Author Archives: thompsoc

Geoducks Help Fill Out Preseason CCC Coaches Polls

Posted on by
Reply

LA GRANDE, Ore. – As the 2012-13 season begins to ramp up, the Cascade Conference has released their preseason polls, as selected by the coaches.  Evergreen men’s soccer had the highest ranking, predicted to finish fifth in the upcoming season.  Women’s soccer was selected eighth while volleyball was prognosticated to finish 10th in the final conference standings.

The Geoduck men’s soccer program picked up 32 points in the preseason poll to finish three points back of Warner Pacific in fourth place and two points ahead of College of Idaho in sixth position.  Concordia earned all eight first place votes to earn selection as the favorite to win a third straight conference crown.

Evergreen’s women’s soccer team earned the eighth spot in the preseason rankings with 31 points, just one point back of seventh-place Oregon Tech and one point ahead of Eastern Oregon in ninth.  The Concordia women also were unanimous selections to win the conference title, which would be their 15th in 16 seasons.

After struggling in 2011, the Geoduck volleyball program has reloaded and is looking to surprise some teams in 2012.  They will have plenty of opportunity to move up in the standings after being selected 10th by the coaches in the preseason poll.  College of Idaho was the unanimous choice to repeat as Cascade Conference champions.

The athletic year kicks off on Aug. 17 when the men’s soccer team plays host to Trinity Lutheran in a non-conference match.  Volleyball will open up their season on Aug. 23 in Spokane against Carroll College while women’s soccer has their first official kick on Sep. 1 at home against Menlo.

Evergreen Women’s Basketball Announce Signees

Posted on by
OLYMPIA, Wash.  – Following a season that saw the Evergreen Geoducks return to the postseason for the first time since 2007-08, head coach Monica Heuer has announced six student-athletes who will be joining the women’s basketball program in 2012-13. The class features four community college transfers as well as two prep standouts, all of which are expected to come in and contribute for the Geoducks. NWAAC Northern Region MVP Brittany Gray (Bainbridge, Wash./Bainbridge HS/Skagit Valley CC) leads the class after averaging 15.7 ppg and 10.1 rpg for the Cardinals, earning a spot on the All-Defensive Team as well. “Brittany has a strong work ethic and is always striving the get better,” said Heuer. Also joining the Geoducks next season will be Gray’s teammate Jessica Denmon (Oak Harbor, Wash./Oak Harbor HS/Skagit Valley CC).  As a sophomore, she was named Second Team NWACC North as well as Second Team All-Tournament at the NWAAC Champonships. “Denmon brings additional leadership to our guards, as well as a strong will and work ethic,” added Heuer. Local standout Uriah Thomas (Chehalis, Wash./WF West HS) is the first prep to join the Geoducks this season after earning All-Area accolades during her season season with the Bearcats. “She is eager to bring her talent to Evergreen,” said Heuer. “It will be fun watching her develop.” Another high school player, Chloe Dawkins (Fairfield, Calif./Armijo HS) comes from near Sacramento to join the team next season.  She earned First Team All-Monticello Empire League for the Indians, averaging 14.4 ppg. “Chloe has a good knowledge of the game. She is a good shooter and defender and will bring additional toughness to our team,” noted Heuer. Considered the best athlete of the class, Brittnee Williams (Mukilteo, Wash./Kamiak HS/Edmonds HS) joins former teammate Samantha Clark (Monroe, Wash./Monroe HS/Edmonds HS) at Evergreen.  In 2010-11, averaged 7.83 ppg and 3.30 rpg for the Tritons. “Brittnee has good hands and looks forward to locking people up,” said Heuer. The final signee comes Alaska via Peninsula College in Port Orchard.  Callie Monfrey (Anchorage, Alaska/South Anchorage HS/Peninsula CC) averaged 2.67 ppg and 2.43 rpg for the Pirates last season and will come to Evergreen with two years of eligibility remaining. “Callie brings a lot of enthusiasm,” said Heuer. “She can play inside or out and we look forward to utilizing her versatility.” The Geoducks will open up the 2012-13 campaign on November 6 with their annual crosstown exhibition against rival Saint Martin’s.

Evergreen Announces Reopening of Challenge Course

Posted on by
Reply

OLYMPIA, Wash. – After months of hard work from The Outdoor Program staff, Evergreen is excited to announce the opening of the new and revamped challenge course on the campus of The Evergreen State College.

