Saturday, April 30, 2011

Moore's 29 Leads OSU in Second Round

Junior Alex Moore fired a back-nine 29 in the second round of the 2011 Pac-10 Championship to lead the Oregon State Beavers out of eighth place and into a tie for sixth.

Moore birdied holes 11 and 13-15 before recording an eagle on the par-5 16th en-route to the 29 on the back-nine and 65 for the round.

Sophomore Nick Sherwood shot a back-nine 31 that led to him carding a 1-under 69 in the second round. Juniors Jonnie Motomochi and Casey King came into the clubhouse with a 72 and 73 respectively, while sophomores Dave Fink and Jeff Petroff both shot 77.

Moore's 29 vaulted him into a tie for first-place after the second round with Martin Trainer of Southern California.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Oregon State Golf Tee's Off at Pac-10 Championships

The Oregon State men's golf team has completed the first round of the 2011 Pac-10 Championship in Stanford, California.

OSU is in eighth-place after firing a team total of 367, and sit 16 strokes behind first-place Oregon.

Junior Alex Moore led the Beavers in the opening round by firing a 1-over 71, followed by fellow junior Casey King and sophomore Dave Fink both shooting 3-over 73's. Junior Jonnie Motomochi and sophomore Nick Sherwood shot 75, and sophomore Jeff Petroff rounded out the OSU scoring by carding a 77.

After the first 18 holes of the championship there is a five-way tie for the individual lead that includes Matt Trainer from USC, Trent Sanders of Washington State, Jack Paton of Oregon, and Alex Kim and Gregor Main of UCLA.

The second round of the Pac-10 championship continues this afternoon.

Alex Moore fired a 71 in the opening round of the 2011 Pac-10
Championship
Courtesy of Ethan Erickson, Oregonlive.com

Moodle Miltary Man

Paul Tannahill's journey to Linn-Benton Community College was not your typical route, but that is what makes him such an interesting story. Tannahill is the LBCC Learning Systems Administrator, or as he likes to be called, "Media Technician Four."

Tannahill's path to the small community college in Albany, Oregon begins when he finished his high school education and chose to enter the military. He had some trouble at first deciding which branch of the military to go in to, but ended up choosing the Marines. As Paul puts it, "I always tend to do things the hard way."

At 19, Paul was a Military Police Officer in charge of many people who had been in the military longer than he had been alive.

Following his four years of service, Tannahill moved to Pennsylvania in 1989 where he took a job working as a fire arms training instructor. This was the time in his life when he began to develop a passion for training services.

After several years of work at the prison he moved to Oregon and began to work for a graphic design company in Corvallis. Paul had to have Tympanoplasty surgery in 1999 after blowing out his eardrum. The surgery required that a piece of his tongue be removed and used to fix his ear. After the surgery Paul realized that his speech was affected, making it very difficult to do his job.

Tannahill said of the injury the resulted in surgery, "It happened at a company, and that's a long story."

Paul got a new job as a land surveyor but quickly realized that he missed being in training services, but his speech wasn't good enough to return. He kept thinking to himself, "There has got to be a way I can get back into training that doesn't require so much speech."

For Paul ELearning was the answer to his problem. He had always like computers, so when a job, designing blackboard courses and training professors how to use them, opened up at Oregon State University he jumped at it.

After some time at OSU Tannahill took a job at Linn-Benton. At Linn-Benton Paul works entirely with Moodle, and was the man behind the creation of Webrunner. He says that soon he will be rolling out a new help desk that allows easier access for people to do things like reset their passwords.

Tannahill credits his success to a credo he learned in the Marines, "Improvise, adapt, and overcome." He has done so much for LBCC since he started here a little over three years and seems to love it.

"This is by far the best place I've ever worked and the second best job I've ever had." says Tannahill, "If I could afford to do this job for free I would because I love it that much."

