Got your attention, didn’t I? Stay tuned because while we will be talking about sex, it’s probably not what you think.

Today is about staying pure. About sex in our lives being pure and sacred, just as God intended it to be.

Off we go…

First, check out this excellent article on Randy Alcorn’s site:
Sexual Purity: What You Need to Know

It’s a long article, but it’s an excellent read, chock full of scripture to back up his points. It’s well worth your time.

Can we be honest for a second? As Christians, we don’t really address sexual purity all that much. Sure, we hear that we need to stay pure and not have sex before marriage. This is solid and important advice. But it’s pretty vague, right?

To me, this subject can (and SHOULD) be discussed much more. Since it isn’t, it can lead individuals to taking a relaxed stance towards purity. “It will never happen to me,” they say. Before you know it, it HAS happened to you and you wonder what went wrong. I’ve been there. Things can go downhill fast if you’re not careful.

The Bible is clear that God wants us to be pure. This article really puts things in clear and understandable terms that go beyond a youth pastor simply telling his students, “be pure and don’t have sex before marriage.”

I’ll let the article do most of the talking. Please check it out. But there were a few points that I thought I’d touch on:

• First and foremost, it CAN happen to us if we let our guard down. I touched on this earlier. We must take precautions and prepare for being tempted to do unpure things. Satan is on the prowl and to sit back and say that you’re safe is, frankly, stupid. We must be obedient!

• Also, it is hard to think of it in the “moment of truth,” but long term consequences of not being pure can be terrible. This is why the prevention of harmful situations is so important. Don’t wait until you’re on the couch or bed to think it through. Don’t set yourself up for failure!

The article goes on to talk about dating relationships and how to make sure those are pure. I think this is the most practical, and it hits home for me. I’ve gotten into trouble physically with girlfriends in the past so I know the dangers of letting my guard down.

Two things that stuck out to me that I will be using in my next dating relationship:

• Pray before and after the date! I’m kind of ashamed to realize that I NEVER thought about this before. Alcorn points out that if you pray before and after, you are less likely to do something sinful if you know that the prayer is coming at the end of the night. Plus, praying before and after dates is a great way to ensure that God is a big part of the relationship!

• The alarm clock anaolgy… “If you set your alarm clock at night and tell yourself you’ll decide in the morning whether you need to get up when the alarm goes off, you may as well not set it. Either you are committed to getting up or you’re not. If it’s left to your feelings in the moment of truth, you’ll make the wrong decision. Again: in the moment of strength make choices that will serve you well in the moment of weakness.” Another “duh” concept. It’s all about prevention and preparation when you’re STRONG, not weak.

I’m glad I came across this article. It is practical and I feel that it can be helpful for anyone. As I said, many of these points and concepts will be applied to my next dating relationship.

I want to be sexually pure. Who’s with me?

And I know You’re with me
Yes I know You’re with me here
And I know Your love will light the way

——————————

It’s that time again, ladies and gentleman, boys and girls… Clarkson20′s periodic music recommendation!

For my birthday earlier this month, I received some iTunes gift cards, so not long after that I figured I’d buy some music. I remembered that Hillsong United had come out with a new album not too long ago and I figured I’d check it out.

Normally, listening to a song preview gives me a small taste, but nothing that makes me jump out of my seat. Or, if I’m not sure it’s the right song, the preview confirms it. Anyways, one song preview from the HU album was absolutely beautiful to listen to. It’s the title track called “Aftermath.” I couldn’t wait to hear the whole song.

It’s a beautiful song that is solemn and soft and builds to a very strong bridge near the end of the song. And, this deep-voiced blogger can sing along because the high notes are minimal (always a plus).

What an amazing song. Check out the lyrics below and find the song on iTunes or YouTube to listen to it. The Hillsong United guys and gals are so talented and write such heartfelt music to glorify our Lord. Their songs are so emotionally charged. Awesome. Check it out!

