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Climber cheerleaders:
@
Back from their 'excellent' adventure
ti
By STEVE PATCH
Led by a locally unprecedented
trio of "all-Americans," the Climb-
er cheerleaders took the awards
stand in otherwise customary
fashion this summer in Washing-
ton's annual National Cheerlead-
ers Association camp at Western
Washington University.
Brand new coach/advisor Dar-
cie McGregor reports her girls
st
earned a slew of complementary
distinctions to go along with the
all-American ascensions of veter-
ans Mindy Denison and Christy
Trojanowski and upstart ninth-
grader-to-be Morgan Evans.
No fewer than 19 of them, for
instance, were nominated for that
highest distinction. In addition to
the honored threesome, they in-
clude Tara Hurst, Tiara Lynch,
IL; ¸. : _ ,:!ii, :,. _ i•::
CLIMBER ALL.AMERICANS (from left) Mindy Denison,
Morgan Evans and Chrissy Trojanowski pose this week
at the high school. Chrissy's a senior-to-be, Mindy a
junior-to-be and Morgan an incoming freshman.
Climber AD warns
of bogus calendar
A company out of La Joila, Cal-
ifornia, is hitting up local busi-
nesses for advertising support for
a calendar wrongfully purported
to be a Climber basketball pro-
duction, warns Shelton High
School Activities Director Bill
Hicks this week.
"Please be aware that this com-
pany has not gone through the
high school for approval," he says,
"and we have nothing to do with
them."
Solicitation of ads by the com-
pany has not been authorized in
any way, shape or form, adds
Hicks - and certainly not by us-
ing the Shelton High School
name.
The offending company report-
edly has sent local businesses
various solicitations. It's selling
ad space at $85 a pop and asking
that checks be made payable to
High School Athletic Calendars,
4275 Executive Square, La Jolla.
Julia Waite, Jessica Plampin,
Bethany Hunter, Mary Wells,
Wendy Graham, Bernadette Grif-
fin, Tricia Nagel, Danelia How-
ard, Vickie Wiley, Jane Hong,
Stacey Lynema, Kayla Slaughter,
Katie McElliott and Melanie
Whitehouse.
THE VARSITY squad, mean-
while, including Denison, Griffin,
Hunter, Lynch, Plampin, Troja-
nowski, Waite and Hurst along
with Stacy Haddock, Crystal
Montoya, Cassie Nelson and Sara :
Pearson, not only won "spirit,"
"stunt smart" and "superior" "
awards and was a "top team"
winner but was recognized for
'No. Yea h. No.
Sometimes.
Wet-l-U, I
don't know.'
having "best motions" and being
the "most all-around" squad.
Their jayvee counterparts, in-
cluding Hong, Howard, Lynema,
Slaughter, Wells, Wiley and Gra-
ham, were adjudged "most im-
proved" and also had the "best
jumps" among those in their divi-
sion.
And the Climber froth squad,
including Evans, McElliott, Nagel
and Whitehouse, copped a "stunt
smart" award and was named a
"Herkie Team," in recognition of
the qualities of leadership, values
and teamwork inherent in camp
founder L.R. Herkimer.
ALL-AMERICANS for the
first time all, our Climber honor-
ees are the first such triplicate
winners in SHS history. Usually
having even one all-American is
considered quite the achievement.
And so it was that upstart 14-
year-old Morgan's selection was
very, very rare indeed, says Mc-
Gregor, attributing it in large
part to the tumbling skill the
youngster has honed over the now
four years she's studied gymnas-
tics in Olympia.
Morgan says she's hoping to be
a four-year Climber cheerleader
by the time she's through.
MINDY, a 16-year-old junior-
to-be, points to a four-year back-
(Please turn to page 21.)
THE CLIMBER CHEERLEADERS pose following their award-winning
summer. In front from left are White Squad members Katie McElliott,
Tricia Nagel, Mellani Whitehouse and Morgan Evans. Second row:
Red Squad members Kayla Slaughter, Stacey Lynema, Mary Wells,
Danelia Howard, Jane Hong and Vickie Wiley. Third row: coach Darcie
McGregor and Black Squad members Crystal Montoya, Sara Pearson,
Cassie Nelson, Stacy Haddock and Mindy Denison. Back: Black Squad
members Bethany Hunter, Jessica Plampin, Bernadette Griffin, Tiara
Lynch, Tara Hurst, Julia WaRe and Chrissy Trojanowski. Not pictured
is Red Squad member Wendy Graham.
