Baseball ready for season - the Leader

2 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWOn TheCoverLeader/Jessica TannerJordan Theurer will lead the Bears’ softball team this season onthe mound.Inside This IssueReady to come out swinging ................. Page 3Perfect Pitch. ............................. Page 4Boys' soccer looks to net w's ................. Page 6Baseball ready for season .................... Page 7Bears look for 6th state title ................. Page 10Hitting the courts .......................... Page 11Water Polo: Without a home .................. Page 13Golfers tee off ............................ Page 14Track team is off and running ................ Page 15Ready To Rodeo. ........................... Page 16Vol. 19 Issue 3 • March 13, 2013Publisher. .............................................. Greg MadsonEditor ....................................................Ellen CookAssistant Editor ........................................ Jessica TannerAdvertising ................................ Denise Lasley, Becky HowardLayout/Design. .................... Kristi Kent, Jodie ValDez, Joan ChadwickContributing Writers .........................Jessica Tanner, Casey Zundel,Travis Hansen, Cari Doutre, Kristi Kent, Courtney Comstock, Chelsey WakleySports Preview is a product of the Leader/Garland Times. It publishes three times throughout the school year.To contribute or offer suggestions, contact Jessica Tanner at: jessicat@tremontonleader.com, or call435-257-5182. All information included in this publication is copyright Tremonton Leader/Garland Times.Index Of AdvertisersThese community-minded merchants make this publication possible.Please take a moment to thank them by shopping their businesses.Barfuss Garage. ......................................Page 13Bear River Medical Arts ...............................Page 16Bob's Body Shop .....................................Page 11Box Elder Credit Union. ...............................Page 13Cars435. .............................................Page 4Crump Motor Co. ....................................Page 10Evans, Grover and Beins. ...............................Page 7Greer's Hardware .....................................Page 6Groll Family Fitness ...................................Page 4Intermountain Farmers (IFA) ...........................Page 8Intertape Polymer Group ..............................Page 16K & N Inc. ..........................................Page 10Kent's Market. .......................................Page 12Leader Publishing ....................................Page 15Members First Credit Union ............................Page 7Mike Norr Plumbing ..................................Page 14MOM Brands ........................................Page 11Mo'sCyclery ..........................................Page 5Nelson Metals .........................................Page 2Pie Dump ............................................Page 9Procter & Gamble .....................................Page 3Rogers and Taylor Funeral Home ........................Page 6Rudd Funeral Home ...................................Page 8Shaw, Dr. Gary .......................................Page 15Tremonton Pharmacy ..................................Page 9Wells Fargo ..........................................Page 14

Ready to come outSwingingSPRING SPORTS PREVIEW 3Leader/Jessica TannerSenior Tyler Rasmussen will be a strong contributor for the BearRiver baseball team.Jessica TannerLeader Assistant EditorTyler Rasmussen started playingbaseball at a young age and developeda love for the game. He joined thehigh school team his freshman yearand became a starter as a junior, buildingon the success of the program.While he works hard, he also knowshow to have fun and provides comicrelief for the Bears.Rasmussen, 18, the son of Trentand Lori of Tremonton, played T-ballbut did not get serious about baseballuntil he joined a traveling leaguewhen he was about nine years old. Hesaid, “That is when I decided I wantedto keep going and I have liked it(baseball) ever since.”When asked who got him involvedin baseball, he said, “My older brotherMitchell. He played and I alwaysloved to go to his games.”As far as role models go he looksup to his parents, saying, “they expecta lot from me and I like to show themI can take stuff serious and play mybest. They like coming to the games.”During little league, Rasmussendid not care if his team won or lost.However, this all changed when hejoined the Bear River baseball teamhis freshman year. He said that wasbecause the team relied on one anotherand wanted to win.Head coach Donald Hawes said,“Tyler is very athletic. He has goodspeed with very good footwork. Thisis what helps Tyler play the middleinfield very well for us. He is the typeof athlete who could play just aboutanywhere on the field.”Rasmussen saw some varsity timehis sophomore year and became a varsitystarter his junior year as theteam’s shortstop.Hawes added, “I think Tyler willcontinue to build upon the success hehas had the last two years. He’s a yearmore mature and has been through afull varsity season. He has put in thetime in the off season to improve hisskill level.”Last year the Bear baseball teamtied for second in region and thencompeted in the state tournament.This year Rasmussen and his team■ See RASMUSSEN pg. 5

