Central Oregonian

CCHS athletics look to have banner year

Funding situation is improved and teams have plenty of talent

Lon Austin

Things look bright for Crook County High School athletics as teams open the 2011-2012 athletic season.

Although teams still need to fundraise, the funding situation at CCHS is the best it’s been in several years. Hopefully with some of the fundraising pressure taken off of coaches, they will be able to spend more time on their primary job — coaching.

Not only has the funding situation improved, but things look bright on the athletic field as well.

The Cowgirls volleyball team is seeking its sixth consecutive state volleyball championship. Although the team is young, six starters return from last year’s championship team. In addition, the team is bigger and more athletic than a year ago.

The Cowgirl cross country team qualified for the state championships a year ago — for the first time in 22 years — and head coach Tracy Smith expects the team to challenge for a state berth again this year. The team has the most runners that they have had for several years and is looking strong in practice. The boys team is also showing some depth and Smith is expecting them to challenge for a state berth as well.

The Cowboy football team was expected to have a down year after graduating 20 seniors a year ago. However, the current coaching staff has done a great job of recruiting athletes and the team has put in a new, wide-open offense that should add excitement.

Both the Cowboy and Cowgirl soccer teams should be improved as well. The Cowboys return most of last year’s team and now know what to expect from second year coach Joel Carrillo. The Cowgirls soccer team is still young, but has the most players the team has had in years. The new players include several players who have switched from other sports, and the team looks faster and more athletic than in past years.

The fall season opened last night when the cross country team ran in the Wilsonville Twilight meet, and continues today when volleyball and football both open their season.

It looks like it could be a banner year for Crook County athletics. Go Cowboys and Cowgirls.