November 1, 2012
Yes, you read that correctly, one of my favorite little sports columns is making a comeback.
I'm going to do my best to make this semi-regular thing. Within the notebook you'll find quick points on going ons in the local sports scene as well as updates on how local former high school stars are doing in the college and professional ranks.
We start in cross country, where former HRV standout Yonny Castillo is following in the footsteps of older brother Yonny and racing for Willamette University. Yonny raced at Southern Oregon last year, but transferred to become a Bearcat this season. The move appears to working out well. Castillo recently finished eighth individually at the Northwest Oregon Conference championships His top ten finish helped the Bearcat men to a team conference title and move up to 28th in the national rankings.
Things have not been going too badly for Leo lately either, as the elder Castillo brother recently won the Columbia Gorge Half Marathon.
Speaking of marathons, quite a few locals participated in the Portland Marathon in early October.
Also, former HRV runner Hillary Hilden and mom Ali finished 21st and 22nd in the 10K dash at the Portland Marathon.
Another former HRV runner, Erin Jones, is making a name for herself on the triathlon circuit. Jones, who had one season of eligibility left at Oregon State, left the Beavers to train at the Elite Triathlon Academy in Colorado Springs with an eye on earning a spot at the 2016 Olympics.
From the story on the Oregon State University athletics web site:
Her impact on this season's Oregon State cross country and track squads cannot be understated. She was one of the team's top returnees and would almost assuredly have been voted a team captain in addition to being actively involved in SAAC. But her journey is one that makes her former coaches and teammates immensely proud.
Jones officially became a professional triathlete in September and then finished ninth at the Lifetime Fitness US Open Triathlon in Dallas in early October.
In soccer, former local standouts Andrew Stenberg (Horizon) and Emily Ing (HRV) both saw significant time on the pitch for their college teams.
Stenberg appeared in 16 games, with 10 starts for Corban University this year.
His lone goal this season propelled Corban to a 1-0 win over Warner Pacific on Sept. 15.
That score was the first of his college soccer career.
Ing also has one goal this season, with her score coming in a Sept. 10 6-0 Linfield win over Northwest Christian.
In the other form of football, I believe there are a pair of HRV alums playing at the collegiate level, Seth Fults at Linfield and Conner Coerper at Washington State, but as far as I can tell neither has recorded any statistics this season.
Finally, for your trivia:
What is the last year the U.S men's soccer team failed to qualify for the world cup? (Answer below)
Answer: 1990. (Prior to that appearance, the team had not appeared in the World Cup for 40 years)
And that is reason No. 1 to be glad I am your local sports, politics and general babbling blogger.
Know of a local star who has gone on to big things? Drop me a line by e-mail or in the comments and I'll be sure to get them in the next edition.
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