“Aftermath” — Hillsong United

The skies lay low where You are
On the earth You rest Your feet
Yet the hands that cradle the stars
Are the hands that bled for me

In a moment of glorious surrender
You were broken for all the world to see
Lifted out of the ashes
I am found in the aftermath

Freedom found in Your scars
In Your grace my life redeemed
For You chose to take the sinner’s crown
As You placed Your crown on me

In that moment of glorious surrender
Was the moment You broke the chains in me
Lifted out of the ashes
I am found in the aftermath

And in that moment You opened up the heavens
To the broken the beggar and the thief
Lifted out of the wreckage
I find hope in the aftermath

And I know that You’re with me
Yes I know that You’re with me here
And I know Your love will light the way

Now all I have I count it all as loss
But to know You and to carry the cross
Knowing I’m found
In the light of the aftermath

[These are stories that ran with the Statesman's spring preview package for Track and Field.]

Five track and field athletes to watch
March 29, 2011

Tim McDowell
SCHOOL: McNary
YEAR: Senior

McNary’s Tim McDowell is a competitor.

The senior multievent specialist always looks to improve, be it on the track or in the classroom.

“I love competing,” said McDowell, who noted that even taking tests in school provides an opportunity to feed his competitive fire.

That drive is why McDowell, last year’s Central Valley Conference district champion in the high jump, wants to shake off a sub-par outing at last year’s state meet.

He wasn’t pleased with his 400 meter prelims race on day one, and it affected his performance in the high jump a day later.

McDowell ran 52.16 in the 400 prelims, a full second slower than his season best. In the high jump, McDowell cleared 6-2, two inches below his 2010 best (he finished sixth). He cleared 6-5 as a sophomore at Sweet Home to place second in the 4A state meet.

“When it came to state, I feel like I didn’t perform as well as I should have,” McDowell said.

The high jump is McDowell’s favorite event. His coach recommended he try it in sixth grade and, seven years later, he still loves it.

First-year McNary head coach Jake Lucey admits that he has a natural athlete in McDowell. But it’s not as simple as McDowell just showing up on meet day.

“Tim’s a kid who really does work hard and tries to get better,” Lucey said.

McDowell also realizes that his success boosts him into a leadership position on the team, and that’s something he embraces.

“I’m hoping to lead by example for the team,” McDowell said.

The future is unclear, but McDowell knows he wants to compete collegiately in Oregon. He competed in eight different events during the course of last season and thinks he might compete in the decathlon at the next level.

In the meantime, McDowell wants to make a return to Hayward Field in May for the Class 6A state meet. He wants to be prepared this time around so last year’s results don’t happen again.

“This year it’s definitely going to be more preparation, getting more sound in everything I do,” McDowell said. “I’m hoping to go to state in everything that I can.”

— Lee Clarkson

Alyssa Neal
SCHOOL: North Salem
YEAR: Junior

North Salem’s Alyssa Neal got into the triple jump by a different route than you might expect.

It wasn’t because she saw it on TV or in person and wanted to try it. While competing as a sixth-grader at the midget level for Salem Track Club, Neal says some deception was involved.

“My old coach … she tricked me into doing it,” Neal said. “She was making me do the drills and stuff, and eventually I did the whole thing.”

The coach was former South Salem state champion and current Oregon jumper and hurdler Rebecca Rhodes.

Based on the results of her first two years of high school competition, Neal has learned the event pretty well.

As a freshman, Neal won the triple jump at the Central Valley Conference District meet and placed third at state. As a sophomore, Neal repeated in the CVC meet and took second at state.

The junior wants to move up one more step on the triple jump podium this year.

“I want to get first, yeah,” Neal said. “I want to get first in triple jump and then place in long jump and see how high (on the podium) I can get.”

North Salem jumps coach Troy Walker said he will support Neal’s pursuit of a state championship.

“We think we can get (Taisha Moore from Aloha, the two-time defending triple jump champion) this year,” Walker said. “If we can stay healthy, we have a shot.”

Neal appears ready to challenge Moore. At an indoor meet at University of Washington on Feb. 13, Neal jumped 37-101/2, a 10-inch personal best.

Neal, who also competes in the sprints for the Vikings, was elected as a jumps group team captain. Walker and head coach Don Berger attributed the honor to Neal’s maturity and ability to lead, in addition to her talent level.

“She is without question one of the most elite athletes I’ve ever worked with,” Berger said. “She’s certainly gotten stronger. She understands the sport a lot more. … She’s grown a lot.”