4 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWPerfect Pitchshe was the GatoradeTheurer is an unstoppable force Player of the Year, DeseretNews Ms. Softball,Jessica Tanneron her softball career. She said, “Heshe won the Wendy’sLeader Assistant Editortook me in the backyard and mentoredme though the whole thing.” SheHeisman and was thestate MVP as a juniorSenior Jordan Theurer is a competitorin everything she does, but one mound and being able to control theadded, “I liked being in control on theand sophomore. She alsowon the all tournamentof her strong suits is softball. She has pace of the game.”MVP and region MVP.claimed a plethora of awards and has Her freshman year she joined theShe will also be one offine-tuned her skills on the mound high school team and had the opportunityto pinch hit and run. As a sopho-nine girls on the coverand at the plate, making her feared byof a softball magazine incompetitors.more she started on the mound and hasOregon featuring the topThis season she will use her varsityexperience to lead the Bear River since.been a force to be reckoned with ever100 players in the west.Theurer already hassoftball team.Coach Calvin Bingham said, “Jordanis a exceptional athlete. She is onethree region and stateTheurer, 17, the daughter of Bradchampion titles under herand Jami of Tremonton, started attendingbaseball practice with her dad, I have coached. Naturally, we will relyof the best I have seen in the 13 yearsbelt and is looking to addone more this season.who coached her brother’s team, when heavily on her leadership, as well asShe said she hopes, “toshe was 8 years old. She began learningthe shortstop position and pitched the top softball players in the state.”her ability. I expect she will be one ofkeep the tradition aliveand take state again.some but did not get serious about Jordan has already had a phenomenalcareer as she has claimed almostHonestly, to finish mypitching until she joined a travelingteam at the age of 10.every award and title a softball player ■ See THEURERHer dad was the biggest influence can obtain in high school. Last year pg. 5Leader/Jessica TannerJordan Theurer has plenty of varsityexperience will help her lead the Bear Riversoftball team to another successful season. She hasgarnered many awards and already has threeregion and state titles under her belt.GETTING TO KNOW JORDAN:Age: 17Nickname: JTFavorite Food: Chicken enchiladasLast Book Read: "The Next Door Boys"Favorite Movie: Safe HavenBest School Subject: EnglishMotto:"Try a little harder to be a little better."Hero/Who You Look Up To:My mom, Jami, and grandma,Linda Kay Udy.How do You Relax: Listening to musicBest Advice Received:My dad always tells me"It's a long way from your heart,get back on your feet."