The course, which includes over 12 low-element team challenges as well as four high elements, is designed for groups that are looking to build teamwork, communication and problem solving while having fun at the same time.  Take a “leap of faith” 40 feet off the ground and swing on a trapeze, speed down the 500 foot double zip line, play around on the vertical playpen, and use teamwork to defeat the giant’s ladder in an action-packed day of excitement!

“The TOP program, led by student coordinator Rob Healy and his throng of staff and SOS students Dave Robb and Conner Abdelnoor were the driving factors in the establishment and rebuilding of the course,” said recreation coordinator Chris Ertman. “Interns and SOS students spent hours upon hours in the rain, snow, sleet, and hail every day clearing trails, building challenges, removing homeless encampments and excess trash until the project was complete.”

The course is ACCT (Association of Challenge Course Technology) certified and many of the elements were built from fallen trees from our very own evergreen forest and most of the materials were recycled from the old course that was closed down in 2005.

Trained facilitators will guide your group in progressive challenges, making sure your group gets the most out of every experience.  If you have an end goal or desire, our facilitators can develop a program specific to meet your group’s needs.

There are a variety of packages available, ranging from three-hour sessions all the way to full day and overnight experiences.  We are now taking reservations and are offering a special June discount for all Academic programs that want to break up the end of the school year slump.

For more information, including to make a reservation, please contact Chris Ertman at ertmanc@evergreen.edu or 360-867-6520.

Evergreen Announces Inaugural Hall of Fame Class

Posted on by
1

OLYMPIA, Wash. – In recognition of The Evergreen State College’s 40th anniversary, the Evergreen State College has announced the inaugural class of the Recreation and Athletics Hall of Fame.  The first four, who will be formally inducted on May 18, are Sarah Applegate ’92, Mike Denoyer ’75, Pete Steilberg and Willi Unsoeld.

The inaugural class was chosen specifically to embody the history of recreation and athletics at Evergreen. These four individuals left unique legacies and it is fair to say that the recreational and athletic opportunities at Evergreen would not be the same, or even existent, without their footprints.

From taking on the administrative role of forming a recreational and intercollegiate athletics program at Evergreen to being a member of the founding faculty to providing countless students with a once-in-a-lifetime experience to being the first ever All-American in school history, these four represent what we hope recreation and athletics will be at Evergreen for the foreseeable future.

Sarah Applegate ’92, MiT ’95 – The first All-American in school history, she swam for the Geoducks while earning both her undergraduate and graduate degreees at Evergreen.  Currently the librarian at River Ridge High School in Lacey, she was awarded a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching grant to study school libraries in Finland.

Mike Denoyer ’75 – Among the first graduates in Evergreen history, owns and operates Grand Canyon Expeditions, offering expeditions down the Colorado River for many years.

Pete Steilberg – Considered by most to be the father of recreation and athletics at The Evergreen State College.  Former director of recreation and athletics and cross country coach. Retired in 1999.

Willi Unsoeld – Founding faculty member at The Evergreen State College. Part of first American expedition to summit Mount Everest, reaching the peak on May 22, 1963. Died in an avalanche during a winter climb of Mount Rainier in March 1979.

For information regarding the Evergreen Recreation and Athletics Hall of Fame, including how to nominate future honorees, visit http://evergreen.edu/athletics/halloffame/.

Forest 10th in 400m Hurdles As Geoducks Conclude 2012

Posted on by
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – It was a small squad that made the trek to Klamath Falls, Ore. for the 2012 Cascade Conference Championships but it was the youth that shined as the Evergreen Geoducks wrapped up 2011-12 on Saturday at Oregon Institute of Technology. In their first race of the day, sophomore Zephyr Forest (Fairfax, Calif./Drake HS) finished just outside the points, taking 10th in the 400m hurdles with a time of 59.01. Concordia’s Jordan Reeher took the conference title with an NAIA automatic qualifying time of 53.09. In their final event of the season, freshman Aaron Jones (San Bruno, Calif./Capuchino HS) finished 19th in the 5000m run in his conference championship debut with a mark of 18:13.22. Junior Greg Montgomery of College of Idaho took the title with a time of 15:25.63. In the team standings, it was the Cavaliers of Concordia sweeping the CCC titles once again. The men won the title with 237 points, 56 points over second place Southern Oregon. On the women’s side, the Cavs put up 228 points to win by 63.5 points over College of Idaho.