Page 20- Shelton-Mason County Jo'u'r"al"- Thursday, SePtember 2, 1999
THE DANCE TEAM Climbers pose last week in High-
climber Stadium. In front from left are Jessica Taylor,
Aimee Cavaille, Robbi Smith, Aniesa Rice, Lauren Whit-
ing, Christine Himlie, Melissa Slater and Alicia Kennett.
Second row: Rhea Dorsey, Joanna McComb, Anna Wells,
Jessie Wheatley, Misty Vander Wal, Melissa Thompson,
.... / ' ;:L "i :%;:
Kira Barnes, Hannah Schnabel, Laura
issa Strickland and Britney Stevens. Back:
nau, Lisa Roberge, Tessa Cavaille, Jessica
Longan, Taylor Shrum, Crystal Vander Wal,
sen, Gina Russo, Danielle Ward and co
Stracke. Not pictured: Kelli Maestas and Saori
With admirable unity, says Coach
I I reetid. °
Dancers score at camp]l:i!i
The Climber dance-team girls
scored an "excellent" at the an-
nual summer camp at St. Mar-
tin's College this summer.
"For our routine," advises first-
year head coach Jacki Stracke,
who takes over for departed men-
tor Josie Bell after five years as
assistant. "We did a routine to
Austin Powers - the movie music.
"Joanna McComb was dressed
up as Austin Powers. She was a
hoot. It was great."
Joining sophomore-to-be Joan-
na at the July 18-21 camp were
seniors Aniesa Rice, Christine
Himlie, Hannah Kuhnau, Sarah
Longan, Kira Barnes (nee Lynch),
Kelli Maestas, Jessica Moore,
Gina Russo, Hannah Schnabel,
Melissa Slater, Robbi Smith, Mel-
issa Thompson, Misty Vander
Wal, Lauren Whiting and Taylor
Shrum; juniors Laura Benjamin,
Aimee Cavaille, Saori Hattori,
Melissa Strickland, Jessica
Taylor and Jessie Wheatley,
sophomores Karl Johnsen, Brit-
ney Stevens, Crystal Vander Wal
and Anna Wells, and ninth-grad-
ers Testa Cavaille, Lisa Roberge
and Danielle Ward.
"WE STARTED practicing
about a week after school got
out," says Stracke, "and practiced
for three weeks straight before we
went."
The camp really brought her
girls together, adds the coach.
"Just getting away from home
and being with each other builds
unity," she says.
"They're a great group. I'm real
proud of them. They're represent-
ing our school, and they take that
seriously."
The dancers' team captain this
year is Aniesa Rice. The senior
veteran concurs with Coach on
the rapport issue. "We get along
real well," she says, adding that
team chemistry is very important.
"We haven't had any problems...
It's kind of a professional environ-
ment."
"WE'RE WORKIN' real hard
at that 'team' concept - of being
committed to each other, making
good life choices," puts in Stracke.
"But, then, I would say there's a
maturity in the girls that try out
for our team before they even
come to us. And it's just enhanced
as they work together for a com-
mon goal."
Speaking of work, notes the
coach, many of the girls are hold-
ing down jobs. And when you add
to the mix the fact that many
have volleyball or cross-country
turnout as well, you can under-
stand why stress and fatigue be-
come major players before the
year is out.
"A lot them have so many com-
mitments," says Stracke. "About
Huston Excavating's softball men:
honors. -dit ] bUt'l:
Nominated for the tr.s4 lit'..