News and Feature Photo: "High School Golf"

There was recently a high school golf tournament at Tokatee Golf Club in Blue River, Oregon. Several teams from all over Oregon were present, including Bandon High School, Glide High School, and Oakridge High School. Bandon won the event, followed closely by McKenzie. In the individual race Ben Lindsey from Bandon won by shooting a 79, there was then a five-way tie for second place at 83.

This overview photo shows a group of high schoolers teeing
off on the beautiful par-3 17th hole. 4/22/2011

McKenzie senior Kevin Schrack watches his par putt
intently on the 15th hole 4/22/2011

Schrack lets loose a rye smile after draining
the putt 4/22/2011

Glide's Braden Smith was one of five players
to tie for second place at the tournament
4/22/2011

Trey Harbick, a former McKenzie golfer himself, now
works in the Tokatee Pro Shop 4/22/2011



Tuesday, April 26, 2011

#1 NBA Postseason Surprise Thus Far

To this point of the NBA postseason there have been many surprises. The number one team in the West, San Antonio, is on the brink of elimination, the reigning champion Lakers are being pushed by a depleted Hornets team, Brandon Roy has already given us one of the most unbelievable comebacks in postseason history, and the Hawks are exacting revenge on a Magic team that embarrassed them in the playoffs last year.

Though each and every one of these are surprising, to say the least, none of them have the surprise factor that the Indiana Pacers have brought to the 2011 playoffs.

At 37-45 during the regular season Indiana was considered one of the worst teams to EVER make it into the NBA playoffs, and many said that it was an embarrassment that the Pacers were in the playoffs. In the Western Conference the Houston Rockets missed the playoffs despite a 43-39 record, six games better than Frank Vogel's squad.

No one really thought too hard about the Pacers making any noise in the playoffs because they were facing the Chicago Bulls who boasted the league's second best record during the regular season, the likely MVP Derrick Rose, and a great supporting cast including Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, and former all-star Carlos Boozer. Whereas the Pacer's starting line-up has a combine years experience in the league of 10, and had just one player, Danny Granger, average over 13.2 points per game during the season.

Granger will have to be huge if Indiana is to pull off
the improbable upset of Chicago
Courtesy of CJ Isherwood
Fast forward a week and a half and you will find that this "David and Goliath" match up has been surprisingly even. The Bulls hold a 3-1 series lead with home court advantage, but won the first three games by a total of just 15 points, and in game four Rose injured his ankle.

The Pacers have consistently been the more aggressive, and physical team throughout the series. This lead to former Bull great Scottie Pippen calling out Chicago's team.

"The Bulls have taken too many hard fouls in this series thus far, and have yet to give one. Being one of the No. 1 defensive teams in the league, at some point you have to make a stand and I think that’s what the Bulls have to do," Pippen said  on “The Sports Reporters” on ESPN 1000 on Saturday morning.

After the game four win Indiana appears to be even more confident they can upend the East's top seed. Coach Vogel even feels confident enough in his team to make a bold prediction that, if correct, could make the Pacers the biggest surprise in NBA history.

"We feel like if we win tonight, we'll win this series," Vogel told reporters after the Tuesday morning shoot around. 

Monday, April 25, 2011

Pledge to Fight Abuse

April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and hits very close to home to many people, especially from here in Linn County. In 2010 607 Linn County children were the victims of abuse or neglect, which ranked as the fifth highest rate out of 36 Oregon counties, and was double the state average. Also in Linn County there were 391 children in foster care at least once during the year.

The statistics for the state of Oregon are even more heinous as 22 children were reported to have died from abuse and neglect, eight of those kids were under the age of one year old.

Going back one year earlier to 2009 the city of Albany, alone, had 259 recorded cases of abuse or neglect of children.

On Thursday April 21, 2011 Linn-Benton Community College held a video presentation to help raise awareness and prevention of child abuse and neglect. The video was called, "Hands and Words are not for Hurting," which also happens to be the name of the project that sponsored the video's making. The project first started in Salem, Oregon and is dedicated to "...educating each person in every community about their moral and legal right to live free of abuse and violence."

