Kurt Calhoun, Zillah, so.; Tyler Siena, Cle Elum, sr. LB: Kurt Wilkins, Goldendale, sr.; Tanner Widner, Zillah, jr.; Steve Stiekema, La Salle, sr.; Devon Winters, Cle Elum, sr. DB: Daniel Contreras, Naches Valley, sr.; Antonio Gonzalez, Highland, sr.; Tyler Kretschman, Cle Elum, jr.; Johnny Pacheco, Granger, sr.

HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE

QB: Corey Hill, Naches Valley, so. RB: Braydon Ross, Goldendale, jr.; Trevor Fink, Zillah, sr.; Eli Curtsinger, Naches Valley, sr. OL: Jake Callaghan, Naches Valley, jr.; Ben Cochran, Goldendale, so.; Blaine Schlenker, Zillah, jr.; Gus Mendoza, Granger, sr.; Dustin Roseburg, Cle Elum, sr. TE: Tanner Widner, Zillah, jr. WR: Johnny Pacheco, Granger, sr.; Elias Briseno, Goldendale, jr. Kicker: Henry Aguilar, Highland, jr. Punter: Kurt Calhoun, Zillah, so. Returns: Wade Gaston, Goldendale, jr.

HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE

DL: Ed Equihua, Granger, jr.; Mathieu Hatchel, Naches Valley, sr.; Jake Callaghan, Naches Valley, jr.; Ben Cochran, Goldendale, so. LB: Calvin Pazerekas, La Salle, jr.; Robert Slack, Zillah, jr.; Bobby Salinas, Zillah, jr.; Abidan Duarte, Granger, jr. DB: Koleman Johns, Naches Valley, jr.; Trey Trepanier, Highland, jr.; Griffin Alexander, Cle Elum, jr.; Brady Conway, Goldendale, sr.

SCAC East

MABTON ONLY

Second team — DB: Josh Carrasco, jr.

Honorable mention — LB: Emilio Mireles, sr.

Central Washington 2B

SOUTH DIVISION

Offensive MVP: Alex Sampson, White Swan, jr.

Defensive MVP: Adam Hansen, Warden, jr.

Coach of the Year: Andy Bush, White Swan.

Sportsmanship: 1, Kittitas; 2, Lake Roosevelt; 3, Waterville.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Trent Bates, Warden, sr. RB: Adam Hansen, Warden, jr.; Alex Sampson, White Swan, jr.; Ty Poole, Kittitas, jr. WR: Nathan Nobbs, White Swan, sr.; Anthony King, Soap Lake, sr.; Victor Flores, Warden, sr. OL: Sean Waters, Lake Roosevelt, jr.; Roy Watlamet, White Swan, sr.; Victor Andy, White Swan, so.; Zack Fogle, Kittitas, sr.; Nate Gordon, Warden, sr. Kicker: Junior Alvarado, White Swan, jr. Punter: Phoenix Shephard, Lake Roosevelt, sr.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Jason Korneychuk, Soap Lake, jr.; Carmelo DeLeon, Warden, sr.; Sean Waters, Lake Roosevelt, jr.; Zack Fogle, Kittitas, sr. LB: Roy Watlamet, White Swan, sr.; Adam Hansen, Warden, jr.; Cruz Pruneda, Warden, sr.; Daniel Shtyba, Soap Lake, sr. DB: Oswald Alba, Warden, so.; Alex Sampson, White Swan, jr.; Anthony King, Soap Lake, sr.; Ty Poole, Kittitas, jr.

LOCAL SECOND TEAM

Offense — RB: Niko Nanez, White Swan, jr. WR: Junior Alvarado, White Swan, jr. OL: Devon Lowe, Kittitas, so.; Tristan Allphin, Kittitas, so. Punter: Chance Forman, Kittitas, so.

Defense — DL: Nate Lewis, White Swan, sr.; Tony Picard, White Swan, so.; Brian Walker, White Swan, fr. LB: Derrick Nanez, White Swan, sr. DB: Nathan Nobbs, White Swan, sr.; Hugo Barajas, White Swan, jr.

LOCAL HONORABLE MENTION

Offense — QB: Joseph Kosik, White Swan, so. RB: Tony Picard, White Swan, so. WR: Stephen Driver, Kittitas, sr.; Jon Hignite, Kittitas, sr. OL: Derrick Nanez, White Swan, sr.; Brennon Watson, White Swan, so.; Nate Brownlee, Kittitas, jr. Kicker: Devon Lowe, Kittitas, so. Punter: Junior Alvarado, White Swan, jr.

Defense — DL: Reed Morgan, Kittitas, jr.; Amando Ramos, White Swan, sr. LB: Tristan Allphin, Kittitas, so.; Devon Lowe, Kittitas, so. DB: Austin Oursland, Kittitas, so.; Triston Spencer, White Swan, so.

GIRLS SOCCER

CBBN 4A

Co-Players of the Year: Mackenna Morton, Davis, jr., and Caylah Lunning, Moses Lake, so.

Coach of the Year: Ricardo Char, Moses Lake.