"Miss Supersensatmna' g ] p
tion were Johnsen, "'. PI t,,_
Barnes, McComb, Roberi ] ,u.n!
so, Schnabel, Slater, S, | [ leYa!
vent, Strickland and .wara |#i0g::
And emerging w." [ .,,o
from the annual "drill do [ a,.,
petition were first-pla: ;/'i
Maestas and McCo .:: h._
...... ri, ' I' g
pzace winners rav- 'll0 , ""
vens and Aimee CaVa@] iba:'
third place winners 'ab /._""
• ." erge, I"use
H Rob ," I / .
mhe, Johnsen,
bel, Smith and Taylor... I
"So I was real proU J a
girls too," says Stracke. =iPl ry
She's looking for an .-i ]
by the way, adds the ¢oa"l
i
T't
They're the "young bucks" of
local softball, but the men of Hut-
ton Excavating didn't play like it
last weekend in the Northwestern
Regional Slow-pitch Tournament
in Richland.
Braving 105-degree heat and
the enervation of a five-hour
drive, they rebounded from a lop-
sided opening-round loss to the
eventual champ Anglers of Boise,
Idaho, to notch a 10-6 victory at
the expense of a team from Mon-
Pioneer looking
for flag gridders
Pioneer School football coaches
are on the lookout for sixth-
through eighth-graders interested
in playing flag football this fall.
Practices are set to start next
Wednesday. They'll run from 2:30
to 4:30. Players are reminded
they can ride the 3:35 bus or be
picked up by family arrangement
at the end of practice.
They're also reminded they'll
need to have their yearly sports
physicals before they can partici-
pate in contact activities.
Questions? Call Pioneer School
at 426-8291.
tana known as Maaco.
Huston's Rick Miller, the now
30-year-old former Highclimber
football and baseball star known
affectionately by his teammates
as "the old guy," describes the
turnaround.
"DURING THE break," he
says, "rather than dwell on our
loss or step on our lips, we simply
came together as a team, talked
about what needed to be done -
and DID it."
As for the men from Montana,
"they were all 6-2 and up," says
Miller, "with cannons for arms.
They were power hitters, but we
as a team just put on a hitting
clinic and held on."
Here's Miller's description of
his first-year team's lineup:
"Softball sensation Chad
Sweitzer, batting leadoff, really
set the tempo and really had a
great weekend, both batting and
pitching.
"JASON HITSMAN batted
second. He too hit the ball real
well. He makes things happen.
"Batting third for the team was
softball standout Roy Beierle. Roy
struggled at first but picked it up
when we need it.
"Baseball standout Jason Dem-
mon batted cleanup. He hit con-
sistently this weekend as well as
this whole season.
"Batting fifth was the old guy,"
says Miller, referring to himself•
"Batting sixth was Josh
Sweitzer, Chad's little brother (ha
ha; he's bigger than Chad). He
helped out and hit the ball, and
he always offered advice and was
a very inspiring young player.
"BATTING EIGHTH was a
young talent, Ugly Kid Joe. He
hit real well this weekend and did
a great job in the field. He injured
his shoulder early but still played
(lot of heart).
batting ninth, Mike -!
up l}layer who did
pitched really well
es broke. s
"And last but not !e t
Hutchins. He played "
and did good. .,, it/
"AND THAT'S NO
still have one more play
Johnny Free, a Y°U' ld,#A bY
starting. Has a big p,
gift of gab from Geor,' i'?l' :I:
of drive to be a gre . "'s
(Takes a smart persOS t. '
to 12 ballplayers along q
different personalities -., i t. 'l'
ts" i
"And next was his dad (ha ha), together a good ball
One-pitch one week
The Shelton softball communi- at-bat, regardless of ltl
ty's fifth annual "One Pitch for
the Homeless" fund-raiser tour-
nament is set for September 10-
12 at MCRA.
All proceeds go to the Mason
County Shelter, a facility that
houses homeless families.
A coed slow-pitch affair, the
event will feature a four-game
minimum per team and a novel
game-hastening stipulation - that
each batter gets but one pitch per
she does with it. . @
Indeed, a foul tip "
as a swing and a misve" €
Lest frustration v0,Z
utter im otence, howe
. P . co. u i
be do-overs, or se c
at a cost. Do-over pro
the Shelter as well. .,€
For more inforra
tourney director Be¢ ::
426-4252.
halfway through t
see the stress st 5Ic
out." P I !!