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW 5■ RASMUSSEN continued from pg. 3will be swinging for a region and state championship,something he thinks they can accomplish ifthey improve their game each day.This year Stansbury and Grantsville will betheir strongest competition in Region 11. They willalso need to watch out for Juan Diego and SpanishFork at the state level. Rasmussen feels one of themost important things the Bears can do to defeattheir opponents will be to let go of their mistakesduring the game.To prepare for each game, the team completes aconcentration grid, which gets them in the rightmindset. Rasmussen said they also take some timeto scout the other team during warm-ups. Theyobserve their pace and what weaknesses they mightbe able to exploit.As far as his team’s strengths, Rasmussen said,“We can hit the ball really well and we play reallygood defense. If one good thing happens we aregood at creating momentum.”Hawes said Tyler’s strengths are, “His defensiveskills and his calm presence in the face of bigtime moments. I look for Tyler to anchor our middleinfield and to hit somewhere in the top of ourorder.”Rasmussen hopes the team can work on “flushingaway the negative” in their games. He feels thisis something he struggles with, as well, but hopesnot to be so hard on himself this season.When asked about his favorite part of baseball,he said, “There is so much, but my favorite is seriouslythe bus rides, I love the bus rides. Just thebonding moment and having fun with the team.”However, he hates shagging balls and losing.Hawes added, “I think Tyler is a tremendousteammate. He is willing to do whatever the teamneeds done for us to be successful. He knows whento joke around and when to get down to businessand get the work done in order to get better.”After high school Rasmussen plans to serve anLDS mission and then attend Utah State University.GETTING TO KNOW TYLER:Age: 18Nickname: T. RasFavorite Food: Macaroniand cheese, broccoliLast Book Read:"The Great Gatsby"Favorite Movie:Grown UpsBest School Subject:MathMotto:"You only live onceHero/Who You Look UpTo: Elder D. ToddChristoffersonHow do You Relax:Watching M*A*S*H*,eating ice cream,chocolate chips out ofthe cupboardBest Advice Received:By failing to prepare,you are preparing to fail.Benjamin FranklinLeader/Jessica TannerTyler Rasmussen works hard to lead histeam to victory but knows how to lighten the moodand is good comic relief for the team.■ THEURER continued from pg. 4senior year on a high note.”When asked what it is like tohave so much success, she said, “Iam really blessed. It is humbling forsure to think I am up to that caliberwith those girls (throughout thestate). Without my team I would nothave gotten any of these awards.A pitcher cannot do it all by themselves.We have a great defense andoffense and I have definitely had thatevery time I have stepped on themound.”This season she feels her strongestcompetition will be region foesStansbury and Tooele, who have alot of strong hitters and almost alltheir starters returning. Tooele alsogave the Bears their only regionloss last year. On the state level shethinks Spanish Fork will be toughand might be out for revenge afterlosing to the Bears in the championshipgame last season.Theurer will look to the youngergirls on the team to step up and fill thespots left vacant by the seniors whograduated.She said, “We lost a lot of good talentwith the older girls in the program.There will be power in the youngergirls.”Theurer plans to work hard andmaintain a good attitude in order todefeat the competition. She will focuson her pitch and making the propercorrections in her body and hand, andultimately will just take a deep breath.Bingham said, “She is self-motivated.We never have to say anythingto her about working harder or practicingmore. She is always supportiveof her teammates and never critical ofthem.”Her favorite part about softball is,“Honestly, I love everything about it.It is scary on the mound sometimeswhen the game is tight and in yourhands, but I kind of like the pressure.”“It seems that the tougher the situationis, the better she performs. Shethrives in pressure situations. I expecther to have an outstanding year thisyear,” said Bingham.Jordan has already signed a letterof intent to play softball at SouthernUtah University. She plans to major inspeech pathology or become a pharmacist.She also hopes to follow inher mother and grandma’s, Linda KayUdy, footsteps.She said, “They are the perfect exampleof great moms and how I wantto raise my children.”

6 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWBoys’ soccer looks to net w’sTravis HansenLeader Sports WriterDue to weather, the Bear Riverboys’ soccer team did not get thechance to avenge their 2012 seasonendingloss to Payson right out of thegate. However, they have plenty oftough competition ahead of them inthe 2013 season.The Bears are returning a strongFour-time varsity starterCamren Chadwick (right) isone of the many seniors who will belooking to lead the Bears deep intothe playoffs this season.File Photonucleus of senior leaders includingTanner Anderson, Lane Bitner,Camren Chadwick, TannerChristensen, Bryan Gomez and BryceTANNER ANDERSON TANNER CHRISTENSEN BRYCE TUELLERTueller. Seniors Alec Byington, BenRobins, Courtney Southwick, TannerVan Valkenburg and Ben Zollinger,along with juniors Luis Gonzalez,Mayco Chavez and Tanner Porter willalso look to contribute to Bear River’ssuccess with their experience.As has been the case for severalyears, the large number of sophomoresand freshmen who have tried out forthe team has contributed to a strongjunior varsity team and has helped thesoccer program grow in experienceand skill.Second year head coach ChadMunns is excited about the upcomingseason as the team has already setsome goals for 2013.“I am excited for this season. Ithink we can compete and we willlook to stay positive, keep ourcomposure and take what the otherteam is giving us while playing a 3-2-3-2 formation,” Munns said. “We will■ See SOCCER pg. 8

