At Oregon City High School, athletics are huge. Along with the end of fall activities like football or volleyball, Monday, November 17th officially marked the start of winter sports. It is a schoolwide value to appreciate all different skill sets and interests.
There are around five specific winter sports offered to choose from, along with competitive cheer or the equestrian team which are both multiple seasons long. All sports are offered for both boys and girls, however many teams are separate.
The first game of the season for both the boys and girls basketball teams was a jamboree on December 3rd. The boys have four teams ranging from freshman, JV2, JV, and varsity. Varsity is coached by Aaron Newkirk, JV coached by Bode Bergen, and the freshman team is coached by Mark Duel.
Eli Hopkins, 11th grade varsity player said, “the coaching is great, it has been every year I’ve played.”
The girls have a similar system with three teams starting at JV2 and working up to varsity. Varsity is coached by Kevin Baumbach, with JV coach Joy Dorsey, and JV2 coach LeeAnn Starrett. Girls basketball has earned Oregon City ten state titles.
Jim Marshall coaches both our boys and girls varsity wrestling teams. The boys first meet is on December 6th at home hosting 16 other Oregon schools.
Anthony Diaz, who competes in the 113 weight class, said he sees himself winning a state title.
“We have a world champion for a coach, anyone who has any athletic ability at all should try wrestling,” Diaz said.
The girls first and only home meet is also on December 6th. Oregon high schools have a large variety with 14 different weight classes you could potentially compete in.
Swimming has a varsity team for both the boys and girls. Bryan Wyatt takes on a heavy case load and coaches both these teams.
They both will start the year with a home meet against West Linn on December 11th. There’s many different events to choose from based on what you’re most skilled at.
Lastly, the last two sports are combined gendered teams for snowboarding and bowling. The OCHS competitive snowboarding team is geared towards intermediate or advanced riders.
Coach Jed Wilson trains athletes once per week at Mt. Hood Meadows. Head Coach of the bowling team is Jeff Unger, and practices started November 3rd, with the first tournament to be determined.