FIRST TEAM

Forward: Caylah Lunning, Moses Lake, so.; Lexi Miller, Chiawana, jr.; Kristen Calmus, Richland, jr.; Allison Boyton, Richland, sr. Midfielder: Kelsie Grant, Moses Lake, sr.; Mackenna Morton, Davis, jr.; Jill Cherry, Richland, sr.; Paige Pontarolo, Walla Walla, jr.; Katherine Virden, Richland, so. Defender: Kimberly Bakker, Moses Lake, sr.; Andres Archibald, Richland, so.; Lizzie Blanchard, Eisenhower, sr.; Abigail Stones, Moses Lake, sr. Goalkeeper: Shelby Long, Richland, sr.

SECOND TEAM

Forward: Nicole Dorsey, Wenatchee, sr.; Katherine Jach, Davis, sr.; Alysha Overland, Moses Lake, fr.; Ali Sellsted, Eisenhower, sr.; Bridget Lyons, Walla Walla, sr. Midfielder: Victoria Lopez, Davis, jr.; Erin Jameson, Eisenhower, jr.; Shayla White, Wenatchee, sr.; Maggie Callan, Walla Walla, so.; Cara Nickolaus, Chiawana, sr. Defender: Lexi Ellingsen, Chiawana, so.; Izzy Castro, Davis, sr.; Baylee Fontaine, Wenatchee, fr.; Sheila Silvas, Davis, jr. Goalkeeper: Heidi Palmer, Moses Lake, sr.

LOCAL HONORABLE MENTION

Defender: Anissa Araiza, Eisenhower, jr. Goalkeeper: Teresa Salazar, Davis, jr.

CBBN 3A

Player of the Year: Heather Johnson, Southridge, sr.

Coach of the Year: Greg Sambrano, Southridge.

FIRST TEAM

Forward: Ellie Heiden, Kamiakin, so.; Jaden Gjestrum, West Valley, sr.; Olivia Rogers, Eastmont, sr.; Heather Johnson, Southridge, sr. Midfielder: Cari Exarhos, Hanford, sr.; Kristyn Bohlander, Kamiakin, sr.; Karlee Goehner, Eastmont, jr.; Sandy Hanses, West Valley, jr.; Abby Buckenberger, Pasco, so. Defender: Lindsay Burns, West Valley, jr.; Kendall Riddelle, Hanford, sr.; Macy Brannan, Kamiakin, sr.; Emma Sanders, Southridge, jr. Goalkeeper: Casey King, Eastmont, jr.; Sydnee Grant, Kamiakin, jr.

SECOND TEAM

Forward: Deanna Quadrel, Hanford, jr.; Brooke Benecke, Southridge, sr.; Kennedy Woodrich, Kennewick, jr.; Sydney Virgen, Pasco, so. Midfielder: Courtney Buchanan, West Valley, sr.; Katherine Tsoukalas, Southridge, sr.; Chandra Stevenson, Kamiakin, sr.; Hannah Sanders, Southridge, so.; Angie Crutchfield, Pasco, so. Defender: Bailey Ruby, Hanford, so.; Alison Alderman, West Valley, jr.; Kierra Peoples, Kamiakin, sr.; Whitney Stein, West Valley, sr. Goalkeeper: Liz Escobar, Sunnyside, so.

LOCAL HONORABLE MENTION

Forward: Susana Arreola, Sunnyside, fr. Midfielder: Erika Garcia, Sunnyside, jr. Defender: Anna Lugo, Sunnyside, jr.

CWAC

Offensive Player of the Year: Yasi Mohsenian, East Valley, sr.

Defensive Player of the Year: Tassia Merkle, East Valley, sr.

Coach of the Year: Hillary Coomes, Ephrata.

Sportsmanship: Ellensburg.

FIRST TEAM

Forward: Helen Petersen, Prosser, sr.; Shallise Rodriguez, East Valley, sr.; Lana Sween, Ephrata, jr.; Samantha Herzog, East Valley, jr. Midfielder: Yasi Mohsenian, East Valley, sr.; Ashlee Betancourth, East Valley, sr.; Oryian Matheny, Grandview, jr.; Keilin Farrand, Ellensburg, jr.; Emily Sween, Ephrata, sr. Defender: Tassia Merkle, East Valley, sr.; Karley Crawford, Prosser, sr.; Tracy Martin, East Valley, sr.; Kellie Ross, East Valley, sr. Goalkeeper: Kayla Brissey, Ephrata, jr.

SECOND TEAM

Forward: Kylie Ott, Selah, sr.; Madison Moore, Prosser, sr.; Trew Tucker, Ellensburg, so.; Kim Bullis, Othello, jr. Midfielder: Sarah Bersing, Selah, jr.; Alex Hart, Prosser, jr.; Makensie Forsyth, Prosser, so.; Vanessa McDonald, Othello, sr. Defender: Kala Brindle, Quincy, jr.; Grace Allard, Othello, sr.; Bailey Turner, Selah, sr.; Ashley Wilkey, Selah, jr. Goalkeeper: Jamie White, Prosser, jr.

HONORABLE MENTION

Forward: Salome Yates, East Valley, so.; Haley Berryman, Ephrata, fr.; Ashley Kuhlmann, Selah, fr. Midfielder: Briana Cordova, Wapato, jr.; Mariah Rojas, East Valley, fr.; Alexis Martinez, Othello, sr.; Ariana Roberson, Selah. sr. Defender: Abby Hall, Ellensburg, sr.; Debra Hulse, Prosser, sr.; Yesenia Garcia, Grandview, sr.; Bridgette Wichterman, Ellensburg, so. Goalkeeper: Allesha Reyes, Othello, jr.