Senior Kyle Zundel, slidingto the base, will use his varsityexperience to be a leader for theBear River baseball team.File PhotoCasey ZundelLeader Sports WriterSPRING SPORTS PREVIEW 7Baseball readyfor seasonDonald Hawes is entering his thirdseason as head coach of Bear RiverHigh School's baseball team. UnderHawes, the Bears are 32-18 with threestate tournament wins. The Bears went16-10 last season and were tied forsecond place in Region 11 at 8-4. TheBears lost their first-round playoffgame last year, then lost again in theconsolation bracket. The 2013 club isreturning a handful of starters,including good pitching.Hawes is excited to see what thisseason has in store, and there are a fewplayers he expects to have a big impacton the season.“Broc Hill was our top RBI manlast year and will be an important partof our lineup,” said Hawes. “We alsoexpect a lot of him on the mound.”Hawes continued, “TylerRasmussen is another guy that we willrely on at the plate. We’ll also needhim to be solid at short-stop.“Kyle Zundel will be important tothe team,” said Hawes. “He’s a bornleader and has shown that this year inthe other two sports (football andbasketball) that he plays.”The Bears will look to juniorHunter Elbrader to build on hispitching success from last season.Elbrader has been working very hardthroughout the past year to become abetter pitcher.Hawes expects Tooele, Stansburyand Grantsville to be good teams. They■ See BASEBALL pg. 9COLTON CORNWALL BROC HILL NATE WOODRUFF

8 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW■ SOCCER continued from pg. 6basically have five defenders butwe will have options to transitionforward and that is what we aretrying to do. We are looking toplay team defense and then attackwhen we get our opportunities.”Ogden once again looks to bethe region front leader, althoughthe Bears will have the opportunityto play the role of the upsetminded underdog as they haveclose to the same number ofseniors returning.“I don’t expect anything lessthan a region championship,although Ogden is going to bevery tough,” Munns stated.Bear River will also face offagainst Sky View and Box Elderin preseason play, before takingon their Region 11 competitionstarting with Tooele on March 12.With the season approachingquickly, most media polls havenot released their preseasonrankings.Wasatch always produces atough team and could be the teamto beat, while the returningchampionship team, Dixie, willtry to defend their 3A title.Look for the Bears to playwith a chip on their shoulder thisseason as they hold the form of ateam that can surprise any teamon any day.CAMREN CHADWICKBRYAN GOMEZALEC BYINGTONTANNERVANVALKENBURGCOURTNEYSOUTHWICKBEN ZOLLINGERLANE BITNERBEN ROBINS

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW 9■ BASEBALL continued from pg. 7KYLE HESS TYLER RASMUSSEN KYLE ZUNDELhave good coaches at those schoolsand traditionally have goodplayers. Morgan will be returning a lotof players from last season and shouldbe a good team. Ogden has improvedeach year under their current headcoach. BR looks like it will field ateam good enough to compete for theregion title this season.The Bears will start things off byplaying in the Pizza Hut Classic in St.George. They will play four gameswith the first three coming againstWasatch, Dixie and Tooele.As part of their 10 home gamesschedule the Bears will host a pair ofbigger schools, Weber and Hillcrest,in double-header on March 16.The majority of the games start at3:30 p.m. Bear River High School hasmade improvement on top ofimprovement for each of its facilitiesover the past few years. The baseballfield has great bleachers with theability to host a big crowd. The homebleachers, on the third base side, keepfans’ backs to the sun--that means nosquinting to take in a spring ball game.

