Pneumonia has spread across river, but disease appears less severe ||

YAKIMA, Wash. — The bighorn sheep pneumonia outbreak in the Yakima River Canyon has gotten worse in one way while, in another, is turning out to be not nearly as bad as it might have been.

The outbreak didn’t remain confined to the west side of the Yakima River as state wildlife biologists had hoped it might, with just a very small number — “one or two,” said one expert — of infected bighorns found in recent weeks on the Selah Butte side east of the river.

But while the majority of bighorns west of the Yakima River and north of Umtanum Creek have exhibited pneumonia symptoms, a massive dieoff similar to the one that happened 15 years ago in Hells Canyon simply hasn’t happened.

“This kind of disease outbreak among bighorns has occurred periodically throughout the West,” said Donnie Martorello, who oversees bighorn sheep management for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. “There seem to be two scenarios that play out.

“You have ones like Hells Canyon where you have a pneumonia outbreak that’s swift and very lethal, and before you can do anything the sheep are just dying left and right. In the other one … you may have a large percentage of your sheep with acute pneumonia, you lose 10 to 20 percent and the rest kind of shake it off. They have the bugs, the pathogens, but they survive the outbreaks.

“I believe we’re in the latter scenario.”

Eighteen bighorns in the Yakima River Canyon are known to have died since the outbreak began — 15 of them in one square mile north of Umtanum Creek, most of them near the railroad tracks. But that’s only a small percentage of the number of sheep that would have come in contact with the disease, with about 165 sheep on the west side of the Yakima River and about 85 on the Selah Butte side.

State wildlife officials expect to decide in the next day or two which of three basic approaches they will take to deal with the outbreak — to let it run its natural course;  to kill each of the animals in the impacted areas, thus removing the possibility of the disease spreading to other herds; or remove only the animals that still have showing signs of the disease.

The surviving animals might still pass the lethal pathogens on to each ensuing lamb crop, perhaps depressing the herd for generations — or they might not. The science in this area is still evolving, and Yakima-based WDFW biologist Jeff Bernatowicz, who has been following the breakout since it was first documented in early December, said other states have already had experience in dealing with circumstances just like this one.

Veterinarians and wildlife biologists from Colorado and Montana, he said, now believe the animals that have recovered from the initial breakout are no longer spreading — or “shedding” — the bacteria.

“The best analogy,” Bernatowicz said, “would be if people get the flu, once you’re over it and recovering, you’re no longer spreading the germs to somebody else. But there’s a certain percentage of people who, for whatever reason, maybe their systems aren’t as strong as other people, they … (remain sick and) continue to shed the bacteria.”

Unhealthy ewes, Bernatowicz said, “probably aren’t going to have lambs, or aren’t going to have healthy lambs. Only the ones that recovered will have lambs, and then you still have the minority of ewes and rams that are still carriers that will continue to shed the bacteria, and … they’ll affect the lambs that are born.”

Bernatowicz said that in previous outbreaks, three times in Colorado and once in British Columbia, officials have culled from the herd the animals that were still exhibiting symptoms of the disease two months or more after the initial outbreak.

“They try to clean out the ones that have not recovered, get them out of the population,” he said. “And from what they’ve told us, that has worked really well at increasing the lamb survival.”

Waterfalls on display along trails at Gorge’s Beacon Rock ||

LONGVIEW, Wash. — There’s a lot more to Beacon Rock State Park than the 848-foot-tall pinnacle of basalt it’s named after.

Yes, that towering rock is a landmark in the Columbia River Gorge, some 30 miles upstream from Vancouver.

But 5,100-acre Beacon Rock State Park also includes several stunning waterfalls and a couple of ridges that are more than 2,300 feet high, all served by a network of hiking trails. Even if you’ve hiked there before, several new routes built in the past few years invite exploration.

Winter is a good time for a hike in the park. The falls gush harder during the rainy season, the trails are typically snow free and the crowds are thinner.

Winter rains make Rodney Falls at Beacon Rock State Park on the Columbia River even more impressive. (Tom Paulu/The (Longview) Daily News)

Park ranger Vivian McNeil said park trails are popular with those getting in shape for longer trips later in the season.

Beacon Rock park is served by two parking lots. For hikers, the main lot a short distance off Highway 14 is most attractive. In winter months, the quarter-mile-long access road to the parking lot is closed to motorized vehicles Mondays through Thursdays, though hikers may park near the base of Beacon Rock and stroll up the road.

A rock summit called Little Beacon Rock (more about that later) looms above the trailhead. From the trailhead, which is about 400 feet above sea level, the wide trail heads into the woods for a half mile or so, then crosses under twin power lines. The open gash in the forest for the power lines offers a view down to Bonneville Dam, five miles distant.

The trail heads back into the mossy woods. From the parking lot, it’s 11/4 miles, with a 450-foot elevation gain, to the twin torrents of Hardy Falls and Rodney Falls. A side trail leads down to a viewpoint over the top of Hardy Falls, which tumbles over a cliff about 100 feet below. There’s no official trail to the bottom of the 90-foot-tall Hardy Falls, but it’s possible to reach them by scrambling down the hill. With the dropoffs, venturing off the main trail isn’t a good idea for small children.

A few yards farther up the trail is the much more accessible Rodney Falls. The trail crosses below the falls’ major step on a very sturdy wooden bridge. Rodney Falls descends about 80 feet.

The upper part of the falls foams through a chasm in the rock called the Punchbowl. A side trail cut into the cliff leads to the edge of the Punchbowl, which would be a good place to cool off with spray on a hot day.

The waterfalls make a good turning-around point for a short hike, but there are plenty of opportunities for additional trekking.

One of the high points of Beacon Rock State Park is Hamilton Mountain, elevation 2,438 feet. To get there, keep going past Rodney Falls.

The trail soon forks, with both directions eventually leading to Hamilton Mountain.

