Sprague remains the team to beat heading into the Greater Valley Conference district wrestling tournament next month.

Sprague’s Daniel McClung, top position, faces North Salem’s Shannon Glover in a match on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 at Sprague High School. McClung won the match with a 10-4 decision.

The second-ranked Olympians posted a convincing 60-11 victory over No. 9 North Salem on Wednesday in a dual meet at Sprague High School.

The matchup between the GVC’s highest-ranked teams was originally scheduled for Feb. 17, but it was postponed due to a snow day. It was worth the wait.

“I love competing against the best,” North coach Andy Pickett said.

Sprague is not only the best team in the GVC, but the Olympians could have what it takes to make a run at the state championship. They finished second in the recent Oregon Wrestling Classic at Redmond behind defending state champion Roseburg.

Sprague won 11 of the 14 weight classes Wednesday, including two by forfeit.

“Dual meets is all about matchups and we matched up well at certain weights and the kids wrestled well,” Sprague coach Nolan Harris said.

In the feature match of the evening, North Salem sophomore Ian Carlos defeated Sprague junior Michael Murphy, 7-4 at 145 pounds. Carlos, the state runnerup last year at 126, is top-ranked at 145. Murphy is ranked No. 3.

Carlos registered three takedowns in the match and that proved to be the difference. It would come as no surprise if they met in the final of the district championships, which will be held Feb. 17-19 at West Salem.

“This year I feel a lot better than I did last year,” said Carlos, who is unbeaten this season. “I’m feeling a lot stronger.”

Among Sprague wrestlers ranked in the top 10, junior Bo Joklur (No. 4 at 106), sophomore Landon Davis (No. 9 at 152) and senior Dane McKinney (No. 8 at 182) won by pins.

Carlos, senior Brandon Quezada (No. 8 at 113) and junior Jorge Ochoa (No. 11 at 195) were responsible for North’s victories.

The top four placers in each division at districts advance to  the state tournament Feb. 24-25 at Portland’s Memorial Coliseum.

ghorowitz@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6726 or Twitter.com/ghorowitz

Credit Sprague High School wrestling coach Nolan Harris and North Salem coach Andy Pickett for capturing the essence of Wednesday’s dual meet between Greater Valley Conference powers.

Sprague’s Michael Murphy, right, faces North Salem’s Ian Carlos, left, on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 at Sprague High School. Carlos won the match by a 7-4 decision.

The lopsided final score – No. 2 Sprague 60, No. 9 North Salem 11 – did not detract from an entertaining evening of wrestling at Sprague that featured several wrestlers who could challenge for Class 6A state championships next month in Portland.

“I think it’s great for the sport and great for Salem,” said Harris, in his second season as head coach. “I think we’re gonna see more of this in Salem – top 10 teams with middle school wrestling coming back.”

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Sprague and North Salem finished one-two in last year’s district meet, and they’ll battle it out for GVC supremacy once again Feb. 17-18 at West Salem.

Pickett noted that “anytime we can see good wrestling, I think that’s good for the community.”

“Right now (Sprague’s) the premier powerhouse, maybe not just in our league, but in the state,” Pickett said. “They’re what other teams like us strive to be like because that’s a championship program.”

Sprague is strong throughout its lineup and the Olympians were without one of their best wrestlers – freshman Santos Cantu III. Ranked No. 3 at 195 and winner of the Reser’s Wrestling Tournament of Champions, Cantu III sat out for precautionary reasons to rest his knee and assumed a videographer role Wednesday.

It’s no surprise to see Sprague on top. Kary Hadden, now a Sprague assistant coach, led the program to 13 district team championships in his 25 years at the helm, and coached Harris when he was a four-time state tournament participant for the Olympians.

Harris is running the show these days and has Sprague in position to challenge for its first state team title.

Sprague wrestling coach Nolan Harris cheers on sophomore Josh Johnson as he faces North Salem’s Brandon Quezada in a match on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 at Sprague High School.

“Karry Hadden has done a phenomenal job building the program the last two decades and I think our kids have bought into it,” said Harris, a three-time All-American at Southern Oregon. “Our kids know the expectation is to get out there and make it fun to watch and put points on the board.”

That goal was certainly reached in Wednesday’s dual meet, which was originally scheduled for Jan. 11. A snow day pushed the matchup back two weeks.

Both teams stayed active in the interim, with Sprague placing second at the prestigious Oregon Wrestling Classic in Redmond, won by defending state champion Roseburg.

Pickett, a former high school wrestler at McKay when the GVC was known as the Valley League, has North on the rise with a state championship contender in sophomore Ian Carlos, who is ranked No. 1 in the 145-pound division after placing second in the state at 126 last season.

North Salem wrestling coach Andy Pickett, left, talks to senior Brandon Quezada in between periods against Sprague’s Josh Johnson on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 at Sprague High School.

In a matchup that could be revisited in both the district and state finals, Carlos defeated Sprague junior Michael Murphy, who is ranked No. 3 at 145 after placing third in the state last season at 132, 7-4.

Carlos lost a close match to Murphy last summer at a national tournament in Pocatello, Idaho, but prevailed in their rematch. He’s unbeaten this season and “feeling a lot stronger.”

Sprague sophomore Daniel McClung, ranked No. 2 at 132, said not to read too much into the dual meet victory. He defeated sixth-ranked North senior Shannon Glover, 10-4.

“I don’t think this tells us where we are,” said McLung, third in the state last year at 113. “It tells us how hard we’ve been working and how hard we need to keep working to win districts.”

North senior Brandon Quezada, No. 8 at 113, was coming off the flu, but still had enough left in the tank to defeat Sprague sophomore Josh Johnson, 14-6.

Quezada remains hopeful that North could come back to win districts, but “Sprague’s at the top of their game and they’ve got a lot of numbers,” he said.

For Sprague senior Dane McKinney (No. 8 at 182) the meet was special because it was another opportunity for the seniors to compete in front of the home fans.

“It’s super fun. We love this kind of stuff,” McKinney said.

Call the Sprague-North dual meet a win-win for the participants, fans, and the Salem wrestling community.

ghorowitz@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6726 or Twitter.com/ghorowitz

Sprague’s Daniel McClung, top position, faces North Salem’s Shannon Glover in a match on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 at Sprague High School. McClung won the match with a 10-4 decision.

Matthew Jarding showed a lot of promise as a sophomore at McKay High School, but missed most of his junior year of high school wrestling.

He is making up for it.

Matthew Jarding. McKay players practice on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016.

