Braves Sports, April 4, 2012

Photo by Karla Reynolds

La Conner thinclads get the jump on track foes

By Bill Reynolds

There was no way the La Conner High track teams were going to blow a chance last week to shine against big school rivals.

Even if it meant having to weather gusty conditions at a four-team meet in Anacortes.

Ultimately, La Conner got the jump on its competition, at least in the field events.

Landy James paced the Braves' thinclads by capturing the high jump, 5'-10", while La Conner's Emily Anderson claimed the girls' triple jump with a best effort of 30'-4".

Jamall James, meanwhile, clinched second place in the boys' triple jump, stretching the tape to 40'-10.5."

Anderson was nearly a dual winner, finishing second, 4'-6", in the girls' high jump.

She also ran legs of the sprint and 800 meter relays for the Lady Braves, who placed third in each event.

Kelsie Crawford, Priscilla Ponce-Venegas, Anderson, and Katie McKnight combined to clock a :55.40 in the 4x100. 

The same quartet posted a time of 1:57.63 in the 4x200 meters.

Anderson said afterward the weather contributed the afternoon's mixed results.

"I had a really off day in high jump," she conceded, despite the runnerup finish against entrants from larger schools. "I'm not sure if it was the wind or not. But running both relays on the back stretch was really difficult in the wind.

"But, for the triple jump, I won," she noted. "I think the wind was going with us then so it wasn't really an issue in that event."

Ponce-Venegas was another Lady Brave to finish in the Top Three in a solo event.

The La Conner senior placed third in the 300 meter hurdles, clocking a :52.50 in that event's final heat.

McKnight finished fourth in both the 200 meters,:29.06, and javelin, 83'-8", while Crawford was fourth in the long jump, 14'-5.5",  and fifth in the 100 dash, :14.78.

Lydia Lenning placed fifth in the 1600 meters, 6:38.04, a finish matched by Ponce-Venegas in the javelin, 82'-9".

Lenning was also sixth at 3200 meters, nearly breaking the 15-minute mark. She was clocked at 15:00.91. 

La Conner's Chrissy Barsness, Marina Kochuten, Kelby Herstad, and Victoria O'Brien were timed at 5:17.34, good enough for fifth place in the girls' mile relay.

Amber Drye posted Top Ten placements in the shot put, discus, and triple jump.

On the boys' side, the Braves' Nathan Parker was second in the discus and third in the shot put. Parker went 124'-6" in the discus, and 41'-2" in the 12-pound shot.

La Conner sprinter Mitchell Grant, just a freshman, placed fourth in the 200 meters at :24.50.

Versatile Nathan Sybrandy and Todd Hoagland once again were all over the time sheet.

Sybrandy was fifth in the 1600 meters, 5:00.69, and fifth in the 800, 2:30.18.

Hoagland finished fourth in the 400 meters,  :56.13, and eighth in the 200, :25.04.

Sybrandy and Hoagland each ran legs of La Conner's mile relay, which finished second in 3:54.80. Jamall James and Dahlton Zavala rounded out the Brave quartet.

Hoagland, Jamall James, Landy James, and Zavala were runnersup in the sprint relay, completing the 4x100 in :46.22.

It was yet another busy outing for Landy James, who rounded out his meet with a fifth place finish in the javelin , 142'-6".

Zavala, 100 meters;  Jordan Romanelli, 200 meters, 300 meter hurdles;  Grant, 400 meters; Mitch Roth, 110 meter hurdles; and Jimmy Garcia, 300 meter hurdles, added Top Ten finishes at Anacortes for the Braves.

Mount Baker erupts in twin wins over Braves

By Bill Reynolds

Life was a beach Monday for La Conner High's baseball and softball teams, both of whom opened Spring Break with double-digit setbacks at Mount Baker.

It was a matter of offenses getting stuck in quicksand for the La Conner clubs, neither of which was at full strength due to players being away on spring vacation.

The Braves fell 12-2 to the potent Mountaineers.

The Lady Braves, with starting pitcher Emma Christianson unavailable, were defeated 18-2.

But all wasn't lost in either case.