The shorter — and steeper — part of the loop goes to the right. It climbs sharply, with steps cut into the rock in places. The trail winds through rocky cliffs, with dropoffs here and there. On a recent hike, the upper parts of the trail were covered by 2 to 3 inches of fresh snow and bathed in fog.

The summit is something of an anti-climax, a flat expanse with heavy brush blocking the views in some directions. However, there’s a good view upriver to Table Mountain and, on clear days, across the Columbia to waterfalls dropping over Oregon cliffs.

From the summit, either retrace your steep steps back down or continue ahead down the more gradually sloping ridge top for a mile to a saddle where four trails convene.

Major trail junctions like this are well-marked with signs pointing the way back to the parking lot. Maps are displayed behind glass, too, though some are too waterlogged to be useful.

From the saddle, the route joins a network of old logging roads where horses and mountain bikes are allowed. Or take “Don’s Trail,” a hiker-only alternative.

On the way back, after you’ve once again passed the waterfalls, yet another trail offers a different twist.

The unmarked but hard-to-miss trail to Little Beacon Rock starts by a bench under the power lines. That trail eventually leads through a jumble of boulders to Little Beacon Rock, which is only a few hundred feet shorter than its bigger twin.

Past Little Beacon Rock, the trail descends to the campground, which is closed in winter. The road leads back to where you started.

The trail between the campground and Little Beacon Rock is ADA accessible.

The entire loop to Hamilton Mountain and back is 8 miles.

— Tom Paulu/The (Longview) Daily News

If You Go …

What: Beacon Rock State Park.

Where: At milepost 35 on Highway 14, west of Stevenson and Bonneville Dam.

How to get there: Follow Highway 97 to the junction with Highway 14 and follow 14 west.

Of note: A separate parking lot off of Kueffler Road serves the old logging roads that now are trails open to mountain bikers and horseback riders. A trail finished last year makes a steep jaunt over the top of Hardy Ridge, which is actually higher than Hamilton Mountain. Yet another trail is too new to be on maps.

For more: Detailed information on Rodney and Hardy falls can be found at www.waterfallsnorthwest.com. To make sense of the trail maze, see a map posted at www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2331

YAKIMA, Wash. — When it comes to trying new recipes for the game and fish I get, I have the greatest intentions in the world. In fact, right now, in my office I have a stack of magazines you couldn’t jump over. They’ve been collecting for months because each one contains a recipe that, when I read it, made me think I’d really like to try it sometime. So into the “recipe stack” it went.

You know how it goes with good intentions. I’ve not cooked up one of the recipes yet, and the stack of publications just continues to grow.

If nothing else, I should go through and at least tear the different recipes out and put them in a folder or something. Then this mountain of magazines could go to the recycling bin and out of my office.

But I can’t quite find the time to do even that, let alone get motivated enough to actually try one or two of these delicious-sounding concoctions for duck, pheasant, walleye and steelhead.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to fix a dish such as Venison Bourguignon? Even I peruse the recipe, my mouth starts to water and I think this would be a great way to fix up a couple of the deer roasts in the freezer from the fat buck I shot in Montana last fall.

Especially when it’s described as “absolutely delicious and tender,” and “one your hunting club will enjoy.”

Which, of course, makes me think about how sad it is I don’t belong to a hunting club.

Am I not good enough? Are all my buddies in a club and they just haven’t told me? Ever since I was a kid I wanted to be in a club of some kind. I love to hunt, so why can’t I be in a hunting club?

But I digress.

In this same publication pulled randomly from its precarious perch on the pile of publications, there are several other great sounding recipes including Grilled Salmon Pacifica,  Fillet of Dover Sole Arian, and Blackened Redfish.

Mmmm, they sound good enough to eat.

Also among the many recipes in this southern magazine is (those of you with squeamish stomachs might want to just skip over this one) a recipe for Squirrel Head Stew. Pardon me while I erp.

I kid you not. The recipe calls for 20 to 30 squirrel heads along with some onions, potatoes, garlic, parsley and powdered sassafras leaf. Throw all the ingredients into a pot and cook until the potatoes are done. It doesn’t say anything about the squirrel heads but I would assume if the spuds are cooked so are the rest of the ingredients.

Turns out these recipes come from some famous chef in New Orleans. Now, I have been to New Orleans and have eaten in many fine restaurants there, but never have I seen on the menu anything that included squirrel heads, or any other parts of a squirrel for that matter.

I have found and tried many other unusual menu items in that great city, including ostrich, alligator, rattlesnake, turtle, frog, crawdads, and snails, to name a few. So, those Cajuns will cook and eat just about anything. But I think I would draw the line on small animal heads.

Besides the fact that I have not shot 20 to 30 squirrels in all of my life, and wouldn’t know where to get that many squirrels if I wanted them, the chances of me cooking up such a stew is wildly remote.

Even if I was lost in some remote wilderness and I was starving and all there was to eat was squirrels, I believe I could find several other parts of the little animal I would prefer to eat over the heads.

Anyway, in my stack of magazines are more ways than you can imagine to cook a goose, a moose and everything in between. If you are looking for a special recipe, give me a shout, because I probably have it.

And, if you happen to have some squirrel pieces and parts you were wondering what to do with, I can help you there, too. Just don’t invite me over to partake in it. Even if it means I might get to join your hunting club. Because I will most likely pass.

• Rob Phillips is a freelance outdoor writer and partner in the advertising firm of Smith, Phillips & DiPietro. He can be reached at rwphillips@spdadvertising.com.

YAKIMA, Wash. — For birders, who can’t ever get enough of counting, the next assignment has arrived: this Friday-through-Monday’s “Great Backyard Bird Count,” a four-day national event launched a dozen years ago as a joint effort between the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Why some lab at Cornell? Well, if you do an Internet search for information on pretty much any bird, Cornell’s site will be one of the first that will pop up; they’re very big on birds. And the GBBC, birders’ shorthand for this weekend’s count, allows folks to be part of a national effort that will give the national bird-watching community a veritable four-day photograph of what’s out there continent-wide, with numbers that can be compared to previous years.

