Falling into winter

Fall sports have concluded with the football state championships determined last weekend. So let’s go back and give credit to our local teams.

The girls’ volleyball team battled valiantly a few weeks ago at the state tournament in Yakima. A couple of injuries to key players made things tough to get to the placing round. But the girls did battle after a first round loss to Raymond the girls would get to Friday’s round with a chance for a trophy.

I had a chance to watch this game from the comforts or a high school classroom chair. The Adna Pirates had a 2 games to 1 lead on LRS and seemingly had the momentum to win the final set easily. Each time the lead was five or more LRS kept plucking away and would get back into the game but they could never get to the point of evening the score and take the lead. What impressed me the most is that the girls never gave up and continued to battle even though the easiest thing would have been to just give in and say it was a great season. But these girls battled and rallied and should be commended for their efforts. It was great to see their tenacity and want to succeed. We are certainly proud of their efforts this season.

A couple of weeks ago the boys’ football team was eliminated in the quarterfinal round of the state tournament by defending (2019) state champion Onalaska at Gonzaga Prep. The Loggers were big and physical with a strong and fast fullback and running back. The bulldozing line finally started wearing out the Broncos by the end of the first half. The local boys had an opportunity to be close at halftime after a fumbled punt return but the Broncos could not cash in which made things difficult to for a second half rally. Onalaska would prevail in the game 54-15.

LRS would earn the league championship with an undefeated season a goal the every team sets for itself. One point wins on the road over league favorite Davenport and always tough Colfax brought the trophy back home.

There were numerous athletes that were All-League this year. The lone senior Colby Tracy was first team offensive line and 2nd team defensive line. Junior Hayden Stone was 1st team offensive and defensive line and Junior Chase Galbreath was first team QB and defensive back. The all-opponent teams were highlighted in last week’s paper as well as the Spokesman.

The other Bronco all opponent team members are juniors, sophomores and a freshman. The Coach of the year is LRS Broncos Greg Whitmore. Bronco Volleyball head coach Cari Galbreath was named coach or the year a few weeks ago. Not too shabby Broncos!

Finally I want to focus on another team that is working hard for success competitively. That would be the Lind-Ritzville-Washtucna Knowledge Bowl team. As of this writing the LRW team is in third place in the 10 team Northeast A and B Knowledge Bowl League.

I’m sure that very few people have ever attended a Knowledge Bowl competition. I guarantee you that when you hear the questions and answers you would be humbled. I was happy to say that I knew the answers to several questions but that would not have been enough to get me on the team.

The Varsity team is David Hinkle of Ritzville, Alexis Melcher and Amy Anderson from Lind and Zach Crouse from Washtucna. These students competed against Freeman and ACH in Ritzville a few weeks ago and did very well taking second to Freeman.

The team needs to have knowledge in math, science, history, English literature, history and government just to name a few topics. Once in a while there is a question that only a senior citizen might be able to answer. The coach/advisor/mentor is Thomas Pulliam.

At the home match a couple of weeks back I was the only spectator. This is actually the second competition that I have attended. About three years ago there was a Knowledge Bowl match in Washtucna. It just so happens that I was subbing that day and I was able to take the students to the class where the competition took place. If I remember right Zach Crouse was on the Washtucna team that day.

There will be several more competitions coming up and I wish the team well. It is great to see that these students are well rounded in what is going on in the world and I appreciate their intelligence.

So fall will soon become winter. The winter sports competition has begun with wrestling and basketball taking over the gym. Here’s hoping for a great season for all involved.