At the end of each quarter, the Memo marks the successes of area students and athletic teams. If we missed someone, let us know. email editor@midcountymemo.com or call 503-287-8904. When you encounter young people in this community, know you are meeting some of Portland’s best and brightest.

Academics
Mid-county student athletes excel in the classroom. The Oregon Schools Activities Association’s (OSAA) Academic All-Star program recognizes teams with a combined GPA of 3.0 or better. The boys and girls team in each OSAA-sanctioned activity with the highest team grade point average earns the Academic All-State Award. Each member of a winning team receives a much-coveted sling bag, commemorative bag tag and a certificate. The school receives a plaque honoring its team. The top ten school members in each activity, at each classification, are also recognized with a commemorative bag tag.

Parkrose High boys swimming earned the highest GPA (3.81) among 5A teams statewide. You’ll recognize them by that commemorative bag and bag tag.

Other top-10 teams in our area are girls basketball: third place Portland Christian, 3.78; seventh place Portland Adventist Academy, 3.70; and 10th place Columbia Christian, 3.59. Portland Adventist Academy boys basketball earned fourth place with a 3.61 GPA. Parkrose girls swimming also placed fourth, with 3.76.

These teams all had combined GPAs of 3.0 or better as well:

• Boys basketball—Parkrose, 3.0; Portland Christian, 3.24

• Girls basketball—Reynolds, 3.38; Parkrose, 3.28;

• Boys swimming—Reynolds, 3.26;

• Girls swimming—Reynolds, 3.67

• Dance/Drill—Parkrose, 3.25; Reynolds, 3.0

EAGLE Evans Scholars
Ngoc Le will attend U of O next year on an EAGLE Evans Scholarship. The Madison High senior plans to major in biochemistry. COURTESY PORTLANT PARKS & RECREATION

Ngoc Le, a Madison High senior and Demetrius Wallace of Parkrose have earned EAGLE (Early Adventures in Golf for a Lifetime of Enjoyment) Evans Scholar awards that cover full housing and tuition costs at University of Oregon beginning this fall. This program is supported by the Western Golf Association, and these scholarships are valued at more than $80,000 each over four years. Evans Scholar awards are given based on financial need, good citizenship, being in the top 10 percent of one’s high school class and two years of either caddying or working in the golf business.

Parkrose High Senior Demetrius Wallace, a 2016 EAGLE Evans Scholar, ranks education as the highest priority in his life. COURTESY PORTLANT PARKS & RECREATION

Parkrose High Senior Demetrius Wallace, a 2016 EAGLE Evans Scholar, ranks
education as the highest priority
in his life.
COURTESY PORTLANT PARKS & RECREATION

The EAGLE program is cooperative internship venture between Portland Parks & Recreation and public high schools located within the city of Portland; it is aimed at introducing students to all aspects of golf course operation. As a part of the EAGLE program, Le and Wallace served as caddies for 80 separate 18-hole rounds during the 2014 and 2015 summer golf seasons.

MAC Scholar Athlete
David Douglas sophomore Savannah Proske was named a MAC Scholar Athlete. The award includes a courtesy membership to the Multnomah Athletic Club for the duration of Proske’s high school career and a $1,500 scholarship.

Proske is a three-sport athlete for the Scots, competing in volleyball, basketball and track and field.

Ron Russell Middle School students are celebrating their achievements in the classroom as well. More than 100 students earned a perfect 4.0 during the second grading period, while another 186 earned 3.5 or higher. It’s apparent that great attendance produces great grades, as 173 Timberwolves boast perfect attendance for the quarter and 561 more have an attendance rate of 90 percent or higher.

Boys basketball

For the first time since 1991, Parkrose made the state basketball tournament’s on-site location. Parkrose Alumni Patrick Montgomery, right, spoke to the young Broncos about his experience playing on Parkrose’s undefeated state championship team in 1982. STAFF/2016

For the first time since 1991, Parkrose made the state basketball tournament’s on-site location. Parkrose Alumni Patrick Montgomery, right, spoke to the young Broncos about his experience playing on Parkrose’s undefeated state championship team in 1982.
STAFF/2016

David Douglas defeated North Medford 52–47 in first round action of the OSAA 6A basketball tournament. One of five Mt. Hood Conference teams to make the field, the Scots were turned away in the second round by Jesuit, 70–65.

With a 12–4 league record and loads of talent, the Parkrose Broncos dispatched defending OSAA 5A champs Silverton 66–55 to earn its first trip to the state tournament since 1991. The first game found the Broncos pitted against Northwest Oregon Conference rival Liberty High. The Falcons won a down-to-the-wire victory 56–54 on the way to the second-place trophy. Parkrose suffered its second loss to Mountain View, 81–61, in the double-elimination tournament.

Senior Isaac Mbuyamba was named second team all-NWOC, along with juniors Wilfried Likayi and Isaac Bonton. Abhishek Venkatesh, a senior, was named to the third team all-conference. Sabona Ashenafi, a senior, earned honorable mention. Bonton was also named second team all-state.

Portland Adventist Academy advanced in the OSAA 3A bracket with wins over Harrisburg (69–62) and Amity (84–82) before losing 80–62 to St. Mary’s of Medford in semifinal play. That game was followed by a 79–60 loss to Dayton, but the Cougars did return home with the fifth place trophy. Stuart Tonack, Derek Irvine and Trent Torkelsen, all seniors, were named second team all-state.