The La Conner softball team received outstanding relief pitching from Olivia Hedlund and sterling defensive play at shortstop by Kelley McClung.

McClung also delivered an RBI safety in support of Hedlund, who threw over 50 per cent strikes and yielded just six tallies after taking over the circle late in the first frame.

With the Lady Braves playing shorthanded, coach Michael Bliss used the game as an opportunity to give players work at different positions.

Lexi Nelson, for instance, debuted at second base and turned in a flawless performance.

"We didn't have any errors," Bliss said afterward. "It's just that Mount Baker is such a good hitting team.

"This game," he said, "was a good learning experience for us. What I liked is our girls stayed positive the whole time."

Lauren Reynolds had two doubles and drove in one of La Conner's two runs.

Hayden Schmidt led the La Conner boys at Mount Baker, going three-for-three at the plate while also pitching four solid innings.

The game was closer than the final score indicates, said Braves' coach Jeremiah LeSourd, noting that Mount Baker was held fairly in check other than a seven-run eruption in the fifth.

La Conner had bolted to a fast start, with Tanner Cyr leading off the game with a double and then scoring on the first of Schmidt's three base hits, an RBI single to right.

Trailing 2-1, the Braves briefly deadlocked the contest in the fourth when Taylor Swanson drove in Cameron Sherman with a single.

Mount Baker added three insurance scores in the sixth.

in the March 28, 2012 issue

Photo by Adrian Sharpe

Learning to the beat of their own drums

La Conner High School Students are hitting a beat and learning to hand-craft drums.

A new addition to the curriculum, “Drum Making” is a class offered through the high school and will fulfill an art credit, if students achieve a B or better the credit is even transferable to Skagit Valley College.

Swinomish artist Kevin Paul and shop teacher Mike Carrigan teamed up to teach the youth both culture and technique in the art of drum making. Writer Adrian Sharpe has the whole story in today's paper!

Photo by Adrian Sharpe

Salmon habitat court fight is over

    The State Growth Management Hearings Board ruled in Skagit County’s favor, ending a 10-year legal battle that pitted the county and agricultural interests against the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and environmental entities. 

    At issue was how to protect salmon habitat in streams that flow across or border agricultural land throughout the county. ... “The tribe lost its argument that protection meant more than simply not further degrading salmon streams,” said Alix Foster, legal council for Swinomish.  In today's paper!

Photo by Don Coyote

Foreclosure forestalled: Triton steps in

The old Moore Clark property in La Conner, on the brink of foreclosure just last week, has a new owner.

Triton America, which owns Pioneer Point Marina to the south of the historic 1898 warehouse on La Conner’s southern waterfront, bought the 3-acre parcel from La Conner Associates. Triton has leased the property back to the former owner, who has plans to develop it. Details in today's paper!

 It’s Bailey vs. Haugen in November

State Rep. Barbara Bailey will try to unseat State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen in November.

Haugen, D-Camano Island, has been the District 10 Senator since 1993. Bailey was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2003. Both women are very popular with their constituents and neither has ever been defeated in their bids for re-election to their respective legislative positions. 

From the Police Blotter:
5:20 p.m.: Tagged Toilets – Graffiti was found in the public men’s restroom at Pioneer Park in La Conner. The vandals also defaced structures in the north end of the park, and left their evidence – cans of black and yellow spray paint – in the trash.

Get your fill of news in today's paper on the usual store shelves and in the red news stands around town. Or subscribe and have it brought to you. 466-3315.

Braves Sports, March 28, 2012

Photo by Karla Reynolds

La Conner linksters ace Similk in season debut

By Bill Reynolds

It didn't take La Conner High golfers long to get into the swing of things.

La Conner's Jake Silva and Hillary Edwards were top medalists as the Braves’ and girls' golf teams enjoyed solid rounds in their season debuts last week at Similk Beach.

La Conner played host to teams from Shoreline Christian and Cedar Park Christian, with the Braves winning the boys' half of the match.

Team scores weren't compiled on the girls' side because the squads weren't able to field the required five players per school. 

Silva carded an even par 36 over nine holes despite wet conditions from recent heavy rains.

"I didn't think it played that difficult," Silva said afterward, "because it's my home course. I was able to play my game and everything seemed to click."

