It wasn’t too long ago when chants of “Rudy, Rudy” came spilling out of the French Field bleachers during Kentwood High football games.
Well gang, my time has come.
After 16 years in the journalism industry, a journey that began in La Grande Ore. in 1995, my days as a sports reporter have come to a close. On Aug. 29, just two months after graduating from City University of Seattle with a Masters in Teaching Special Education degree, I accepted a position at Kent Mountain View Academy, where I will have the opportunity to make a positive impact on today’s youth on a daily basis.
Kentwood may have been hit by graduation, but the cupboard is not bare.
This was not what Jessie Genger envisioned a little more than two years ago. Selecting the right college to continue her volleyball career was supposed to be the hard part. The success that was expected to follow simply hinged on her athletic ability and work ethic, two traits that served the 5-foot-11 outside/right side hitter well during her days at Kentwood High.
Determined Holly DeHart wouldn’t be denied her golden finish
The final three weeks of the spring season went by in a blur and was highlighted by not one, but multiple state championships. Two of those (Kent-Meridian boys track and Kentwood girls track) were won by programs that had not ever reached the golden status.
Tennis is in Katelyn Overland’s blood, yet the Kentridge High freshman had never been much of a fan of the sport. That is, of course, until recently.
The Kentwood High boys soccer team had plenty of chances Tuesday night at French Field in a Class 4A state opener against second-ranked Jackson.
The Kentridge High girls tennis team turned the tables on Kentwood last week during a pivotal match between two of…
In a frantic finish, Kentlake sophomore Gunner Terrio found the back of the net with 15 seconds remaining, helping the Falcons work a 2-2 tie against the Chargers in a South Puget Sound League North Division game at French Field.
He accomplished just about everything imaginable in nine years as the head volleyball coach at Kentwood High.
He led the Conquerors to two district titles, four South Puget Sound League North Division crowns, and eight state berths.
He even got ejected from one of the first matches he had ever coached in the green, black and silver.
On Tuesday, Bil Caillier added one more item to the list.
Shortly after throwing a two-hit, complete-game masterpiece in an 8-0 Class 4A state championship contest against Richland at the home of the Seattle Mariners, Kain took stock of his surroundings and was succinct with his feelings.
“It’s pure bliss,” the 6-foot-6 pitcher said at the time. “Just awesome.”
A little less than a year later, on the same field where Kain enjoyed the finest athletic experience of his life, came possibly the most difficult ordeal he has ever faced.
While playing first base in a nonleague game against Issaquah on April 2 at Safeco, Kain reached his long frame out to take a throw from third. It was a play he had been part of thousands of times before without a problem. One he could perform falling out of bed at 6 in the morning. All Kain had to do was stretch, wait for the smack of the ball on leather and listen for the “out” signal from the umpire.
The Reporter’s Preps on Deck
Preps of the Week | Kentwood, Kentlake, Tahoma
The Northwest’s premier racing venue springs into action Friday when Emerald Downs begins its 16th season of Thoroughbred racing at 6 p.m.
The 82-day meet continues through Sept. 25, with first post 6 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Thursday racing will be added July 14 to Aug. 25.
The Northwest’s premier racing venue springs into action Friday when Emerald Downs begins its 16th season of Thoroughbred racing at 6 p.m.
The 82-day meet continues through Sept. 25, with first post 6 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Thursday racing will be added July 14 to Aug. 25.
Repeat?
Kentwood High girls tennis coach Ingrid Bakke would love nothing more from her Conquerors this spring, but, she’s well aware of how tough the road ahead will be.
And to duplicate last year’s success, when the Conquerors grabbed the league title with a perfect 10-0 mark and went on to win a district title and take second at state, is almost unthinkable.
Kara Ikeda felt a slight twinge in her right shoulder in December but figured it was nothing more than the usual muscle soreness associated with playing competitive tennis.
Now four months later, the irritation has stuck with Ikeda, a Kentlake junior and one of the top-returning tennis players on the South Puget Sound League North Division circuit this spring.
Vandersloot, a 2007 Kentwood High School graduate and Gonzaga University star, was selected in the first round – third overall – Monday by the Chicago Sky in the WNBA draft.
Getting the soccer season off on the right foot likely meant more to Jared Fuller than anyone else in early March. Because not too long ago Fuller, a center-mid for the Kentwood High soccer team, wasn’t even sure he’d be suiting up at all.
“I thought I was finished,” explained Fuller, a senior.
Kyle Jones couldn’t bring himself to leave.
Not with this senior class, a group that ushered him into the world of prep soccer three years ago at Kentlake High. Not after all they’ve been through together. And, especially not after the team fell short of its ultimate goal last year.
South Puget Sound League North athletes to watch | Track and Field
A quick look at the favorites, contenders and sleepers in track and field in the SPSL North.
A fractured back dampened Alex Straus’ pursuit in football and basketball, but, it’s not about to slow down the Kentlake senior high jumper during track season