For information on how to participate, you can go to the GBBC site (www.birdcount.org, which will take you to www.birdsource.org/gbbc), and you can take part alone or as part of an event, from the windows of the home or out in a public park. Locally, there will be a couple of count-related activities:

• On Friday, the Yakima Valley Audubon Society will host a bird walk largely for GBBC newcomers, beginning at 8 a.m. at the parking lot at the south end of the Greenway (east end of Valley Mall Boulevard). The trip leader is Richard Repp (965-1134 or e-mail to rich712@aol.com).

• An afternoon/early evening of what is being called the “SunTides Robin Spectacle,” a reference to the tens of thousands of American robins that have been flocking to roost in the SunTides area’s conifer trees. It’s apparently quite a sight, whether you stay for 15 minutes or arrive early and stay for the entire transformation.

The GBBC group will meet at 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Old Naches Highway and Galloway Road, with wildlife biologist and expert birder Scott Downes coordinating the robin count for the GBBC.

For more information, use the above number/e-mail to contact Repp, who has become the local Audubon’s go-to guy for the GBBC over the past few years.

Moxee teen scores first hillclimb pro win

David Sharp Jr. of Moxee, at 17 years old already the Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Hillclimb Association’s reigning racer of the year, got his first victory as a pro over the weekend at the Bear Lake Hillclimb in Montpellier, Idaho.

The East Valley junior qualified in all five of the classes he entered, won in pro improved 800, and finished a close second in the King of the Hill competition of all class winners. Since RMSHA events pay out to the top five placers, Sharp Jr. also earned prize money in four of his five classes, placing third in pro mod 600, fourth in both pro 1000 stock and pro 1000 improved stock, and sixth in pro 800 stock.

His father, David Sharp, placed third in pro master improved and in pro master mod, and fourth in pro master stock. Brad Sharp was second in pro master improved, fourth in pro master mod, fourth in open mod and sixth in pro master stock.

Brian Thierolf of Yakima qualified eighth in pro 800 stock and 12th in pro 1000 improved, but didn’t place.

Dale Klingele tops shoot with perfect 25

Dale Klingele had Sunday’s only 25×25 round in the sixth round of the Yakima Valley Sportsmen’s trap club 10-week Button Shoot to capture the first men’s division button. His brother, Ed Klingele, took the second with a 23×25.

Senior division buttons went to Roger Hanna and Gene Wilmoth, the latter in a shootoff over Jim Dixson.

Yakima’s Telephonic score was 97×100, and Wilmoth took the Annie Oakley competition.

Shooting runs each Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. New shooters are welcome.

BIRD ALERT

An immature rusty blackbird was reported along Marion Drain Road near Lateral C, in a large mixed flock of birds in the nearby hop fields.  The flock also held around a thousand red-winged and Brewer’s blackbirds as well as brown-headed cowbirds Eurasian starlings and a yellow-headed blackbird. Raptors spotted in this area included northern shrike, bald eagle, northern harrier, red-tailed and rough-legged hawk, prairie falcon, Cooper’s hawk and American kestrel.

Three trumpeter swans, one adult and two gray youngsters, were observed hanging out with 35 tundra swans in the marshes along Marion Drain Road. The area was also rich with other waterfowl including: a greater white-fronted goose, one cackling goose, Canada geese, northern pintail, mallard, American widgeon, green-winged teal, common mergansers, lesser scaup, and gadwall. East of U.S. Highway 97, they spotted a Eurasian widgeon in a flooded pasture within sight of the highway.

A great egret was noted flying southeast above the Yakima River, near the end of the Greenway path at Valley Mall Boulevard.  While sightings of great egret have become more frequent in the past 10 years in the Yakima Valley, they are still exciting birds to see.

A hike around Snow Mountain Ranch near Cowiche turned up a pair of great horned owls and their cousin the barred owl was spotted in the Oregon White Oaks, as well as western scrub jays, varied thrush, Lewis’ woodpeckers, a sharp-shinned hawk, northern harrier, and American kestrel.

Please call your bird sightings into the Yakima Valley Audubon phone line at 248-1963

— Kerry L. Turley

AROUND AND ABOUT

WHAT WINTERFEST? Winterfest 2010, which, because of a lack of snow, Skamania County Facilities and Recreation had already postponed from a previous scheduled date to this Saturday, is canceling the event because, well, there’s no snow now, either.

PIKA PROTECTION: Or lack of it, actually. The American pika, while potentially vulnerable to climate change in portions of its range, doesn’t meet the criteria for protection under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Friday. Of course, most of us will still go months or years between sightings, with pikas both pretty small and pretty reclusive, and they’re rarely seen below 8,000 feet elevation.

ON THE SCHEDULE

TODAY: The Cascadians’ Tuesday hikers — and with the weather of late, that’s probably what they’ll be doing, too — will get together at 8 a.m. at the 40th Avenue Bi-Mart parking lot and carpool to the day’s trek, which could be a ski/snowshoe deal if that’s what the trip leader has determined is the day’s best option. Come prepared for anything, and bring lunch (and plenty of water).

THURSDAY: The Cascadians’ Pokies plan to do a ski/snowshoe trip to Maintenance Shed Road on White Pass. Because of the relatively long drive, the group will leave at 8:30 a.m. (instead of 9) from the 40th Avenue Bi-Mart parking lot. Participants should bring their own equipment, food, water and be prepared for the weather, and should call trip leader Marion Mann at 452-4263 in advance for a head count (and so nobody gets left behind. Clear skies might mean a magnificent look at Mount Rainier. For non-snow-lovers, an alternate trek will be a walk in Sportsman Park; for meeting time and place on that one, call Eulalie Short at 469-9906.

SATURDAY: The Cascadians’ David Hagen will leader his “Winter Walk No. 4,” another easy-intermediate to easy-advanced hike on which you can expect some steep stuff and elevation gain of 2,000 feet or so, with a stop for a leisurely lunch. Call Hagen in advance (a head count is important), then meet at 9 a.m. at the 40th Avenue Bi-Mart parking lot.

