By James Day
May 10 will be a big day for the Regis High School track and field program. The Rams will host an 18-team invitational meet starting at 3:30 p.m. while debuting their new $300,000 track and field upgrade.
The project received support from countless sources, according to veteran coach Mike Bauer, who cited area businesses, students at Regis and St. Mary Grade School and proceeds from the annual Regis auction.
“The uniqueness of this venture is the broad-based support the project received from so many elements of our community,” Bauer said. “It is a testimony to the generosity of people and their interest in providing a resource that can be used by all.”
The upgraded facility, which includes a resurfaced track, new areas for field events, additional bleachers and improved drainage, will be used by Regis and St. Mary athletes as well as physical education programs at both schools. Stayton Christian School, Willamette Christian School, and Peak Performance Track Club use the facility for practices. In addition, the track is made available to the Stayton community for events such as Relay for Life, Special Olympics and YMCA and Scouts activities.
There will be a special dedication ceremony at 6 p.m. during the May 10 meet.
Bauer’s team figures to make a strong showing at the meet, particularly in the field events. Ryan Mumey of the Rams is tied for second in Class 2A in the pole vault (11-10) and tied for third in the long jump (20-7). Regis has four girls in the top three in field events: Monica Webb (tied for second, high jump, 5-1), Kimberly Webb (third, discus, 107-10), Liz Ayers (third, javelin, 111-4) and Erica Stuckart (third, long jump, 16-0).
Regis’ baseball team, meanwhile, moved into a tie for first place in Special District 2 on April 24 with a 7-3 win vs. defending Class 2A-1A champion Kennedy. The Rams and Trojans both are 7-1 in district play, one game ahead of Country Christian. Regis, which is ranked 10th by the OSAA, visits Kennedy on May 16 to close the regular season.
The Regis softball team, meanwhile, is 4-2 in Special District 3 play, tied with Western Mennonite for second behind 5-1 Perrydale.
Also shining on the track is Cascade’s boys team, led by Nathan Martin. The Cougars’ senior is No. 1 in Class 4A in the 100 (11.12), No. 3 in the 200 (22.53), No. 3 in the 110 hurdles (15.22) and he has run legs on Cascade top-ranked 4×100 team (43.78) and No. 4 4×400 team (3:30.43). Adding depth for the Cougars is Patrick Bladorn (No. 2, high jump, 6-4) and John Schifferer (No. 2, 300 hurdles, 40.04).
“We are having a great season and enjoying success on many levels,” summed up Cascade coach Dan Petersen.
Stayton’s Curtis Deetz, meanwhile, ranks No. 1 in the 4A triple jump (43-1/2).
Former Stayton boys basketball coach Tal Wold has taken over the girls program at Silverton. Wold, who still lives in Stayton, coached the Eagles to the OSAA Class 4A state semifinals in his first season, 2008, and never missed the state playoffs during his four-year tenure.
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