(By Geno Ludwig/Chewelah Independent)

Carl Oman makes a tag on a Colville runner during Legion baseball action last week. Chewelah won this game 16-5. (Photo by Brandon Hansen)

Chewelah rolls into summer Legion season…

Chewelah’s double-A American Legion Baseball team opened it’s summer season with a big win over Gonzaga Prep, roughing-up the Bullpups 19-8 in Spokane with a 15-hit performance at the plate.
“The team has been playing alright, defensively we have been having our struggles, however our offense has been keep us in and winning games for us,” Chewelah Legion coach Sawyer Bardwell said. “We will find our groove as we move through the season and guys get used to playing together.”
Zarren Nelson batted 3-for-4 for the Cougars with two singles, a double, two runs scored, and five runs batted in. More

(By Geno Ludwig/Chewelah Independent – Photos by Cari Ross-Koler)

Kennedy Robison slides into home plate during the State 1A Softball Tournament in Richland. (Photo by Cari Ross-Koler)

Chewelah topples top-ranked Cle Elum, wins three games in Richland…

Chewelah’s Lady Cougars along with Northeast A League sister teams Lakeside and Colville joined together last weekend to provide undisputed proof that softball rankings and win-loss records are useless in predicting state tournament outcomes.

The Lady Cougars crushed top-ranked, undefeated, and highly favored Cle Elum 8-1 in the opening game of the State Class 1A Softball Tournament in Richland on Friday morning. The Warriors came into the tournament unscathed with a 24-0 record, but they were no match for Chewelah in any aspect of the game.

After losing to the Cougars, Cle Elum beat Kiona-Benton 7-4, but was eliminated 15-4 by Bellevue Christian on Friday evening in a loser-out game, never making it to the second day of the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Lady Cougars outscored Warden 9-6 and hammered Zillah 12-2 before being beaten by Hoquiam 5-0 in the consolation semifinal game. They finished the tournament with three wins and two losses, placing sixth out of the 16 teams in the tournament.

“The five games in two days was pretty quick paced but they have played in a lot of summer tournaments where they play 4-7 games in two days,” Cougar Coach Tom Skok said. “The heat was the most difficult thing for them to deal with but I thought for the most part they did pretty well.”

Like Chewelah, Lakeside and Colville advanced to play in Saturday’s games. Lakeside made it into the battle for third and fourth places in the tournament. The Lady Eagles slid past Lynden Christian 1-0, shut out South Whidbey 4-0, defeated Bellevue Christian 8-4, outscored Colville 6-2, but lost to state champion Montesano 15-3 and to third place Hoquiam 6-2.

They won four games while losing two and brought home the fourth place team trophy.

Colville made it into the tournament semifinals with a 10-1 win over Kiona-Benton and a 12-2 win over Chewelah.

The Lady Indians next lost to second place LaCenter 8-1 and then to Lakeside by a 6-2 score in the consolation semifinals. The Lady Indians won two of their four state tournament games and placed fifth.

Thus, three of the top six teams in this year’s state softball tournament—Chewelah, Lakeside, and Colville— were from the Northeast A League. The three combined to win nine games.

“Almost every game this year we got better and we will continue to do so this off season,” Skok said.” It is likely that only two teams from our league will go to state next year and I would love for us to be one of those two teams.” More

(By Chewelah Golf Pro Jason Pitt)

As summer approaches it brings warmer temperatures and the occasional threat of lightning. Lightning safety is one the biggest concerns for golf course operators.  We want everyone to be safe as the threat of lightning in the area increases. The policy at CG&CC is to blow the air horn to warn golfers when lightning strikes twice within 3 miles of the course.  However, each golfer has the right to discontinue play anytime they feel threatened by lightning, even if the air horn has not sounded.

The USGA recommends that golfers seek permanent shelter as soon as possible if they feel threatened.  Permanent shelter would be considered the clubhouse, snack shack, etc. Areas to avoid when lightning is present are trees, low lying open areas and temporary shelters.  (i.e. tents)  Please use good judgement when it comes to lightning safety and always remember you have the right to discontinue play anytime you feel threatened.

CG&CC Update
Thank you for attending the Mother’s Day Brunch at the Rusty Putter. We had over 250 in attendance and look forward to next year.

This year we are holding a Father’s Day BBQ on June 18 from 4-7 p.m. and look forward to meeting many of you.

Our annual Junior Golf Camp is coming up in June and we are looking forward to working with the returning junior golfers and those that are new to the sport of golf.

Tim Rowe informs us that the course is in one of the best shapes it has been in years. This is coming from a Grounds Supervisor that in the past consistently has the golf course noted as one of the best in Washington.

(By Geno Ludwig/Chewelah Independent)

Kirry wins as a freshman, Cobb, Miller and Krouse take home medals…

Lily Kirry wasted no time bringing home the gold. The Chewelah Cougar rookie freshman sprinter earned the title of state champion on Saturday afternoon when she won the 300-meter hurdle finals at Eastern Washington University.

“It hasn’t hit me yet, I would imagine once I go to school for a full day and we don’t have track practice afterwards it will finally hit me,” Kirry said. “I’m so excited to do this and as a freshman. It’s great too that we have a new track coming in and we get to compete on that.”

Kirry was one of four Cougars who came back from the Washington State 1A Track and Field Championships with state hardware. Seniors Conner Krouse, Kyrstan Miller, and Maggie Cobb also earned state medals. More