Child abuse is a tragedy that "Hands are not for Hurting" confronts
Courtesy of Cassandra Clifford


The video presentation spoke repeatedly of "The Power of One". What they meant by this was the power of one single person to influence and help many. Examples of this were Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Ruby Bridges. It also spoke of the fact that one in every four teenagers is in an abusive relationship, be it emotional or physical.

Jeanette Emerson said of the presentation, "It is fantastic that people are raising awareness for this atrocity, however I feel that we need to devote more than just one month to fighting this. There is just too much hate and violence in the world to ignore it. Everyone should take this pledge."

The project focuses on getting people to take a vow to not hurt others. The vow is as stated, "I will not use my hands or words for hurting myself or others." Accompanied by the vow is drawing the outline of your hand onto a purple sheet of paper to symbolize your pledge.


"The pledge is a great way to get the community aware of the neglect and abuse that happens daily. By taking the pledge people are taking actions to prevent the child abuse and being aware that we individually have the power of peace," said LBCC student Jordy Marsh.

On Saturday April 30, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Heritage Mall will have donated shoes on display for the 300 foster children in Linn County. Anyone can go and view the display as well as take the pledge. If you are interested in donating shoes for the children the information is located in the "At a Glance".

Former English footballer Herbert Ward said it best when he said, "Child abuse casts a shadow the length of a lifetime."

At a Glance

Who: "Hands and Words are not for Hurting"
Where: Heritage Mall, Albany
When: Sat. April 30, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

NFL Mock Draft 2011 (First Round)

1. Cam Newton, QB, Auburn (Carolina Panthers)
2. Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama (Denver Broncos)
3. Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri (Buffalo Bills)
4.Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU (Cincinnati Bengals)
5. Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M (Arizona Cardinals)
6. A.J. Green, WR, Georgia (Cleveland Browns)
7. Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina (San Francisco 49ers)
8. Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska (Tennessee Titans)
9. Tyron Smith, OT, Southern California (Dallas Cowboys)
10. J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin (Washington Redskins)
11. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson (Houston Texans)
12. Jake Locker, QB, Washington (Minnesota Vikings)
13. Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn (Detroit Lions)
14. Julio Jones, WR, Alabama (St. Louis Rams)
15. Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri (Miami Dolphins)
16. Mike Pouncey, C, Florida (Jacksonville Jaguars)
17. Muhammed Wilkerson, DE, Temple (New England Patriots)
18. Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College (San Diego Chargers)
19. Cameron Jordan, DE, California (New York Giants)
20. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
21. Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue (Kansas City Chiefs)
22. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin (Indianapolis Colts)
23. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama (Philadelphia Eagles)
24. Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State (New Orleans Saints)
25. Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois (Seattle Seahawks)
26. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa (Baltimore Ravens)
27. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado (Atlanta Falcons)
28. Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State (New England Patriots)
29. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame (Chicago Bears)
30. Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor (New York Jets)
31. Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA (Pittsburgh Steelers)
32. Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech (Green Bay Packers)

The 2011 NFL Draft will be Thursday April 28 at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time at Radio City Music Hall in New York and will be televised live on ESPN.

Three Reasons the Portland Blazers Will Win Game 5

1. Brandon Roy is back!
 Roy went wild on the Mavs in the fourth quarter of game 4 scoring 18 of his 24 points in the quarter and lifting the Blazers to a huge comeback. Dallas held a 23 point lead at one point during the second half but was unable to find an answer for Roy and the raucous crowd in the final quarter. If Roy puts another performance like this on the board then Portland will be heading home for game 6 with a 3-2 series lead.

