Senior Spotlight 2008-09
Published 11:43 am Thursday, August 28, 2008
Melissa von der Hofen, Archbishop Murphy
Sports: Soccer.
Goals: Finish her high school career in a strong manner.
Honors: Cascade Conference player of the year, soccer; first-team, all-state, team captain, 2008.
Highlights: “Sticking in the winning goal to beat the undefeated and favored Cedarcrest Wolves for the state championship in (2006). It was a fantastic team effort and a moment I will never forget.”
Pregame routine: “It’s changed year by year. As a freshman and sophomore, Drea Gaitian and I always had our pep talk and shoe touch routine. Last year it was Aleigh Mansfied who had to tape my ankles.”
Biggest asset: “I’ve got a chance to play with great players and coaches at Murphy. This team has always had great depth, chemistry and leadership before I joined the team in 2005. The team expects to compete for a state title every year. That focus has been great and I will try and pass that torch on the same as its been given to me.”
One word that describes yourself: Relentless.
Post-high school plans: Has verbally committed to Eastern Washington University.
Athletic role models: Michelle Akers, Shannon MacMillan, Julie Foudy.
Favorite subjects: Anatomy, history.
Leisure activities: Working out, skiing, reading.
Favorite TV shows: Friday Night Lights, The Office.
Favorite musical artists: None.
Brittany Allen, Archbishop Murphy
Sports: Soccer, softball.
Goals: Have fun and get good grades.
Honors: First-team, all-Cascade Conference forward, soccer; offensive player of the year, softball.
Highlights: Winning the state soccer championship.
Pregame routine: “Anything that gets me loose and keeps me focused.”
Biggest asset: “I try to always think ahead during matches so I can be a faster player both mentally and physically.”
One word that describes yourself: Determined.
Post-high school plans: Verbal commitment to play soccer at Portland State University.
Athletic role models: Mia Hamm.
Favorite subjects: Math.
Leisure activities: Swimming.
Favorite TV shows: Smallville.
Favorite musical artists: Chris Brown.
Jordan Kellington, Jackson
Sports: Football, baseball.
Goals: To win Wesco title and advance to the Tacoma Dome in football; to not walk so many people in baseball.
Honors: Honorable mention all-Wesco football.
Highlights: Being on honor roll for every year of his high school career.
Pregame routine: Listen to music before a game, eat a small snack.
Biggest asset: Versatility to play all positions.
One word that describes yourself: Committed.
Post-high school plans: To keep playing either baseball or football at a small college.
Athletic role models: West Welker. Magic Johnson, Bo Jackson.
Favorite subjects: Social studies.
Leisure activities: Going to the movies.
Favorite TV shows: Two and a Half Men, King of Queens, King of the Hill.
Favorite musical artists: Bones Thugs and Harmony.
Ben Lance, Jackson
Sports: Cross country, track and field.
Goals: To finish in the top 10 at state cross country meet; help lead Jackson to a state cross country title.
Honors: First-team, Wesco South Division track, 3,200; first-team, Wesco South Division cross country; two time state qualifier; team captain.
Highlights: Last year’s state cross country meet where Jackson finished fifth.
Pregame routine: “Pizza or pasta the night before a big race is essential. On the day of the race, I try to stay relaxed and have fun on my warm-up, then focus on my task ahead when I get to the starting line.”
Biggest asset: Leadership. “I try to inspire teammates to be at their best because the team takes priority over the individual in cross country.”
One word that describes yourself: Quiet.
Post-high school plans: To attend a university and continue to compete in cross country and track and field.
Athletic role models: Coaches Eric Hruschka and Pat Haller; former and current teammates; and all the U.S. Olympic athletes.
Favorite subjects: Science, Spanish.
Leisure activities: Watching TV. Playing sports, such as soccer, basketball. Golf, swimming. Playing drums.
Favorite TV shows: The Office, That ‘70’s Show, Family Guy, ESPN.
Favorite musical artists: Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Mars Volta, Incubus, The Strokes, Kanye West.
Alison Ponce, Jackson
Sports: Cross country, track.
Goals: To help lead the Jackson girls cross country team to the state championships. To place high at the district meet
Honors: First-team, all-Wesco South Division track (1,600, 3,200); first-team, all-Wesco South Division cross country; cross country co-captain.
Highlights: Setting a personal best by 24 seconds in the 3,200 in the district meet.
Pregame routine: Go to bed early the night before. Have all the equipment packed and ready to go. Warm up an hour before the race.
Biggest asset: Work ethic.
One word that describes yourself: Hard-worker.
Post-high school plans: To continue to run in college.
Athletic role models: Her teammates.
Favorite subjects: Art.
Leisure activities: Hanging out with friends, going to the movies, playing beach volleyball.
Favorite TV shows: Friends, The Office.
Favorite musical artists: John Mayer.
Alyssa Smith, Archbishop Murphy
Sports: Volleyball, basketball.
Goals: To make it to the state tournament in volleyball and basketball.
Honors: Cascade Conference most valuable player, basketball; all-star tournament most valuable player; attended Top 10 All-American West Camp.