SPOKANE, Wash. — Central Washington freshmen Anthony Wright and Katharine Lotze were selected as GNAC track and field athletes of the week, the conference announced Monday.

Wright set a season-best mark of 6.90 seconds in the 60 meters, which was also the second-fastest indoor time in conference history. He finished second at the Vandal Indoor meet at the University of Idaho in Moscow with a time of 6.95 seconds, and won the Runner’s Soul Open with a time of 6.96 seconds.

Lotze set a provisional NCAA Division II qualifying mark in the triple jump at the Vandal Indoor with a mark of 37 feet, 4 1/2 inches. Lotze shared female athlete of the week honors with Terra Schumacher of Seattle Pacific.

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Former Central Washington infielders Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace, who won an ESPY award in 2008 for best moment in sports, were among 15 current and former CWU fastpitch players named to the school’s all-decade team.

The team, which was chosen by head coach Gary Frederick, also five players from the 2009 team that won a school record 33 games. Frederick chose the 2009 team as the team of the decade.

CWU ALL-DECADE TEAM

Pitchers: Sara Badgley (2004-05, 2007.), Jill McCarthey (2002-04), Linse Vlahovich (2006-09). Catchers: Holly Rossman (2008-09), Kelli Spaulding (2004-07). First base: Mallory Holtman (2004-08). Second base: Jackie Hawkins (2008-09), Logan Mohr (2007-08). Third base: Nicole Lantau (1998-2001). Shortstops: Jill Powell (2000-01), Liz (Ashworth) Wallace (2006-09). Utility: Catrina Robertson (2004-07). Outfield: Kasey Druffel (2007-08), Patty Martinez (2003-06), Danielle Monson (2009-present).

RITZVILLE, Wash. — Six champions and three other finalists powered Kittitas to a  seven-point victory over Reardan in Saturday’s 10-team 2B-1B sub-regional  tournament.

Carson Arnold (112), Luis Padilla (119), Cesar Espinoza (125), Brett Lovell  (171), Dustin Dean (215) and Nate Sorensen (285) won titles for the Coyotes, who amassed 273.5 points.

Kittitas is hosting next week’s 2B-1B regional tournament.

Team scores: Kittitas 273.5, Reardan 266.5, Pomeroy 253.5, Lind-Ritzville 82,  Davenport 79, Liberty 72, Tri-Cities Prep 57, White Swan 53, St. John-Endicott  32, Colfax 7.

Local placers

103: 2, Rodrigo Alvarado (WS). 112: 1, Carson Arnold (K); 3, Christian Almeida  (K); 5, Rygh Bailey (WS). 119: 1, Luis Padilla (K); 2, Noel Espinoza (K). 125: 1,  Cesar Espinoza (K); 5, Seth Holden (K). 130: 4, Chance Kidder (K); 5, Jon  Walling (K). 135: 6, Francisco Corona (WS). 140: 4, Dylan Holden (K); 6,  Elexander Moya (WS). 145: 2, Tanner Wallace (K). 152: 2, Nate Poulsen (K); 5,  Clive Bailey (WS). 171: 1, Brett Lovell (K); 4, Zach Wallace (K). 189: 6, Derrick  Nanez (WS). 215: 1, Dustin Dean (K). 285: 1, Nate Sorensen (K); 4, Sergio Fuentes (K).

TURLOCK, Calif. — For the second consecutive day, the Central Washington fastpitch team’s game in the Best of the West tournament were rained out. The rest of the tournament was canceled.

Central played two of its six scheduled games, losing 2-0 to UC San Diego and 3-0 to Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Central’s next scheduled game is part of a GNAC doubleheader against Western Oregon on Feb. 27 in Ellensburg.

Tryout helps erase bad memories of teams past ||

YAKIMA, Wash. — Mike Sexton remembers the last time indoor football came to Yakima — which is precisely why he originally had no intention of trying out for this latest attempt.

“One minute I was on a team and then I’m told they folded,” Sexton said, referring to the Yakima Shockwave, which played one season, in 2001, and then abruptly folded just before its second season. “(As a result), I was a little skeptical of this team,”

Robert Jordan runs a 40 yard-dash during tryouts for the Yakima Valley Warriors arena football team in Yakima, Wash. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. (Andy Sawyer/Yakima Herald-Republic)

But after talking with Yakima Valley Warriors coach Lance Brown, Sexton had a change of heart and was one of 45 players showing up at the SunDome on Saturday for the fledgling team’s first tryout camp.

Sexton was glad he changed his mind.

“I don’t want to put this anywhere near the Shockwave,” said Sexton, an East Valley High graduate. “This is totally different. … This looks legit.”

An important message that owner Michael Mink hoped to convey not only to these players but to a hesitant fan and sponsor base that has taken a wait-and-see approach in the wake of the Shockwave’s history.

“It’s a good day for the Warriors and a good day for Yakima,” said Mink, noting that the team sold nearly 60 season tickets Saturday. “We hadn’t had a chance to show ourselves, and we know the broken promises the city has had in the past, so this is a great opportunity for us and the fans.

“They can see this is real.”

A prospective player finishes a 40 yard dash during tryouts for the Yakima Valley Warriors arena football team in Yakima, Wash. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. (Andy Sawyer/Yakima Herald-Republic)

Saturday provided the best tangible evidence of the team taking shape as players from the Yakima Valley and the Northwest showed up, seeking a chance to continue their football dreams, with the Warriors expected to bring approximately 12 of these players to training camp.

“It’s awesome to get an opportunity to keep playing,” said lineman Jason Bolin, a Highland High grad who just finished a four-year playing career at Linfield College. “I miss that team atmosphere and working together.”