SCAC

Player of the Year: Delaney Romero, Naches Valley.

Coach of the Year: Ron Gengler, Naches Valley.

FIRST TEAM

McKenzie Andringa, La Salle, sr.; Deanna Avalos, La Salle, so.; Brittany Baumgarten, Naches Valley, sr.; Margaret Busey, La Salle, so.; Andrea Keffeler, Goldendale, sr.; Mykenzie Lilly, Kiona-Benton, jr.; Grace Martin, La Salle, so.; Daisy Metcalf, Kiona-Benton, sr.; Delaney Romero, Naches Valley, jr.; Emma Wilcox, Naches Valley, sr.; Micki Williams, Mabton, so.; Stefhany Guadarrama, Royal, sr.

SECOND TEAM

Jackie Araiza, Connell, jr.; Casidie Euper, Naches Valley, so.; Yessenia Gonzaga, Connell, sr.; Maria Garcia, Royal, sr.; Marcie Hawkins, Connell, jr.; Noelle Huck, Naches Valley, fr.; Tayler Lime, Naches Valley, fr.; Caitlin Long, Highland, jr.; Allie McGree, La Salle, jr.; Reina Perez, Highland, jr.; Cierra Torp, Kiona-Benton, sr.; Regan Gibbs, Naches Valley, fr.

HONORABLE MENTION

Karina Angel, Highland, sr.; Emma Avalos, La Salle, jr.; Miriam Barajas, Wahluke, sr.; Taylor Brown, Kiona-Benton, sr.; Maricela Chavez, Mabton, so.; Marlen Chavez, Mabton, sr.; Kody Easterday, Connell, jr.; Taylor Haughton, Kiona-Benton, jr.; Patricia Hernandez, Wahluke, sr.; Gladys Meza, Royal, sr.; Stephanie Perez, La Salle, sr.

VOLLEYBALL

CBBN 4A

Player of the Year: Lauren Joseph, Richland, sr.

Coach of the Year: Bob Raidl, Richland.

FIRST TEAM

Setter: Jaymee Steach, Chiawana, jr.; Lauren Joseph, Richland, sr. Outside hitter: Alisha Bettinson, Richland, jr.; Hannah Leiber, Wenatchee, sr.; Sadie Nielsen, Moses Lake, jr.; Sadie Sparks, Chiawana, sr. Middle blocker: Michaela George, Wenatchee, sr. Libero: Deserea Estavillo, Richland, jr.

SECOND TEAM

Setter: Kenzie Fancher, Moses Lake, jr.; Rachael Tamngin, Wenatchee, sr. Outside hitter: Brooke Brown, Eisenhower, jr.; Shanita Hill, Chiawana, sr.; Chantelle Zamora, Walla Walla, sr. Middle blocker: Torri Crawford, Walla Walla, jr.; Charlene Manning, Richland, sr. Libero: Taylor Sonnenberg, Moses Lake, jr.; Tianna Cummings, Walla Walla, sr.

LOCAL HONORABLE MENTION

Outside hitter: Shelby Hein, Eisenhower, sr.; M’Kiela Rosales, Davis, sr.

CBBN 3A

Player of the Year: Morgan McDowell, West Valley, sr.

Coach of the Year: Katie Hinckley, West Valley.

FIRST TEAM

Setter: Julia Nathe, West Valley, jr.; Suzi Davison, Hanford, sr. Outside hitter: Morgan McDowell, West Valley, sr.; Cassidy Brewer, Eastmont, jr.; Nikki Eldred, Hanford, jr. Middle blocker: Shelby Warner, Southridge, sr.; Sarah Joffs, West Valley, sr. Libero: Linnea Phillips, West Valley, sr.

SECOND TEAM

Setter: Maddie Zinsli, Kennewick, jr.; Kylie Fraga, Southridge, so. Outside hitter: Meghan McIntyre, Kennewick, sr.; Isabella Midili, Southridge, sr.; Alexis Scott, Kamiakin, sr. Middle blocker: Kensey Mix, Southridge, sr.; Torie Szendre, Kennewick, sr. Libero: Marisol Diaz, Pasco, jr.

LOCAL HONORABLE MENTION

Outside hitter: Ally Moore, West Valley, sr. Defensive specialist: Carly Riehl, West Valley, jr.

CWAC

Co-Players of the Year: Maci Beierle, East Valley, so., and Kendra DeHoog, Ephrata, sr.

Coach of the Year: Darci Dekker, East Valley.

Sportsmanship: Quincy.

FIRST TEAM

Setter: Cheyenne Merritt, Selah, sr.; Payton Parrish, Grandview, jr. Outside hitter: Tori Dexter, Selah, sr.; Kailee Wood, Selah, jr.; Sam McCrumb, East Valley, jr.; Maddie Gamache, East Valley, jr.; Carly Quirk, Ellensburg, jr. Middle blocker: Kacey Hartman, Selah, sr.; Belen Carriedo, Toppenish, sr.