Jarding defeated McKay’s Carlos Vincent with a 3-1 decision in a dual meet Thursday then won the 160-pound weight class at Saturday’s Tigard Invitational, pinning Tigard’s Parker Kuntz in the final. It was the third tournament win for him this season.

Jarding was voted the athlete of the week by a poll of readers.

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He placed third in the Greater Valley Conference district meet as a sophomore at 152 pounds and advanced to the Class 6A state meet.

Jarding is better known for his prowess on the football field.

A 5-foot-9 linebacker and running back, he was a first-team all-GVC linebacker the past two seasons.

Freshman Ian Carlos is nominated for an award in the Statesman Journal’s Mid-Valley Sports Awards to be held in June. Photographed at North Salem High School on Wednesday, May 11, 2016.

Vote for your favorite by noon Thursday at StatesmanJournal.com/aow. 

Ian Carlos, North Salem wrestling: The sophomore won a 7-4 decision against Sprague’s Michael Murphy at 145 points in Wednesday’s dual meet and pinned McMinnville’s Matthew Johnson in 3:14 in Thursday’s dual.

Natalie Bock at a practice for the Sprague High School girl’s basketball team on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017.

Natalie Bock, Sprague girls basketball: The junior forward scored 24 points in Tuesday’s 56-53 win against West Albany and 17 in Saturday’s 56-44 win against Forest Grove.

Anna Despain. Photographed for Mid-Valley Sports Awards on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at South Salem High School.

Anna Despain, South Salem swimming: The junior won the 100 breaststroke (1:15.44) and 100 fly (1:05.52) in Thursday’s dual meet against North Salem.

Jonah Downey

Jonah Downey, Santiam boys basketball: The sophomore guard scored 17 points in Tuesday’s 62-56 win against Kennedy and 11 points in Friday’s 68-50 win against Central Linn.

Statesman Journal athlete of the week candidates

When Natalie Bock scores big, the Sprague High School girls basketball team is successful.

In Tuesday’s 56-53 win against West Albany, Bock scored 24 points. In Saturday’s 56-44 loss to Forest Grove she scored 17.

Natalie Bock at a practice for the Sprague High School girl’s basketball team on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017.

She was chosen the athlete of the week by a poll of readers.

The 5-foot-6 junior forward, who is averaging over 12 points per game this season, was an honorable mention all-Greater Valley Conference selection as a sophomore.

Read more:

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South Salem’s Hailey and Hannah Clifford sign to Arizona

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Ryan Allen made his own path to the Super Bowl

Central senior defensive lineman Marlon Tuipulotu has flipped and has committed to play football at USC.

Tuipulotu committed in April to play at Washington, but he announced Monday evening that he changed his mind.

Tuipulotu tweeted this statement Monday night:

Central’s Marlon Tuipulotu (51) is taken down by Wilsonville’s Austin Kness (83) in the second half of the Central vs. Wilsonville OSAA Class 5A semifinal football game at Hillsboro Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. Wilsonville won the game 56-34.

“Never thought this day would come, but after talking with my family and prayers with them about this situation, I have decided to decommit from the University of Washington. This was a tough decision for me and I have nothing but love for the players, the school, and the coaches at the university. A special thanks to Coach Pete and Coach Malloe as they recruited me from the beginning and were one of the first schools to offer. I honestly wish them nothing but the absolute best in everything they do. From here, I would like to announce that I am still planning to graduate early and will be attending the University of Southern California.”

Tuipulotu played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl earlier in January and was scheduled to play in last weekend’s Polynesian Bowl, but didn’t.

He reportedly visited the USC campus last weekend.

He can sign a National Letter of Intent on Feb. 1.

The 6-foot-2, 275 pound senior was named the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Oregon Football Team defensive player of the year this season, the Class 5A state defensive player of the year and the Mid-Willamette Conference defensive player of the year.

JEFFERSON — Every time Abdi Ibrahim nails another long 3-pointer to a large chorus of applause from the appreciative fans in Jefferson High School’s gym, two things happen.

With each shot made, Jefferson’s boys basketball team inches closer towards a state playoff spot, something the Lions haven’t done in over a decade.

And people in the rural community, whether they know it or not, see what benefits refugees from countries deemed dangerous can bring to the United States.

Jefferson’s Abdi Ibrahim (1) shoots a free throw as his brother Ahmed Ibrahim (2) watches in a game against Chemawa on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, at Jefferson High School. Chemawa won the game 58-52, moving to 2-7 in the PacWest and 3-12 overall while Jefferson fell to 5-5 in the PacWest and 7-12 overall.

The Ibrahim brothers – there are four at the high school and eight siblings in all – have become a huge part of the success the athletic programs at Jefferson the past two years.

They are proving that refugees can have a positive impact on a community as a whole.

“I know that they have that background, but I don’t think about that much anymore, really,” second-year Jefferson coach Nate Neuschwander said. “They’re just Abdi and Ahmed and Suli, Hassan, all those guys.

“Definitely their story is amazing, and people probably can’t relate to what they’ve been through. I know the community loves them. People here have their backs and are super glad they’re here.”

The Ibrahim family immigrated to the United States in 2012 from Kenya, where they lived in a refugee camp. Their parents were born in Somalia.

The executive order President Trump signed Jan. 27 suspended refugees from entering the United States from Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Iran, Iraq and Libya for 90 days.

The Ibrahim family has more members still in Africa that would like to immigrate, but can’t now.

“I think like everybody wants to get the chance,” said Abdi Ibrahim, a sophomore. “Refugees, all they want is to have freedom, to have a good life just like we wanted. That’s all they want. They’re not coming here to do some bad things and stuff like that.”

Jefferson’s Abdi Ibrahim, left, and Ahmed Ibrahim, right, in a huddle with teammates as they play Chemawa on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, at Jefferson High School. Chemawa won the game 58-52, moving to 2-7 in the PacWest and 3-12 overall while Jefferson fell to 5-5 in the PacWest and 7-12 overall.

The impact the Ibrahim brothers have had on the athletic programs since their family moved to Jefferson from Portland in 2015 is immense.

In cross country, Hassan Ibrahim, a junior, has placed second at the 3A/2A/1A state meet the past two years.

When all four brothers ran cross country this fall, the team had its best result in years by placing fourth at the state meet and earning the school’s first state trophy in an OSAA sport in a long time.

Their impact is being felt in basketball, too.

Jefferson is 5-5 in the PacWest and 7-12 overall and all but assured a spot in the PacWest Conference playoffs. From the league playoffs the top three teams reach the 3A state playoffs, something Jefferson hasn’t done – or been close to – since 2006.

“It’s kind of neat to me that we have some difference on our team,” second-year Jefferson coach Nate Neuschwander said. “There’s kids from all backgrounds and stuff.