Edwards, who nearly qualified for State a year ago, shot a 52 despite being momentarily distracted when a roaming Newfoundland dog picked up teammate Bailey Wyles' ball.

"It had a nasty drool on it," quipped Edwards, a junior, who also shook off the effects of rain-soaked fairways.

"It wasn't as bad as it was last year," she noted, recalling the dismal spring weather of 2011. "But sometimes it makes the game ten times harder. But, then again, that's golf for you."

The highlight of Edwards' round was her par three on the downhill third hole, which is unforgiving to both hooks and slices.

La Conner coach Sean Skiles was clearly pleased afterward with the day's results.

"Jake has put in a lot of extra time this past year and is really hitting the ball well and with consistency," he said of Silva's round.

Skiles noted that Silva is just one of several key returnees from last year's league championship team, which should be further bolstered by the additions of Mathew Finley, Crawford Wilson, and Mike Wilbur.

Returning State qualifier Brendan McLeod was likewise splendid last week at Similk, firing a two-over 38.

"He's coming off a seventh place finish at State," Skiles said of McLeod, "and has been really working on his game."

Bobby Poulton, Spencer Finley, Bjorn Mejlaender, and General Cayou are also playing at a high level, according to Skiles.

Poulton and Mathew Finley recorded 42s their first time out.

"We may have one of the strongest and deepest teams in the state," Skiles said. "Perhaps some of the toughest competition we'll face this year is on our own team."

Skiles is equally encouraged by the Lady Braves' play.

"Hilary," he said of Edwards, "is really determined to make her first State appearance. She's playing very well."

Wyles and Amanda Hanstad return after nice campaigns a year ago.

"Both are really improving and hitting the ball well," said Skiles.

They and Edwards were joined at Similk by junior McKenzie Harrison, yet another Lady Brave golfer with plenty of upside.

"Our expectations for the year," Skiles said, "are definitely very high."

*In a related note: McLeod shot a 40 and claimed medalist honors in La Conner's recent boys' home match with Orcas. Silva carded a 41, while Wilbur and Matthew Finley shot 43s. Poulton and Mejlaender were five strokes back of McLeod, at 45. While Orcas didn't bring a girls' team to Similk, La Conner's Hilary Edwards and Amanda Hanstad each shot rounds. Edwards turned in a 49 and Hanstad finished at 57.   

Tourney Champs!

The La Conner Club Volleyball U16 (under 16) team won a 16-team tournament at Ferndale High School on Sunday. The championship match was played against Stanwood Volleyball Club and the La Conner team won 25-17, 16-25 and 15-5. Pictured here from left are Assistant Coach Nancy Anderson, Aubrey Stewart, Anna Cook, Kelly McClung, Carly Anderson, Katie Novak, Katie McKnight and Coach Bruce Entrikin.

Lady Braves able to clean up on rivals

By Bill Reynolds

The La Conner High softball team has a great sense of timing.

Last week the calendar turned to spring, and the Lady Braves went on a cleaning spree.

La Conner swept three key games, taking a doubleheader (14-2, 24-6) from Concrete and using a late rally to edge Orcas 8-7.

La Conner pitcher Emma Christianson tamed the Lady Lions on three hits while striking out five Concrete batters in the first game of the twinbill.

Taysha James and Lauren Reynolds paced the Braves' attack with three hits apiece. Two of James' safeties went for extra bases.

Olivia Hedlund was La Conner's top power hitter, driving in a team-best five runs on a double and triple.

Siomi Bobb laced a pair of singles for the winners.

"Overall, I thought the girls did a real good job of coming out and controlling the game from the start," Braves' head coach Michael Bliss said afterward. "We hit well, played solid defense, and Emma did a great job pitching."

It was pretty much the same formula in the nightcap.

Christianson scattered seven hits and again fanned five batters. She was backed by a flawless defensive effort as the Lady Braves committed no miscues.

Christianson and battery mate Hayleigh Summers were on the same page throughout the day, rarely falling behind hitters.

La Conner batters, on the other hand, often worked ahead in the count. As a team, the Lady Braves pounded out 17 hits.