SECOND TEAM

Setter: Kera Dexter, Selah, jr. Outside hitter: Taylor Hall, Grandview, so.; Anissa Godina, Toppenish, jr. Middle blocker: Mikaela Zimmer, East Valley, sr.; Heidi Buchert, Ephrata, sr.; Kelcie Russell, Ellensburg, jr.; Rebecca Niemeyer, Prosser, sr. Libero: Mary Michael Graf, Selah, sr.; Ashley Bailey, East Valley, jr.

HONORABLE MENTION

Setter: Sarah Pheasant, Ephrata, so.; Yanet Bravo, Toppenish, sr.; Taylor Meirndorf, Prosser, so. Outside hitter: Jocelyn Cantu, Othello, sr. Middle blocker: Mikaela Espinoza, Grandview, sr. Libero: Tessa Ratigan, Ephrata, jr.; Madison Peterson, Quincy, sr.; Marissa Lumpkin, Ellensburg, sr.

SCAC West

Player of the Year: Justine Benner, Naches Valley, sr.

Coach of the Year: Lindsey Golob, Zillah.

FIRST TEAM

Setter: Rachel Gasseling, La Salle, sr.; Haley Hoffman, Goldendale, sr.; Felina Razey, Zillah, jr. Outside hitter: Justine Benner, Naches Valley, sr.; Lexi Cameron, Goldendale, sr.; Lindsay Oswalt, Granger, jr. Middle blocker: Regine Standley, La Salle, sr.; Whitney Winters, Zillah, sr.

SECOND TEAM

Setter: Alex Krapf, Naches Valley, so. Outside hitter: Katie Reeder, Naches Valley, sr.; Kassidy Ruggles, Zillah, jr. Middle blocker: Danielle Kaschmitter, La Salle, jr.; Allison Torres, Zillah, jr. Libero: Crysta Counts, Goldendale, jr.; Janell Dufault, La Salle, sr.

HONORABLE MENTION

Setter: Alina Villa, Granger, sr. Outside hitter: Chloe Newton, Cle Elum, sr.; Leigh-Ann Purdy, Zillah, jr. Middle blocker: Abby Yost, Naches Valley, jr.; Brook John, Granger, so.; Allison Hitchins, Goldendale, jr.

 

SCAC East

MABTON ONLY

First team: Jackie Cruz, sr., middle blocker. Honorable mention: Cassandra Madrigal, sr., outside hitter.

Central Washington 2B

SOUTH DIVISION

MVP: Dakota Adams, Kittitas, jr.

Coach of the Year: Dennis Treat, Warden.

Sportsmanship: Entiat.

FIRST TEAM

Dakota Adams, Kittitas, jr.; Iris Rodriguez, Warden; Kendra Staymates, Riverside Christian, sr.; Onyx Gibbs, Riverside Christian, sr.; Amber Jones, White Swan, sr.; Jessica Lawrence, Kittitas, sr.; Kaitlyn Kilgore, Kittitas, jr.

SECOND TEAM

Haley Yamane, Warden; Breezy Byrne, Riverside Christian, jr.; Erica Clerf, Kittitas, sr.; Shelby Clark, White Swan; Leslie Delgado, Soap Lake; Roweena Antone, Lake Roosevelt; Sara Lara, Riverside Christian, sr.

Local honorable mention: Jessica Sheppard, White Swan, sr.

Central Washington 1B

MVP: Rachel Verhage, Moses Lake Christian, jr.

Coach of the Year: Jenny Jensen, Easton.

Sportsmanship: Easton.

LOCAL SELECTIONS

First team: Christina Price, Thorp, sr.; Katelyn Pendley, Thorp, jr.; Kessey Hanks, Thorp, so.

Second team: Alex Houle, Thorp, jr.; Randi Jo Tate, Easton., fr.

Greater Columbia 1B

Player of the Year: Maddy Wavrin, Sunnyside Christian.

ALL-OPPONENT TEAM

Brianna Brock, Lyle-Wishram; Ashley Sampson, Trout Lake-Glenwood; Dakota Jones, Trout Lake-Glenwood; Chelsea Cox, Trout Lake-Glenwood; Martisha Woodall, Klickitat; Ashley Meeks, Klickitat; Lara Parsons, Klickitat; Aymie Osborne, Bickleton; Jamie Venema, Bickleton; Grace Den Hoed, Sunnyside Christian; Alyssa Haak, Sunnyside Christian; Stormee Van Belle, Sunnyside Christian.

CROSS COUNTRY

CBBN 4A

BOYS

Runner of the Year: Jacob Smith, Wenatchee, sr.

Coach of the Year: Phil English, Eisenhower.

GIRLS

Runner of the Year: Kaitlin Kaluzny, Davis, sr.

Coach of the Year: Phil English, Eisenhower.

CBBN 3A

BOYS

Runner of the Year: Anthony Armstrong, Kamiakin, sr.

Coach of the Year: Matt Rexus, Kamiakin.

GIRLS

Runner of the Year: Stephanie Rexus, Kamiakin, sr.

Coach of the Year: Shaun Suss, Kamiakin.

CWAC

BOYS

Runner of the Year: Jeffrey Ott, Ellensburg, sr.

Coach of the Year: Rick Becker, Selah.

Sportsmanship: Selah.