“We love each other all the same. So it’s been a really cool dynamic. It’s been a lot of fun to be around it. They’re just like anybody else. It’s been a positive both ways.”

Jefferson’s Ahmed Ibrahim (2) drives towards the basket in a game against Chemawa on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, at Jefferson High School. Chemawa won the game 58-52, moving to 2-7 in the PacWest and 3-12 overall while Jefferson fell to 5-5 in the PacWest and 7-12 overall.

When they were living in Kenya, all of the members of the Ibrahim family – including the children – had to work to make ends meet and education was secondary.

Now their education is paramount.

“It feels good, like, to have people that you can understand,” Abdi Ibrahim said. “Down there, it’s like you barely see people that understand you. You don’t get to understand all the people except your parents and your relatives.

“Here, everybody understands and helps you where you need it, especially with school work. Down there, it’s like teachers, all they care about is money.”

The Ibrahim’s had only played soccer before they arrived in an area of Portland – near David Douglas High School – that had a large number of immigrants from similar circumstances as refugees.

It was in Portland that they discovered two sports in vastly different ways.

Watching other youths play basketball on playgrounds in Portland, they were intrigued and wanted in.

The problem was they had to learn how to play the game.

“We just thought it was fun playing,” said Ahmed Ibrahim, a freshman. “We just started getting better.”

Sulieman, a senior, played significantly for Jefferson’s basketball team this season, but he suffered an elbow injury and will miss some games while recovering. Hassan played basketball last year but isn’t playing for Jefferson this season.

MORE PREP SPORTS COVERAGE:

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Sprague’s Sarah Teubner, Cody Vestal sign to play at college level

Whereas the brothers found basketball on their own, it took a little shove – and a great example – for them to find another sport at which they excelled.

There was a skinny, freshman at David Douglas at that point named Ahmed Muhumed, who had only recently found running as a sport.

Muhumed was from a family that had immigrated to the United States from Somalia under similar circumstances to the Ibrahim family.

Muhumed had found track and field – and eventually from cross country – from a teacher while in middle school, and went to work encouraging others in his community to give the sport a try.

“He’s the one who first got me to do track when I got here,” Abdi Ibrahim said. “I didn’t want to do track, and he said it’s a good thing to do. I started winning and I got the feel of it, just winning.”

It wasn’t long after Muhumed and his family moved to West Salem that the Ibrahim family moved to the outskirts of Jefferson in 2015 when Ahmed and Abdi were still in middle school.

Muhumed’s example and what he’s become as an athlete – a two-time state cross country champion who has signed to run in college on scholarship at Boise State – served as an example that the Ibrahim brothers have followed.

“He’s a hard worker,” Ahmed Ibrahim said. “It made him a great cross country runner.”

Jefferson’s Abdi Ibrahim looks for an open teammate in a game against Chemawa on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, at Jefferson High School. Chemawa won the game 58-52, moving to 2-7 in the PacWest and 3-12 overall while Jefferson fell to 5-5 in the PacWest and 7-12 overall.

Abdi is Jefferson’s starting point guard and uses his athleticism on defense and smarts on offense to control the floor.

Ahmed is a revelation.

Just a freshman, he plays with an enthusiasm that is unrivaled.

He scored his team’s first seven points in Thursday’s 58-52 loss to Chemawa and scored 26 points, knocking down four 3-pointers and running the floor.

But they’re still learning the game of basketball, which is a good thing for a Jefferson team that still wants to improve.

“They’re really committed to basketball and getting better,” Neuschwander said. “They’re still obviously a lot of improvement we want them to make and they want to make.

“They spend a lot of time, a lot of times here early and late. I got to kick them out of the gym sometimes. They want to soak it up and learn as much as they can. So they’re pretty serious about the game and learning and trying to always improve themselves.”

Like the rest of the Jefferson basketball players, and all refugees who want to come to the United States, the Ibrahim brothers want to improve.

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com or Twitter.com/bpoehler

They all knew it was going to take some time to make this happen.

And a lot of work.

Salem Academy High School’s boys basketball team didn’t have a head coach until late September, and its players got a late start due to the school’s football team making a run to the 3A state championship game.

But after Tuesday’s 53-42 win at rival Blanchet Catholic, the Crusaders have won seven games straight, improved to a tie with Blanchet for first place in the PacWest Conference at 6-1 and are 13-4 overall with the No. 2 ranking in the OSAA’s power rankings.

For a team that didn’t know head coach Ryan Kendall until late September, it’s a remarkable run.

It’s just that it took some patience.

“I love our new coach,” said senior post Markel Moser, who scored 11 points. “He’s such a great coach. So kudos to him.

“He came into a new position, a new role, and he’s done a fabulous job this year.”

Salem Academy’s Markel Moser looks to make a basket past defense from Blanchet’s __ on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, at Blanchet Catholic School. Salem Academy won the matchup 53-42.

When Kendall stepped into the head coaching situation, the pieces were there, but the timing was less than ideal.

He had been hired as a teacher at Salem Academy over the summer and was in the building when the position became available.

Kendall previously coached basketball for 17 years at a bible college in Kansas, Barclay College, and had seven years of coaching basketball at a public high school.

But the timing of this situation made it difficult.

Not only had he missed out on the summer period with the players, most of them were playing on Salem Academy’s football team, which played into late November.

“And I would say probably two or weeks ago I kind of saw who they were,” Kendall said. “And I told them from the beginning, I don’t want to come in and say here’s who you’re going to be. I want to come in and say here’s who I am, but I want to get a chance to know who you are.

“I think they figured me out, I think I figured them out, and that’s what’s dictating what we’re doing offensively and defensively.”

What Salem Academy is doing is what they have always been best at: Playing up-tempo on offense to control the pace of the game and suffocating man-to-man defense like the effort that held Blanchet to 5 of 17 from the field in the first half Tuesday.

That kind of defense leads to a lot of easy baskets on offense, which allows Salem Academy’s players to fully display their athletic ability.

“That’s the goal in every game, not just against a team like Blanchet,” Kendall said. “Our goal is to get the ball up and down and to try to take our opponents out of their game.

“Blanchet, they got good players and they run a nice, high screen. They got good shooters, they’re patient, so we knew in order to get a win tonight, you’re going to have to try to do that defensively. And that defense creates offense for us.”

Salem Academy’s Koby McCallum looks for open teammates in a game on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, at Blanchet Catholic School. Salem Academy won the matchup 53-42.

The level of play Salem Academy displayed Tuesday was a big leap forward from when the Crusaders lost 50-42 to Blanchet on Jan. 4.