:=BUT BACK TO ca
of our Climbers earned
'Young bucks' bop Mont,,
Climber cheerleaders:
@
Back from their 'excellent' adventure
ti
By STEVE PATCH
Led by a locally unprecedented
trio of "all-Americans," the Climb-
er cheerleaders took the awards
stand in otherwise customary
fashion this summer in Washing-
ton's annual National Cheerlead-
ers Association camp at Western
Washington University.
Brand new coach/advisor Dar-
cie McGregor reports her girls
st
earned a slew of complementary
distinctions to go along with the
all-American ascensions of veter-
ans Mindy Denison and Christy
Trojanowski and upstart ninth-
grader-to-be Morgan Evans.
No fewer than 19 of them, for
instance, were nominated for that
highest distinction. In addition to
the honored threesome, they in-
clude Tara Hurst, Tiara Lynch,
IL; ¸. : _ ,:!ii, :,. _ i•::
CLIMBER ALL.AMERICANS (from left) Mindy Denison,
Morgan Evans and Chrissy Trojanowski pose this week
at the high school. Chrissy's a senior-to-be, Mindy a
junior-to-be and Morgan an incoming freshman.
Climber AD warns
of bogus calendar
A company out of La Joila, Cal-
ifornia, is hitting up local busi-
nesses for advertising support for
a calendar wrongfully purported
to be a Climber basketball pro-
duction, warns Shelton High
School Activities Director Bill
Hicks this week.
"Please be aware that this com-
pany has not gone through the
high school for approval," he says,
"and we have nothing to do with
them."
Solicitation of ads by the com-
pany has not been authorized in
any way, shape or form, adds
Hicks - and certainly not by us-
ing the Shelton High School
name.
The offending company report-
edly has sent local businesses
various solicitations. It's selling
ad space at $85 a pop and asking
that checks be made payable to
High School Athletic Calendars,
4275 Executive Square, La Jolla.
Julia Waite, Jessica Plampin,
Bethany Hunter, Mary Wells,
Wendy Graham, Bernadette Grif-
fin, Tricia Nagel, Danelia How-
ard, Vickie Wiley, Jane Hong,
Stacey Lynema, Kayla Slaughter,
Katie McElliott and Melanie
Whitehouse.
THE VARSITY squad, mean-
while, including Denison, Griffin,
Hunter, Lynch, Plampin, Troja-
nowski, Waite and Hurst along
with Stacy Haddock, Crystal
Montoya, Cassie Nelson and Sara :
Pearson, not only won "spirit,"
"stunt smart" and "superior" "
awards and was a "top team"
winner but was recognized for
'No. Yea h. No.
Sometimes.
Wet-l-U, I
don't know.'
having "best motions" and being
the "most all-around" squad.
Their jayvee counterparts, in-
cluding Hong, Howard, Lynema,
Slaughter, Wells, Wiley and Gra-
ham, were adjudged "most im-
proved" and also had the "best
jumps" among those in their divi-
sion.
And the Climber froth squad,
including Evans, McElliott, Nagel
and Whitehouse, copped a "stunt
smart" award and was named a
"Herkie Team," in recognition of
the qualities of leadership, values
and teamwork inherent in camp
founder L.R. Herkimer.
ALL-AMERICANS for the
first time all, our Climber honor-
ees are the first such triplicate
winners in SHS history. Usually
having even one all-American is
considered quite the achievement.
And so it was that upstart 14-
year-old Morgan's selection was
very, very rare indeed, says Mc-
Gregor, attributing it in large
part to the tumbling skill the
youngster has honed over the now
four years she's studied gymnas-
tics in Olympia.
Morgan says she's hoping to be
a four-year Climber cheerleader
by the time she's through.
MINDY, a 16-year-old junior-
to-be, points to a four-year back-
(Please turn to page 21.)
THE CLIMBER CHEERLEADERS pose following their award-winning
summer. In front from left are White Squad members Katie McElliott,
Tricia Nagel, Mellani Whitehouse and Morgan Evans. Second row:
Red Squad members Kayla Slaughter, Stacey Lynema, Mary Wells,
Danelia Howard, Jane Hong and Vickie Wiley. Third row: coach Darcie
McGregor and Black Squad members Crystal Montoya, Sara Pearson,
Cassie Nelson, Stacy Haddock and Mindy Denison. Back: Black Squad
members Bethany Hunter, Jessica Plampin, Bernadette Griffin, Tiara
Lynch, Tara Hurst, Julia WaRe and Chrissy Trojanowski. Not pictured
is Red Squad member Wendy Graham.