— Lee Clarkson

[Last night, I was sent to Clackamas to cover the Sprague girls in the Class 6A state playoffs. Here is the article.]

Powerful Clackamas proves too much for Sprague
By Lee Clarkson
Statesman Journal
March 3, 2011

CLACKAMAS — The Sprague Olympians knew what they were up against.

At 23-1, the Clackamas Cavaliers entered the game ranked No. 1 in the coaches’ poll and second in the OSAA RPI rankings. They also were on a 21-game winning streak.

Sprague finished third in the Central Valley Conference, was 13-12 overall and 34th in the RPI.

Behind 20 points from senior post Jen Reese, the Cavaliers cruised to their 22nd consecutive victory Wednesday, 68-30, against Sprague in round one of the OSAA Class 6A playoffs.

“The girls knew they were coming into the gym playing the No. 2 team in the state, arguably No. 1,” Sprague coach Allison Galvin said.

Clackamas hosts West Linn on Saturday, with the winner advancing to the state tournament next week at the Rose Garden in Portland.

Sprague senior Jami Roos, the CVC player of the year, led the Olympians with 18 points. Senior Hannah Mocaby added six points and 11 rebounds.

The Cavaliers (24-1) jumped out to a 13-point lead after one quarter, and final score was the largest lead for Clackamas.

The Olympians turned the ball over early, and also had trouble converting from the field. A driving layup by Roos halfway through the second quarter was Sprague’s first field goal. By then, the Cavaliers led 23-8.

Galvin attributed the poor start to nerves and the Clackamas defense.

“Their defense altered our shot selection,” Galvin said. “Our nerves created our turnovers.”

“I think we were just really impatient offensively,” Roos said. “We just didn’t really know how to work against their pressure.”

Rebounds also were a factor. Clackamas out rebounded Sprague 41-23.

Reese, at 6-foot-3, provided matchup problems and finished with 12 rebounds.

Despite the loss, Sprague closed the season strong.

A four-game losing streak in January put the Olympians at 5-10. But Sprague finished on an 8-3 run.

“We started to figure out things off the court,” Roos said. “We just jelled. … Everything just came together.”

“I truly believe we were the best team (in the) second half of our league (season),” Galvin said. “It takes a while (for players) to figure out their individual role, and once we figured that out is when we found our success.”

The beauty of playing rec hockey is that the off seasons are really short. The seasons all run pretty much right after the previous one with short breaks in between. How long your break lasts is pretty much dictated by your performance in the playoffs. Make it to the championship game and you have less down time.

NHL guys? They have to wait months before a new season starts. Oh, their seasons are much longer, you say? Eh, OK… you got me. Well played.

Anyways, a new season is upon us and it begins Sunday.

Shameless plug time — Just below the banner picture is three tabs. The one labeled “Roc Stars” is a link to the results page I’ve been compiling. Everything you ever wanted to know about my team and my own personal scoring record can be found there. Don’t care? Don’t click.

Moving right along.

So you may be asking, how’d we do last season? I’m glad you asked. Let me tell you.

We ended up in third place. It was an up and down year, with both winning and losing streaks. But, we were playing out best at the end of the season, which is what you hope for. We won four of our last five in the regular season. Good momentum going into the playoffs.

We won out first round playoff game. I scored a goal in that game and we advanced to the semifinals. In the semis, we played Crush, which we played pretty even through the regular season. We knew it would be a tough game. After falling behind 3-0, we clawed back to tie it at 3-3 in the third period. We were feeling pretty good and had several chances to take the lead but couldn’t convert. Unfortunately, we had a defensive breakdown with about a minute to go and they scored to take a 4-3 lead. We pulled our goalie and they scored again, and we lost 5-3. Pretty disappointing.

Turns out, Crush won the championship the next weekend. Not sure if that makes it better (i.e., “hey, we lost to the champs”) or worse (“dang, that could have been us winning it”). It was a good year, and proved that you’re that close to being on the winning or losing side. Can’t take a shift off… gotta go hard every time out.

Personally, I had my best season since I started playing. I led the team in scoring and was fourth in the entire league in goals (13) and points (18). I scored four goals in one game and had five points total that night, adding an assist. I scored eight goals in our last three regular season games. Pretty crazy. I feel like I’m improving, too… not just with the scoring, but positionally and in our defensive end, too. I’m getting smarter about the game and I feel like it’s transitioning to the ice.