The team plays with hustle and its depth is truly showing.

There have been six or seven players who have led the team in scoring in games this season, and it’s making the team hard to defend.

“They’re a good team,” Blanchet coach Scott Cantonwine said. “Some of those kids have played varsity basketball since they were freshmen.

“They played football a week longer than we did. So the first league game of the season was a very meaningful game, and now the seventh league game of the season was a very meaningful game.”

Kendall is Salem Academy’s fourth head coach for this senior class.

Salem Academy’s Rylan Stamback goes up for a basket in a game on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, at Blanchet Catholic School. Salem Academy won the matchup 53-42.

But that group of nine seniors has been playing together for years.

Those seniors have tasted success and proved their athletic prowess.

And they committed to the change and took the necessary steps, and had the patience, to make this situation work.

“The team chemistry is pretty key in this,” said senior Skyler Williams, who scored 17 points. “We’ve all been playing with each other since seventh grade and so we all know what we do, we all know what we’re good at and we get the win.”

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com or Twitter.com/bpoehler

After the Sprague High School boys basketball team held on for a 64-58 victory Friday at South Salem, Olympians senior guard Kaiden Flanigan had an interesting comment that spoke volumes about the Greater Valley Conference.

Sprague’s Kaiden Flanigan (5) moves past South Salem’s Jaden Nielsen-Skinner (2) in the second half of the Sprague vs. South Salem boy’s basketball game at South Salem High School on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017. Sprague won the game 64-58.

In a race that figures to go down to the wire for the league championship and playoff spots, “it seems like every team’s scary. Everyone’s losing, everyone’s winning,” Flanigan said.

Unlike last season when South Salem went 16-0 on its way to a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament, nobody is running away with the GVC.

West Salem (16-3, 9-2 GVC) is No. 3 in the OSAA’s power rankings, which determines seeding for the state postseason. Sprague (13-4, 9-2) is No. 10.

In a matchup that could go a long way in determining the GVC champion, West Salem will be at Sprague on Tuesday. The Titans, who are led by junior guard Kyle Greeley, rolled to a 79-55 home victory over Sprague on Jan. 10.

Both teams have five league games remaining.

“It was embarrassing getting hammered like that,” said 6-foot-7 junior forward Teagan Quitoriano, who had 18 points and 13 rebounds Friday, and leads Sprague in scoring (28 points per game) and rebounding (12 per game). “I think next time we play ‘em on Tuesday, I don’t think it’s gonna be one-sided like that.”

The Olympians suffered a 20-point loss at McNary in their next game following the defeat at West Salem, but they have been on a roll lately with six consecutive league victories.

In Friday’s closely-contested game against South Salem, a steal and layup by sophomore guard Jailen Hammer gave Sprague a 60-56 lead with 29 seconds remaining in a play that proved decisive.

“Most games it’s a battle,” said Hammer, who scored 14 points in the win. “We come out and do what we do and hope to come out on top.”

Many of South Salem’s games have come down to the wire, but after winning five league games in a row, the Saxons (9-11, 6-6) were edged in their last two games – 59-56 at West Salem and Friday against Sprague.

The top four teams in the six 6A conferences automatically qualify for the state playoffs. The top four teams in the OSAA’s power rankings not among the automatic qualifiers make the state playoffs. The next eight teams in the power rankings play in four play-in games for four state playoff spots.

South Salem is currently in fifth place in the GVC, one game behind fourth place Forest Grove, and ranked No. 23.

“We don’t get too discouraged by this loss (to Sprague) because we can still make the playoffs,” South Salem junior guard Tyler Wadleigh said. “But stuff like this definitely stings.”

South Salem, a guard-oriented team without a senior in its starting lineup Friday, has won three consecutive league titles. That streak likely will end this season, but the Saxons could be a tough out in the playoffs led by sophomore guard Jaden Nielsen-Skinner.

Wadleigh noted that he’s “never seen the GVC like this.”

“Teams that weren’t as competitive, they bring it every night,” Wadleigh said. “We get everyone’s best shot. We just wanna see the outcome go our way more often.”

MORE PREP SPORTS COVERAGE:

Former refugee family makes big impact on Jefferson
Announcing the athlete of the week winner
Three-win Chemawa keeps postseason hopes alive

As for Sprague? Well, the pieces appear to be in place for a postseason run. Quitoriano (first team all-GVC last season) is an all-state candidate, Flanigan is a four-year starter and two-time, second-team all-GVC selection, and Hammer is a dynamic presence at both ends of the court.

BJ Dobrkovsky, in his 12th season as head coach at Sprague and a veteran of the old Valley League during his high school days at Lebanon, said Tuesday’s game against West Salem “has a lot of implications.”

“It comes down to you’ve gotta be ready to play every night,” he said.

BOX SCORE

Sprague 64, South Salem 58

Sprague: K. Flanigan 18, Quitoriano 18, Hammer 14, James 5, Long 4, VanHouten 3, Withers 2, Blea, E. Flanigan

South Salem: Nielsen-Skinner 17, Baughman 17, Wadleight 11, Brown 11, Galbraith 2, Vogt

SP 13-16-17-18 – 64

SS – 15-14-12-17 – 58

ghorowitz@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6726 or Twitter.com/ghorowitz

South Salem’s Jaden Nielsen-Skinner (2) grabs the ball over Sprague’s Kobe Withers (0) in the first half of the Sprague vs. South Salem boy’s basketball game at South Salem High School on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017. Sprague won the game 64-58.

Sprague’s Jailen Hammer (22) spins past South Salem’s Collin Vogt (10) in the second half of the Sprague vs. South Salem boy’s basketball game at South Salem High School on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017. Sprague won the game 64-58.

Mid-Valley Recruiting Database

Dayton senior Zach Bernards has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Oregon Institute of Technology.

The 5-foot-11 guard was the co-Class 3A state player of the year as a junior after averaging 23 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.

Dayton’s Zach Bernards (11) cheers on his teammates in the final minute of a West Valley League game against Amity on Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, at Amity High School. Dayton defeated long-time rival Amity 92-67.

Signings

Salem Academy senior Koby McCallum has signed a letter of intent to play football at Montana State-Northern.

The 5-11 senior was a second-team all-PacWest Conference selection as a senior at receiver and defensive back.

Soccer: South Salem senior Sam Sinks has committed to play soccer at Linfield.

The defender was a second-team all-Greater Valley Conference selection this season. He scored one goal and had three assists.

Soccer: Dayton senior Nancy Arroyo has signed a letter of intent to play at OIT.