2. History repeats itself
In the 2006 NBA finals the Dallas Mavericks took a 2-0 series lead over Shaquille O'Neal, Dwayne Wade, and the Miami Heat. The Heat ended up winning the series 4-2 and breaking the backs, and hearts, of the Mavs and their fans. The Mavs headed to Portland with a 2-0 series lead and is now headed back to Dallas with the series tied 2-2. Not only that but having blown a 23 point lead with 13 minutes left in game 4 the Mav's morale cannot be high.

3. Kidd's magic is gone
Jason Kidd averaged a mere eight points per game during the regular season while shooting just 36 percent from the field. However in the first two games of the series Kidd averaged 21 points per game and shot 16-25 from the field. As the series shifted to the Great Northwest Kidd's numbers dropped to 8.5 points per game and shot 6-15 from the field. If Kidd puts up average numbers rather than eye-popping numbers the Blazers will take the game.


Roy will be huge in Game 5 for the Blazers to take the series lead.
Courtesy of The Oregonian

Friday, April 22, 2011

Portrait and Mugshot: Sam Paterson (LBCC Pitcher)

Sam Paterson is a key member of the Roadrunner pitching staff and carries one of the lowest ERA's in the NWAACC.


Paterson will take his talents to Montana
State University Billings next season
4/21/2011

The stare of a pitcher
4/21/2011

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Roadrunners Baseball Report: "Turning It Around"

The Linn-Benton baseball team has hit the midpoint of their season and is in the midst of making a major turnaround from last year's disappointing season. The Roadrunners are currently in a second-place tie with rival Lane Community College for the South Division's last playoff spot.

Prior to the start of the season head coach Greg Hawk knew that this team had a great chance to make the turnaround because they returned 14 sophomores from a 2010 team that struggled to a last place finish in the South Division of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges, but gained valuable experience.

At 13-11 overall and 7-5 in the division coach Hawk feels that his team has played well but  has been just several small mistakes away from having a special season. The record shows just how far the team has come as they have already eclipsed last year's win total and are poised to make a run at the playoffs in the second half of their season.

"The guys have done well so far this season and the record might not show just how well they have done, but when we can put it all together I believe we can be very good," Hawk said.

Through the first 24 games sophomores AJ Burke and Sam Paterson have led an experienced pitching staff. Burke leads the NWAACC with five wins, and holds a 6-1 record with a 3.18 earned run average. Paterson has had a good season thus far as well putting up a 4-3 record with an eye-popping 0.98 ERA that ranks 11th in the NWAACC.

Paterson will be key on the mound as the
Roadrunners make a push for the postseason
4/21/2011


Burke might have had already provided LBCC with its individual highlight for the season when he threw a one hit shutout against Chemeketa on April 9th. Burke had a no-hitter intact through eight innings but lost it in the ninth inning. He also had an astonishing 18 strikeouts in the game.

The Roadrunners bat's have been headed by sophomore second baseman Jordan Keeker who is hitting .329 while leading the team with 27 hits, 15 runs scored, and 13 runs batted in. Freshman first baseman and designated hitter Kainoa Ahsing has contributed with a .298 batting average and ranks second on the team with 10 RBI's and third with 14 runs scored.

When asked what he thought about the team's improvement this season Sam Paterson said, "I feel like we have done pretty good so far, but we still haven't played up to our potential. We have a great group of guys and I think that some of us sophomores just need to step up and become better leaders to get us over the hump."

Next season Paterson, along with sophomore pitchers Mackie Unruh and Bobby Ragasa, will be traveling north to play baseball a NCAA Division II Montana State University Billings. For now though they are key members of a Linn-Benton baseball team in the middle of a great turnaround, and a postseason chase.









Campus Photos #2: Hot Shot Cafe

The Hot Shot Cafe is a popular place for students at Linn-Benton to relax, hang with friends, and enjoy great coffee.