Anyways, no time to dwell on the past… a new season’s almost here! Let’s play some hockey!

It’s been a while. Whoops. Guess I’ve kinda been going through a writing drought. Never really felt there was much to share. Anyways, back on the horse!

So I’m kinda frustrated with my job situation. And it strikes me as really ironic because a) it’s a good job that I enjoy for the most part and b) I HAVE A JOB… I should be happy, right?

Here’s the cliff notes version of the situation:

My job at the newspaper is an evening job, which makes having a social life difficult. Between hockey games of my own, bible study on Tuesday nights and other things I’d like to do with friends and whatnot, there can be a lot going on. I have to be a bit creative to be involved in my hockey team, drumming at church and other things. I have to keep track of it all on my calendar so I can get the nights off that I need and it gets pretty crazy sometimes.

I missed a couple games last hockey session because I couldn’t get the night off. Frustrating. I likely won’t be able to play softball this summer because I won’t be able to get the nights off. Not as frustrating… more disappointing.

To his credit, my boss is very good about accommodating day off requests. My concern, though, is that my schedule gets pretty crazy in the next couple months and I wonder how it’s all going to shake out. Case in point, another sports assistant will need Mar. 5 off because she has kid’s games to go to that day. Well, I need that day off as well because I have a Corban track meet that day, plus a hockey game that night. I fear it won’t happen. Missing the hockey game isn’t a tragedy (though it would suck), but missing the meet is pretty important, seeing as that’s my other paid job.

I know I’m worrying, which isn’t healthy. But, I see a potential problem and it makes me anxious. Also, I found out that one of the other sports assistants may be quitting soon, which would leave us more short-staffed than we already are. I’ll put it this way: we still haven’t hired a replacement for the last sports assistant that quit. Yikes. What I heard when she told that she’d be giving her notice was “hello more nights of work.” And I don’t mean that in a good way.

Don’t get me wrong… I’m grateful for the job. And it’s a good job. I like what I do. But this is what sucked about it the last time around… I had to sacrifice other areas of my life because of it.

Now, missing hockey games isn’t so bad. Yeah, I’m losing money by not playing, but I’m earning money by working. So it washes out. Same thing with softball. But I’m missing out on something I enjoy, which kinda sucks.

My job has also gotten in the way of making choir and band practices during the week for my church drumming. I’ve discussed it with our music director and we’ve made it work. But it’s frustrating. It interferes with something I’ve committed to, and it’s something that I enjoy. I feel like my job doesn’t allow me to be completely available to honor the commitment I’ve made to drum.

Jobs are important. I have to earn a paycheck. I know that. But I’ve become increasingly frustrated with my newspaper job in recent weeks. And it’s not like I’m really in a position to quit since one of the other sports assistants will be giving her notice here soon. Plus, I wouldn’t quit unless I had another job as a backup… which at this point, I don’t.

All of this complaining brings me to this thought: everything happens for a reason.

We are taught as Christians that every day, every situation, every circumstance isn’t a fluke or a waste of time. Each stage of life leads into another and it all makes sense in God’s plan. Lots of times, we don’t see the point of what’s going on but that’s because we don’t have God’s divine perspective.

But that’s where I’m at right now… Why am I in a job that frustrates me like this? One that takes me away from complete involvement in a church ministry (drumming) and interferes with things I enjoy (hanging out with friends, occasional missed hockey games, no softball, etc.)?

I know that this is a teaching tool for me. I’m just not quite sure what to make of it. Is this something I should fight and persevere through, or should I be looking for a different job that doesn’t dictate my life so much?

To paraphrase Isaiah 55:9, God’s ways are higher and His thoughts are wiser. I’m here for a reason. This situation is all part of a master plan that God has set out for me. I have to trust that God is in control (which He is) and that it will work out for my good.

My prayer is that I don’t get so bogged down in the frustration of the situation that I miss something that God is trying to teach me. We’ll see how it all plays out.

It’s that time of year… the old year is almost over and the new year is fast approaching. TV stations, newspapers and magazines look back at the year that was, so I thought I’d do the same. I’m not going to lie, I had forgotten about some of the stuff that went on during the year. See? This isn’t just a gimmick… it was helpful!