South Salem senior Dani Harley

Athletes of the week

The Salem Sports & Breakfast Club honored Dani Harley, Santos Cantu, Emma Turner, Matthew Jarding and Anna Despain at its weekly meeting on Feb. 3.

Harley, a senior wing for South Salem’s girls basketball team, is averaging 13 points per game and scored 19 points in a win against West Salem.

Sprague freshman Santos Cantu

Cantu, a freshman on Sprague’s wrestling team, finished first at the Reser’s Tournament of Champions, eighth at the Sierra Nevada Classic and was 6-1 at the Oregon Wrestling Classic.

North Salem junior Emma Turner

Turner, a junior on North Salem’s swimming team, was second in two individual events at a dual meet against McKay and since then improved her time in the 200 free by more than 15 seconds.

McKay senior Matthew Jarding

Jarding, a senior on McKay’s wrestling team, is 22-0 and has won two tournaments this season.

South Salem junior Anna Despain

Despain, a junior on South Salem’s swimming team, has won all of her individual and relay events this season. She won the 100 fly and 100 breast against North Salem and the 50 free and 100 free against Forest Grove.

Award

Recently retired OSAA Executive Director Tom Welter has been selected to receive the National Federation of State High School Associations Citation.

He will be presented the award, along with 14 others during the NFHS Summer meeting July 1 in Providence, Rhode Island.

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com or Twitter.com/bpoehler

District swimming meets

Greater Valley Conference: Friday-Saturday at McMinnville Aquatic Center.

Mid-Willlamette: Friday-Saturday at Osborn Aquatic Center, Corvallis.

4A/3A/2A/1A Special District 3: Friday-Saturday at South Albany.

District wrestling meets

Mid-Willamette: Friday-Saturday at Corvallis.

4A Special District 2: Friday-Saturday at Philomath.

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GVC boys basketball race going down to the wire

Buzz building for EclipseFest at Volcanoes Stadium

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Blanchet Catholic football player RJ Veliz during practice, Tuesday, August 18, 2015, in Salem, Ore.

R.J. Veliz, Blanchet boys basketball: The sophomore point guard scored 22 points in Tuesday’s 56-47 win against Jefferson and 30 points in Thursday’s 51-47 double overtime win against Colton.

Chemawa freshman Devontre Beach

Devontre Beach, Chemawa boys basketball: The freshman wing hit his first 14 free throws, including finishing 15 of 16 from the line, and scored 23 points in Thursday’s 58-52 win against Jefferson.

Senior Tanner Sorensen, of the Sprague High School football team, photographed on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016.

Tanner Sorensen, Sprague wrestling: The senior pinned West Salem’s James Holmes in Thursday’s dual meet and won the 220 pound weight class at Saturday’s Varsity Mid Valley Classic at South Albany, including recording a 19-8 decision against South Albany’s Angel Huerta-Carrera in the finals.

Marie Tolmachoff, a Silverton High School freshman swimmer, on Friday, Jan. 13, 2017.

Marie Tolmachoff, Silverton swimming: The freshman won the 100 free (1:01.31) and 100 breaststroke (1:14.88) and swam on the winning 200 free relay and 200 medley relay teams in Tuesday’s dual meet against Central.

Candidates for the SJ Athlete of the Week.

Sprague remains the team to beat heading into the Greater Valley Conference district wrestling tournament next month.

Sprague’s Daniel McClung, top position, faces North Salem’s Shannon Glover in a match on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 at Sprague High School. McClung won the match with a 10-4 decision.

The second-ranked Olympians posted a convincing 60-11 victory over No. 9 North Salem on Wednesday in a dual meet at Sprague High School.

The matchup between the GVC’s highest-ranked teams was originally scheduled for Jan. 17, but it was postponed due to a snow day. It was worth the wait.

“I love competing against the best,” North coach Andy Pickett said.

Sprague is not only the best team in the GVC, but the Olympians could have what it takes to make a run at the state championship. They finished second at the recent Oregon Wrestling Classic in Redmond behind defending state champion Roseburg.

Sprague won 11 of the 14 weight classes Wednesday, including two by forfeit.

“Dual meets are all about matchups and we matched up well at certain weights and the kids wrestled well,” Sprague coach Nolan Harris said.

In the feature match of the evening, North Salem sophomore Ian Carlos defeated Sprague junior Michael Murphy, 7-4 at 145 pounds. Carlos, the state runner-up last year at 126, is top-ranked at 145. Murphy, third in the state last season at 132, is ranked No. 3.

Carlos registered three takedowns in the match and that proved to be the difference. It would come as no surprise if they met in the final of the district championships, which will be held Feb. 17-19 at West Salem.

“This year I feel a lot better than I did last year,” said Carlos, who is unbeaten this season. “I’m feeling a lot stronger.”

Among Sprague wrestlers ranked in the top 10, junior Bo Joklur (No. 4 at 106), sophomore Landon Davis (No. 9 at 152) and senior Dane McKinney (No. 8 at 182) won by pins.

Carlos, senior Brandon Quezada (No. 8 at 113) and junior Jorge Ochoa (No. 11 at 195) were responsible for North’s victories.

The top four placers in each division at districts advance to the state tournament Feb. 24-25 at Portland’s Memorial Coliseum.

ghorowitz@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6726 or Twitter.com/ghorowitz

The latest proposals the OSAA’s Classification and Districting Committee released Tuesday would move the sports teams from high schools like North Salem, Woodburn, Gervais, Chemawa and Jefferson down a classification from where they would play according to their enrollment.

North Salem’s football team takes the field before the McKay vs. North Salem football game at North Salem High School on Friday, Oct. 21, 2016.

The biggest issue the committee is facing currently is whether to put Oregon’s high schools in six classifications or five.

The majority of 6A schools support dropping to five classifications from the current six, which Oregon has had since moving from four classifications starting in 2006.

But the committee has put forward versions that would put schools in five classifications and split the schools in the highest classification into two classifications only for football.

In the first two proposals, both in six and five class systems, there are drafts that would put Salem-Keizer public schools McKay, McNary, South Salem, Sprague and West Salem in a league with Bend schools Bend, Mountain View and Summit.

But each proposal also has a version with the five Salem-Keizer schools playing in a smaller league with McMinnville or West Albany.

In the proposal that would split schools into six classifications for football only, the formula used to split schools includes total games, total wins, winning percentage and average participation.

In the football only model, McKay, McNary, South Salem, Sprague, West Albany and West Salem would play in a special district with Canby and McMinnville.

North Salem, meanwhile, would play in a special district with Central, Crescent Valley, Dallas, Lebanon, Newberg, Silverton, South Albany and Wilsonville.