10 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWBears look for 6 thstate titleCari DoutreLeader Sports WriterThis year they have a bigger targeton their backs as the only high schoolsoftball team in Utah to win fivestraight championship titles. TheBears team is preparing for anotherexciting season and is ready to acceptthe challenge. They have plenty ofmotivation to win a sixth straight title.After graduating seven seniorslast year, the team will need to refocusand figure out what works for them.However, the talent of this year’s teamruns deep. Two returning players fromlast year will dominate at shortstopand on the mound.Junior Erin Fox, who made herdebut on the team two years ago, willremain at shortstop. Fox dominatedthe position last year with her quickthinking and smart play.“Erin’s really solid. She’s a greatball player,” said head coach CalvinBingham, who is returning for his15th year as head coach.Senior Jordan Theurer, who hasalready signed to play at SouthernUtah University next year, won justabout every award you can win in thesoftball community last year. Herpitching led the team to a recordbreaking state championship title andthis year she’s looking just as strong.Junior Erin Fox will be a force at theshortstop position for the Bears' softball team thisyear. She is pictured tagging out a Tooele opponent.File Photo“She’s going to be really good,”said Bingham. “We have some reallystrong pitching this year.”But she won’t just be on themound. She’ll trade spots at third basewith sophomore Bailee Trapp whowill also get her time pitching.This year senior Shaila Collumwill be Theurer’s partner in crime atcatcher. The senior showed strong hittingskills last year and is expected todo well. Freshman McKayla King willget some time at catcher to give theyoung player some varsity experience.“They’re both good, solid catchers.They have good arms. All theyneed is some experience,” said Bingham.First base will most likely go tosenior Carleen Hunsaker but Binghamfelt others could step up in that position.“I’m not sure what we’ll do.There may be times where anotherplayer will play,” Bingham added.The second base position is still■ See SOFTBALL pg. 12

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW 11HittingChelsey WakleyLeader Sports WriterIt is that time ofyear again when thesnow is finally meltingand the boys aretaking the court.The Bear Riverboys’ tennis team iscoming together toprepare for the seasonahead of them.This year fans willsee a lot of familiarfaces, as well asplenty of new ones.Senior Augmon Jolleywill return to the courts as atop varsity player. Hisexperience will help lead theBears far this season.File PhotothecourtsTop seniors this year includegles, along withMitch Walker. Bothregion last year andearned state birthsjoined the team lastAugmon Jolley returning as varsity’ssecond sin-these athletesplaced well inat the regional tournament.Senior JordonRichards, whoyear, will also competeCARSON HARDYfor time on thecourt, along withreturning seniorCarson Hardy who moved backfrom Arizona. Coach Ken Oxborrowsaid, “Carson will be giving■ See TENNIS pg. 13

12 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW■ SOFTBALL continued from pg. 10SHAILA COLLOMup in the air, “We haven’t decidedyet,” said Bingham after the secondday of tryouts. “We’ll just have to seewho’s out there.”In the outfield there are two freshmenwho have caught the coaches’eyes. Kylie Larkin and Brenna Hinckare both looking strong.“There’s three or four freshmenwho are as good as anyone,” saidJORDAN THEURERBingham.The Bears have their pick of preseasonopponents, Bingham said. “Idon’t have to worry about teams wantingto play us. I get calls all the time.They use us as a measuring stick to seewhere their program adds up. We’veeven had several teams we turneddown because we couldn’t fit theminto our schedule.”CARLEEN HUNSAKERIn Region 11, the Bears will facethree of the top teams in 3A, Tooele,Stansbury and Grantsville. Last yearTooele gave the Bears their onlyRegion 11 loss.“I think our region and Region 9will be really good,” said Bingham.This year Region 9’s Snow Canyon,Canyon View and Cedar City will betough match ups for the Bears. Region9 will also play Region 11 in the firstround of the 3A state tournament thisMay.Last year’s second place finishers,Spanish Fork, will be aiming totake state. The Dons beat BR in thefirst game of the state championshiptitle play but the Bears pulled off thewin in game two.The Bears will also face 5A’s secondplace team Copper Hills as wellas Weber, the defending 5A statechamps. They’ll see 4A’s second placeteam Salem Hills and the Bears’ countyrivals Box Elder. The Bees defeatedBR last year.“We’ve got a really tough schedulewith a lot of good teams,” Binghamsaid. “We want the best teams toplay.”The Bears will travel to CedarCity on March 14, for their first preseasongame of the year followed by atournament in St. George on March15-16. Their first region game of theseason, weather permitting, will beMarch 20, at Tooele.