Here we go!

January
Jan. 11 will be a night that I’ll remember for a long time. I went to the Switchfoot show in Portland with a couple friends. I came home later that night with some drum sticks and the incredible memory of playing drums with my favorite band! (And I’ve got the video evidence as well!)

See this post for the whole story.

I also began coaching track and field at Corban College. It was a job that truly fell into my lap as an old assistant coach from high school called me up to see if I was interested. Uh, yeah. It was a fun year… more on that later.

February
Biggest news of the month was getting a temp job… and again, this came out of the blue. Got a call from an old co-worker about a temp job. Within a few days, I started a job that lasted for about four months. God certainly provided for me. (Read about the whole story here, which also provides a spoiler for March and April as well…)

March
I scored my first hat trick, turned 25 and coached my first meets of the year for Corban. I also drummed in my church’s Easter program at the end of the month. Not a bad month.

April
A pretty slow month. Scored another hat trick. One of my athletes qualified for the national meet, ensuring that we would be traveling to Indiana in May. Also, we started our meetings for the mission trip I went on to Oaxaca, Mexico.

May
The main thing was the trip to Nationals in Marion, Indiana, at the end of the month. We sent a sizeable group to the meet, which was great for the program. Corban’s track program is slowly growing, so to send a dozen athletes and coaches is great for the development of the program. (Read about the meet here and here)

Personally, it was cool to go to Nationals in my first year of coaching. It is certainly an accomplishment, but I don’t expect it to happen every year, so I made sure to enjoy the experience. And come on, a free trip is always fun… whether for business or not.

June
Another slow month. Ramped up the Oaxaca preparation and began playing on a new hockey team for the summer session.

July
Two words: mission trip.

Had an amazing week in Oaxaca, pouring concrete floors for local families and distributing food boxes. Saw a lot of people accept Christ while we were there. Just an incredible time. Made new friends and deepened existing ones with those who went on the trip.

Link city: The official Oaxaca blog that I maintained during the trip here; Reflections on the trip from this blog here and here.

August
Slow month. When I returned from the Oaxaca trip, I was on a blogging kick… so I increased the amount of posts on my personal blog. I wanted to turn it into a journal of sorts. Something I can look back on and track my progress in life and spiritually.

I played more hockey and rode out the remainder of the summer.

September
An eventful month. Gave up on receiving unemployment benefits, started working on a freelance basis at the local newspaper and was involved in a little slice of Hollywood.

The job story is a long one, so let me refer you to blog posts where I explained the whole deal. Basically, it was a foot in the door situation with potential to get hired permanently… plus it was a paid job. Win win. See these links:

• E-mail out of the blue
• Starting work on a freelance basis

ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition came to Salem and did a project at the Oregon School for the Deaf. I volunteered with a friend one night and went on “reveal day” at the end of the week. See my recaps here and here.

October
Biggest news of the month was getting hired on permanently at the Statesman Journal as a sports assistant. I also covered my first sports event and made my debut at a journalist.

I should explain something. As you can see from the date on this blog post, I got the job offer in September. However, because of errors outside of my control, I had to take three drug tests in order to pass and become officially employed.

I was assigned to cover a cross country meet in the middle of the month. It was an exciting opportunity. This post explains my initial reaction to covering the meet (and explains the drug test debacle).

More links:

• I described the experience of covering my first event
• The article from the meet I covered
• I covered another cross country meet the next week

November
I continued to get more and more writing assignments for the paper. I wrote an article on a local marathoner, covered a state playoff volleyball match, and wrote feature stories for the boy and girl cross country athletes of the year.

And it snowed! In Salem! In November!

December
Wrote another athlete of the year story (this time for volleyball) and wrote feature stories on a weight lifter and a local club swimmer. I also wrote preview stories for the winter sports season — for wrestling and swimming.

On the hockey front, I scored four goals in our last game of the calendar year. Not a bad way to end the year, eh?

———————

Well, it’s been a good year. It was fun to go through my blog and my calendar to dig up the events and happenings of 2010. It’s not officially over, but 2011 is just around the corner.