Hedlund ripped five base hits, two of which were doubles. James went four-for-four at the plate, blasting a pair of round-trippers and driving in six runs.

Kelley McClung, Christianson, and Reynolds had two hits each, with Reynolds delivering a bases-loaded homer.

"I liked the way we came out and continued to play with energy until the end," said Bliss. "We never slowed down. The second game is always a tougher one to win in a doubleheader, and I think the team did a good job of making a mental adjustment."

Bliss was impressed with how well his club shook off a six-run Concrete rally in the opening stanza of the second game.

"We didn't quit when we got down early in the game," he said. "Instead we showed a lot of toughness."

That was also the case when La Conner faced Orcas in a clash that featured a playoff-type atmosphere.

The Lady Braves eventually won when Reynolds plated Christianson with a bases-loaded double in the final frame.

"This was a significant win for us," Bliss stressed. "We gave up six runs in the third inning and things weren't looking good for us. But we hung in there and scored nearly every inning.

"We stuck to our approach," said Bliss, "which was to get the lead back one run at a time.

"I was really glad," he said, "to see the team stay positive and confident."

Christianson went all seven innings, striking out 10 Lady Vikings to raise her season strikeout total to 27.

With the win, she remained perfect, 3-0,  in league mound decisions.

"Emma was able to battle and get through that tough third inning," Bliss said, "and she did such an amazing job of maintaining her composure. She gives us a chance to win every time we go out and play, and she definitely carried us through the entire (Orcas) game. I can't say enough about her performance."

Christianson was supported by McClung, who lined two base hits; Summers, who chipped in a single, walk, and was hit twice; and Hedlund, who was aboard four times.

Bliss was elated by McClung's outstanding glove work up the middle and his club's clutch hitting.

"Kelley has been so consistent at shortstop," he said. "She made several solid defensive plays against Orcas.

"And," he added, "it’s been great to see Lauren Reynolds driving in runs and hitting the ball well. She's stepped up and been playing well."

Bliss is hopeful the La Conner team can continue to blossom throughout the spring campaign.  

"It’s been really fun to watch the progress that this team has already made," he said Monday, "and I'm proud of the way they responded to the challenge posed by a tough Orcas team."

Photo by Karla Reynolds

Youthful Braves round into mid-season form

By Bill Reynolds

The new-look La Conner Braves are being thrown a lot of curves this spring.

And perhaps none more than the learning curve.

That was much in evidence during an up-and-down week in which La Conner routed Cedar Park 12-1 after splitting a twinbill (0-9, 7-3) with archrival Concrete.

The Braves parlayed nine first inning runs into a convincing 12-1 triumph over Cedar Park, which managed just seven hits against La Conner frosh hurlers Taylor Swanson and Erick Reinstra.

Tanner Cyr paced the Braves' attack with a pair of singles and two free passes. Wil James and Hayden Schmidt each ripped RBI safeties for the victors.

The Braves enter a tough stretch of their schedule after having been blanked in the league-game half of doubleheader with Concrete.

La Conner did come back to edge the Lions in the nightcap, a game in which the Braves went the small ball route to jump-start their offense.

"We were able to find ways to get on base and were aggressive running the bases to get our offense going," La Conner coach Jeremiah LeSourd said afterward.

The Braves are slated to resume play 1 p.m. on April 2 at Mount Baker and at noon on April 3 at home opposite Squalicum.

Both should be key tests for the youthful Braves, whom LeSourd notes have thus far proved to be quick studies.

"Our team is young," he stressed earlier this week, "and everyone is learning their role. Our inexperience has showed at times, but we're learning quickly."      

in the March 21, 2012 issue

Liquor store will close

After almost 20 years of serving the community, Homeport Liquor in La Conner will be closing its doors in May. Reporter Alexander Kramer has the details in today's paper.

Swinomish moves to control tidelands

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is preparing to enact an ordinance that would require non-tribal residents to obtain shoreline leases for boat docks in front of their homes in some areas and make environmentally sensitive tidelands in other areas off limits.