Andy Horner hurries through a timed drill during tryouts for the Yakima Valley Warriors arena football team in Yakima, Wash. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. (Andy Sawyer/Yakima Herald-Republic)

“The last three or four years, I’ve said this is my last year, but here I am,” said Alex Mahre, whose been a receiver and kicker for the Yakima Mavericks outdoor football team the past several seasons. “I guess it’s always going to be inside me.”

Mahre was one of several Mavericks trying out, with one player crediting Mavericks general manager Nathan Soptich for encouraging guys to take their shot with the Warriors.

“Our GM is really supportive,” said Grandview’s Andy Horner. “He wanted us to try out for the Warriors. He told me, if I make the team great. If not, I was welcome to come back.

“It’s a win-win for me … (because) I just love playing football.”

Even those who didn’t perform as well as they hoped still came away impressed with how things were run.

“I did not have a great day … but at the same time, it was a great experience and I had a ton of fun,” said Katie Hnida, who kicked at the University of Colorado and later at the University of New Mexico, where she became the first woman to score a point in an NCAA Division I game.

Even though Hnida struggled, partly due to a blood clot in her kicking leg, she had no regrets about making the trip from her home in Littleton, Colo.

“I talked to both coaches (Brown and Mink) and really liked both. What drew me to Yakima was how the team wants to be tied to the community,” she said. “I was disappointed with my effort, but I’m going to keep going. I just love football and look for any chance to play.”

In the end, players welcomed not only the chance to keep playing, but also the opportunity to help get the franchise started on what they believe can be a successful journey.

“They’ve put in a lot of time and effort and if they keep working at it,” Sexton said, “they’ve got a chance for it to grow.”

“I’m helping build this from the ground up,” said receiver Drew Copeland, who signed with the team last week and is now working in sales. “Once we get things up and running, it’ll be successful.”

“It’ll be great to help start a team and make a name for yourself and for the team,” said linebacker Kyle Amaya from Mount Vernon. “Some of these guys could be the face of the franchise, and that has to make you want to play even harder.”

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Selah and Toppenish combined for five champions and 27 regional qualifiers while finishing second and third, respectively, in the CWAC district wrestling tournament Saturday at Ellensburg High School.

The Vikings had two champions — Chris Rowe at 145 pounds and Richie Rodriguez at 285 — and scored 242.5 points to finish second behind conference champ Othello. Selah advanced 14 wrestlers to next week’s regional tournament at Spokane’s West Valley High School.

Armando Hernandez (103), Jose Barrera (112) and Julian Romero (125) won titles for Toppenish, which scored 238.5 points and moved 13 on to regionals.

Other local champions included Prosser’s Osmar Jaimez (119) and Ellensburg’s Justin Dellinger (215). It was Jaimez’s third straight district title.

The top six in each weight qualified for regionals while the No. 7 will meet the Great Northern’s No. 6 in a pre-regional pigtail.

Team scores: Othello 300, Selah 242.5, Toppenish 238.5, East Valley 197, Quincy 164.5, Ephrata 148, Ellensburg 142, Grandview 120, Prosser 78.5, Wapato 74.

Championship finals

103: Armando Hernandez (T) inj. def. Carlos Hernandez (T). 112: Jose Barrera (T) p. Lucas Garza (O), 3:19. 119: Osmar Jaimez (P) d. Aaron Arredondo (T), 8-3. 125: Julian Romero (T) d. Matt Jordan (O), 6-4. 130: Manuel Ybarra (Q) d. Anthony Bush (Eph), 6-0. 135: Reuben Lopez (O) p. Mason Yates (EV), 5:42. 140: Kurt Nygard (Eph) d. Eduardo Torres (W), 8-3. 145: Chris Rowe (Se) d. Jimmy Wilson (EV), 7-2. 152: Eddie Garza (O) d. Robert Motzkus (Eph), 10-5. 160: Amando DeLeon (O) inj. def. Tyler Coates (Ell). 171: Daniel Walker (O) d. Isaac Alaniz (G), 5-3. 189: Joey Gomez (O) d. Baldo Valdovinos (Q), 9-8. 215: Justin Dellinger (Ell) d. Adam Morales (G), 5-3. 285: Richie Rodriguez (Se) p. Luis Rodriguez (T), 4:56.

Third-fourth

103: Gilberto Villa (O) p. Omar Gomez (W), 3:54. 112: Luis Ayala (W) inj. def. Nikko Rodriguez (Se). 119: Cristian Molina (EV) d. Levi Needles (Se), 3-2. 125: Konner Hopkins (EV) d. Liston Idler (Ell), 3-0. 130: Eduardo Montes (O) md. Kody Ergeson (Se), 15-5. 135: Jonathan Cruz (Se) d. Eric Garza (O), 3-1. 140: Rafael Osorio (T) d. Kamal Qteishat (Ell), 11-7 (OT). 145: Jeremy Standfill (Se) p. Alec Alvarez (O), 4:47. 152: Andrew Sconce (Eph) p. Ben Horning (Q), :39. 160: Chris Davidson (Eph) p. Breck Webley (Q), 1:57. 171: David Godinez (P) p. Nick Alverado (T), 3:35. 189: Ryan Depaz (Se) p. Devin McCrary (Ell), 2:09. 215: Daniel Herrera (Q) d. Cristian Gonzalez (EV), 4-2. 285: Marcus Medina (Q) d. Chris Ramirez (G), 6-0.

Fifth-sixth

103: Anthony Barrera (O) d. Christian Alejandrez (Q), 11-8. 112: Kyle Demerritt (Se) md. Hector Avalos (Q), 13-3. 119: Dillon Dompier (Ell) d. Uriel Heras (Q), 9-2. 125: Cody Start (EV) p. Marco Gonzales (G), 3:36. 130: Colby Coates (Ell) md. Demi Anaya (Se), 12-2. 135: Adan Chavez (T) p. Jonathan Molina (EV), :53. 140: Ethan Groom (P) d. Efren Ramos (G), 3-2. 145: Jesus Acevedo (EV) d. Raul Gamboa (G), 4-3. 152: Zach Goodpasture (Se) inj. def. Isaac Anderson (P). 160: Stevie Garza (O) p. Juan Guzman (G), 2:07. 171: Tyler Noble (Se) d. Andres Chavez (T), 6-2. 189: Alberto Vargas (O) d. Raul Pech (T), 3-2. 215: Brandt Monson (Eph) d. Pedro Recondo (Se), 3-2. 285: Joey Sparks (EV) p. Eli Curtsinger (EV), :43.

