11 – SHANE CAMPBELL

Enterprise

1982-1986

Football, Track & Field

"The Enterprise boys track team was led by one of the greatest sprinters in Oregon Class A history – junior Shane Campbell."

-Dick Mason, Staff Writer

The Observer

May 20, 1986

High school: Campbell was an all-state wide receiver in football, playing on the 1984 Enterprise Class A state title team and the 1985 semi-final team. Between 1984 and 1985 the team sported a 23-game winning streak.

In track, Campbell was arguably one of the best sprinters in OSAA history, winning back-to-back state titles in 1985 and 1986 in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dash.

Campbell’s time of 21.6 in the 200-meter dash in 1986 stood as the top time for all of Oregon preps, all classes, until former Churchill High School and current University of Oregon star Jordan Kent ran a 21.29 at the 4A state championships in 2002.

Beyond high school: Campbell never competed in college sports and lives in the La Grande area.

_____________________________

12 – CAMILLE WOODFIELD

La Grande

1996-2000

Basketball

"When the La Grande girls basketball team needed a spark to get going, it knew exactly who to turn to."

-C.J. Gish, Staff Writer

The Observer

April 29, 1999

High school: Woodfield was an all-IMC and all-state basketball selection at La Grande High School.

Beyond high school: Woodfield was a four-year starter at Boise State, led the Broncos in rebounding in 2002-2003, and is still in the all-time BSU top-10 in several rebounding categories.

After athletics: Woodfield recently graduated from BSU with a degree in Health Sciences.

"Everything about athletics drew me in," Woodfield said. "Making friends, team sports, hard work. It took a lot of time in the gym to get me to where I was athletically but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It was a long journey that’s made me the person I am today and I’m thankful for it."

_____________________________

13 – THAD HATHAWAY

La Grande

1988-1992

Track & Field

"Hathaway said his goal this season is to reach the height of 7-2. He said a small change in technique should make the difference."

-Pat Perkins, Staff Writer

The Observer

March 3, 1993

High school: Hathaway aspired to be a basketball player, and didn’t high jump until his senior year of high school after being encouraged by a group of friends.

Beyond high school: Hathaway was a three-time All-American at Eastern Oregon University, and won an NAIA national outdoor title in 1994. Hathaway transferred to the University of Idaho for his last two seasons, winning two Big Sky high jump championships.

After athletics: Hathaway is the assistant director of academic support services for intercollegiate athletics at Washington State University and lives with his wife Diane and son Cody.

"I always wanted to dunk a basketball when I was young," Hathaway said. "So my dad told me what I needed to do to jump higher and I followed his advice."

_____________________________

14 – CARLA TAYLOR

Powder Valley

1976-1980

Basketball, Track & Field

"Carla Taylor scored 22 points and garnered 12 rebounds and 13 assists as she led the North Powder Badgers to a 69-33 victory over the Huntington Locos Friday night."

-The Observer

January 21, 1978

High school: Taylor was an all-state basketball player for the Badgers and the 1979 2A state javelin champion.

Beyond high school: Taylor was a four-year starter at Weber State, averaging 10.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game despite having two reconstructive ACL surgeries during that time. Taylor also threw the javelin for the Wildcats, making it to the NCAA national tournament in 1982.

After athletics: Weber State made Taylor one of the youngest head coaches in Divison I basketball in 1986 at age 26. She has been the Wildcat head coach for 17 seasons and is the second-winningest coach in the history of the Big Sky Conference.

_____________________________

15 – ALAN EUSTACE

La Grande

1967-1970

Football

"I was especially impressed with Alan Eustace, who made some fine pass receptions and was a one-man gang on defense."

-Riley Woodford, Staff Writer

The Observer

October 11, 1969

High school: Eustace was a first-team all-state defensive lineman at La Grande High School in 1969, where he was a teammate and best friend of fellow Top 50 selection Doug Trice (No. 32).

Beyond high school: Eustace went to the University of Oregon, where he started for one year before being diagnosed with cancer.

Eustace died in 1972, succumbing to cancer at the age of 20.

Trice, when told he was going to be part of the Top 50, made mention of his friend before talking about himself.

"Alan Eustace was my best friend," Trice said in a phone interview. "He was a great person and someone I miss very dearly."

