Sports Shorts
Published 10:53 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008
Valley resident poised for greatness on world cycling stage
By Rhett Workman
Contributing Writer
There is increased interest in the sport of cycling today thanks to the exploits of American Lance Armstrong. Armstrong recently won his seventh straight Tour de France, the sport’s showcase event. However, with Armstrong’s retirement, there is a hole to be filled in the sport here in the United States, and a Snoqualmie Valley resident hopes to be the one to fill it.
Tom Peterson, an 18-year-old from North Bend, is racing this year for the Broadmark Capital cycling team based in Seattle. The 2004 Junior National cycling Champion, Peterson has had a great season thus far. Broadmark is the top-ranked amateur cycling team in the United States.
According to a news release from Broadmark, Peterson earned two third-place finishes in June at the Mount Hood Cycling Classic, a pro/am event in Oregon that draws many top national cyclists. Last month he fared well at a race in Bend, Oregon.
Peterson was introduced to the sport a few years ago by watching bike races with his father and in that short period of time, he has grown into one of the Northwest’s top young cyclists.
His team expects him to eventually turn pro, and when that occurs, he will be competing against the likes of fellow American George Hincapie, and many from Europe who made major runs at Armstrong during the Tour.
Softball players finish season strong
The Washington Hurricanes U18 girls fastpitch softball team had a remarkable run at the ASA Nationals last week in Columbus, Ga. After losing their first game to a team from Norfolk, Va., last Tuesday, the Hurricanes rolled off eight straight wins in the loser’s bracket before falling Saturday to a team from North Carolina, and ended tied for 13th place overall out of 138 teams entered. In the course of their winning streak, the Hurricanes beat teams from Alaska, Ohio, Texas, Tennessee, Hawaii, Idaho and two from California. During their run, they also played twice at the Olympic softball stadium that was used for the 1996 summer games.
Former Mount Si shortstop Amy Trenkamp and senior Kandis Clesson competed for the Hurricanes at this event.
The Hurricanes, with their 13th place, tied the Oregon Reigns for highest-placing team from the Northwest. Three other teams, from Clark County, Spokane and Lake Stevens also represented Washington at this competition.
With Trenkamp and others graduating from the team to pursue college careers, there are spots to fill, and the Hurricanes are holding tryouts Aug. 21 from noon to 3 p.m. at Marymoor Park in Redmond. Those interested can call Gary Clesson at (425) 941-5347 or visit the team’s Web site at http://eteamz.active.com/Canes. All the information on tryouts is on the home page.
Father/son cycling team takes first
The father and son team of Joel and Jarred Burklund recently took first place in the Indie Race Series mountain bike event. This is a series comprised of seven races sponsored by Cliff bar at venues around the Puget Sound region. Joel races for the Starbucks double shot team and won first place in the men’s age 40-49 sports division. Jarred, 10, took first place in the 11-14 age group. He is a member of the Oh Boy Oberto Junior team. The Burklunds live in North Bend with Jarred attending North Bend Elementary.
MSHS sports clearances and practices
Following are the dates and times for the athletic eligibility clearance and first practices at Mount Si High School (MSHS). Eligibility clearance will be held in the high-school commons.
Aug. 17 – football (all levels), 8 a.m.
Aug. 22 – volleyball, 7 a.m.; soccer, tennis, golf, cross country, 8 a.m.
Athletes should have updated physical information and an emergency form filled out to be cleared for practices. The $35 ASB (Associated Student Body) card fee and $75 participation fee should be paid during Wildcat Days in September.
First Practices and Sites:
Aug. 17 – football, 9 a.m., MSHS.
Aug. 22 – volleyball, 1 p.m., Snoqualmie Middle School (SMS); soccer, 9 a.m., SMS; boys golf, 3 p.m., Mount Si Golf Course; cross country, 5 p.m., MSHS; boys tennis, 3 p.m., MSHS.
Athletes and parents should plan on parking on Meadowbrook Way and entering through the back of the school (off Meadowbrook Way) because the parking lot will be closed due to on-going construction. Car pooling is strongly recommended.
Local rower on winning team
Jan Gifford of North Bend was on the winning rowing team at the recently held Green Lake regatta in the women’s masters division. Along with teammates Tawney Roller, Sandra McGinnis and Hanna Yse the team finished in a time of 4:09.5. Gifford rows for the Sammamish Rowing Association.