Page 20- Shelton-Mason County Jo'u'r"al"- Thursday, SePtember 2, 1999
THE DANCE TEAM Climbers pose last week in High-
climber Stadium. In front from left are Jessica Taylor,
Aimee Cavaille, Robbi Smith, Aniesa Rice, Lauren Whit-
ing, Christine Himlie, Melissa Slater and Alicia Kennett.
Second row: Rhea Dorsey, Joanna McComb, Anna Wells,
Jessie Wheatley, Misty Vander Wal, Melissa Thompson,
.... / ' ;:L "i :%;:
Kira Barnes, Hannah Schnabel, Laura
issa Strickland and Britney Stevens. Back:
nau, Lisa Roberge, Tessa Cavaille, Jessica
Longan, Taylor Shrum, Crystal Vander Wal,
sen, Gina Russo, Danielle Ward and co
Stracke. Not pictured: Kelli Maestas and Saori
With admirable unity, says Coach
I I reetid. °
Dancers score at camp]l:i!i
The Climber dance-team girls
scored an "excellent" at the an-
nual summer camp at St. Mar-
tin's College this summer.
"For our routine," advises first-
year head coach Jacki Stracke,
who takes over for departed men-
tor Josie Bell after five years as
assistant. "We did a routine to
Austin Powers - the movie music.
"Joanna McComb was dressed
up as Austin Powers. She was a
hoot. It was great."
Joining sophomore-to-be Joan-
na at the July 18-21 camp were
seniors Aniesa Rice, Christine
Himlie, Hannah Kuhnau, Sarah
Longan, Kira Barnes (nee Lynch),
Kelli Maestas, Jessica Moore,
Gina Russo, Hannah Schnabel,
Melissa Slater, Robbi Smith, Mel-
issa Thompson, Misty Vander
Wal, Lauren Whiting and Taylor
Shrum; juniors Laura Benjamin,
Aimee Cavaille, Saori Hattori,
Melissa Strickland, Jessica
Taylor and Jessie Wheatley,
sophomores Karl Johnsen, Brit-
ney Stevens, Crystal Vander Wal
and Anna Wells, and ninth-grad-
ers Testa Cavaille, Lisa Roberge
and Danielle Ward.
"WE STARTED practicing
about a week after school got
out," says Stracke, "and practiced
for three weeks straight before we
went."
The camp really brought her
girls together, adds the coach.
"Just getting away from home
and being with each other builds
unity," she says.
"They're a great group. I'm real
proud of them. They're represent-
ing our school, and they take that
seriously."
The dancers' team captain this
year is Aniesa Rice. The senior
veteran concurs with Coach on
the rapport issue. "We get along
real well," she says, adding that
team chemistry is very important.
"We haven't had any problems...
It's kind of a professional environ-
ment."
"WE'RE WORKIN' real hard
at that 'team' concept - of being
committed to each other, making
good life choices," puts in Stracke.
"But, then, I would say there's a
maturity in the girls that try out
for our team before they even
come to us. And it's just enhanced
as they work together for a com-
mon goal."
Speaking of work, notes the
coach, many of the girls are hold-
ing down jobs. And when you add
to the mix the fact that many
have volleyball or cross-country
turnout as well, you can under-
stand why stress and fatigue be-
come major players before the
year is out.
"A lot them have so many com-
mitments," says Stracke. "About
Huston Excavating's softball men:
honors. -dit ] bUt'l:
Nominated for the tr.s4 lit'..