_____________________________

16 – JEFF OVESON

Wallowa

1966-1970

Cross Country, Track & Field

"Oveson overwhelmed the competition, winning state titles in two events, the 120 yard high hurdles and the 440 yard dash as Wallowa also won the Class A team title."

-The Observer

May 22, 1970

High school: Oveson won a state cross country championship in 1969. At the state track meet in 1970, Oveson took first in the 120 yard high hurdles and the 440 yard dash.

Beyond high school: At Oregon State, Oveson won the Pac-10 intermediate hurdles title as a junior in 1973 with a time of :51.3 seconds. His senior year was cut short by a knee injury.

After athletics: Oveson is the executive director of the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program in Island City. His daughter, Hayley, runs cross country and track for La Grande High School

"My most memorable sports moment was my senior year at the state track meet when my twin brother and I managed to outscore the second place team," Oveson said. "I was blessed to have great teammates and great coaches."

_____________________________

17 – JENNIFER WOODFIELD

La Grande

1989-1993

Volleyball

"Capturing top honors at the Hood River Invitational, Jennifer Woodfield was named most valuable player and was also named to the all-star team."

-The Observer

October 5, 1992

High school: Woodfield was a first-team Intermountain Conference and all-state selection in volleyball for La Grande High School in 1992, leading her team to the 4A state playoffs.

Beyond high school: Woodfield went to Boise State University, redshirting for one year and starting two years before knee injuries cut her career short.

After athletics: Woodfield is a pharmaceutical sales rep for Sanofi-Aventis and lives in Boise.

"My fondest memories are of the players I played with and the teams I played on," Woodfield said. "The teammates I had in college still make a point of getting together annually, just to reconnect with each other."

_____________________________

18 – CARL "CURLY" GILMORE

Union

1920-1924

Football

"HELLO CURL. GIVE THEM THE OLD FIGHT. WE ARE WITH YOU."

-Telegram from Merton Davis , received at Yankee Stadium by Carl Gilmore 5 p.m.,

November 28, 1928

High school: Although official all-state teams weren’t recognized in the 1920s, Gilmore was by all accounts an outstanding three-sport athlete, excelling in football, basketball and track.

Beyond high school: Gilmore was a standout fullback at Oregon State University, playing for the OSU 1928 bowl victory over the University of New York and the 1929 East-West Shrine Bowl.

After athletics: Gilmore coached football at Shasta (Calif.) High School from 1930-42, served as a major in WWII, then came back to coach and be an athletic director at Shasta H.S. and Shasta College from 1950 until 1967. In 1995, Shasta High School dedicated their field to Gilmore.

Gilmore passed away in 2003 at age 98.

_____________________________

19 – MICHELE CHERRY

Wallowa

1983-1987

Basketball

"Cherry was incredible. If we played off of her she hit her shots, if we played to close she drove in for layups. We couldn’t stop her."

-Bob Schlimgen, Elgin head coach

The Observer

January 24, 1987

Beyond high school: Cherry was an all-state basketball player at Wallowa, averaging almost 25 points per game her senior year.

Beyond high school: Cherry began her career at Oregon State University before transferring to Arizona State University, where she played her final three seasons.

After athletics: After assistant coach stints with Arizona State, Cal State-Northridge. the Sacramento Monarchs of the Women’s National Basketball Association and the Long Beach StingRays of the American Basketball League, Cherry is now an assistant at Stony Brook University in New York.

_____________________________

20 – MARK STENNFELD

La Grande

1972-1975

Football

"Mark is a major college prospect. The only player on our team to play on both offense and defense."

– LHS head coach Doc Savage

The Observer

November 21, 1974

High school: Stennfeld was a three-year letterman in football, basketball and track and one of the team captains on the LHS 1974 4A state championship team. In 1974, Stennfeld was named first-team all-state by The Oregon Journal, The Oregonian and The Observer.

Beyond high school: Stennfeld played for two years at Clackamas Community College and one season for the University of Idaho.

After athletics: Stennfeld graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in forestry and currently does computer drafting for a telecommunications firm in Vancover, Wash.

