2022 Spriong Sports Preview
Finally, the time of year for spring sports, the sign that warmer weather and the end of the school year are right around the corner. After a grueling three years, spring athletes get a long awaited season. While last year we may have had an abridged spring sports season, it was nothing compared to a full blown year with no covid. With fingers crossed the only thing a-typical about this year will be that athletes have to wear masks on the bus.
Track
As of February 28th Track athletes are running, jumping, and throwing, sprinkled all throughout the track arena. The track team has roughly 100 athletes who turned out for the season, ranging from those who have never stepped foot on a track to others getting ready to commit to a Division 1 university.
Most people do not realize that while track is mostly individual, it has a strong team element. During the abridged 2021 season, the girls team took first place in the Big 9 South and this year, they are ready to come back strong and defend the title, now with the entire league. Big team contributors include: Kara Mickelson, 3 event district champion, who last year ran a 2:13 800 and a 58 second 400, placing her amongst the top 5 in the state in both these events. Kara is getting ready to commit to a Division 1 university next fall to run track and field. Junior Bela Alvarado, reigning district champ in the 1600, has a set PR of 5:06, making her a top candidate for a spot on this year's state podium. Senior Hannah Hilton is the reigning district champion of the 3200 meter run and school record holder in the 2,000 meter steeplechase. After a ninth place podium finish in her cross country fall season, she is sure to demolish this record once again. Junior Alexia Lee, four event district champion in the 2021 season, is currently ranked amongst the top of the league and has a goal to be a contender for a spot at the state meet. On the boys side of things, Senior Jeffery Condardo finished last season off undefeated in discus and is hoping to continue his winning streak into this year. Senior Oliver Barron, in his second year of track, is ranked second in the 4A league in his 200 meter dash, making him another top candidate for the state meet at the end of may. Junior Nathan Johnson, running towards the 2,000 meter steeplechase school record, is currently ranked 2nd in the league for his impressive 3200 meter run. These are just a few of the talented athletes on this team. Most athletes, especially the more competitive, trained all throughout the winter, meeting everyday after school. Even the kids who are out for their first year show dedication and are constantly improving. With everyone's hard work and impressive performances, these athletes have a great season ahead.
Softball
The team this year is looking forward to fierce competition. When asked about the upcoming season, four year athlete, Taylor Yockey said, “It was really hard going through covid. We didn’t have a season so the only thing that we could do was keep up with practices and scrimmages within the team. But honestly, I feel like it really prepared us for this upcoming season and I am really excited to be back out on a real field, in a real game for my senior year.”
Last year, softball only had five schools to play and this year they are back to a full conference with their usual top competitors. This year's group of seniors have over ten years of experience in the sport, most of which were spent together. Returning seniors Emma Quesnell, Taylor Yokey, and Page Falk are amid the top of the league this year, each one preparing to move to the next level after graduation. Even next year, the team these seniors are leaving behind has a lot of promising underclassmen. Freshman Abbie Vargas, London Esparza, Zoe Niblett , and sophomore Alexia Lydin are prepared to build Ikes softball program even more in years to come. These girls are looking forward to late nights playing on home field, fierce competition, and putting their all into the game. Coming up on March 15, all three softball teams (Varsity, JV, and C team) will be opening the season with an away game against Hermiston. They’ve put in the work and we will definitely see it pay off during this spring season.
Soccer
The last few seasons have been rough for our boys program but the team is hopeful that the group of boys this year will come out fighting strong and Be The Change. This year, the players are hungry and are going to make this a great season.
Like all the other sports, this is the first regular season since 2019. Finally, a real season again, meaning the stakes are high. This year there has been a change in coaching staff. Coach Suhm stepped down after two decades of coaching soccer at Ike. He was able to lead the team to two League Titles, 2012 and 2017. The new head coach, Noe Gutierrez, hopes our new coaching staff can do the same some day.
The team goal this year is to finish in the top 3 of the league, host a playoff game, and of course, beat Davis. Senior Alonzo Avila and Junior Corbin Herrera are real vocal leaders and give 100% each day at practice, so don’t expect any less in games. But all boys are working hard and have great team chemistry. Returning seniors include Edwin Guillen, Martin Diaz, Ivan Flores, all hoping to make their senior year one to remember. However, sophomores make up a majority of the varsity team, they are optimistic about this season and are ready to build up the program in years to come. With three games down and 12 to go, the boys are already on a winning streak.
Tennis
Team Mission Statement: The mission of the Eisenhower Tennis Program is to provide an opportunity for students to learn a lifelong sport, experience competition, learn to work as a team member, enjoy representing their school in the community, seek the pride of accomplishment, and to have FUN.
Girls Team Motto: “TALK WITH YOUR RACKET PLAY WITH YOUR HEART”
Boys Team Motto: “HUSTLE HIT NEVER QUIT”
Currently, Ike has 60 athletes out playing tennis. Many of these athletes are out for the first time, learning the sport and showing a lot of promise. Despite the plethora of new players, the team is chalk full with returners. Returning players, Natalie Dick, Angel Rodriguez, Joan Zendejas, William Oldenkamp and Anicca Martinez worked hard this past winter taking lessons at the Yakima Tennis Club. Their hard work and dedication will surely be seen on the court this spring. Natalie Dick is Ikes number one singles player, closely followed by promising Freshman Emma Stephens as Number 2. On the boys side of things, senior Angel Rodriguez is the number 1 singles player followed by newcomer Junior Henry Hodge. In tennis there are two separate types of matches: singles, which are played with just one player, and doubles, played with 2 members of the same team. The number one doubles team for the boys is the Senior Combo of Angel Ramirez and Joan Zendejas. The girls number one doubles team is Senior Allyssah Cornejo and Sophomore Ada Querin. With so many new players and such a hard working team, this season as well as the future for Eisenhower tennis is looking bright.
Golf
Finally! The Eisenhower golf team has enough players to compete in a league match. The team has a total of ten golfers, with the top 6 playing in league matches. This is the first time in many years that they have had a full squad. On the boys side, a shining player is a freshman, Maverick Pastor. He shot an 89 at Blackrock Golf Course at the Grandview Golf Invitational in Sunnyside at the first game of the season. This is very impressive considering that many seniors in highschool do not ever score this well. Maverick is definitely the future of the IKE golf squad. With a goal to get better everyday and be positive no matter the circumstances, 2022 is going to be a strong season for the whole Ike golf squad .
Baseball
Last season they had an 8-4 winning streak and after losing so many seniors, these boys have a goal of keeping a winning record. The varsity team is excited to finally get a chance at the playoffs after not being able to the last two seasons.
Top players: Jacob Manley, Danny Gomez, Brody Philips, Nick Fowler, Anson Schumacher, Damian Gama Freshman catcher: Logan Sanislo
Athletes have been hard at work and this year, we are sure to see it pay off.