4A DISTRICT

Davis’ Sauceda, Wagner win titles

WENATCHEE, Wash. — Davis senior Nick Sauceda and sophomore teammate Austin Wagner won individual titles in the CBBN 4A district tournament Saturday at Wenatchee High School.

Sauceda, fourth last year at 130, captured the 135-pound title with a 4-2 overtime win over Moses Lake Jordan Bishop. To reach the final, Sauceda posted a technical fall and two pins.

Wagner, fifth last year as a freshman at 145, stayed at that weight and defeated Kamiakin’s Pedro Mendoza by injury default in the final. Wagner advanced with a pin, technical fall and major decision.

Alexio Garcia (103) and Roy Cardenas (130) claimed third-place finishes for the Pirates, who tallied 116 points for eighth place.

Eisenhower had a pair of third-place finishers — Humberto Acevedo (152) and Raul Martinez (215).

The 4A regional tournament will be held at Richland next week.

Team scores: Moses Lake 316.5, Wenatchee 277, Richland 154, Pasco 131, Kennewick 122, Eastmont 120, Southridge 120, Davis 116, Kamiakin 113, Walla Walla 90, Chiawana 81, Eisenhower 71.

Championship finals

103: Beau Gleed (ML) inj. def. Josh Andrews (R). 112: Kyler Mars (R) d. Ricky Vinson (So), 6-1. 119: Ely Garza (So) md. Andrew Valdez (ML), 14-5. 125: David Peralez (ML) d. Josh Alverez (Ea), 7-0. 130: Dustin Utecht (R) d. Nick Garcia (Ch), 9-2. 135: Nick Sauceda (Davis) d. Jordan Bishop (ML), 4-2 (OT). 140: Nico Moreno (ML) md. Hilario Farias (Wen), 15-2. 145: Austin Wagner (Davis) inj def. Pedro Mendoza (Kam). 152: Nick Hunt (Wen) d. Cody Rush (P), 4-2. 160: Sisto Pina (Kam) d. Chris Lacelle (ML), 6-3. 171: Brian Nygard (Wen) d. Giovanni Pina (Kam), 3-2. 189: Jacob Sealby (Wen) d. Eric Eastman (WW), 4-0. 215: Brian Chamberlain (ML) d. Lucas Sealby (Wen), 9-5. 285: Kabe Fluaitt (ML) p. Damian Adams (P), :22.

Other Davis placers

103: 3, Alexio Garcia. 130: 3, Roy Cardenas.

Eisenhower placers

152: 3, Humberto Acevedo. 189: 6, Dustin Martin. 215: 3, Raul Martinez.

3A SUB-REGIONAL

Gonzalez remains unbeaten

SPOKANE, Wash. — Sunnyside sophomore Nathan Gonzalez recorded a second-period pin in the 103-pound final of Saturday’s 3A sub-regional tournament at Mead High School.

Gonzalez used two technical falls to reach the final and extend his unbeaten record to 34-0.

At the other end of the weight spectrum, teammate Jose Barajas won the 285 final 2-1 as the Grizzlies tallied 243 points for fourth place behind three Spokane teams.

Sunnyside had 13 other placers in the top six.

West Valley senior Kevin Madson won the 215 bracket, winning the final 8-4.

The Rams, who host next week’s regional tournament, collected seven other top-six placers.

Team scores: North Central 304.5, East Valley-Spokane 264.5, Shadle Park 256.5, Sunnyside 243, Mt. Spokane 176.5, Hanford 130, West Valley-Yakima 129, Rogers 89.5.

Championship finals

103: Nathan Gonzalez (Su) p. Chris Douglas (Ro), 3:48. 112: Vang Lor (Ro) d. Jaren Novakovich (EV), 6-4. 119: Jared Berlinger (NC) p. Tim Taigen (MS), 3:18. 125: Nathan Brown (NC) md. Wyatt Maguire (MS), 18-6. 130: Darren Bunke (SP) d. Mitchell Bocook (NC), 8-3. 135: Sean Biltoft (EV) d. Caleb Gifford (Han), 11-7. 140: Aaron Brown (EV) p. Jace Clary (NC), 5:02. 145: Brendan Tarr (SP) d. Nick Coleck (EV), 9-4. 152: Adam Price (SP) d. Austin Pea (MS), 6-4. 160: Sam Rykken (NC) d. Joe Traverso (Han), 5-4. 171: Ben Carter (NC) p. Taylor Whetzel (MS), :55. 189: Dylan Lemery (SP) d. Anthony Whitmarsh (NC), 10-8. 215: Kevin Madson (WV) d. Joey Meade (EV), 8-4. 285: Jose Barajas (Su) d. Steven Taylor (NC), 2-1.

Other Sunnyside placers

103: 5, Jaime Gonzalez. 112: 4, Gerardo Villalobos; 5, Santos Guerrero. 119: 5, Daniel Guillen. 125: 4, David Vidales. 130: 3, Emmanuel Tejeda. 135: 5, Isidro Ramirez. 145: 6, Andy Cantu. 152: 3, Caleb Gomez. 171: 5, Lupe Mendoza. 189: 6, Adrian Ramirez. 215: 3, Danny Almeida. 285: 4, Adam Peters.

Other West Valley placers

125: 5, D.J. Stai. 130: 5, Jace Elenich. 152: 4, Cody Bruland. 189: 3, Dylan Foster; 5, Weston Green. 215: 5, Thomas Loranz. 285: 6, Adam Presnell.