_____________________________

_____________________________

21 – ASHLEY ANDERSON

Enterprise

1998-2002

Basketball

"The Enterprise forward tipped off the Wapiti League basketball season with a 22 point, 18 rebound, nine assist performance to lead her team to a 66-40 victory."

-The Observer

January 5, 2002

High school: Anderson was a three-time first team all-district selection in both volleyball and basketball.

Her senior season, she was a second team 2A all-state pick in volleyball and first team in basketball, averaging 14 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.2 steals per contest while leading Enterprise to their third straight Wapiti League crown.

Beyond high school: In 2003-2004, Anderson averaged 11.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore for Gonzaga University and started all 30 games.

An ACL tear in December 2004 during warm-ups as Gonzaga prepared to face the University of Idaho cut her junior year short.

_____________________________

22 – DAVE ULLAN

La Grande

1987-1991

Baseball

"Viking coach Jack Dunn compared Ullan to Dale Murphy, a two-time NL MVP Dunn coached at Portland’s Wilson High School."

-Pat Perkins, Staff Writer

The Observer

May 8, 1994

High school: Ullan was a first-team IMC and first-team all-state selection at catcher his senior year.

Beyond high school: Ullan was a two-time all-conference player at Mt. Hood Community College. He transferred to Portland State University and in one season set the Pac-10 record with a 37-game hitting streak, breaking the mark set by Jeffrey Hammonds and Paul LoDuca. Ullan was drafted in the eighth round of the 1994 draft by the San Diego Padres and spent two years in the minor leagues.

After athletics: Ullan lives in Silverton and is a firefighter for the city of Portland. "When I was 15, our team went to the Babe Ruth World Series – that meant the most to me," Ullan siad. "It was a team experience, something we still talk about."

_____________________________

23 – GREG OVESON

Wallowa

1966-1970

Football, Track & Field

"Oveson had another field day demolishing the opposing secondary He hauled in eight passes for 126 yards in the win."

– The Observer,

October 8, 1973

High school: Oveson was an all-state athlete in football, basketball and track. In football, he played in the Shrine Game. In basketball his team won a state title. In javelin, he won 2A state titles in 1969 and 1970.

Beyond high school: Oveson played wide receiver and threw javelin at Eastern Oregon University. In 1973, Oveson became the first two-sport All-American in EOU history. He was inducted into the EOU Hall of Fame in 2004.

After athletics: Oveson has been a football or basketball coach at Wallowa High School for the last 10 years.

"I was really blessed to play with and for some great people," Oveson said. "People like Don Wilson, Lee Insko, Gary Feasel and Ray Patrick."

_____________________________

24 – HEIDI EAKIN

La Grande

1979-1983

Volleyball, Basketball

"More than one high school hotshot has bombed out at the college level. Eakin, however, is doing just fine at the University of Oregon."

-Dan Keenan, Staff Writer

The Observer

November 23, 1985

High school: Eakin was a four-time all-IMC selection in Volleyball, leading La Grande to two seventh place finishes at the state tournament, in 1981 and 1982. A 1983 selection to play in the prestigous State-Metro basketball game, Eakin led the IMC in scoring with a robust 22.8 points per game in 1982-1983.

Beyond high school: Eakin went to the University of Oregon, starting for four years on the volleyball team.

After athletics: Eakin, now Lea, coaches volleyball at Crook County High School and teaches sixth grade at the middle school.

"My freshman year at La Grande, Crook County had a 32-game winning streak in basketball and we snapped it," Lea said. "That started a pretty good rivalry with Crook County."

_____________________________

25 – TODD BAXTER

Powder Valley

2000-2004

Football, Track & Field

"Badgers quarterback Todd Baxter did everything he could…pushing himself to the point of exhaustion, he had 510 combined yards of offense ."

-Pierre LaBossiere, Staff Writer

The Observer

November 18, 2002

High school: Quarterback and safety Baxter led the Badgers to the 2003 1A state title in football, and to the semifinals in 2002. In 2003, Baxter passed for 2,688 yards and rushing for another 1,236.

For his accomplishments, Baxter was honored as the Pac-Northwest 8 High School Football Association player of the year, given to the best 8-man high school football player in all of Oregon, Idaho and Washington. Powder Valley was also named the Pac/NW 8 team champions.

