Liberty Rugby sends two on New Zealand exchange

Photo by Scott Wright
Liberty Rugby Football Club player Keegan Stuver (left) lunges toward the ball carrier in a local match earlier this year.

The Liberty Rugby Football Club has done a more than solid job of building a local following for the international sport, but try as it might, the enthusiasm pales in comparison to that seen in New Zealand.

That’s why the club is sending two of its players on a once-in-a-lifetime exchange to the country that literally lives and breathes rugby.

“It’s the hot bed of rugby,” Liberty rugby coach Jeff Candler said. “It’s going to be eye opening. We have a pretty strong rugby culture at Liberty, but they have it throughout the entire country.”

Noah Wright, an incoming ninth-grader at Liberty High School, and Keegan Stuver, entering 10th grade at Kent-Meridian High School, left for New Zealand at the end of May. The boys will attend Trident High School, where they’ll train alongside athletes who have played the sport their entire lives.

Wright said he expects a strict regiment of ruby, school and training in his three months overseas, but he’s excited to learn from the best.

“I’m kind of nervous because rugby over there is way different,” he said prior to leaving. “Their skills are more honed than they are here. American rugby is more individual, while rugby in New Zealand is more team-oriented.”

Coaches chose Wright and Stuver for the opportunity because both display a lot of promise, Candler said. They also have supportive families that appreciate the exchange enough to allow their boys to leave home for three months.

Rugby runs in the family for both boys. Stuver’s father played with Candler back in the day, while Wright’s brother Ian, a 2013 Liberty High School graduate, played with the USA Rugby High School All-Americans last year.

“These two are the captains of their team,” Candler said of Wright and Stuver. “Noah has been playing a long time and has shown such an eagerness to learn and get better. Both of them have the right physical and mental attitude, too.”

Stuver said coaches have told him that New Zealand children “basically come out of the womb carrying a rugby ball,” and it’s as much, or more, a part of the culture, as football is to Americans.

New Zealand won the very first Rugby World Cup, held in 1987. The country also won the most recent one, in 2011. The next one is schedule for 2015 in England.

“There’s no better place in the world to learn about rugby,” Stuver said. “They’re the smartest rugby players on earth.”

Wright and Stuver will return home at the end of August with, they hope, a sharpened repertoire of skills, and an even finer appreciation for the sport.

“It’s really a unique opportunity,” Candler said. “You don’t see a lot of guys from our side going down there, at least at that age. The gains we’ll get as a team, and they’ll get individually, are just immeasurable.”

Mekel, who is also a member of the state-champion Hazen drill team, competed in a marathon of workshops, tryouts and auditions to be selected as a Sea Gal.

She used her athleticism, knowledge of choreography and passion to win over judges in the selection process. Out of the hundreds of women who try out, only 24-32 are selected for the squad.

See Mekel and the 2014-2015 squad on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Sea.Gals.

The preface would note that her Hazen roots run deep. She was a member of the Liberty High School drill team before coming to Hazen, where she was the drill team captain in 1999.

Contributed
Hazen High School drill team and coaches show off their newest state championship trophy at the Yakima SunDome March 29. Hazen placed first in 3A pom.

The body of the story would detail her seven years as the Hazen drill coach, a golden era of sorts, as she led the Highlanders to several state titles.

The best part would be the ending, though, as Sargent’s team captured its third consecutive state title, in the same year she announced it would be her last.

That’s what happened March 29 as the Hazen drill team added to its overflowing trophy case with another great showing at the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s Dance and Drill State Championships in the Yakima SunDome.

The Highlanders took first in 3A pom with a score of 252.3.

“I told the girls, leaving with them is the exclamation point at the end of this job because it’s just been a great team,” Sargent said.

This year’s team was disciplined and hardworking, Sargent said. Drill is a huge time commitment. The girls practice for nearly 10 months of the year, rarely stopping for holidays, vacations or school breaks.

Academics are important to the squad. The drill team is held to a higher grade point average standard than other sports teams, Sargent said.

For the first time since Sargent had been at Hazen, a Hazen drill team member won a special WIAA academic scholarship at this year’s state event. Christine Ta, a senior, came away with the award.

“That was so special,” Sargent said. “She worked so hard and she’s an amazing student.”

Ta wasn’t the only Hazen driller to receive an individual honor at the state championship. Hazen senior Josie Fenske placed in the top six in the individual drill down competition that attracts hundreds of participants.

“There are about 400 or 500 kids on that floor, and Josie was one of the best out there,” Sargent said. “She’s always been really strong, but this is the farthest she’s ever made it.”

Sargent is now stepping away from the sport to take time to be with her kids. She doesn’t plan to stay away completely from the team, but she no longer has time for the commitment drill requires.

Her departure made her third consecutive year winning a state title a little bittersweet, she said, but she was glad to leave on a high note.

“It’s going to be OK. I’ll still be around, but this definitely feels like it’s the exact way I would want to go out,” she said.

Oliver took over the program in 2009, and under his direction, Hazen returned to the state playoffs during the 2011 season, for the first time since 1993.