GIRLS

Runner of the Year: Amber Nickerson, Ellensburg, jr.

Coach of the Year: Jeff Hashimoto, Ellensburg.

Sportsmanship: Prosser.

SCAC

Boys Coach of the Year: Ben Orth, Royal.

Girls Coach of the Year: David Miskimens, Wahluke.

GIRLS SWIMMING

CBBN 4A

Swimmer of the Year: Kara Rockstad, Wenatchee.

Diver of the Year: Sammy Hendrickson, Moses Lake.

Co-Coaches of the Year: Rick Alderson, Eisenhower and Kathy Piper, Richland.

CBBN 3A

Swimmer of the Year: Melissa Merrill, Hanford.

Diver of the Year: Danielle Freund, Southridge.

Coach of the Year: Kathy Piper, Hanford.

2A-1A LEAGUE

Swimmer of the Year: Natalie Ruiz, Othello.

Coach of the Year: Ed Davis, Pullman.

Tough love: MMA couple fights together, stays together

YAKIMA, Finding your path in life and love is rarely well marked, making it all the more rewarding when it’s discovered.

It’s even less likely — but infinitely more satisfying — should those two paths converge.

As teenagers, respectively, in Goldendale and Tacoma, Bryan Caraway and Miesha Tate never could have imagined the roads they would travel to get where they are today. But they wouldn’t trade their respective journeys for anything now.

Both have become successful mixed martial arts fighters, training out of Rich Guerin’s Yakima Mixed Martial Arts club, with their careers enhanced by their own personal relationship that blossomed after they first met at Central Washington University in 2005.

“Sometimes before fights (early in my career), I’d ask myself, ‘Why am I fighting this guy?’” Caraway said. “Then after it was over, I’d realize why I love this. I love the adrenaline rush. I love the crowd cheering.”

“When I first started learning (the sport), I had no inclination or interest to fight,” Tate said. “After my first fight, I was hooked.

“Looking back, it’s pretty amazing. I never thought I’d be in a position to support myself fighting and doing something I love.”

Especially with someone she loves.

 

Love outside the cage

Both Caraway and Tate are comfortable with their now-five-year relationship, although they came at it in different directions.

Arriving at Central in 2005, Tate quickly became enamored with Caraway after she joined the MMA club that he and Tommy Truex started there a year earlier. Caraway, who began coaching Tate, took a more cautious approach.

“I had a crush on him right away; he wasn’t as quick,” Tate said with a smile. “I admired his work ethic … and he’s goal-driven. I found all of that attractive. I was kind of sprung right away.”

Eventually, it was similar qualities in Tate that moved Caraway.

“There’s not many girls doing this and I wanted to make sure she was here for herself,” he said. “After about 11?2 years, she showed she was definitely not here for me; she was here to work and she works as hard as any one of the guys. She’s here to be professional and a serious athlete.

“I started admiring that — her work ethic and dedication.”

That dedication to their craft has been a strong component of their relationship.

“It’s nice having a companion and a competitor,” Caraway said. “She knows what kind of sacrifices I’m going through. I can actually talk to her about this (sport) and know she understands.”

Still, their coach-athlete dynamic has also created tension.

“It’s hard to separate that sometimes,” Tate said. “I can get hurt feelings when I hear something coming from him instead of hearing it from another coach.

“But I care a lot more about him as a person than as my coach.”

“It’s tough sometimes … because emotions come in,” he said. “We’ve been able to keep it professional — when we come to the gym, it’s time to work.”

Working through those moments has strengthened their relationship.

“We’ve had a lot of trials and tribulations but we’ve made it work. It’s hard sometimes because she’s pretty and gets a lot of attention. I have to just say that’s part of it and trust in Miesha and know everything’s going to work out in the end.”

 

A much different path

Much like his approach to his relationship with Tate, Caraway, 27, had a slow transition to MMA.

The Yakima-born Caraway was a wrestler, starting as a fifth-grader in Montana, and continuing after the family moved to Goldendale prior to his sophomore year of high school. Fueled by an intense competitive drive, he went on to finish sixth in state at 119 pounds that year, third at 130 as a junior, and second at 130 as a senior despite suffering some late-season injuries.

“My mom (Sandra) told me that it didn’t matter if you win or lose, just never give up,” Caraway said.

He went to North Idaho College to continue wrestling but after one year, transferred to Central. That’s when he was introduced to MMA through wrestling teammate Matt Lininger and his cousin Dennis Hallman, an Ultimate Fighting Championship standout at the time.

Hallman later introduced Caraway to Guerin, who was teaching kickboxing at the Yakima Police Athletic League, where he also met Truex.

That began Caraway’s transition to the sport, with he and Truex starting Central’s MMA club and then later helping to form a team of amateur fighters representing the Yakima Mixed Martial Arts club that Guerin opened after leaving YPAL.

It was with Guerin that Caraway learned to convert his wrestling background into success in the cage.

“Wrestling is probably the best base you can have for (MMA) fighting … (but) as this sport has evolved, people have learned to use kickboxing and submission holds more and you have to be good in all three aspects,” he said. “Rich started showed me the ropes and helped me start to put the tricks together.”

 

Following a similar road

Tate, like Caraway, started out as a wrestler, but quite a bit later, not picking up the sport until her sophomore year at Franklin Pierce High in Tacoma.