In track, Baxter was equally succesful, winning back-to-back discus and shot put titles in 2003 and 2004. His 2004 throw in the discus is the 1A state record.

Beyond high school: See story (below).

_____________________________

26 – MIKE BROWN

Imbler

1980-1984

Basketball, Track

"As usual, Brown was the leader, hitting the open man, soaring for rebounds. Observers agreed – Brown is the tournament’s star."

-John Pritchett, Staff Writer

The Observer

March 10, 1984

High school: Brown made a comeback after missing almost all of his sophomore year of sports after a car accident that left two six-inch steel rods in his back. His senior year, Brown led Imbler to the 1984 Class A basketball title and followed it up a few months later with another title, winning the 3,000 meter run at the state track tournament.

Beyond high school: At Columbia Christian College in Portland, Brown was twice named the team’s defensive player of the year and twice finished in the top 10 in the nation in assists in the National Christian College Association.

After athletics: Brown teaches math at Turlock (Calif.) High School and coaches cross country, basetball and track. The steel rods in his back are still there.

_____________________________

27 – APRIL HANEY

Union

1993-1997

Track and Field

"The seven individual titles were highlighted by Haney’s victories in the shot put and hammer. Both marks qualified her for the NAIA national meet in May."

– The Observer

April 9, 2001

High school: Haney was a state medalist in throws at Union, but it was when she matriculated to Eastern Oregon University that the Bobcat standout did the most damage.

Beyond high school: The line on Haney’s career at EOU is jaw-dropping. From 1998-2001, Haney was a 12-time All-American for the Mountaineers, earning honors in the shot put, hammer throw and the 20-pound weight throw. In 2001, Haney won an NCAA Division III indoor national championship in the 20-pound weigh throw.

"She just matured after she got to college," EOU head track coach Ben Welch said. "Her technique and her focus just zeroed in and she became, quite honestly, a force of nature. She was so strong that I remember her complaining once that she could only bench press 225 pounds three times."

_____________________________

28 – TANNER McINTOSH

Imbler

2001-2005

Basketball

"If one guy is falling, someone else will pick him up. That’s the way we play, unselfish."

-Tanner McIntosh

The Observer

March 7, 2005

High school: McIntosh capped a storybook career in 2004-2005 by averaging 20.4 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while leading Imbler to an undefeated season and its first state title since 1984. The 6-foot-7 McIntosh was also named the 2005 1A state player of the year and was a three-time first-team all-state pick, making it twice on the 2A level. His 1,930 career points places him 17th in OSAA history.

Beyond high school: McIntosh has signed to play basketball at Eastern Oregon University starting this fall.

"Tanner has size and a lot of ability," said Ken Kramer, McIntosh’s coach for four years at Imbler. "And he had a great supporting cast around him. Kids he made better and that made him a better player in turn."

_____________________________

29 – JULIE FITZGERALD

La Grande

1975-1979

Track and Field

High school: One of the most talented female track athletes in LaGrande High School history, Fitzgerald never lost a district competition, garnering 11 district titles and seven state medals. She still holds the LHS records in the 100 and 200 meter dashes.

Beyond high school: Fitzgerald ran track for two years at Oregon State University, one year at the University of Oregon and then one year at Eastern Oregon University.

After athletics: Fitzgerald, now Bodfisch, owns Fitzgerald’s flowers in La Grande and has two children, John and Erin.

"My best friend Talia McLain and I were called the ‘Tiger Tandem’" Bodfisch said. "She was a year older than me and a lot of times we would go to meets and finish 1-2. It was pretty incredible to have two athletes like that in school at the same time."

_____________________________

30 – RYAN WARDELL

La Grande

1974-1977

Track and Field

"Getting to the national placing wasn’t easy. Wardell had to fight 20-30 mile-an-hour winds that continued to blow across the Abilene Christian University track."

-The Observer

May 22,1979

High school: Wardell was La Grande’s prep athlete of the year in 1977, an all-conference Intermountain Conference defensive back and an all-state trackster.

Beyond high school: Wardell graduated with the Eastern Oregon University records in the 400-meter dash with a time of 48.8 seconds and teh 400 intermediate hurdles record with a time of 52.8 seconds. Wardell was an NAIA All-American in 1979 in the 400 IM hurdles, placing fifth.