City Christian, 18–9 on the season, earned an OSAA 2A play in game, but was turned away by Burns 60–44.

Columbia Christian, the 1A Valley 10 League champs, made a run at the state title as well. The Knights dispatched Lowell 35–30, Crosshill Christian 64–43 and Damascus Christian 50–36 before losing to Sherman 53–45 in the championship game in Baker City. Levi Dalzell, a junior, was named to the all-state team. Hunter Endersen and Levi Morris, also juniors, earned second team all-state honors.

Girls Basketball

Krystian Brownell takes a shot against Illinois Valley during the first round of the OSAA 3A State Championships. COURTESY GRACE DUGGAR

Krystian Brownell takes a shot against Illinois Valley during the first round of the OSAA 3A State Championships.
COURTESY GRACE DUGGAR

Portland Adventist Academy entered the OSAA 3A tournament as a three-seed and soundly defeated Lakeview in first-round action at home. That win propelled the Cougars to bracket play in North Bend/Coos Bay, where they were turned away by Amity 62–44. A consolation bracket victory over Santiam Christian (50–46) led to a match-up against Umatilla for a trophy. A 41–39 loss netted PAA sixth place. Sarah Halversen, a junior, was named to second team all-state.

Portland Christian started post season play with a 59–57 double overtime win against Illinois Valley. A 57–53 loss to Coquille in OSAA 3A bracket play sent the Royals into the consolation bracket, where they were sent home by Umatilla (51–50). Royals Coach Jim Hill was named Lewis and Clark League Coach of the Year. Junior Demi Guild earned conference Player of the Year and second team all-state honors.

Trinity Tigers won two tournament championships on the way to an unbeaten season. Coach Brittany Ha (left), Tamea Mitchell, Coach Devon Pearce, Pooja Prasad, Raven Pearce, Anna Ek Juarez, Coach Dylana McGill, Janae Boyd, Chevelle Boyd, Sierra Tanner. COURTESY DON SELESKI

Trinity Tigers won two tournament championships on the way to an unbeaten season. Coach Brittany Ha (left), Tamea Mitchell, Coach Devon Pearce, Pooja Prasad, Raven Pearce, Anna Ek Juarez, Coach Dylana McGill, Janae Boyd, Chevelle Boyd, Sierra Tanner.
COURTESY DON SELESKI

The sixth–eighth-grade girls basketball team at Trinity Lutheran School racked up an impressive 23–0 season on its way to Lutheran Elementary School and Metro Christian League championships. Only seven players strong, the Tigers credit a tenacious trapping press defense with their success.

Cheerleading

Scots varsity cheer is exuberant after winning the OSAA title. COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS

Scots varsity cheer is exuberant after winning the OSAA title.
COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS

David Douglas Scots cheer squad won the OSAA small coed division championship on the strength of its choreography and stage presence. They also won the Leslie Maley trophy for the most entertaining routine.

Not to be outdone, the junior varsity squad won the JV coed division at the Oregon Cheerleading Coaches Association Championships.

Dance/Drill
Parkrose Elite dance team placed fourth in the show category at the OSAA Dance and Drill Championships. David Douglas came in sixth.

Emily Read of Reynolds won the drill down competition. Her teammate Alexandria Whitish was sixth.

Swimming
Fernanda Rodriguez of David Douglas placed second in the 100 breast at the OSAA Championships with a High School All-American consideration time of 1:04.53. That time was also good enough for her to break her own school record. Rodriguez placed eighth in the 200 Individual Medley with a time of 2:10.20, moving her to fourth all-time in DDHS history in that event.

Other Scots swimmers at state: Boys 200 Medley Relay (Phuc Tran, 26.85 backstroke, Raymond Pham, 28.36 breast, Ethan Nguyen, 25.58 fly and Izaya Owotor, 21.77 free) placed 12th overall with a time of 1:42.56.

Izaya Owotor placed 12th in the 50 free (22.50) and was the consolation heat winner in the 100 free with a time of 48.78 to take seventh place.

Elizabeth Fryer took 12th in the 500 free.

Scots wrestlers with Mt. Hood Conference championship trophy. Nine won their weight class to advance to state along with six others. COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS

Scots wrestlers with Mt. Hood Conference championship trophy. Nine won their weight class to advance to state along with six others.
COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS

Wrestling
David Douglas wrestlers dominated the Mt. Hood Conference tournament last month with 430 points, besting their closest rival by 143. Coach Ron Holyoak was named conference coach of the year. Alex Warque earned the George Meyer Award as the senior wrestler in the conference who best exemplifies overcoming adversity, positive commitment and dedication to the program. Osawaru Odighizuwa went undefeated and was named Conference Outstanding Wrestler.

Nine grapplers won their weight class: Anthony Cha (113), Kyle Beal (126), Andrey Gamza (132), Nadari Shabanov (138), Mamed Razatdinov (145), Tristin Molinari (152), Jamerz Magomadov (160), Gianni Olivo (170) and Osawaru Odighizuwa (285). Each advanced to the OSAA tournament, as did Max Hodge (106), Dillon Nunes (113), Islam Usmanov (120), Telman Razatdinov (126), Bryce McKinley (138) and Ja’Bryce McDavid (195). Odighizuwa went on to win his third state title in a match that went into two overtime periods. Shabanov and Molinari each brought second place trophies home from the state tournament at the Memorial Coliseum.