During a recent government meeting, Athletic Director Andy Mott provided an enthusiastic recap of the fall sports season, highlighting significant participation and achievements across various teams. A total of 211 students engaged in athletics, with middle school programs seeing strong involvement in cross country and volleyball.

Mott noted that the football team had 64 participants, while boys and girls soccer attracted 30 and 34 players, respectively. The cheerleading squad experienced a remarkable resurgence, nearly doubling its numbers from the previous year, thanks to a new coaching staff that increased visibility and performance opportunities.

The cross country team hosted two major meets, drawing participation from 38 schools, and achieved commendable results, with both boys and girls finishing in the top five of their league. Mott emphasized the competitive nature of the league, which included strong teams from Cook County and The Dalles.

Unified Sports, which promotes inclusivity, continued to thrive with soccer games and upcoming basketball events, fostering excitement among participants. The volleyball team made it to the state playoffs, securing a victory in a play-in game before facing a tough opponent in Pendleton. Individual accolades included first-team and second-team all-league honors for standout players.

While the boys soccer team faced challenges, including a tough league and significant graduation losses, they celebrated individual successes, including a hat trick by Irvin Hernandez. The girls soccer team showed notable improvement, achieving key victories and earning recognition for their growth, culminating in Coach Summer Jark being named Coach of the Year.

Overall, the fall sports season was marked by strong participation, competitive spirit, and significant achievements, setting a positive tone for future athletic endeavors.