In the proposals Woodburn would move down to 4A from 5A in the six-class system.

Chemawa, Gervais and Jefferson would play in 2A leagues.

The redistricting process has become contentious, but at a different level than ever before.

Hermiston has applied to join the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. That sanctioning body has tabled a vote on accepting Hermiston.

In most of the proposals so far, including most of the most recent ones, Hermiston would move up to the top classification and play in leagues composed of Portland-area schools like Central Catholic and Oregon City.

High schools in California and Arizona play in leagues in Nevada.

The next public meeting of the committee will be at 9 a.m. Feb. 27 at the OSAA’s office in Wilsonville.

The committee will make its final recommendation for the 2018-2022 time block to the OSAA Executive board in October.

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com or Twitter.com/bpoehler

TURNER — For Mark Stevens, it’s always been about the journey, not the destination.

Cascade Coach Mark Stevens directs players against North Marion on Feb. 23, 2016.

The hard work, the sacrifice, the camaraderie.

It has been a long journey for the Cascade girls basketball coach, who joined an exclusive club Tuesday when the Cougars beat Newport, giving Stevens his 500th career victory.

“For me, it means stability and the length that I’ve been able to survive this process,” said Stevens, who is the fifth girls basketball coach in state history to reach 500 wins. “Being able to stay at the same school, being in the same system. It hasn’t gotten old. It’s still fresh. Just the body of work.”

Stevens joins Brad Smith (629 — Oregon City), Gary Lavender (544 — Sheridan, Lake Oswego), Marty Stallard (519 — Myrtle Point) and Dave Wakefield (532 — North Clackamas Christian, Damascus Christian) as the only girls basketball coaches in state history to reach 500 career wins.

“Being a part of the 500th win is definitely a great experience,” Cascade junior Halle Wright said. “Especially with my whole family growing up in the Cascade community. It was pretty cool to be a part of it.”

Cascade Coach Mark Stevens directs players against North Marion on Feb. 23, 2016.

Stevens is in his 27th season as head coach of the Cougars, who are 12-0 this season and ranked No. 1 in the OSAA Class 4A girls basketball rankings.

Stevens took over as coach of the Cascade girls basketball program in 1990, replacing his wife, Ruth.

Throughout the years, Stevens has kept a simple philosophy: “This is not for everybody. We appeal to kids that don’t mind working hard and handle a little bit of constructive criticism. Our numbers have never been huge, but generally speaking, we got the right kids out all the time.”

Wright said that Stevens is an intense coach, but also allows his humor to help him relate to the players.

“He’s funny because he has his moments where he’s so intense, and he has that little vein popping out when he gets mad,” Wright said. “But then he has these moments when he’s joking around with you. So it’s always fun to have that coach who can joke around with you, but in certain moments he can be serious when he needs to.”

Travis Newton, who has worked as a Cascade girls basketball assistant since 1995, said Stevens has had a significant influence on his life.

“I wouldn’t be the father I am or the coach I am without him in my life,” Newton said. “He changed things for me that I’ve never really told him before, but he’s made me the father and coach I am today.”

More prep sports:

Announcing the athlete of the week winner

No. 2 Sprague has the look of a state championship contender

McKay’s pursuit of artificial turf brings community together

During his career, Stevens has led Cascade to five state championship games, including capturing the 2011 state title.

Tava Lewis, who was a key player on the 2011 championship team, said it was important for the players that year to win a title for Stevens.

“I know that Mark had been in some championship games before and the outcome hadn’t been what they wanted, so we really wanted it for Mark. Obviously, we wanted it for ourselves too, but we really wanted him to have a state championship,” Lewis said. “He makes you want to work hard. He pushes you, and he’s inspiring with all the experience and knowledge he has. Everybody likes him. He’s just a really fun guy to be around. Since I graduated, I’ve visited him a couple times, and he’s been a great mentor and always has good advice.”

Stevens enjoyed the experience of winning the state championship in 2011, but for him, he did not need to win that one game to validate what he’s done at Cascade.

“Obviously, winning a state championship puts something extra on your head, I’m not sure what it is,” Stevens said. “It’s those kinds of things that make people say, ‘oh, you are a good coach because you won that one game.’ Like in football, you have to win the Super Bowl or you’re not that good.”

Stevens said he still loves coaching at Cascade and doesn’t know when he will retire.

“I’m pretty sure teaching-wise I’ll be done next year,” said Stevens, who teaches P.E., weight training and health. “And the basketball thing, I don’t know. I enjoy it. I’ve always told myself I don’t want to be one of those coaches that retires and leaves the program empty. I’m saying this, but whether I do it, I don’t know. I would like to hang in there. I’ll just have to see.

“In retirement, you want to stay busy,” Stevens added. “What do you do in Oregon in the winter? I’ll probably coach something, even if I get out of this. I think I could go help in the junior high. I’ll probably be in a gym somewhere.”

Cascade Coach Mark Stevens directs players against North Marion on Feb. 23, 2016.

Cascade Coach Mark Stevens directs players against North Marion on Feb. 23, 2016.

Wednesday is the first day of the signing period for National Letters of Intent for football, soccer and men’s water polo.

There are a number of signing ceremonies planned throughout the Mid-Valley on Wednesday.

Kennedy’s Bishop Mitchell runs the ball as the Trojans fall to Stanfield 32-13 in the OSAA Class 2A state semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro.

Kennedy senior Bishop Mitchell will sign a letter of intent to play football at Portland State at 11:15 a.m.

McNary senior Kolby Barker will have a signing party for his commitment to play football at Air Force Academy at McNary’s Library at 2:30 p.m.

Sprague will have a signing ceremony for Sarah Teubner and Cody Vestal at 2:30 p.m. in Sprague’s library.

South Salem twins Hannah Clifford and Hailey Clifford will sign to play soccer at Arizona at 2:45 p.m. in South Salem’s Little Theater.

Central senior Marlon Tuipulotu has verbally committed to play football at USC, but he has left for USC to enroll in school early and will not be having a signing ceremony.

The signing period runs through April 1 for football and August 1 for soccer and men’s water polo.

Honors

South Salem senior Evina Westbrook has been named a midseason candidate for the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

The 6-foot guard, who has signed to Tennessee, averaged 24.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5.9 rebounds, 5.4 steals and 1.4 blocks through South Salem’s first 18 games.

Evina Westbrook signs letter of intent to play basketball at Tennessee
Evina Westbrook’s McDonald’s All American milestone garners crowd

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com or Twitter.com/bpoehler

Sprague’s Teagan Quitoriano goes after McMinnville’s Wyatt Smith as the Olys defeat the Grizzlies 49-27 in Greater Valley Conference game on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, in McMinnville.