14 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWGolfers tee offFile PhotoRylee Hodge is the only senior to join the girls’ golf team this year.Her experience will be an asset.Courtney ComstockLeader Sports WriterSpring is in the air as the BearRiver girls’ golf team prepares to getout on the course and start swinging--if the weather will cooperate.The golf team lost several playersto graduation, Karley Harper, CamilleJackman, Christina Smith and DarbyRobertson.Head coach Candice Starr said,“We will definitely be missing thesegirls on the team. They were greatplayers along with great girls.”However, several familiar faceswill grace the course with returningvarsity players senior Rylee Hodge,juniors Kabrie Bronson and BreanneNelson, along with sophomore AlyssaPark.“I am so happy that we have somany girls returning this year. Golf isstarting to boom,” joked Starr.The girls have some tough competitionthis year in the region, mostlyOgden, but Starr is confident the girlswill represent Bear River extremelywell due to the experience they have.Hodge will be a great leader forthe Bears, Starr said, “I’m excited tosee what Rylee can do this year. Iknow she will make the team and BearRiver very proud.”

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW 15Track team is off and runninggood for Bear River this season. Theywill also show a lot of improvementwith sprints and long distance events.Smart has a very good chance of competingfor a medal in the high jump.There are always several additionalathletes who emerge each seasonto do well for the Bears.Left, CandiceButtars, ajunior and allaround athlete, willuse her talents toboost the BearRiver girls’ trackteam.Casey ZundelLeader Sports WriterThe track and field season isquickly approaching for Bear RiverHigh School. Last season the girlstook second place at state, to go alongwith their second place region award.The boys’ team had several athletesdo well and will be looking to improvethis season.The girls lost a lot of talent to2012’s graduation, but should return alot of young talent.If all return, the girls are prettyloaded this season with WhitneyWilcox, Jandie Summers, CourtneyMorgan, Candice Buttars, MistyFonnesbeck, Tara Christensen, SierraPayne, Kayla Frett, Paige Miller,Terrell Womack, KatelynCunning and Sarah Nielsen.The girls’ team should once againbe good in the sprints and long jumpcompetitions. They will also have afew returning throwers.The boys had a young group lastseason and hope to continue with theprogress made. The following boysshould be returning: Brett Smart,Branson Fonnesbeck, ColtonJensen, Spencer Stamps, BryceLawson, Rory Mitchell, Jackson Wall,Kendall MacSparran, RJayChristensen, Brad Cottle, RykerJensen, Elijah Woodall, WilfordCottrell, Iain Trujillo, Danny Capener,Justus Wise, Carson Gibbs and KylanSouthward.The throwing events should beRight, JuniorJustus Wisewill be a top performerfor the BearRiver boys' trackteam in the throwingevents.File Photos

16 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWReadyToRodeoFile PhotoAlthough the Bear River Rodeo Club is composed of only fourathletes this year, these cowboys are looking to make a big impact during theseason. Pictured from left: Brayden Rinderknecht, Brazen Conger, Seth Wardand Baxton Udy.Kristi KentLeader Sports WriterThe Bear River Rodeo Club isstarting its season and has some highhopes for the team this year. Withrodeos all over the state, it will be agood year with some tough competition.The Bears are looking forward toshowing everyone what they’ve got.For the tie down roping events,junior Seth Ward and freshmanBrayden Rinderknecht will be competing.They will also be entering theteam roping events.Junior Brazen Conger will competein bareback riding, while freshmanBaxton Udy will brave saddlebronc.The team attended a multi-staterodeo event on March 7-9. They’llattend the Spiker’s rodeo held inOgden on April 5, with the Double Don April 6, also in Ogden.The fairgrounds will be busy onApril 19-20, as the Bears will hosttheir club rodeo event on Friday.Logan will also be holding their rodeohere in Tremonton on Saturday. Watchthe Leader for all the rodeo resultsand to keep up on the hometown cowboys.