After athletics: Wardell lives in Portland with his wife, Cheryl, and his two sons and works for Pacific Seafoods.

"Ryan was not only an athlete," wrote former EOU track coach Gary Feasel. "But he was also a scholar."

______________________________

31 – RANDY DOLVEN

La Grande

1960-1963

Basketball

"It was in the second period that the Mounties started pulling away, sparked by tremendous rebounding by Dolven."

-The Observer

January 28, 1967

High school: There are garden variety late bloomers and then there is the incredible case of Randy Dolven. There was nothing remarkable about Dolven’s career at La Grande High School – he didn’t even start until his senior year.

Beyond high school: Dolven still holds the Eastern Oregon University records for all-time points and rebounds, rebounds in a season and rebounds in a game, 30, against George Fox in 1967. From 1963-1967, the 6-foot-5 Dolven averaged 16.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.

After athletics: Dolven has been a basketball coach, athletic director and vice principal for more than 30 years at Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, Wash.

______________________________

32 – JAMIE JO CANT

Imbler

1996-2000

Basketball, Volleyball

"Volleyball may not be Cant’s long term goal. The chemistry major may opt to change venues and head into basketball, a sport which she equally excelled in."

– C.J. Gish, Staff Writer

The Observer,

October 11, 2000

High school: Cant was a three-sport all-state athlete in high school, reaping honors in volleyball, basketball and track.

Beyond high school: Cant went to Columbia Basin Community College and played volleyball for one season before transferring to Eastern Oregon University, where she was a three-time first-team Cascade Collegiate Conference pick in basketball, leading the Mountaineers to their first ever berth in the NAIA national tournament in 2003-2004. As a sophomore against Montana-Western, Cant went 8-for-8 from beyond the three-point arc, an Eastern Oregon record.

After athletics: Cant received a degree from the Oregon Health & Sciences University at EOU and is a nurse in Boise.

______________________________

33 – DOUG TRICE

La Grande

1967-1970

Football

"The Tigers are a well-balanced, high-spirited club and halfback Doug Trice is as classy a prep back as I’ve seen in a long time."

-Riley Woodford, Staff Writer

The Observer

October 11, 1969

High school: Trice was an honorable mention all-state running back in 1969 for La Grande.

Beyond high school: Trice had a storied career at the Oregon College of Education, now Western Oregon University, from 1970-1973. His 5,416 career all-purpose yards is still No. 1 all-time for WOU. Trice was also a two-time all-Evergreen Conference selection at halfback.

After athletics: Trice graduated from OCE with a degree in Physical Education/Health and is currently living in La Grande and working as a conductor for Union Pacific Railroads.

"For me, it was all fun," Trice said. "The name of the game was have fun and get an education. Education was number one."

______________________________

34 – JASON LEWIS

Powder Valley

1994-1998

Cross Country, Track

"Everyone just assumed he was going to win. Jason was a great champion. No one wanted a piece of him."

-Tom Hayes

The Observer

November 3, 1997

High school: If you saw Lewis running in high school, odds were he was on his way to winning a title, either for his team or as an individual. In cross country Lewis won back-to-back state individual titles in 1996 and 1997 and the 1997 team title for Union/Powder Valley. In track, Lewis won two state titles in the 1,500 meter run and three in the 3,000 meter run to go with two Powder Valley team titles.

Beyond high school: Lewis ran for three years at Division I-A Lafayette University before he was diagnosed with SMS, a rare autoimmune disease that affects a person’s ability to move their neck and arms.

After athletics: Lewis graduated from Lafayette, lives in Portland and works for Vestas Danish Wind Turbines.

______________________________

35 – BRENTON DOWDY

La Grande

2000-2004

Swimming

"Dowdy broke the state meet record in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of :21.35. Dowdy finished this short event nearly two full seconds ahead of second place."

-The Observer

February 21, 2004

High school: Dowdy swam for the La Grande Swim Club for eight years and was the cornerstone for three straight La Grande High School 3A state championship teams, taking first place in the 100 butterfly, 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle.

Dowdy also won a state title as part of the Tigers 200 medley relay team.