Most of the reservation's residents are non-tribal members who live on leased land or privately owned, or “fee simple,” parcels within the reservation boundaries. The tribe’s position is that everything within the reservation boundaries that lies between mean high water and extreme low tide is reservation land held in trust by the federal government for the benefit of tribal members. 

Tribal officials have said that the proposed ordinance is not intended to prevent reservation residents from enjoying the beaches, but is to give the tribe a means to prevent encroachments into the water with docks, bulkheads and other structures and to protect the tidelands.

 The tribe has provided this link to read a draft of the proposed ordinance . Details in today's paper.

Photo by Karla Reynolds

Swans coming in for a landing in a field near La Conner

Fans of ‘well worn’ art fill the town

Fashion writer Burgundy Woods covered the annual MoNA Style Wearable Art & Home Fashions Show held Saturday. In today's paper read her story about the show, which drew together 35 artists and nearly 1,000 patrons for an array of one-of-a-kind clothing, jewelry, crafts, and home décor.

Photo by Don Coyote

Hand-dyed items by Teri Jo Summer of Shiing Sea Studios of Greenbank.

Photo by Don Coyote

Mariah Halkett of Baltimore, Maryland tries on fashions created by designer June Blout of Portland, Oregon. 

Photo by Don Coyote

Kelly Lyles of Seattle with her acrylic candy creations.

Finding fun in essay writing

Writer Adrian Sharpe was in the classroom this week at La Conner Elementary School to see first-hand an innovative approach to literacy. Contract educator David Matteson was in Keith Hunter’s 5^th grade classroom keeping the kids  intrigued and had them eagerly raising their hands as the all participated in writing an essay about the St. Patrick’s Day holiday in Chicago. Principal Lori Knudson said the program has paid off for the students, whose scores on state mandated test in literacy have risen.

From the Police Blotter:
2:27 p.m.: Road rage – Some people in a broken down pickup truck, parked along the shoulder of Fir Island Road near Conway, got in an argument with some other people that were passing in a car.

Pick up your La Conner Weekly News today at one of our quarter-eating news stands, and on the shelves at the usual stores. Or subscribe and have it brought to you. 466-3315

Braves Sports, March 21, 2012

Photo by Karla Reynolds

Foes hurl gems at La Conner diamond teams

By Bill Reynolds

It was a case of good news, bad news Monday for the La Conner High softball and baseball teams.

The good news is both La Conner squads played well on the road.

The bad news is the two La Conner clubs were still edged in non-league action by larger programs.

The Lady Braves fell 6-5 at 1A Meridian, while the Braves dropped a 10-4 decision at Lynden Christian.

Frosh pitcher Emma Christianson showed excellent control for an early season game, fanning seven Meridian hitters while throwing two-thirds of her 111 pitches for strikes.

Meridian was coming off a convincing victory over Coupeville, which had earlier beaten Concrete.

La Conner was slated to face the Lady Lions in a twin bill late Tuesday.

Lady Braves' head coach Michael Bliss was pleased with the offensive support Christianson received at Meridian, which included a two-bagger from senior Jazmin Snyder in her first-ever at-bat.

Kelley McClung paced La Conner with three safeties, including a double to lead off the game.

Olivia Hedlund lined a pair of singles and drew a walk for the Lady Braves, while designated hitter Taysha James, batting cleanup, ripped a double and single and drove in three tallies.

"What I really liked," said Bliss, "is that everybody was up there swinging."

He said the Lady Braves will be addressing fundamentals and game situations in the days ahead. Getting more non-league games under their belt, said Bliss, will help in both areas. 

"We'll work on the small stuff and how to correct the little mental errors that you can't always teach at practice," he said. "It has to come during a game, which is what the game tonight (at Meridian) helped to do."

The Braves, meanwhile, were forced Monday due to field conditions to give up a home date for the trip to Lynden Christian.

Dakota Hartley and Wil James led the La Conner attack with extra-base hits.

Hartlet delivered a solo homer in the second inning, while James blasted a two-run double in the fifth frame.

Tanner Cyr and Hayden Schmidt added two singles each for the Braves, who closed to within 5-3 before the Lynx added some late insurance scores.

Junior Christian Johnston, sophomore Cameron Sherman, and freshmen Taylor Swanson and Erick Reinstra shared mound duties for La Conner.

