The Kent/Chinook Little League Senior All-Star team is well aware of the target that sits on its chest.
That, however, hasn't slowed the local stars, which is comprised of 14 through 16 year olds who live in Covington, Kent, Bonney Lake and Enumclaw.
Kent/Chinook, which won the state tournament a year ago, opened the same tournament this past weekend at Brannan Park in Auburn in strong fashion, picking off Redmond and Richmond in succession.
Kent/Chinook knocked off Redmond in the opener Saturday, 4-2, and upended Richmond Sunday, 10-5, in the quarterfinals.
Zayda rallied from last place in a bulky 12-horse field Sunday and scored a convincing 2-¼-length victory in the $50,000 Seattle Slew Handicap for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Emerald Downs.
Kentwood High baseball coach Jon Aarstad turned in his resignation Tuesday, opting to take a coaching and teaching position at Auburn Riverside.
"I live five minutes from there. My commute will be going from 70 minutes a day down to 10," said Aarstad, who lives in Lake Tapps.
Aarstad inherited a strong baseball program eight years ago, and helped transform it into one of the best in the state. In eight years, Aarstad, who teaches math, compiled a record of 134-60, a mark that includes a state title in 2010 and a third-place finish in 2006.
Zenovit, the 2010 Washington Oaks and British Columbia Oaks winner, carries starting high-weight of 119 lbs. Saturday in the $50,000 Boeing Handicap at one mile. A field of nine is entered in the division’s first two-turn test and final steppingstone to the $65,000 Emerald Distaff on Aug. 21.
The Kent/Chinook Little League All-Stars picked up last week where the group left off a year ago.
That is, the local stars continued their winning ways.
Behind a huge offensive performance by Jared Mackie, the Kent/Chinook All-Stars took a pair of games from Federal Way National/Steel Lake to win the District 10 title on July 2-3 at Auburn's Brannan Park.
"(Jared) had a great tournament," said coach Kirk Davis.
Indeed the Kentlake junior-to-be did have a fantastic tournament, going 8-for-9 with six RBIs.
The big hits just kept coming for the Kent Little League Major All-Stars during the first three rounds of the District 10 tournament, which began last Saturday at GSA Park in Auburn.
The Kent stars racked up 29 hits and eight home runs in its first two wins, the first a 10-0 thrashing of Fife-Milton on Saturday and the second an 11-4 thumping of Soundview on Sunday.
“We do have some good hitters,” said coach Scott McGuire. “The bottom of the lineup hits pretty well. Really, I could flip my order over.”
The two wins helped Kent advance to the Tuesday night’s semifinal against Steel Lake of Federal Way.
The Kent stars took care of business against Steel Lake, working over the Federal Way team 5-2 behind a golden pitching performance by Jaylen Eichler. Eichler went the distance on the mound, striking out nine and allowing just three hits.
The Kent/Auburn Little League Major All-Star fastpitch team opened the state tournament at Northshore Athletic Field in Woodinville with a bang Saturday, hammering South Highline 17-1.
Kalina Despain worked a gem in the circle, going all four innings and allowing just one hit. Maddy Seumalo led the offense with a double, home run and two RBIs. Also chipping in to the onslaught were Ashley Myrseth Barrera (3 hits, 3 RBIs), Dani Hutson (2 hits, 2 RBIs) and Morgan Emery (2 hits, 2 RBIs).
The big hits just kept coming for the Kent Little League Major All-Stars during the opening two rounds of the District 10 tournament Saturday and Sunday at GSA Park in Auburn.
The Kent stars racked up 29 hits and eight home runs in a pair of victories, the first a 10-0 thrashing of Fife-Milton on Saturday and the second an 11-4 thumping of Soundview on Sunday.
“We do have some good hitters,” said coach Scott McGuire. “The bottom of the lineup hits pretty well. Really, I could flip my order over.”
The two wins lift Kent into the semifinal round of the tournament. Kent will face off against Steel Lake of Federal Way in the District 10 semifinals at 6 p.m. Tuesday at GSA Park. With a win, Kent can advance to the championship game, which is slated for Friday night. Kent won the tournament a year ago.