David Mayotte sits behind the counter awaiting customers
4/19/2011


 

David waits and stares intently as his customer orders
4/19/2011


Mayote works his magic 4/19/2011


The finished product! Looks good! 4/19/2011


Friday, April 15, 2011

LBCC Splits Again

The Linn-Benton Roadrunners once again split a double-header Tuesday with I-5 rival Lane Community College. The split was the fifth straight for the host Roadrunners, who moved to 11-11 overall and 5-5 in the division with the win and loss.

Pitcher Sam Paterson throws the first pitch of the game 4/12/2011


Game 1: Linn-Benton 6, Lane 3

LB upended the Titans in the first game behind Kellen Sparkes bat and Sam Paterson's arm. Sparkes, a freshman from Corvallis, recorded three hits, an RBI and one run scored to ignite the Roadrunners offense. While Sparkes was leading the offense Paterson (pictured left) was doing a superb job on the mound. He struck out just three but held Lane to just three runs in seven innings of work to pick up his third win of the season.

Coach Greg Hawk said of the victory, "Sam threw well and got great relief help in the first game against Lane."


Game 2: Lane 4, Linn-Benton 0


Lane's Nick Phillips pitched a near perfect game in the night cap to lead the Titans to the win. Phillips threw a complete game one-hitter as the Roadrunners did not help themselves by committing four errors. Sophomore pitcher Mackie Unruh got the loss to fall to 0-4 on the season for LBCC.

"Phillips threw a great game and we committed too many errors to get the win in the second game," Hawk said.

The Roadrunners will be back at home to take on Mt. Hood in a double-header Saturday April 16th.



Monday, April 11, 2011

Masters Week Recap

It started with a serine drive down Magnolia Lane to Augusta National Golf Club, and ended with a birdie on the 72nd hole for South African Charl Schwartzel as he captured his first green jacket and Master's Championship.

The beautiful Magnolia Lane is the drive each player takes
before getting the opportunity to wear the green jacket.


On a Sunday afternoon in which we saw lead changes almost every hole on the back nine, Schwartzel was able to pull away from the field by recording birdies on the final four holes to sneak out a two stroke victory over Adam Scott and Jason Day.

The 75th playing of the year's first major was exciting from start to finish. Coming into the tournament there was question about how Tiger Woods would play, whether Phil Mickelson could repeat, or if world number one Martin Kaymer could finally break through at Augusta.

During the four day championship we were treated to glimpses of old Tiger as he made runs in the second and fourth rounds, short game expertise by Luke Donald and Phil, and Fred Couples making yet again another good Masters showing with a bad back.

There were great pairings throughout including the Young Guns group of Rory McIllroy (21), Rickie Fowler (22), and Jason Day (23) who shot a combine 22 strokes under par in the first two rounds. The pairing of Tiger and K.J. Choi in the third round was the fifth round they played together in the last seven rounds at the Masters.

Rory McIllroy reacts after hitting his ball out-of-bounds
in the final round


We saw young McIllroy, from Northern Ireland, lead the tournament for the first 54 holes of the tournament before an epic collapse on the back nine Sunday. Following McIllroy's demise there were runs made by Tiger, Adam Scott, Day, Angel Cabrera, Geoff Ogilvy, and Choi. There were as many as five players tied for the lead as the day began to wind down. Cabrera hit errant shots, Choi who had played so steady all week started to look weary, Ogilvy faded as did Tiger, and with two holes to go it looked as though Scott would be the one to break through and finally win a major.

Schwartzel receives the coveted green jacket from last year's
champion Phil Mickelson
This was not the case though as he missed a birdie putt on the final hole. In the end it was Schwartzel, a 140 pound 26 year-old from South Africa, who birdied the final four holes to win by two strokes over Scott and Day.

Overall this might have been of the most thrilling, exhilarating, action-packed Masters that I have ever had the pleasure of watching. The final round was full of drama, excitement, and in the case of McIllroy heart break.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Overall, Medium, and Close-Up Pictures

Linn-Benton Community College's physical education programs include several basketball classes throughout each week. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday LBCC baseball coach Greg Hawk holds one of the classes at 10 a.m.