“Not having a prior background, I had a lot of catching up to do,” she said.

But Tate, 25, proved to be a quick learner, and, combined with a similarly competitive drive, she excelled on the mat.

“It’s so challenging; that’s why I fell in love with it,” she said. “If it was really easy, I would’ve lost interest. But there’s so many ways to push yourself.”

Tate missed out on the first girls invitational at the state tournament in 2004, her junior year, when she broke her ankle two weeks prior to state, but came back the next season and won the 145 title.

“I was determined to win,” she said.

Arriving at CWU, Tate struggled being away from home for the first time and looked for some activity to meet new people. Another woman in her dorm discovered the MMA club and suggested they give it a try.

“I wasn’t sure … but (after going) I was pleasantly surprised,” Tate said. “I learned basic submission holds and learned Jiu-Jitsu, which is another form of wrestling in my mind.”

Tate took the next step after being invited to join Truex and Caraway at Yakima Mixed Martial Arts.

“I went to my first fight card … and that’s when I fully grasped the sport,” she said. “It was about self — pushing yourself to the ultimate limits.

“Three weeks later, I was fighting and it’s snowballed from there.”

 

Careers on an upswing

Both fighters have come a long way since their early MMA days.

After about a half dozen amateur fights with Guerin’s club, Caraway turned pro in 2005. He’s found success fighting for Strikeforce, EliteXC and World Extreme Cagefighting, compiling a 15-5 record, although he hasn’t had many showcase bouts.

But a breakthrough moment could be in the offing thanks to UFC’s “The Ultimate Fighter” competition.

After several tryouts in New Jersey and Las Vegas, Caraway was selected to be one of 16 fighters — one of eight at 145 pounds — to compete this past June for the chance to land a UFC contract.

The show, which had all the fighters living in one house during the competition, is currently airing on Spike TV.

Caraway’s first two fights — both victories — have already aired, with his semifinal against Diego Brandao set to air Wednesday, Nov. 30, with the final show scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 3, both on Spike TV.

Having to keep his results secret until after the respective show airs has been difficult at times — Caraway had to sign a $5 million non-disclosure agreement and the show’s producers regularly check things like his Facebook account to make sure he hasn’t said anything — but he’s fully aware of the importance this opportunity presents.

“This could make my whole career,” said Caraway, who has suffered anxiety attacks before matches because of the pressure he puts on himself to succeed.

“People ask what are you scared of?” he said. “I’m not scared of the fight or my opponent, I’m scared of letting myself down. I’m scared of not performing well.

“This means so much to me. To follow my dream; to chase this dream.”

Tate has enjoyed a quicker rise, winning the Strikeforce bantamweight (135 pounds) world championship earlier this year in just her 14th professional fight and 20th overall. She’s currently the fourth-ranked female fighter in the world regardless of weight and has a 12-2 pro record after going 5-1 as an amateur.

“People say you’re not really a champion until you defend your belt, so I really want to show that (title fight) wasn’t a fluke,” said Tate, who hopes to make her first title defense this winter.

Tate’s toughness in the cage started to be forged way back in her bloody debut.

In the first round of that fight, Tate’s opponent kneed her twice in the face, with one of the blows breaking her nose, and she was caught in a choke hold later in the round.

“Looking at the mat, I see the blood spreading out, getting bigger and bigger and I’m thinking, ‘What the hell is happening?’” Tate recalls. “It came down to fight or flight. I have to fight. I got really mad, bucked her off and started whaling on her. I finished the round and that was a big learning experience.”

That baptism under fire proved to be a huge motivation for Tate, and her success since then hasn’t surprised those around her.

“I have a lot a lot more faith in my abilities,” she said.

“She’s an amazing athlete,” Caraway said. “Whatever I’ve taught her, she’s picked up.

“I’m going to make sure she’s the best fighter she can be.”

Now, both see even bigger things on the horizon and can’t wait to chase those dreams together.

“It’s been an interesting ride,” Tate said. “We support each other and push each other.”

“It’s getting tougher to keep working together and it gets pretty hectic,” Caraway said. “But we’re dedicated to helping each other.”

YVCC men’s basketball team remains an unknown to Coach Funk

YAKIMA, Wash. — Ray Funk’s early-season summation of his Yakima Valley men’s basketball squad came in the form of two statements delivered in rapid-fire succession.

“In two years as a high school assistant, 10 years as head coach at White Swan and now in my seventh here,” he said, “I have never felt more unsure about any team I’ve ever coached.”

After which he quickly added, “But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

If history is an indication, the Yaks will not necessarily be a bad team. Under Funk’s direction, for example, YVCC has finished first, third, sixth and fifth, respectively, in the last four NWAACC Tournaments.

The coach’s uncertainty stems from a roster that features only two players — guard Johnnie Diggs and forward Tomas Ogbaslassie — who played substantive minutes on last season’s 18-11 squad.

But he acknowledges the potential of newcomers including 6-foot-10 Abdi Mohamed, a freshman from Seattle’s Chief Sealth High School, and 6-7 Amir Royal, a sophomore transfer from Bakersfield (Calif.) College.