The Kent/Auburn Little League Major All-Star fastpitch team opened the state tournament at Northshore Athletic Field in Woodinville with a bang Saturday, hammering South Highline 17-1.
Kalina Despain worked a gem in the circle, going all four innings and allowing just one hit. Maddy Seumalo led the offense with a double, home run and two RBIs. Also chipping in to the onslaught were Ashley Myrseth Barrera (3 hits, 3 RBIs), Dani Hutson (2 hits, 2 RBIs) and Morgan Emery (2 hits, 2 RBIs).
Rossi Reserve loves to win races and the 3-year-old filly refused to lose Saturday at Emerald Downs.
With Leslie Mawing aboard, Rossi Reserve overhauled a loose-on-the-lead Coatofmanycolors in the final strides for a half-length victory in the $13,800 Red Hat Day at the Races feature for sophomore fillies.
6Roarified took the early lead and held off the closers late for a 1-¼ -length triumph Sunday in the $11,300 Dennis’ Retirement Purse for older fillies and mares at Emerald Downs.
Mr. Mad Max, last into the stretch, rallied strongly for a one-length victory Friday in the $9,300 Pepsi Purse for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs.
Opportunities of a lifetime only come along so often.
The Kentwood High girls track team was able to experience another such opportunity June 25, when it travelled down to the University of Oregon in Eugene for the Nike Track Nationals. Seven select Conquerors were taking part in the event, which is by invitation only, for the second straight year. The Nike Track Nationals brings together the nation’s top 12 teams from both genders for a one-day competition at the legendary Hayward Field.
“It was just a great experience all the way around,” said Kentwood coach Steve Roche. “You really can’t go there and have a bad experience. They just treat you like royalty down there. You could literally go down there and spend no money. They take care of everything.”
After nearly a five-month absence, Emerald Downs’ all-time leading female jockey is back in action.
Jennifer Whitaker still has a way to go before she begins riding in races, but she’s back exercising horses and hopes to resume her riding career soon. For now, she’s jogging and galloping horses for trainer Howard Belvoir.
Chris Ellenwood remembers how her sister-in-law would light up a room with the ease of a smile.
She remembers the upbeat attitude, and the positivity that flowed without being forced. The giving nature that always was present.
Today, Ellenwood, a Kent resident for the last 30 years, cherishes those memories like none other. Audra Bonilla, 43, passed away June 18 in Helena, Mont., after a 3 1/2 year battle with ovarian cancer.
“(Audra) was bouncy, bubbly. She could walk into a room, and always had something to laugh about,” explained Ellenwood, fighting back tears. “She could always find the good in something. She had such a great sense of humor, and was so much fun.”
Trainer Tim McCanna and jockey Vicky (Aragon) Baze headline a list of 2011 Washington Racing Hall of Fame inductees according release from Emerald Downs.
Chu and I took the early lead and poured it on late for a 5-¼ -length victory Monday in the $25,000 Northwest Stallion Series Strong Ruler Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings at Emerald Downs.
The track’s all-time leading earner added the latest chapter to a remarkable career Sunday as Wasserman scored a stirring victory in the $13,800 Alaskan Brewing Co. Purse before a full house on Fireworks Spectacular night at Emerald Downs.
He’s Flyin Home collared a loose on the lead Who’s Your Next Ex and posted a neck victory Saturday in the $10,900 Best Western Peppertree Purse for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs.
Kent-Meridian track star Derrick Daigre wasn't expecting much during the USA Junior National Invite on June 24-25.
Some good competition, a chance to run with a handful of the nation's top runners and, more importantly, a good experience.
Suffice to say, Daigre received more than he ever bargained for at the competition, which was held at the legendary Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.
The 6-foot-5, 156-pound 800-meter specialist delivered his finest performance to date, establishing a new personal best with a time of 1:50.05, which was good enough for a second-place finish in a field that included several state champions.
