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Hoquiam High Jumper Signs to WSU
Four student-athletes who excel in track and field have signed National Letters of Intent to attend and compete for Washington State University starting in the fall of 2013, Cougar Head Coach Rick Sloan announced Monday.
This includes Cole Smith, a high jumper from Hoquiam.
Smith is a senior at Hoquiam where he has earned nine varsity letters and earned numerous all-academic awards. Smith was an All-Evergreen League selection at tight end as the Grizzlies were 2012 undefeated league champions. He also earned all-league honors in basketball where he was second team as a junior and first team as a senior. During track season Smith was the state 1A high jump champion as a sophomore (6-4) and repeated with a gold medal as a junior when he jumped his PR height of 6-10. He also scored with a fifth-place javelin finish as Hoquiam won the boys’ state team title.
“Cole is someone identified early in the recruiting process for this year as a had-to-have prospect in order to continue our great tradition in men’s high jumping,” Jumps Coach Matt McGee said. “He is probably the most gifted in state high jumper since Trent Arrivey and I look forward to watching his progress this season. At nearly 6-7 tall and probably still growing as well as being long-limbed, Cole was blessed with an ideal physique for the high jumping. He was an all-league selection in football and basketball in addition to his great high jumping which is a testament to his overall athletic ability. I look forward to getting started with the Cole Smith high jump project in the fall.”
Coach Head Coach Rick Sloan commented on the newest Cougar signees saying ” Cole Smith is a high jumper who shows tremendous potential and has already jumped 6-10 as a junior. He has good size, looks like a high jumper and because of his basketball playing ability has good jumping ability and great hops. I think he will be a good addition to our jump corps and be a seven-footer for sure.”
Flood Watch in Effect Through Thursday
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Flood Watch for Grays Harbor County from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon.
A significantly wet storm system will be impacting the area through 11pm Thursday night. Coastal areas could see between 2-4 inches of rain which will fall heavy at times. No rivers are projected to flood at this time, although the Satsop River has been determined to be a possible river of concern.
Urban and small stream flooding is possible at any time.
There is also a concern for localized rockslides and landslides.
Please be alert on roadways for pooling of water and hazardous driving conditions in heavy rain.
Elma Auto Racing Hall of Fame
The 5th Annual Elma Auto Racing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on March 16th. Six individuals are set to be inducted and two more will receive special recognition for their dedication to auto racing at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds.
Included into the inductees will be 1978 hobby stock champion, Ken Stearns; 1983 super modified champion, Rick Leighty, three time hobby stock champion, Tom Williams; and Tom Neff, a racer and owner. All four will all be in attendance when they are officially inducted.
Two inductees will be represented by family members. Dan West, Jr. will accept on behalf of his father Dan West, Sr., who is out of state and the deceased Dick Morlan, Sr. will be represented by his son, Dick Morlan, Jr.
Brownfield Exemplary Contribution award winner, Bob Valencia, will be on hand to accept his honor, while Don Fry will receive the Spoon Distinguished Service Award for his late father, Del Fry.
The free event will be held March 16th at the Elma Eagles starting at 6:30 pm. The public is welcome.
Hoquiam Regional Game Showcased on KXRO and KWOK
The Hoquiam Grizzlies boy’s basketball team is travelling north tomorrow to take on the Lynden Christian Lyncs in a Regional game that will send the winner to the state tournament and the loser home.
The Grizzlies are coming in as the underdog and a 4 seed in Regionals and the Lyncs are a one seed. Lynden Christian relies on their reigning 1A state player of the year, Senior Isaac Reimer. Reimer is a 6 foot 8 post player who isn’t afraid to take the outside shot as well.
Hoquiam will counter with their 6 foot 6 post player, senior Cole Smith whose leaping ability and length has shown to be effective on taller players defensively this year and he also is the anchor for the Grizzlies offensively. At guard, senior Ronnie Espedal, has also shown to be a player this year that can carry a team through shooting droughts.
Hoquiam’s main strength is their defense and they have shown that they can use great depth and still shut down some of the most potent offenses. Don’t miss the action tomorrow as the Grizzlies take on the Lyncs in a winner to state game we’ll have it right here on your home for local sports ESPN Radio 1490 KWOK and KXRO.com.
Pacific County Teams Named WIAA Academic Champions
The Willapa Valley Girls Basketball Team were named the 2B WIAA Academic State Champions following their regular season. The 12 girls on the team combined for an overall GPA of 3.860.
Valley’s season ended last night 67-40 to Toutle Lake.
The Raymond High School Boys Wrestling Team also ranked among the best in academics. The 9 players on the team showed a 3.318 GPA for the season to become the Academic State Champions.