Highlights: “Going to state my freshman year for basketball and state sophomore year for volleyball. I am anxious to get there again this year.”
Pregame routine: “The night before a game, I can’t go to sleep without all my game stuff laid out and packed for the next day. It’s just the usual music, right sock then left sock, chest bump, head butt and all that good stuff. Occasionally, I will read a motivational quote or reading to my team.”
Biggest asset: Height, strength and determination.
One word that describes yourself: Humble.
Post-high school plans: To play Division 1 college basketball. Study psychology and physical therapy.
Athletic role models: Her father, club coach Barbara Berry.
Favorite subjects: Math, science.
Leisure activities: “Basketball takes up most of my time. I enjoy a movie with friends and beach volleyball. I like to ride my quad too.”
Favorite TV shows: Grey’s Anatomy, October Road.
Favorite musical artists: Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, Taylor Swift, Michael Bublé, T-Pain and Chris Brown.
J.D. Melton, Archbishop Murphy
Sports: Football, basketball.
Goals: For football, to play well, win the Cascade Conference and win state. For basketball, win the Cascade Conference and go to state again.
Honors: Second-team, all state defensive back; first-team, all-conference defensive back; first-team, all-conference wide receiver.
Highlights: Being coached by Terry Ennis.
Pregame routine: “I like to be alone and think about what I have to do and listen to some hard rock and rap then get ‘fitted up.’ Always gotta look good to play good.”
Biggest asset: “My drive and passion for every down or quarter I play in and the willingness to do whatever it takes to win.”
One word that describes yourself: Motivated
Post-high school plans: Go to a Division I football program.
Athletic role models: Lebron James, Chad Johnson, Michael Phelps,
Favorite subjects: History.
Leisure activities: Reading, movies, eating.
Favorite TV shows: ESPN
Favorite musical artists: Lil wayne.
Taylor Cox, Jackson
Sports: Football, track.
Goals: To make the playoffs in football.
Honors: First-team, all-Wesco South Division running back, sophomore and junior season; football captain.
Highlights: Starting his first varsity game against Mariner as a freshman.
Pregame routine: “I just pop in the head phones of the iPod and let myself get in the zone.”
Biggest asset: “I believe I can do it all; I can use my speed to beat you and also use my power to grind it out when you need me to.”
One word that describes yourself: Humble.
Post-high school plans: To go to college.
Athletic role models: Adrian Peterson.
Favorite subjects: English, literature.
Leisure activities: Hanging out with friends, video games.
Favorite TV shows: ESPN, MTV2, The Boondocks.
Favorite musical artists: The Game, The Cool Kids.
Carly McEachran, Jackson
Sports: Softball.
Goals: To stayed focused.
Honors: First-team, all-Wesco South Division softball utility player.
Highlights: The team bus rides where everyone sings.
Pregame routine: “I personally like to make sure that I’m mentally prepared for each game. Since we like to have a lot of fun, it’s easy to lose concentration. I like to walk off a little while people are hitting in pregame and visual my goals.”
Biggest asset: Her competitiveness and love of the game.
One word that describes yourself: Competitive.
Post-high school plans: To play softball at Portland State University.
Athletic role models: Any softball player who plays for the USA team. “Players that dedicated to the game and that have such an indescribable love for the game are people I look up to as role models.”
Favorite subjects: English.
Leisure activities: Going to the beach, photography, movies.
Favorite TV shows: ESPN.
Favorite musical artists: Bones, Thugs and Harmony.
Sarah Schireman, Archbishop Murphy
Sports: Soccer, track.
Goals: Win the state girls soccer title. Win 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and long jump at state track meet. Help 1,600 relay team advance to state.
Honors: Second place in long jump at state; second place in 300 hurdles at state; first place in long jump, 300 hurdles at districts; most outstanding award track; track captain, 2009.
Highlights: “It was the first time I jumped 18 feet, my sophomore year at districts. There were some very good competitors and I thought I wouldn’t even qualify for state. But to my own surprise I won the districts long jump with my 18 feet, 6.75 inches jump. I couldn’t believe I could even jump that far.”
Pregame routine: “With soccer, it’s more about doing drills and getting pumped up by teammates. With track, I have to get myself into the correct mindset. I listen to my iPod before going down to the track, usually rap or rock music. However, in track you are not allowed to have an iPod on the track or field. So when I get on the track 40 minutes before my event I just concentrate about what I have to do, I go through each motion in my head in order to prepare for the event.”
Biggest asset: “I am very competitive and will do anything to win. When I have nothing left I will always push harder.”
One word that describes yourself: Competitive.
Post-high school plans: Compete in track at college.
Athletic role models: Lolo Jones.
Favorite subjects: Science, history, English.
Leisure activities: Watch movies, read books, sitting by the pool.
Favorite TV shows: That 70’s Show, Will &Grace, and Friends.
Favorite musical artists: Taylor Swift, Linkin Park, Chris Brown, Blink 182, Paramore, Lifehouse.