SCAC WEST

Zillah repeats as district champ

GRANGER, Wash. — Six champions and a total of 10 finalists powered regular-season champion Zillah to the team title in Saturday’s SCAC West district tournament on Saturday.

Chris Castillo (152) and Kane Koerner (189) were repeat winners and Cortes Hernandez (119), Skylor Davis (125), Rodney Treece (145) and Nathaniel Deardorff (215) were also winners for the Leopards, who host next week’s regional tournament.

Zillah tallied 317.5 points while second-place Granger rolled up 265.5 with five champions — Joshua Salcedo (103), Jonathan Salcedo (112), Carlos DeLeon (130), Matthew Macias (160) and Pete Almaguer (285).

Other champions included Goldendale’s Torey Spaulding-Jiminez (135) and Billy Monroe (171) and Highland’s Forrest Kopta (140).

Team scores: Zillah 317.5, Granger 265.5, Goldendale 143, Naches Valley 138, Highland 60.5, Mabton 58.5, Cle Elum 57.

Championship finals

103: Joshua Salcedo (Gr) md. Jesse Gonzalez (Z), 9-0. 112: Jonathan Salcedo (Gr) p. Dan Boehme (CE), 1:23. 119: Cortes Hernandez (Z) d. Dan Magallon (M), 7-4. 125: Skylor Davis (Z) p. Adrian Guerrero (Gr), 4:11. 130: Carlos DeLeon (Gr) d. John Arellano (Z), 5-2. 135: Torey Spaulding-Jiminez (Go) p. Caleb Resendez (Gr), 2:56. 140: Forrest Kopta (H) tf. Ernesto Martinez (Gr), 15-0. 145: Rodney Treece (Z) d. Jacob Frazier (N), 14-11. 152: Chris Castillo (Z) tf. J.D. Ring (N), 19-3. 160: Matthew Macias (Gr) md. Branydon Ross (Go) 10-1. 171: Billy Monroe (Go) d. Kyle Kluever (Z), 4-1. 189: Kane Koerner (Z) p. Kurt Wilkins (Go), 2:37. 215: Nathaniel Deardorff (Z) d. Noble Stoneman (N), 8-2. 285: Pete Almaguer (Gr) p. John Myers (Z), 1:38.

Third-fourth

103: No match. 112: Jacob Rosas (Z) d. Adrian Barajas (Gr), 10-3. 119: Reymundo Valencia (Z) d. Oscar Morales (H), 9-7. 125: Joe Salcedo (Gr) p. Michael Ramsey (N), :46. 130: Gustavo Ochoa (Gr) p. Samuel Sexton (M), 1:16. 135: Brandon Sommerville (H) md. Freddie Sanchez (Z), 9-0. 140: Sergio Sanchez (Z) p. Austin Jones (Go), 2:47. 145: Able Morales (Gr) p. Wade Gaston (Go), 2:37. 152: Nolin Bare (Go) p. Carlos Gastellum (M), 1:25. 160: Tanner Slick (N) d. Joe Jensen (Z), 14-9. 171: Cody Guerard (N) d. Josh Agripino (N), 4-2. 189: Abidan Duarte (Gr) d. Joshua Childs, (CE), 11-7. 215: Eric Huesca (M) d. Kyle Ross (Go), 2-1. 285: Josh Aho (Z) d. Ashton Gottschalk (N), 4-2.

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Eisenhower’s Ian Wheeler set a Valley all-time record in the 200-yard freestyle finals during Saturday’s CBBN 4A district meet at Central Washington University’s Aquatics Center.

Wheeler, a senior headed to the University of Hawaii, clocked 1 minute, 43.87 seconds to take nearly a second off Patrick Elerding’s 2003 Valley record of 1:44.64.

Wheeler, who was voted CBBN 4A swimmer of the year on Saturday, also won the 500 free in 4:48.16.

The top two finishers in each event qualified for the state meet in Federal Way in two weeks.

Davis junior Gavin Miller placed in the 50 free and 100 fly and anchored placing relays in the 200 free and 400 free for the Pirates.

Davis’ Carl Scott was voted 4A coach of the year.

Ike’s Dallin Englund was sixth in the 100 back and joined Wheeler on two placing relays.

Team scores: Richland 471, Eastmont 398, Wenatchee 359, Moses Lake 262, Walla Walla 205, Eisenhower 165, Davis 155.

Winners, local placers

200 medley relay: 1, Richland 1:44.92; 5, Eisenhower (Englund, Reisenhauer, Klingele, Wheeler) 1:49.04; 7, Davis (Perez, Larson, Jones, Lohrasbi) 2:02.96.

200 free: 1, Ian Wheeler (Ike) 1:43.87.

200 IM: 1, Tyler Pickett (R) 2:02.43.

50 free: 1, Dillon Schriver (Ea) 22.31; 6, Gavin Miller (D) 24.29.

Diving: 1, Billy Tuthill (Ea) 394.15; 7, Jordan Fry (D) 296.60.

100 fly: 1, Andrew Blanchard (R) 54.89; 7, Gavin Miller (D) 1:00.84.

100 free: 1, Reid Fryhover (Wen) 49.37.

500 free: 1, Ian Wheeler (Ike) 4:48.16.

200 free relay: 1, Richland 1:32.65; 5, Davis (Summers, Campbell, Lohrasbi, Miller) 1:40.11; 7, Eisenhower (Price, Reisenhauer, McCullough, Linker) 1:49.87.

100 back: 1, Eric Blanchard (R) 56.60; 6, Dallin Englund (Ike) 1:03.10; 8, Jared Campbell (D) 1:05.42.

100 breast: 1, Merrick Calder (WW) 1:02.08.

400 free relay: 1, Richland 3:23.02; 4, Eisenhower (Wheeler, Englund, Klingele, Price) 3:39.73; 6, Davis (Campbell, Summers, Buckley, Miller) 3:44.07.