Pacific County had the only local teams in the Winter academic rankings, following the Montesano Football Team who were named Academic State Champions following their State Title in the Fall.
Hoquiam Defeats La Center in Opening Round
The District tournament started last night and the Hoquiam Grizzlies Boys basketball team took on the La Center Wildcats. The Grizzlies got off to a slow start but used a 17 point run that spanned from the end of the first half and into the third quarter to take the lead.
The Grizzlies took the lead in the third quarter and went on to a 53 to 48 victory. Hoquiam was led by Ronnie Espedal’s 19 points and Cole Smith also had nine points, 13 rebounds, and six blocks.
The Grizzlies will take the court Saturday at 3 P.M. to take on Kalama in a winner to State game.
State Senate Honors Montesano Football Team
On Friday, the Montesano Football team and coaching staff were in Olympia as Senators Jim Hargrove of Hoquiam and Brian Hatfield of Raymond sponsored Senate Resolution 8608 in honor of the team.
Montesano not only took the 1A State Championship, but also had a team grade point average of 3.5 to win the 1A Football Academic Championship.
Hargrove said that the Montesano football season “could make a movie”.
Overcoming the fire that destroyed Jack Rottle Stadium, they went on to take their first state football title since 1994.
Highlights from the game echoed through the Senate Chambers as all in attendance listened intently to the defining moments of the year.
Hatfield added, “It didn’t hurt that they had a fan base that made opponents’ stadiums feel as welcoming as Rottle Stadium.”
Montesano Bulldogs Honored in Olympia Today
This morning in Olympia, Senators Jim Hargrove of Hoquiam and Brian Hatfield of Raymond will sponsor a Senate resolution honoring the 1A champion Montesano Bulldogs football team.
The Bulldogs overcame two early season losses and a fire that destroyed their stadium to win 11 consecutive games and take their first state football title since 1994. After falling behind 21 to 10 in the first half the Bulldogs scored 26 straight points to hold on at the Tacoma Dome. Montesano won the 1A State Championship 43-28 against the Royal Knights.
In addition to the state championship, the Bulldogs had a team grade point average of 3.5 to win the 1A Football Academic Championship.
WHO: Sen. Jim Hargrove and Sen. Brian Hatfield
WHAT: Senate resolution honoring Montesano football team
WHEN: 10 a.m. Feb. 1, 2013
WHERE: Senate Chambers
Legislative Building
416 Sid Snyder Ave. SW
Olympia, WA 98501
Photo from D4 Sports & Apparel, who offered each player a free Championship shirt.
State Senate to Honor Montesano Bulldog Football Team
Senators Jim Hargrove of Hoquiam Brian Hatfield of Raymond will sponsor a Senate resolution on February 1st honoring the 1A champion Montesano Bulldogs football team.
The Bulldogs overcame two early season losses and a fire which destroyed their stadium to win 11 consecutive games and take their first state football title since 1994. After falling behind 21 to 10 in the first half the Bulldogs scored 26 straight points to hold on at the Tacoma Dome. Montesano won the 1A State Championship 43-28 against the Royal Knights.
In addition to winning on the field, the Bulldogs were winners in the classroom, compiling a team grade point average of 3.5 to win the 1A Football Academic Championship.
The resolution will be followed by a reception in the Senate Rules Room.
WHO: Sen. Jim Hargrove and Sen. Brian Hatfield
WHAT: Senate resolution honoring Montesano football team
WHEN: 10 a.m. Feb. 1, 2013
WHERE: Senate Chambers
Legislative Building
416 Sid Snyder Ave. SW
Olympia, WA 98501
Photo from D4 Sports & Apparel, who have offered each player a free Championship shirt.
Montesano wins 1A State Championship
The Cinderella story had a happy ending for the Montesano Bulldogs.
After falling behind 21 to 10 in the first half the Bulldogs scored 26 straight points and made key defensive stops to hold on at the Tacoma Dome. Montesano won the 1A State Championship 43-28 against the Royal Knights.
Senior quarter back and coaches son Matthew Jensen was 15 for 20 through the air for 268 yards and had 2 TDs.
Jensen found three targets on regularity as seniors Ben Ohashi had five receptions for 83 yards and a TD, Richard Smith had 4 catches and a wild TD on a hail Mary to end the first half, and Shad Rogers had 4 catches for 69 yards.
Running backs Tucker Ibabo and Elliot Mendenhall did damage on the ground as Mendenhall had 2 TDs on 13 carries for 174 yards and Ibabo had 2 TDs on 11 carries for 89 yards. The defensive came up big a late and helped seal the win stopping the Royal Knights on their final drive inside the 20 yard line.
This is the first state title for Montesano football since they defeated Royal in 1994.
Photo from D4 Sports & Apparel, who have offered each player a free Championship shirt.