I’m just curious how many times I’m going to have to scratch out 2010 and replace it with 2011 after Jan. 1. We shall see.

Happy New Year!

[These are stories that ran with the Statesman's winter preview package for swimming. I interviewed Carol Jo and Rachael on Dec. 17]

Swimming preview: Five athletes to watch
December 28, 2010

Carol Jo Herz
School: North Salem
Year: Junior

With experience in both high school and club swimming, Carol Jo Herz is putting it to good use — both in the pool and at North Salem High.

The Vikings junior, who is the defending Central Valley Conference district champion in the 50-yard freestyle, intends to be a swimming ambassador of sorts at the school.

“I want to just draw people into swimming, and I want to be an advertisement for swimming,” Herz said. “My goal isn’t necessarily winning and swimming really fast. It’s more to just (publicize) swimming and show people how fun swimming is and to draw people into the sport from my high school.”

Herz has competed in elite-level meets for the Bearcat Swim Club and swam in last year’s OSAA Class 6A state meet in the 50 free.

She doesn’t want her success to get in the way of helping her teammates succeed.

“I wouldn’t say that I’m put above anyone else, which is really good because I don’t want to be on a podium looking down at my team,” Herz said. “I’d rather us all be working together as a team. Whenever people ask me for help, and sometimes people do, I’m more than happy to help them and show them stuff.”

Last season, Herz won the CVC district title in the 50 free in 25.82 seconds. At state, she swam 26.08 in the prelims and did not advance to the finals.

Herz missed the beginning of this season with an illness. She began practicing just before Christmas and hopes to debut in competition at the end of January.

“It’s been hard since I’ve been sick and out of swimming for a month,” Herz said. “Right now I’m just focusing on getting back into practice, but I think by the time district and state rolls around, I’ll be ready for it.”

Once Herz returns, her goals will continue to be team-centered.

“(I want) more people join the team than last year,” Herz said. “Going to state is just a cherry on top.”

— Lee Clarkson

Rachael Nelson
School: Sprague
Year: Senior

Rachael Nelson has tasted state-level competition before, swimming on Sprague High relay teams in the past three OSAA Class 6A state meets.

Come February, the Olympians senior wants to make a return trip to the Mt. Hood Community College Aquatic Center — hopefully in individual events, too.

“It’s such an important meet to go to,” Nelson said of the state meet. “I really want to go, so it makes you more motivated.

“You know everyone’s going to be swimming their very best and the best people in the state are going to be there, so it just makes you want to prepare better for it.”

Last year at the Central Valley Conference district meet, Nelson was second in the 50-yard freestyle and also placed in the 100 free, 200 medley relay and 200 free relay. Both relay teams advanced to state.

Short freestyle sprints are where Nelson has found the most success, and she admits they are her best events.

However, Nelson said she enjoys a longer race — the 200 free — because it allows her to battle with competitors, unlike the 50 free, which is an all-out sprint with little time to adjust strategy.

Nelson, who swims year-round with the Bearcat Swim Club, has set goals to put herself in a position to perform well at state.

“I would really like to get in the 25-second range for the 50 free,” she said. “It’s something I haven’t done before, but it would kind of help me get to the state level.

“I would also like to get first in the 50 free and the 100 free (at districts), too. Just place as high as I can and improve my times.”

The bottom line for Nelson is simple: This is her senior season, and she doesn’t want to waste her final opportunity.

“I really want this to be my best year because it is the last chance,” Nelson said. “I’m really just going to try to train my hardest for it and be as prepared as possible.”

— Lee Clarkson

[This is a story that ran with the Statesman's winter preview package for wrestling. I interviewed Zach on Dec. 16]

Wrestling preview: Five athletes to watch
December 27, 2010

Zach Zehner
School: Sprague

Zach Zehner has grown since last year, and so have his wrestling aspirations.

Last season at 103 pounds, the Sprague High School freshman placed second at districts. He went on to win two of four matches at the state tournament.

This year, Zehner is a sophomore and has moved up to 119. His sights rose as well.

“My goal is to win state this year,” Zehner said. “I think that’s achievable for me.”

Sprague’s schedule includes large meets such as the Sierra Nevada tournament in Reno, Nev., and the Reser’s Tournament of Champions. Those meets, coupled with state, have helped Zehner grow accustomed to wrestling on a bigger stage.