"Miss Supersensatmna' g ] p
tion were Johnsen, "'. PI t,,_
Barnes, McComb, Roberi ] ,u.n!
so, Schnabel, Slater, S, | [ leYa!
vent, Strickland and .wara |#i0g::
And emerging w." [ .,,o
from the annual "drill do [ a,.,
petition were first-pla: ;/'i
Maestas and McCo .:: h._
...... ri, ' I' g
pzace winners rav- 'll0 , ""
vens and Aimee CaVa@] iba:'
third place winners 'ab /._""
• ." erge, I"use
H Rob ," I / .
mhe, Johnsen,
bel, Smith and Taylor... I
"So I was real proU J a
girls too," says Stracke. =iPl ry
She's looking for an .-i ]
by the way, adds the ¢oa"l
i
T't
They're the "young bucks" of
local softball, but the men of Hut-
ton Excavating didn't play like it
last weekend in the Northwestern
Regional Slow-pitch Tournament
in Richland.
Braving 105-degree heat and
the enervation of a five-hour
drive, they rebounded from a lop-
sided opening-round loss to the
eventual champ Anglers of Boise,
Idaho, to notch a 10-6 victory at
the expense of a team from Mon-
Pioneer looking
for flag gridders
Pioneer School football coaches
are on the lookout for sixth-
through eighth-graders interested
in playing flag football this fall.
Practices are set to start next
Wednesday. They'll run from 2:30
to 4:30. Players are reminded
they can ride the 3:35 bus or be
picked up by family arrangement
at the end of practice.
They're also reminded they'll
need to have their yearly sports
physicals before they can partici-
pate in contact activities.
Questions? Call Pioneer School
at 426-8291.
tana known as Maaco.
Huston's Rick Miller, the now
30-year-old former Highclimber
football and baseball star known
affectionately by his teammates
as "the old guy," describes the
turnaround.
"DURING THE break," he
says, "rather than dwell on our
loss or step on our lips, we simply
came together as a team, talked
about what needed to be done -
and DID it."
As for the men from Montana,
"they were all 6-2 and up," says
Miller, "with cannons for arms.
They were power hitters, but we
as a team just put on a hitting
clinic and held on."
Here's Miller's description of
his first-year team's lineup:
"Softball sensation Chad
Sweitzer, batting leadoff, really
set the tempo and really had a
great weekend, both batting and
pitching.
"JASON HITSMAN batted
second. He too hit the ball real
well. He makes things happen.
"Batting third for the team was
softball standout Roy Beierle. Roy
struggled at first but picked it up
when we need it.
"Baseball standout Jason Dem-
mon batted cleanup. He hit con-
sistently this weekend as well as
this whole season.
"Batting fifth was the old guy,"
says Miller, referring to himself•
"Batting sixth was Josh
Sweitzer, Chad's little brother (ha
ha; he's bigger than Chad). He
helped out and hit the ball, and
he always offered advice and was
a very inspiring young player.
"BATTING EIGHTH was a
young talent, Ugly Kid Joe. He
hit real well this weekend and did
a great job in the field. He injured
his shoulder early but still played
(lot of heart).
batting ninth, Mike -!
up l}layer who did
pitched really well
es broke. s
"And last but not !e t
Hutchins. He played "
and did good. .,, it/
"AND THAT'S NO
still have one more play
Johnny Free, a Y°U' ld,#A bY
starting. Has a big p,
gift of gab from Geor,' i'?l' :I:
of drive to be a gre . "'s
(Takes a smart persOS t. '
to 12 ballplayers along q
different personalities -., i t. 'l'
ts" i
"And next was his dad (ha ha), together a good ball
One-pitch one week
The Shelton softball communi- at-bat, regardless of ltl
ty's fifth annual "One Pitch for
the Homeless" fund-raiser tour-
nament is set for September 10-
12 at MCRA.
All proceeds go to the Mason
County Shelter, a facility that
houses homeless families.
A coed slow-pitch affair, the
event will feature a four-game
minimum per team and a novel
game-hastening stipulation - that
each batter gets but one pitch per
she does with it. . @
Indeed, a foul tip "
as a swing and a misve" €
Lest frustration v0,Z
utter im otence, howe
. P . co. u i
be do-overs, or se c
at a cost. Do-over pro
the Shelter as well. .,€
For more inforra
tourney director Be¢ ::
426-4252.
halfway through t
see the stress st 5Ic
out." P I !!
:=BUT BACK TO ca
of our Climbers earned
'Young bucks' bop Mont,,