LBCC students participate in basketball class 4/8/2011

JR Ross winces in pain as his sprained
ankle is attended to 4/8/2011

LBCC student Seth Glenn takes the ball to the
basket on a fast break 4/8/2011

Trevor Daniels inbounds the ball after a basket by the
other team 4/8/2011

Friday, April 8, 2011

Roadrunners Baseball Split Again

The Linn-Benton Community College baseball team split a pair of games this past Tuesday with Clackamas CC.The split was the third straight for the Roadrunners, who kept their record at .500 for the season.

In the first game of the day LBCC lost to Clackamas 7-1. Clackamas outhit the Roadrunners 13-5 and dominated just about every aspect of the game en route to the victory over the home team. Sophomore Carl Beckert scored the lone run for LB, blasting a solo home-run in the fifth inning. Clackamas starting pitcher Marshall Crawford threw a five hit complete game to lead the Cougars.

The second game of the day had a very different result from the first. Linn-Benton raced out to a six run lead as they dismantled the Cougars 10-2. Sophomore Jordan Keeker led the Roadrunners to the win recording three hits, including two doubles, and starting pitcher Travis Iverson held Clackamas to just one run in four innings of work while picking up the win.

By going 1-1 on the day LB moved to 9-9 overall and 3-3 in the South Region of the NWAACC. They also stayed within striking distance of first-place Lane CC, by moving just one game back of the division leader.

Starter Sam Paterson winds up to deliver a pitch in the first
game of the day against Clackamas 4/5/2011

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

First Sports Action Photos: LBCC Baseball

Starting Pitcher Sam Paterson, from McMinnville, throws a pitch
during the second inning of a game against Clackamas.
Freshman Catcher Ken Norgaard walks away from a chat
with the pitcher.

The team gathers at the mound after a sluggish start to the game.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Baseball Goes .500 for the Week

The Linn-Benton baseball team went 2-2 this past week in double headers against division foes Southwestern Oregon and Mt. Hood CCThe games against Mt. Hood were originally scheduled for Tuesday March 29 in Gresham, but the games were rained out and rescheduled for Thursday March 31. Two days later the Roadrunners traveled to Coos Bay to take on the SOCC Lakers. 

Linn-Benton 7, Mt.Hood 6

In the first game against Mt. Hood Linn-Benton pulled out a 7-6 victory over the Saints. AJ Burke, a sophomore right-handed pitcher from Hillsboro, had three strikeouts while picking up the win. Sophomore pitcher Bobby Ragasa recorded the save and the Roadrunners committed just one error.

Mt. Hood 14, Linn-Benton 1

In the second game of the double-header Mt. Hood ran away from LB 14-1. The Saint's bats came alive in the game as they recorded 12 hits and starter Jeremy Burright, from Albany, held the Roadrunners in check by striking out six batters and grabbing the win.

With the split in Gresham LBCC moved to 8-8 overall and 2-2 in the South Region


Linn-Benton 4, SOCC 3

LB's next double-header was Saturday in Coos Bay to face Southwestern Oregon Community College. In the first game AJ Burke landed another win while pitching a great game, striking out seven and holding the Lakers to just four hits, to lead the Roadrunners to a 4-3 victory. Bobby Ragasa notched his second save in three days to close the game out as Linn-Benton moved to 3-2 in the South Region.

SOCC 3, Linn-Benton 2

Hours later both teams took the field again to play the second game of the double-header. This time It was SOCC pulling out a close victory, 3-2, by scoring a run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Southwestern Oregon's Kyle Davis got the victory as both teams tallied seven hits and four errors.

The loss dropped LBCC to 3-3 in the South Region and 9-9 overall. 

Next week the team will be home to host a double-header against Clackamas CC on April 5th, then will travel to Salem to take on Chemeketa CC on April 9th. Both days the games will start at 1 p.m.