Dowdy was a three-time league and team Most Valuable player and earned All-America swimming honors as both a junior and a senior in the 50 yard freestyle. Dowdy was one of only 30 schoolboy swimmers in the United States to receive such an honor. For good measure, Dowdy also lettered three years in baseball.

Beyond high school: Dowdy will be a sophomore swimmer at the University of Washington in 2005-2006.

______________________________

36 – WAYNE HERRON

Elgin

1975-1979

Football

"At first, everyone was bigger and faster. But, the more experience I got and the bigger and faster I got, everybody started to slow down."

-Wayne Herron

The Observer

November 20, 1982

High school: Herron was a two-time first team All-Wapiti League linebacker at Elgin and played on four straight state playoff teams and three straight Wapiti League championship squads.

Beyond high school: At Eastern Oregon University, Herron was a first-team All-Evergreen Conference and honorable mention All-American NAIA linebacker in 1982 before playing a year with the Portland Steelheads, a semi-pro team, leading the lead in tackles.

After athletics: Herron moved back to Union with his wife Patty in 1985 and has taught and coached there since 1987.

"Staying and playing football in college close to home was important to me," Herron said. "Being at Eastern turned out to be an incredible experience."

______________________________

37 – SHAWN TRIMBLE

Elgin

1995-1999

Track & Field

"It was straight to 15-0, and up and over on his first try there, too. That broke the 1997 state record of 14-10 1/2."

-Pat Perkins, Sports Editor

The Observer

May 22,1999

High school: Trimble’s 2A state title mark of 15 feet in 1999 is still the 2A state record.

Beyond high school: Trimble had a star-studded collegiate career at Eastern Oregon University, earning All-American honors five times in the pole vault. Trimble was the 2003 NAIA Outdoor national champion, finished second at the NAIA outdoors in 2004 and third at the 2005 NAIA Indoor National Championships.

Trimble was also the 2002, 2003 and 2004 Cascade Collegiate Conference pole vault champion and was a NCAA Division III All-American in 2002. His vault of 17-2 is still the EOU record.

After athletics: Trimble is still pole vaulting and hopes to compete in the National Street Vault in Clovis, Calif in August.

______________________________

38 – MIKE HOLLIDAY

Enterprise

1977-1981

Football

"Mike Holliday made it 21-6 at the break when he caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Kunkle for another score."

-The Observer

November 8, 1980

High school: At 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, Holliday was an all-state receiver and averaged an incredible 21 rebounds per game during basketball season.

Beyond high school: Holliday played football for two years at Idaho State University and was a backup tailback on the Bengals 1982 national championship team.

After athletics: Holliday lives in Chandler, Ariz., with his wife Kathryn and works for Arizona Fleet Services.

"There are a lot of great memories," Holliday said. "But playing in the state basketball tournament in Pendleton, when it felt like the people were right on top of you because the gym was so packed, that was incredible."

______________________________

39 – KAREN BUTTERFIELD

Joseph

1978-1982

Basketball

"Butterfield was a natural. If she was open she could take the shot. That was the whole basis of our offense."

-Glen Sather

The Observer

December 8, 1999

High school: The second of the famous E-Gals to make the Top 50. Butterfield was a two-time first-team all-state selection in basketball, and one of the cogs that sparked the Joseph to two undefeated, state championship teams in 1981 and 1982, hitting the game winning shot in the ’81 title game and scoring 20 points in the ’82 final.

Beyond high school: Butterfield played one year for North Idaho Community College before back injuries cut her career short.

After athletics: Butterfield, now Patton, lives in Joseph with her husband Karl and teaches junior high school math and physical education.

______________________________

40 – MIKE MARKS

Joseph

2001-2005

Football, Track & Field

"Marks plans to major in construction engineering management. OSU coaches believe his frame can easily carry 330 pounds."

-Joe Sova, Sports Editor

The Observer

February 4, 2005

High school: Marks was a first-team all-state offensive lineman at Joseph. The 6-foot-5, 305 pound Marks was also the 1A state champion in the discus and runner-up in the shot put in May.

Beyond high school: Marks has signed a letter of intent to play football at Oregon State University, the first football player to go Division I-A out of Wallowa County since Amos Marsh went to play for the Beavers in the 1950s.

