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Three seniors. Three different schools. Three different seasons. One common goal for the future: continue playing.
Renton High’s Justin Gunn, Lindbergh’s Patrick Claussen and Hazen’s Nathan Bunch all knew coming into the 2008 season that their teams would look to them for leadership. The three seniors had different levels of success this season, but all are moving on to play at the next level.
A group of local friends that found a way to use softball to stay together and active for decades has found an unexpected side effect: winning, lots and lots of winning.
The team, sponsored by Doofers Sports Bar and Grill, has been one of the best teams in the area for quite some time.
In fact, the team has won at least one tournament every year since 1979. Pretty impressive for a group of friends simply looking for a way to hang out and stay active.
It was a great year for sports in Renton. Athletes from Hazen, Lindbergh and Renton High reminded us all why we’re fans of prep sports. From swim and gymnastics, to football and basketball, there were many notable performances in the 2007-2008 prep sports season.
Whether it’s taking the team on spaghetti feeds the nights before meets or cooking up pancakes on three giant griddles after Saturday morning practices, Lindbergh’s Jeff Rettmann is doing something right.
On the strength of taking a team to the cross-country state tournament and guiding the boys track team through an undefeated dual meet season, Rettmann is the Renton Reporter’s Coach of the Year for the 2007-2008 school year.
When you’re a key part of three teams like Lindbergh’s Kenisha Macklin, there isn’t much of an offseason. Because of her role on Lindbergh’s soccer, basketball and track teams, Macklin is the Renton Reporter’s pick as the Prep Female Athlete of the Year.
It takes a lot to impress Renton High junior Armin Basic. Despite making it to the state tournament in three sports this school year and being named the Renton Reporter’s Prep Male Athlete of the Year, he expects more.
“I have to go back to the gym and get better,” Basic said. “I had higher expectations for this year.”
Hazen’s Andrey Levkiv placed first in the shot put at 13 regular season meets this year, but it’s the one meet he placed second at that he’ll remember all off season.
Step by step, meter by meter, Kanisha Calcote gets a little closer to peace of mind.
The Liberty softball team started the 3A state tournament with a bang, beating Enumclaw 15-5, but couldn’t keep the offense going. All three of Liberty’s state tournament games were on May 23 at the SERA Fields in Tacoma.
Five Hazen tennis players made it to the 3A state tennis tournament on May 23-24.
Months of hard work came to fruition in Pasco May 23-24 as track athletes competed in the 3A state meet.
A lot has happened since 1996. One thing that hasn’t is the Liberty softball team missing the state playoffs.
Grueling, painful, a test of will, maybe even boring at times. There are a lot of ways to describe long-distance running. Lindbergh’s Matt Miland chooses an unexpected one: calming.
Teams selected by coaches and players around the league
The 3A state tennis boys singles and doubles tournaments are at Kamiakin High School on May 23-24.