“Any 6-10 kid who’s at this level is obviously raw,” Funk said of the slender Mohamed, who he doesn’t expect to be available until next month because of a knee injury. “He’s not a 20 (point) and 10 (rebound-per-game) guy. But he can impact a game with his size, and he does have some skills.”

A pleasant surprise, he said, has been point guard Erik Martinez, who helped Wapato to the Class 2A state tournament in 2007.

“He’s a little more mature,” Funk said, “and he values the opportunity since he’s a little older.”

DeShawn Battle, who redshirted last season, could fit into the backcourt rotation along with 6-4 sophomore Dabrail Henton, a transfer from Las Positas College in Livermore, Calif. Henton’s sister, Brandi, is a sophomore transfer from Long Beach State on the YVCC women’s team.

Also competing for playing time is Mitchell Zapien, a 6-1 freshman who last season helped Zillah reach the Class 1A state championship game and previously starred at Granger. His sister, Sam, is a returning starter on YVCC’s defending NWAACC champion women’s team.

Other recognizable names are Robert Bonser, an Eisenhower sophomore who Funk said will redshirt this season along with Wapato freshman Jacoby Howe. DeAndre Riggins, who like Bonser played for YVCC last season, will also redshirt.

“I think we’ll be able to score,” Funk said, “but I’m not sure we’ll be able to guard anybody. One of the biggest plusses about last year’s group, the kids we had on the court in our final game, was at the end of the day we knew we’d played hard. Other coaches mentioned that on a number of occasions.

“We’re trying to get to that point with this group, but we’re not there yet.”

 

ROSTER

Player Yr. Ht. Pos. HS/previous college

Jason Bagby Fr. 6-4 F Coupeville HS

DeShawn Battle So. 6-0 G Las Vegas/Agassi Prep

Johnnie Diggs So. 6-0 G Las Vegas-Western HS

Jalon Flowers Fr. 5-11 G Franklin

Dabrail Henton So. 6-3 G Modesto Christian (Calif.) HS/Las Positas (Calif.) College

Cameron Jensen Fr. 6-3 G Mesquite (Nev.)/Virgin Valley HS

Erik Martinez Fr. 5-11 G Wapato HS

Abdi Mohamed Fr. 6-10 F Chief Sealth HX

Dallin Molina Fr. 6-5 F Las Vegas/Sierra Vista HS

Tomas Ogbaslassie So. 6-6 F Chief Sealth HS

Julian Romero So. Las Vegas/Bonanza HS

Amir Royal So. 6-7 F Las Vegas/Rancho/Bakersfield (Calif.) College

Mitchell Zapien Fr. 6-1 G Zillah

*Robert Bonser So. 6-5 F Eisenhower

*Korwin Flowers Fr. 5-10 G Chief Sealth HS.

*J.B. Fontenot Fr. 5-11 G Honolulu/Radford HS

*Jacoby Howe Fr. 5-11 G Wapato HS

*Isaiah Linton So. 6-5 F Chicago/Simeon HS

*DeAndre Riggins So. 5-11 G Foster HS

Head coach: Ray Funk. Assistants: Greg Oldham, London Wilson.

* — will redshirt.

 

 2011-12 SCHEDULE

NOVEMBER: 25-27, at Lower Columbia Thanksgiving Tournament.

DECEMBER: 2-4, Spokane Pre-Season Tournament; 9, Highline, 7 p.m.; 16-18, at North Seattle Crossover Tournament; 28-30, at Clackamas Holiday Tournament.

JANUARY: 7, *at Wenatchee Valley; 11, *Big Bend, 8 p.m.; 14, *at Spokane; 18, *Walla Walla, 8 p.m.; 21, *at Columbia Basin; 27, *Blue Mountain, 8 p.m.; 28, *Treasure Valley, 4 p.m.

FEBRUARY: 1, *Wenatchee Valley, 8 p.m.; 4, *at Big Bend; 8, *at Walla Walla; 12, *Columbia Basin, 4 p.m.; 17, *at Treasure Valley; 18, *at Blue Mountain; 22, *Spokane, 8 p.m.

MARCH: 3-6, NWAACC Tournament, Kennewick.

*-NWAACC East Region game.

Being a target nothing new for YVCC women’s basketball team

YAKIMA, Wash. — It has often been said that defending champions have a bull’s-eye on their backs.

So the Yakima Valley women can expect opponents to give them their best shot this season, except that two other factors should be considered.

For one, the fluent nature of community college hoops means that this team will be substantially different from last season’s NWAACC titlist — and so will its foes. For another, the Yaks have been good enough in prior years to already have become a target.

A program becomes such when it compiles a 202-52 record over eight seasons, wins or ties for a region title in each of the last six years and reached the NWAACC Tournament title game in 2010 before winning it last March.

“Our region should be extremely competitive, again,” said head coach Cody Butler, who has presided over the aforementioned eight-year record. “That’s nothing new, because it’s always competitive.”

From last season’s 23-7 championship squad, the college’s first since 1991, three players who saw substantial playing time — Brittney Newcomb, Samantha Zapien and Alex Brewster — return along with reserve Ashley Swetzof.

Newcomb was the Yaks’ primary perimeter threat while Zapien was a rebounding and defensive standout who mostly scored inside. The Granger graduate might miss some early games due to academic issues, however.