Marks expects to redshirt his freshman year, leaving him four years of eligibility.

"Hopefully I can play early in my career and be a factor for three or four years," Marks said in February. Marks was also recruited as an offensive lineman by the University of Oregon, Washington State University and the University of Idaho.

______________________________

41 – BOB KIRK

La Grande

1972-1975

Football

"Kirk was called upon to carry the ball 10 straight times and he responded with a single handed 68-yard scoring drive."

-Wayne Spencer, Staff Writer

The Observer

November 2, 1974

High school: When Corvallis head coach Chuck Solberg referred to the 1974 La Grande high school team as "a bunch of rawboned cowboys," Kirk may have been the one he had in mind. At 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Kirk rushed for 1,600 yards his senior season and was a second team all-state selection. In the 1974 4A state title game, Kirk rushed for 165 yards on 36 carries in the Tigers 26-7 victory over Solberg and Corvallis.

Beyond high school: Kirk, like Cove’s Joe Thompson, turned his back on a college football career.

"(Kirk) was a very independent, self-confident young man," former La Grande head coach Doc Savage said. "He knew where he was going in life and had things he wanted to do that didn’t have anything to do with football."

______________________________

42 – JENNY BROGDON

La Grande

1995-1999

Track & Field

"Armed with a 6-foot-1 frame, the slender jumper knows her event well. But it’s more than just the actual leap that makes a good high jump."

-C.J. Gish, Staff Writer

The Observer

April 21, 1999

High school: Brogdon won two 4A state high-jump championships at La Grande High School, going back-to-back in 1998 and 1999.

Beyond high school: Brogdon pined for Jenny Fitzgerald’s 20-year-old high jump record of 5-foot-8 while she was in high school, coming up just short her senior season. At the University of Oregon, however, Brogdon more than made up for it. The 2002 Pac-10 runner-up with a jump of 5-9 1/4, Brodgon finished her Duck career No. 6 all-time on the high jump charts.

After athletics: Brogdon is currently coaching at Northwest Christian High School in Olympia, Wash.

______________________________

43 – TERRY BOESEL

Powder Valley

1976-1980

Basketbal

"Terry is a shooter, a ball handler and a floor leader. We’re just a B team, but I believe Terry could play in any league."

John Hawley, Powder Valley coach

The Observer

March 8, 1980

High school: Boesel finished his career at Powder Valley as one of the most prolific scorers in Oregon prep history. His 2,020 points ranks No. 9 all time in OSAA history, for all classes. Boesel led his Badger teammates to two Class B state titles, in 1979 and 1980.

Beyond high school: Boesel played one year of college basketball at Treasure Valley Community College.

After athletics: Boesel has stayed involved with basketball, including two head coaching stints at the University of La Verne (Calif.) and a turn as director of basketball operations at UCLA. Boesel is currently an assistant coach at UC Irvine.

"What your coaches and elders always tell you is you don’t appreciate until after it’s over, and that’s true," Boesel said. "And then you look back and realize how good it all really was."

______________________________

44 – EMILI WOODY

Imbler

1998-2002

Basketball

"Don’t be afraid if you’re told you’re not good enough. If you really want to play you can find a home.’

-Emili Woody

The Observer

March 16, 2005

High school: Woody was an all-state selection in three sports; volleyball, basketball and track & field in high school, and won a 2A track & field state championship in 2001 in the 3,000 meter run.

Beyond high school: Woody is in the midst of a hall of fame career at Carroll College in Helena, Mont. As a sophomore in 2003-2004, she was a first-team all Frontier Conference selection and honorable mention NAIA All-American, averaging 14.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. As a junior last season, Woody was again an honorable mention All-American, but also the Frontier Conference Most Valuable Player, averaging 14.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game while leading Carroll to a Frontier Conference title and a berth in the NAIA national tournament.

______________________________

45 – JOE THOMPSON

Cove

1982-1986

Football

"There’s no excuse for me not to try and score on every play. You run and run and run until you either score or somebody brings you down."

-Joe Thompson

The Observer

November 21, 1985

High school: Thompson played in four state championship games for Cove, but saved his best for last.

His senior