Photo by Melissa Reynolds

La Conner thinclads sweep League preview meet

By Bill Reynolds

If Thursday's NWB League Preview meet is any indication, the future looks bright for the La Conner High track teams.

And that means the immediate future.

Building upon past success, La Conner captured both sides of the annual event before a supportive home crowd at Whittaker Field.

The defending League champion La Conner boys, coming off a fourth place finish at the 2011 State trials, bested runnerup Concrete 85-51.

The Lady Braves edged Mount Vernon Christian to claim their half of the meet.

We had several multiple event winners and our boys' and girls' relays swept the field," an elated La Conner head track coach Peter Voorhees said afterward. "It was a great day and a nice way to start the year."

Versatile distance runner Nathan Sybrandy enjoyed the unseasonably mild conditions, weathering all challenges in both the boys' 800 and 1600 meters.

Sybrandy clocked a 2:19.75 to win the 800. He posted a 5:11.0 finish in the 1600.

Brothers Landy and Jamall James were also dual victors for the La Conner boys.

Landy was best in the javelin (151'-4") and high jump (5'-6"), while Jamall took top honors in the long jump (18'-5") and triple jump (38'-7").

Todd Hoagland set the pace in the 200 meters, hitting the tape at :25.43.

Hoagland joined Jamall James, Wylie Thulen, and Dahlton Zavala on the Braves' winning sprint relay team. The La Conner quartet ran away with the 4x100 meters in a meet-best time of :48.21.

Hoagland, Zavala, Sybrandy, and Mitchell Grant secured the boys' mile relay crown for La Conner, winning the 4x400 meters in 3:52.91.

Katie McKnight and Emily Anderson paced the La Conner girls, each placing first in one track and one field event.

McKnight won the 200 meters (:29.53) and javelin (88'-11"), and Anderson reached the winner's circle in the 100 meter hurdles (:19.40) and high jump (4'-6").

Priscilla Ponce-Venegas was also a solo victor for the Lady Braves, turning in a :54.37 effort in the 300 meter hurdles.

The La Conner girls claimed first place honors in the 800 and 1600 meter relays, respectively, with Ponce-Venegas, Kelsie Crawford, Madi Cavanaugh, and Victoria O'Brien combining to post a 2:03.7 finish in the 4x200.

McKnight, Anderson, Lydia Lenning, and Chrissy Barsness each ran legs of La Conner's blue ribbon mile relay entry, winning that event (4:57.08) by more than two full seconds.  

"The great thing about this meet," said Voorhees, "is we have a better idea of where our strengths and weaknesses are now that we have some official times."

Among the strengths for both La Conner squads is depth.

The Braves’ teams piled up points with high placements across the board.

Crawford finished a strong second in the girls' 100 meters (:14.37) and long jump (13'-0"), with teammate Kelby Hermstad matching that finish in the 800 (3:10.81).

Lenning placed third in both the 1600 (6:59.6) and 3200 (15.07.0). McKnight picked up the bronze in the 100 (:14.97), as did Ponce-Venegas in the javelin (79'-11").

On the boys' side, Zavala was second in the 100 (:12.50), as was Braves' sophomore Alec Axure in the 3200 (12:51.0).

Nathan Parker picked up second place finishes in both the discus (109'-7") and the 12-pound shot put (39'-11").

Landy James, Jimmy Garcia, and Jordan Romanelli each tallied third place points for the Braves.

James was third in the shot (36'-0"). Garcia did likewise in the 300 meter hurdles (:48.90). And Romanelli finished third in the 200 (:25.62), just back of Hoagland.

Based on last season's showing, Voorhees was guardedly optimistic going into Thursday's competition.

The final results played out pretty much as expected, with Concrete's boys and Mount Vernon Christian's girls pushing La Conner the hardest.

Mount Vernon Christian staved off Friday Harbor to clinch third place team honors on the boys' side of the meet, while Concrete's Lady Lions fell just five points short (56-51) of upsetting MVC in the girls' events.

"The biggest surprise," Voorhees quipped afterward, "was the weather. It held out the entire meet."