It’s been a tough spring for Lebanon athletes in just about every sport except softball and individual efforts in girls golf and track and field.
Baseball
As the season winds down, the Warriors are in last place in the Mid-Willamette League, but Lebanon Athletic Director Kraig Hoene noted that they are in the tough position of being much better than their d1-11, 4-16 record going into their May 10 game at South Albany indicated.
Their previous opponent was No. 1 Central, to which the No. 25 Warriors lost 2-1 and 6-3.
“They are really competitive,” Hoene said. “They are just not finding ways to get wins. The hops haven’t gone their way.”
Softball
Lebanon was fourth in the league with four games left in softball, two games behind Central at 7-5, 13-8 overall.
“We’re right on the cusp,” Hoene said, noting that the Warriors’ RPI ranking might help them when the playoffs roll up.
Track
The clear standout of the spring for Lebanon is senior Morgan Hopkins, who is headed to the district track meet ranked No. 1 in the statein the shot – by 3 feet – with a brand new personal best of 40-0¼.
“For her, hopefully, that will unlock her a little bit,” Hoene said. “That 40-foot barrier has been a goal of hers for a long time.
“Once she’s hit that, hopefully she’ll go on to pop some big throws in the next few weeks.”
Hopkins is ranked 10th in the 5A in the discus.
The only other Warrior currently in the top 10 in state track rankings is Alex Solberg, in the 3000.
Hoene said he thinks the Warriors could field a competitive 4×100 relay team if they could get healthy.
“Hopefully, the warm weather will be a miracle cure for some things. I think, for all the kids, not being wet helps.
We can put a very good 4×100 team out there if they can get healthy and get smooth handoffs down.”
The Warriors will host the district track meet May 15-16.
Golf
Senior Alexis Glaser was the only Lebanon golfer to make state this year, finishing fifth individually in the Mid-Willamette Conference tournament April 30 at Trysting Tree in Corvallis, finishing 91-96. ‘
State is May 13-14 at Quail Valley in Banks.
“We knew she’d be in the mix,” Hoene said. “She’s worked hard. Two years ago, when the tam made it, she was the young one on that team.”
Tennis
Nearly all the Warriors were in the consolation bracket of the district tennis tournament at Timberhill Tennis Club in Corvallis at press time for Lebanon Local.
Mary Workman and Kenadie Stroup were in the quarterfinals, but final results were unavailable.