And Butler, as usual, has landed an impressive recruiting class keyed by sophomores Brandi Henton and Simone Jordan.

Both were considered NCAA Division I prospects out of high school, and Henton in fact played last season at Long Beach State where the 5-foot-9 guard averaged 12.5 points and 4.6 rebounds a game. Butler said friends with AAU connections told him of the Modesto, Calif., native’s desire to redirect her career.

Already she has had an impact, scoring 42 points in a recent win over Walla Walla.

Jordan, also 5-9, was recruited by Gonzaga out of Portland’s Lincoln High School but began her college days at North Idaho. She left there after one season and was working for FedEx in her hometown when Butler offered her a chance to play again.

Jordan also might be unavailable until next month, because of transfer eligibility issues.

Among the freshmen are Shelbi Strom, an all-SCAC West first team selection as a White Swan senior in 2008, and East Valley’s Kaylah Gonzales, who played on the Yaks’ soccer team.

Other prospects include Hannah Lekson, from Peninsiula High in Gig Harbor, and Katina Fergusen, a 5-11 frontcourt player from Enumclaw.

“If we stay healthy,” Butler said, “our top four to five players are as talented as any team we’ve had, and then hopefully some of the others are going to develop.”

 

ROSTER

Player Yr. Ht. Pos. High school/previous college

Brittney Newcomb So. 5-7 G S. Medford (Ore.) HS

Alex Brewster So. 5-9 So. S. Anchorage (Alaska) HS

Jaci Bryant Fr. 5-6 G Hood River (Ore.) HS

Jaimi Cox Fr. 5-8 G Palmer (Alaska) HS

Skyler Nuss Fr. 5-6 G Wasilla-Eagle River (Alaska) HS

Ashley Swetzof, so., 5-8 G Palmer (Alaska) HS

Kaylah Gonzales Fr. 5-7 G East Valley-Yakima

Ariah Gonzales Fr. 5-10 G Middleton (Idaho) HS

Hannah Lekson Fr. 5-9 G Peninsula

Shelbi Strom Fr. 5-4 G White Swan

Brandi Henton So. 5-9 G Modesto Christian (Calif.)/Long Beach State

Simone Jordan So. 5-9 G Lincoln (Portland) HS/North Idaho College

Sam Zapien So. 5-9 F Granger.

Head coach: Cody Butler. Assistants: Kim Breymeyer, Brittany Weaver.

 

2011-12 SCHEDULE

NOVEMBER: 26, at Shoreline; 27, at Whatcom.

DECEMBER: 3, Clark, 3 p.m.; 10, Linn-Benton, TBA; 16-18, at Clackamas Crossover; 28-30, at Lower Columbia Tournament.

JANUARY: 7, *at Wenatchee Valley; 11, *Big Bend, 6 p.m.; 14, *at Spokane; 18, *Walla Walla, 6 p.m.; 21, *at Columbia Basin; 27, *Blue Mountain, 6 p.m.; 28, *Treasure Valley, 2 p.m.

FEBRUARY: 1, *Wenatchee Valley, 6 p.m.; 4, *at Big Bend; 8, *Walla Walla, 6 p.m.; 11, *Columbia Basin, 2 p.m.; 17, *at Treasure Valley; 18, *at Blue Mountain; 22, *Spokane, 6 p.m.

MARCH: 3-6, NWAACC Tournament, Kennewick.

* — NWAACC East Region game.

11/24/11 Bulletin Board

BASKETBALL: Grandview Parks and Recreation will be hosting its annual youth program for boys and girls in grades K-3. All participants will meet at McClure Gym on Dec. 19-21 from 10-11 a.m. Cost is $10 per child. You can pre-register at the Parks and Recreation Office, 303 W. Wine Country Road, by Dec. 16.   Mail in registration is also accepted. For more information or to request a mail-in registration form, call 509-882-9219.

VOLLEYBALL: With a record turnout in the 34-year history of the program, Team Yakima has decided to expand its roster of youth teams to 14 this season. Due to the expansion, Team Yakima is looking for two head coaches and two assistant coaches. If you are interested, contact club director Brenda Moore at 425-894-7933.

11/24/11 Rec Notes: Pirates win 7th-grade title in Hemiston

HERMISTON, Ore. — The Yakima Pirates seventh-grade girls basketball team won the Hermiston Autumn Kickoff Classic this past weekend.

The Pirates were 4-0, capped by a 34-29 win over the Blazers in the title game.

Team members were BayLeigh Harris, Sarah Stiles, Shelby Lange, Grace Simbajon, Esparanza Garcia, Imani Brown and Stella Bueno. The coach is Joe Harris.

 

FOOTBALL

Zillah wins Grid Kids C title

TOPPENISH, Wash. — Zillah’s freshman ‘C’ team captured the Yakima Valley Grid Kids title on Nov. 12 with a 20-12 victory over Toppenish.

Team members are Benjamin Kibbe, Dawson Husted, Sebastian Godina, Wesley Avila, Josiah Boiselle, Weston Ide, Teegan Waldman, Lance Alaniz, Marcos Esquivel, Brett Delp, Kyler Marsh, Kolby Moore, Adan Martinez, David Soto, Val Rueda and Jared Bloom. The coaches were Erick Delp, Shawn Waldman and Aaron Avila.

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