3A DISTRICT 4-5

WV’s McDowell wins 100 free

VANCOUVER, Wash. — West Valley senior Taylor McDowell won the 100-yard freestyle and qualified for state during Saturday’s Class 3A District 4-5 swim meet at Propstra Pool.

McDowell clocked 50.63 seconds in the 100 free and led off two third-place relays in the 4×50 and 4×100.

The top two finishers in each event qualified for the state meet in Federal Way in two weeks.

Diver Trent Miller, who was second in the diving competition last week, will join McDowell at state.

Team scores: Camas 308, Hanford 299, Union 221, West Valley 149, Hudson’s Bay 119, Columbia River 115.

West Valley placers

200 free: 3, Ryan Tollackson, 1:58.58.

50 free: 3, Taylor McDowell, 23.33.

Diving: 2, Trent Miller, 265.90; 3, Ryan Wells, 241.55.

100 free: 1, Taylor McDowell, 50.63.

200 free relay: 3, West Valley (McDowell, Wells, Rice, Tollackson) 1:38.63.

400 free relay: 3, West Valley (McDowell, Wells, Rice, Tollackson) 3:35.85.

2A-1A DISTRICT

Prosser pair captures titles

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Prosser teammates James Wildman and Branden Hobbick won individual titles in Saturday’s Eastern Washington 2A-1A district swim meet at Central Washington University.

Wildman, a sophomore, captured the 50-yard freestyle in 23.03 and Hobbick, a senior, won the 100 butterfly in 57.57. Nolan Saam picked up a second-place finish in the 100 breast for the Mustangs.

The top two finishers in each event — and those who met time standards — qualified for the state meet in Federal Way in two weeks.

Led by its relays, Selah placed third with 71 points behind Pullman and Cheney. The Vikings got state-qualifying runner-up finishes from their 200 medley relay and 200 free relay teams.

Team scores: Pullman 194, Cheney 84, Selah 71, Prosser 63, Wapato 22, Cashmere 13, Chelan 9, East Valley 5, Quincy 4, Naches Valley 2.

Winners, local placers

200 medley relay: 1, Pullman 1:45.86; 2, Selah (Yager, Beebe, Raschko, Bardwell) 1:49.09; 3, Prosser (Hobbick, Lane, Saam, Wildman) 1:51.98.

200 free: 1, Michael Li (Pu) 1:51.44; 4, Alex Yager (Se) 2:00.34; 8, Jeremy Klarich (W) 2:02.98.

200 IM: 1, Christopher Li (Pu) 2:06.65; 3, Kyle Raschko (Se) 2:11.78.

50 free: 1, James Wildman (Pro) 23.03; 6, Grant Bardwell (Se) 24.90; 7, Garrett Borchert (Se) 25.01; 8, Arik Debord (NV) 25.22.

Diving: 1, Austin Habich (Chelan) 264.20.

100 fly: 1, Branden Hobbick (Pro) 57.57; 3, Kyle Raschko (Se) 57.66; 5, Eric Wilson (W) 1:00.08.

100 free: 1, Rustin Babcock (Che) 50.80; 6, Bryce Newland (EV) 54.79.

500 free: 1, Michael Li (Pu) 5:05.83; 3, Jeremy Klarich (W) 5:36.45; 8, Justin Odman (Se) 6:27.83.

200 free relay: 1, Pullman 1:33.14; 2, Selah (Yager, Bardwell, Borchert, Raschko) 1:36.24; 3, Prosser (Wildman, Hobbick, Lane, Saam) 1:38.45.

100 back: 1, Yihao Jiang (Pu) 58.81; 3, Alex Yager (Se) 1:02.43; 4, Eric Wilson (W) 1:02.49; 7, Bryce Newland (EV) 1:03.38; 8, Arik Debord (NV) 1:06.06.

100 breast: 1, Christopher Li (Pu) 1:04.16; 2, Nolan Saam (Pro) 1:06.52; 3, Eric Ihnen (W) 1:08.35; 5, Cassidy Beebe (Se) 1:10.25; 7, Will Lane (Pro) 1:12.06.

400 free relay: 1, Pullman 3:27.87; 3, Prosser (Hobbick, Saam, Lane, Wildman) 3:42.46; 4, Selah (Borchert, Carr, Odman, Pittman) 3:57.69.

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — It’s not often a team will be happy to take fourth place, but given the uphill battle West Valley faced Saturday, the Rams were, in fact, more than pleased with that finish in the Class 3A-2A state bowling tournament.

Starting out Saturday’s 14 Baker games in third place, the Rams fell to fifth place midway through the day before a late rally helped them pass Black Hills to finish fourth at Narrows Plaza Bowl.

“We fought back and pulled it out. We’ll take it,” West Valley coach Brad Cramer said. “The way we struggled today, we’ll absolutely take it.”

This marks the second straight year the Rams have earned a state trophy, although this was a few notches below the championship trophy they earned last season.

Mark Morris turned in the best effort of the day and it was enough to overtake first-day leader Olympic for the title. Mark Morris finished with 7,062 pins to Olympic’s 6,980.

Prairie had the day’s second-best effort and it was enough to place it third at 6,804. West Valley was next at 6,712, with Black Hills fifth at 6,679.

Trailing Black Hills entering the final three games, the Rams responded with their best Baker games of the day, capped by a 187 while Black Hills closed with a 146.

“The girls knew they were behind and had to rally,” Cramer said. “We finished with three really good games.”

Cramer noted that junior Kalene Yates, one of West Valley’s subs, really stepped up and provided some consistent bowling as others just couldn’t seem to find that groove.

“She came on and really did a good job filling frames,” he said. “She stood out for me today. She stayed steady for us.”

FINAL TEAM SCORES

1, Mark Morris 7.062; 2, Olympic 6,980; 3, Prairie 6,804; 4, West Valley 6,712; 5, Black Hills 6,679; 6, Timberline 6,514; 7, Klahowya 6,507; 8, Everett 6,431.