Sprague junior Teagan Quitoriano has multiple options for his future, and the offers are starting to come in for him.

Quitoriano, who excels at football and basketball for the Olympians, received a scholarship offer from the University of Oregon’s football team this week, about six weeks after receiving an offer from Oregon State.

“It’s a great feeling, especially early, and it takes a little bit of pressure off knowing I have options,” said Quitoriano, who plays at tight end and defensive end on the football team. “But I know I have to keep working, so it’s a great feeling.”

Quitoriano hasn’t decided yet between football and basketball, and he still is leaving the door open on the possibility of playing both at the college level.

“No clue what I’m going to do yet,” Quitoriano said. “The number one thing (to consider in making the decision) is the opportunity that I’ll have in that certain program. Also, how good the school is academically. And whether I can go farther on as a player. I would like to stay on the West Coast. I would definitely consider doing both sports. It would be a lot of time, but I’m down for it.”

READ MORE:

Sprague beats West Salem to take first place in GVC
Sprague’s Teagan Quitoriano takes to national stage
Oregon Ducks hire Marcus Arroyo as new quarterbacks coach

Sprague football coach Jay Minyard said that Quitoriano’s athleticism in basketball makes him an even more explosive football player.

“He has a really good frame at 6-6, and the fact that he’s a big basketball player, his athleticism for a big guy is pretty good,” Minyard said. “He has an extremely high ceiling. I think we’re a little ways away from seeing how good he can really be. We’re working really hard to develop his flexibility, his range of motion, which in turn will help his agility and quickness. I really think the sky’s the limit for him.”

Quitoriano gained some attention this past football season when he was a first-team all-state defensive end and second-team all-state tight end. Quitoriano also was the Greater Valley Conference defensive player of the year.

“I worked really hard in the spring and summer,” Quitoriano said. “I think that really helped me with my speed rush, my hands, my speed. So I think it was my work ethic that really took me above some of the people I was going against.”

Minyard said he is looking forward to coaching Quitoriano in his senior season at Sprague.

“I would like to see him continue that path of wanting to get better himself each day. Also, when you’re a kid like that, I guarantee you, as a defensive end, he’ll probably get held on every single down next year. And how he responds to that is going to be a big factor,” Minyard said. “Is he going to get frustrated, or is he going to understand that that’s part of the game and he’s going to have to deal with it and he’s going to have to learn how to control his emotions and use his emotions in a way that’s going to benefit our team.

“We’re getting into the early stages of the recruiting process for him,” Minyard added. “It’s pretty exciting stuff.”

Very excited to announce I've received another scholarship offer from the University of Oregon! Hard work pays off.… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
Teagan Quitoriano (@teaganquito14) February 07, 2017

I'm very excited and blessed to announce that I've received an offer from Oregon state university!! Hard work pays… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
Teagan Quitoriano (@teaganquito14) December 24, 2016

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF TEAGAN QUITORIANO

View video “2016 Junior Year”

Junior Teagan Quitoriano leads the boy’s basketball team for Sprague High School. Photographed at Sprague High School on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016.

If you want a preview of the OSAA 2A girls state basketball tournament, check out the Tri-River Conference playoffs next week.

Western Mennonite’s Madison Hull (13) passes the ball while being defended by multiple Kennedy players in the first half of the Kennedy vs. Western Mennonite girl’s basketball game at Western Mennonite School in Salem on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. Western Mennonite won the game 54-50 in overtime.

Four of the state’s top six teams in the OSAA power rankings reside in the Tri-River, including defending state champion Kennedy.

On Friday, No. 2 Western Mennonite (18-7, 8-4) defeated No. 3 Kennedy (14-9, 10-2), the regular season champs, 54-50 in overtime before a packed house in what is known as “The Barn” on Western Mennonite’s campus.

It would come as no surprise if Western Mennonite and Kennedy met again Feb. 18 in the league playoff championship game, and perhaps down the road in Pendleton in the state tournament.

Tri-River: Conference of champions

The Tri-River has produced the last eight girls state champions.

“I honestly love the Tri-River. It’s the best league in 2A,” said Western Mennonite senior guard Madison Hull, who scored 35 points in Friday’s dramatic comeback victory by the Pioneers. “Every night you never take it off because every team’s good.”

No. 1 Monroe (23-0) of the Mountain View Conference is the main challenger to end the Tri-Rivers’s streak of state championships.

Kennedy is strong once again despite the graduation of first team all-state guard Lakin Susee, who is the leading scorer this season for Chemeketa Community College.

Kennedy’s Kaylin Cantu (25) tries to block a shot by Western Mennonite’s Lexi Pack (21) in the first half of the Kennedy vs. Western Mennonite girl’s basketball game at Western Mennonite School in Salem on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. Western Mennonite won the game 54-50 in overtime.

“Once you get out of the Tri-River (playoffs) we’re really tough because every night we’re battling,” Kennedy coach Kerry Hall said. “We love it.”

No. 6 Regis, which won five consecutive state crowns from 2010 to 2014, is the No. 3 seed in the Tri-River playoffs. The fourth seed was determined by a play-in game Saturday between St. Paul and No. 5 East Linn Christian.

Western Mennonite overcomes challenges

Western Mennonite has navigated a road littered with challenges to emerge as a state championship contender.

Former coach Robby Gilliam resigned in November due to health reasons. Hull, a first-team all-state selection last season, said Western Mennonite was close to not fielding a team this season.

“There just wasn’t enough interest,” Hull said. “We weren’t gonna have a team at the beginning. Even some of the girls that are starting (now), it’s not that they didn’t want to play. … But I’m the only returning starter from last year and so a lot of them weren’t confident.”

Enter Mike Hopper, who came on board as head coach. The Pioneers stayed together and developed into a strong team.

Hopper, whose daughter, Peyton, is a senior guard for Western Mennonite, joked that his primary role as coach is “to stay out of their way.”

Said Hull: “He’s doing a great job.”

Hull hopes to conclude prep career in Pendleton

Western Mennonite would not be in this position without the stellar all-around play of Hull. Her 30-foot 3-pointer with five seconds remaining in regulation forced overtime Friday against Kennedy.

Hull scored 20 of her 35 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, helping the Pioneers overcome a 39-31 deficit entering the fourth quarter.

“If she’s not the best player in the state I would be hard pressed to find out who was,” Hopper said.

Had Western Mennonite cancelled its season, Hull said she would have played at West Salem in the 6A Greater Valley Conference.