Sunday, April 3, 2011

Player Profile: Max Sampson (Soccer)


Sophomore Max Sampson first got involved with soccer in first grade because there was no youth football leagues in the area where he grew up. He has translated that early introduction to the sport into a successful career at LBCC.

Sampson played high school soccer at Junction City here in Oregon where he was an all-state selection as a senior. He also played three years of club soccer before graduating high school. In his first year of college he attended Northwest Christian University in Eugene, Oregon and played for the collegiate soccer team where he started nine games.

After one year at NCU Max transferred to Linn-Benton and began playing for the club team, which he has really enjoyed.

"The club is a good balance of competitive soccer, and a good group that always has fun together," Sampson said in an interview with The Commuter.

This season Sampson was dubbed team captain by his team and coach. He helped the Roadrunners to finish the season on a two game winning streak, and will be a key factor for them to be successful in the April tournament.

When asked what his best memory's from this season were he responded, "My best memory is either scoring a goal from half against Reed College, or when Art said “That’s nice!!!” during a practice, he sounded like that Ken Jeong guy on the Adidas commercials."

After finishing here at Linn-Benton Max says he plans to attend Oregon State University in Corvallis and plans to get his bachelors degree in Exercise Science.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Soccer Finds a Home at Linn-Benton

When Art Mota started up the Linn-Benton Soccer Club in February of 2009 he wasn’t sure exactly where it was going to go.

Several months later Mota found the Cascade Collegiate Soccer League and immediately he knew that he could put a team of 20 club members together to compete.The club’s purpose is to compile a group of players to compete in the 10 Fall CCSL games and April tournament each school year.

Several other schools in Oregon have club teams in the CCSL including Oregon State, Portland State, Portland Community College, Oregon and Southern Oregon.

The CCSL is divided into a “premier” and a “second” division and has a “relegation and promotion” format. This means that the team that finishes last in the premier division will move down to the second division and the best team from the second division with be promoted to the premier division.

“It is a great system that allows the teams and players to play for something like a promotion,” says Mota, who is now the vice president of the CCSL and co-institutor of the system, says.

This year the team was very up-and-down losing their first seven games, tying their eighth, and winning their last two to finish the Fall season 2-7-1. The team’s record does not do them justice though, as they are loaded with confidence heading into the CCSL’s month-long tournament in April.

“The year did not go as well as we had hoped, but we ended on a very good note heading into the tournament,” Mota said in an interview.

The club is open to any interested LBCC student who would like to play, get into great shape, and meet some new people who have a passion for soccer. The team practices on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday’s and plays its home matches here at Linn-Benton. The club also uses various fundraisers in the community to raise money including the Wednesday lunches in the LBCC courtyard, and a fundraiser at the restaurant El Sol de Mexico in Corvallis.

"The club is a good balance of competitive soccer, and a good group that always has fun together," team captain Max Sampson said in an interview with The Commuter.
  
Roadrunner Soccer Club Team


At a Glance

Who: Linn-Benton Soccer Club/Team
Coach: Art Mota (2nd year)
Team Captain: Max Sampson 
Where: Linn-Benton Community College
Practices: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 5 p.m.
Contact Info: http://www.linnbenton.edu/go/clubs/soccer-club
 



The Beginning: My First Photos

         Neighborhood pond with some ducks, nothing special

Walking through my neighborhood on a Thursday afternoon there wasn't a lot going on. It was odd because it was the first really nice day in Corvallis in some time. The sun was out but the people were not. The ducks however were out in force, invading the local pond near a retirement home. As I began to walk back to my apartment, distraught that I had not found anyone interesting to photograph, I noticed a man walking his dog on the corner. The man never seemed to notice me snapping photos of him left and right, but after several clicks of my camera the small dog appears to notice me. A successful end to an otherwise average day for neighborhood photos.

Todo appears to be looking for Dorothy, he only finds me.