“I’m more used to competing in big tournaments (now),” Zehner said. “Last year, during Reno and the Reser’s tournament, I guess you’d say I was nervous because I’d never competed like that before.”

Zehner realizes that his change to a higher weight class also requires a change in strategy.

“Last year at 103, I was one of the bigger kids,” Zehner said. “This year I’m going to have to deal with kids with more strength. I have to kind of prepare for being not the strongest kid and use more technique.”

At 5 feet, 11 inches, Zehner admits he is tall for his weight class. He said he tries to rely on moves that are more successful for taller wrestlers like himself, primarily ones that involve staying on his feet.

So far, Zehner has adjusted successfully to the new weight class. Before suffering an injury, Zehner compiled a 5-0 record this season. He should be back on the mat soon.

Although the injury is a minor setback, Zehner said it doesn’t change his goal.

“So far with my matches, I’ve done well and been OK with the weight,” Zehner said. “I feel like once I get back I’ll be ready, so it should be a good year.”

— Lee Clarkson

[This is a feature story that ran with the Statesman's weekly communities package that runs on Mondays. I interviewed Tori on Dec. 14]

Bearcat Swim Club’s Simenec adds to her list of feats
By Lee Clarkson
Statesman Journal
December 20, 2010

It’s been an eventful autumn for swimmer Tori Simenec.

The Sprague High School senior, who competes for the Bearcat Swim
Club, signed a national letter of intent last month to swim at the
University of Minnesota.

She also was named Oregon Swimmer of the Year, chosen by peers
and coaches, on Nov. 21.

On Dec. 3, she added a national title to her recent accomplishments. Competing in the AT&T Short Course National Championships in Columbus, Ohio, Simenec won the 18-and-under division 100-yard butterfly.

Simenec turned in a successful meet at the Ohio State University Aquatic Center. She tallied personal bests in the 100 fly (53.43) and 100 freestyle (49.97) and tied her best in the 200 free (1:46.91). She also competed in the 500 free but did not qualify for the finals.

The championship came on a busy day for Simenec, who swam in preliminary and finals heats in the 100 fly and 200 free, her two best events.

Simenec tied or set new personal bests in each event that day.

“Both (races) went really well,” Simenec said. “I got a best time in prelims in the (100) fly and tied my best time exactly for the 200 free and made the championship heat finals for both of those races, which was really exciting.”

Because of the meet’s schedule, Simenec had short recovery times between races. She had about 30 minutes between both prelim races and about half that amount of time between the finals races.

Simenec was uneasy about the short turnaround time between races but said it ended up benefiting her.

“I was a little apprehensive going into it because I knew I was only going to have like 18 minutes between races,” Simenec said.

“It was a tight one, but it worked out great. The 100 fly just warmed me up for the 200 free, and both went well.”

Simenec’s national championship propelled the Bearcat Swim Club to an 18th-place team finish.

Bearcat Swim Club coach Craig Charlson was pleased with how Simenec rose to the challenge of high-caliber competition.

“Tori was outstanding,” Charlson said. “(It was) the biggest and fastest meet in the country with the best swimmers, and she was just outstanding.”

Aside from the obvious accomplishment of winning a national title, Simenec said she used the meet as an opportunity to take mental notes while watching college and Olympic-caliber athletes compete.

“I just love going to those big meets,” Simenec said. “It gives me the opportunity to learn about swimming, especially being with college teams, looking forward to that next year, seeing how college swimming works.

“There were a lot of Olympians there, so I’m able to take things from their strokes and see how they race and how they warm up and react to things.

“It heightens my knowledge of swimming, to know how those great swimmers do it, so that someday I can reach their level as well.”

Simenec still is focused on the remainder of her season with the Bearcat Swim Club, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing for her to look ahead to next year, Charlson said.

“As her coach, (my job is to) get her focused for college,” he said. “To get her ready for the next level I think is probably the most important thing for her as an athlete, so she’s prepared and looking ahead.”

Charlson said he thinks that Simenec will adjust fine to the step up to collegiate swimming.

“She’s so darn talented,” Charlson said. “She is going to be a force to be reckoned with as she goes forward.”

lclarkson@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6700