The challenge of testing her skills at the state’s highest level would “have been a cool experience,” but Hull wanted to finish her high school basketball career at Western Mennonite.

“I would have missed it so much,” she said.

Two teams from each of the six 2A conferences automatically qualify for the 16-team state playoffs, and four more get in based on their standing in the OSAA power rankings. Eight teams will qualify for the 2A state tournament March 2-4.

Hull has an opportunity to conclude her high school career with a fourth consecutive state tournament appearance at the Pendleton Convention Center.

“I love Pendleton. It’s like nothing else,” Hull said. “Everything shuts down and everyone comes and watches.”

BOX SCORE

Western Mennonite 54, Kennedy 50 (OT)

Kennedy: Kleinschmit 11, Carley 11, Jaegar 11, Cantu 7, Arritola 6, Frey 2, Gomez 2

W. Mennonite: Hull 35, Hess 12, Pack 3, Foster 2, Hopper 2

KENNEDY 15-12-12-5-6 – 50

W. MENN 9-14-8-13-10 – 54

ghorowitz@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6726 or Twitter.com/ghorowitz

Silverton High School’s boys and girls swimming teams had program-best days Saturday.

The Foxes placed second in both the boys and girls in the Mid-Willamette Conference district swimming meet at Osborn Aquatic Center in Corvallis, the best result the team has had.

Silverton High School swimming head coach Lucky Rogers during practice in Silverton, Ore., on Friday, Jan. 13, 2017.

Silverton’s team of Jason Orr, Ross Mackinnon, Jaiden Davis and Blake Doerfler won district championship in the 200 medley relay in 1:47.80, the team’s only district champion.

Event winners qualify for the Feb. 17-18 OSAA Class 6A state swimming meet at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham.

Dallas’ Jolie-Rae Ford was second in the 50 free in 25.07 and in the 100 free in 54.15.

In the 4A/3A/2A/1A Special District 3 district meet at South Albany High School, Salem Academy’s boys came up just short in their bid to win a second consecutive district championship as Sweet Home swept the boys and girls.

Salem Academy senior Davis McHugh won the district championship in the 100 back in 1:03.01 and Salem Academy sophomore Caleb Warde won the 200 free in 1:49.27.

Also for Salem Academy, Greyson Hanowell was second in the 200 IM (2:36.63), Wilson McLean was second in the 50 free (22.53), Warde was second in the 100 free (49.56), McHugh was second in the 500 free (5:32.49), Elijah Leutwyler was second in the 100 back (1:04.65) and all three of the Crusaders’ relay teams placed second.

In the girls, Salem Academy’s Molly Gallager was second in the 100 back (1:04.89), Stayton senior Sadie Mak was second in the 50 free (26.86) and 100 free (58.13) and Cascade junior Min Wei placed second in the 100 fly (1:03.69).

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com or Twitter.com/bpoehler

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West Salem’s Alaina Otterstrom competes in the 100 yard butterfly during the Greater Valley Conference swimming championships at the McMinnville Aquatic Center on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017.

MCMINNVILLE — The Titans had one event winner Saturday, but their depth crushed the rest of the competition.

Senior Alaina Otterstrom beat out a tough field to win the 100 butterfly in 59.27 Saturday in the finals of the Greater Valley Conference district swimming meet at McMinnville Aquatic Center.

But the overwhelming number of second and third place finishes added up to the district team championship.

It’s just a huge deal for us because I know that we all worked really hard for it,” Otterstrom said. “There was a lot of effort put in by everybody. Without the whole team I don’t think it would have happened.”

The Titans finished with 368 points, 28 more than second-place West Albany for their first district team championship since 2014 when they were in the Central Valley Conference.

It was known before the season that West Salem would be pretty good with swimmers like Hannah Bodkin, Otterstrom and Malia Masei returning, but the team got a critical influx of talent.

“We have three, four freshman girls that did really well, Erica Price, Kaylie Bliven and Llinnea Owen, and then Charis Duffus transferring from Sprague, that was huge. Hannah Whitlow didn’t swim this weekend, but she helped us win all of our dual meets.

“Alaina this year had an amazing year, won the 100 fly, did really well in the 200 free, was a major factor in both of the relays. A lot of best time, too, by a lot of the younger swimmers. Senior swimmers, Ayle Armstrong sticking with it and Miranda Davis sticking with it, not getting the senioritis kind of thing.”

Where the Titans had only one event winner, they had tons of second and third place finishers, including Bodkin placing second in the 200 IM and 100 breast.

“It means a lot, especially my senior year,” Bodkin said. “I know that Dan was really looking forward to this, and we were really set on making relays that are going to make it to state. It means a lot. It’s so exciting.”

South Salem’s Daisuke Fitial, left, and Sprague’s Colby Evenson shake hands after competing in the 200 yard individual medley during the Greater Valley Conference swimming championships at the McMinnville Aquatic Center on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017.

Sprague freshman Alexis Smith won the 100 freestyle (55.46) and the 200 freestyle (2:01.27).

All event winners qualify for the Feb. 17-18 OSAA Class 6A state swimming meet at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham.

On the boys side of the meet, McMinnville won the district championship with 419 points with South Salem second with 366 points.

South Salem’s boys team of Daisuke Fitial, Paul Lomax, Christian Richey and Tyler Cook won the 200 free relay in 1:38.04.

Cook won the 100 free in 47.83, Fitial won the 200 IM in 1:57.55 and put on a furious charge at the end of the 100 back to win in 51.84, six seconds in front of the rest of the field.

“I just tried to bring it out really hard on the first 50, get a good tempo going,” Fitial said. “I didn’t want to use my legs too much because I would have been tired for the last half. I tried to save my legs for the last half of the race.

“On the last half, I tired to use my legs, pick up the tempo, and on the last length I tried to use my underwater as much as I could.”

West Salem senior Micah Masei narrowly won the 50 free in 21.22, but he pulled off a more extraordinary fete in the 100 breaststroke.

Sprague sophomore Ian Shultz led most of the race, but Masei closed at the finish and they finished with identical times of 58.41. They were given co-district championships.

“I couldn’t say I have,” said Masei, who was second in state in the 50 free last year. “I think a race win, I’ve never tied someone. To have it be one of your friends, it’s even more amazing.”

Sprague junior Colby Evenson dominated the 500 free, winning with a time of 4:52.66, over 10 seconds in front of the rest of the field.

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com or Twitter.com/bpoehler

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West Salem’s Alaina Otterstrom smiles after winning the 100 yard butterfly during the Greater Valley Conference swimming championships at the McMinnville Aquatic Center on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017.