Drew Oliver

“I feel that the program at Hazen is in a much better place now than it was five years ago, and I’m confident that with the fine community of support and culture of hard work we’ve created, it will continue to get even better,” he wrote.

He earned Seamount League Coach of the Year honors and was selected as a Seahawks Coach of the Week in 2011.

Oliver, who grew up in the Newport Hills neighborhood, coached at Newport prior to accepting the job at Hazen.

“Coaching at Hazen has truly been a privilege and a blessing,” Oliver wrote. “I’ve grown so much personally and professionally here in the last five years.”

The top three finishers for men were Keeney; Dario Cirlicione, of Renton, finishing in 18:53; and Michael Bowser, of Renton, with a time of 19:34.

The top three finishers for women were Laurie Elliott Wilson, of Newcastle, finishing in 22:06; Melinda SanJule, of Bellevue, with a time of 22:19; and Newcastle resident Julie D’Adamo, who crossed the finish line with a time of 23:46.

In the new 1K kids dash, Sammamish residents Nico and Cristy Mendez finished as the top two, with times of 3:25 and 3:44, respectively.

The 2013 race was made possible by support from the Coal Creek Family YMCA, Michelle Woo — Windermere, Imelda Dulcich PR, Conner Homes, HomeStreet Bank, Sweet Decadence, B & E Meats and Seafood, Hughes Chiropractic, Newcastle Weed Warriors and Newcastle Trails.

The camp, from 4:30-7 p.m. at Hazen High School, is aimed toward preschoolers and students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Campers will learn drills, cheers and a full routine from Hazen drill team members and coaches. At the end of the day, they will perform for parents.

The very next day, the campers will have the opportunity to perform for fans at the Hazen football game.

The cost for the camp is $45, and includes a cheer T-shirt, hair ribbons, cheer poms, team pictures, dinner and free admission to the Oct. 25 football game.

Email Hazen drill coach Kristin Sargent at kristin.sargent@rentonschools.us by Oct. 16 to register. Learn more at www.hazendrillteam.shutterfly.com.

Photos by Greg Farrar
Above, the remains of an old rusted panel van greet hikers starting out on the May Creek Trail where it begins off the Pipeline Trail south of Southeast 89th Place. At right, May Creek rushes over rocks and through pools at the bottom of the valley where the new trail parallels the stream.

Several eager hikers at the Health and Wellness Fair at Lake Boren Park the first weekend of June were given guided tours of the newest portion of the trail system that meanders through the green belts and waterways of Newcastle.

Participants on the preview trek along the 2.8-mile stretch of the May Creek trail were forced to sidestep around piles of small stones and stashes of tools left by volunteers who hope to have the trail ready for its official opening.

“The trail wasn’t completely finished, although most walkers probably did not know the difference,” said Peggy Price, treasurer and work coordinator for the nonprofit Newcastle Trails organization. “Volunteers have been setting pavers in the ground and working on creek crossings for weeks in preparation for the ribbon-cutting. But that has not stopped curious folks from exploring the route on their own.”

Price volunteers her time to groom the trail on Wednesday afternoons and is joined by her son Steve every Saturday. The organization tends 19 trails within the city. The Newcastle Trails group is focused on both the preservation and expansion of trails within the city.

The newest portion of the trail system can be discovered south of the park by following the Pipeline Trail just across Southeast 89th Place. A small path into the trees about 20 yards from the parking area near the bridge leads to the right, into the forest and under a canopy of mature trees that stand on both sides of the trail. Small signs direct hikers toward the sound of the creek below. Before hikers reach the water, the trail will lead them past the rusted body of an imported panel van with the steering wheel on the right.

Spawning grounds

From there, the trail twists down the hillside with sharp drop-offs that alternate from side to side. A large pool created by fallen trees provides the first up-close sight of the actual creek. Hikers on the trail in early June were treated to the sights and smells of native cutthroat trout returning to their spawning grounds. Not surprisingly, the fish attracted an unusual number of birds to the area.

Recent work by the volunteer work crew is evident at the point of the trail where the elevation evens out at the bottom of the valley as the trail parallels the creek. Closer inspection to the surface of the pathway displays hand-built rockeries tucked into the side of the trail and potholes filled with smooth stones.

The rise in elevation is hardly noticeable. Without any notice, the walkway makes a sharp right turn and follows the contour of a fence that shields signs of development when the trees are in full bloom. The trail comes to an abrupt end with the sidewalk on Coal Creek Parkway, across from the entrance to the Windtree development.

A short walk along the esplanade takes hikers back to the parking lot at Lake Boren. The new trail is pet friendly, but hikers should come prepared with their own water supply and poop bags. There are currently no plans for waste disposal along the trail. Bags are available at each end of Lake Boren Park.

Work by the Newcastle organization is being done in cooperation with plans by the city of Bellevue to replace the 45-year-old culvert along Coal Creek Parkway to improve salmon passage. The project includes new vehicle and pedestrian bridges.

Monthly meetings of the Newcastle Trails organization are open to all residents of the surrounding communities. There are no dues. Price emphasized that equestrians are encouraged to have their voices heard in future plans for walking and riding trails.

File
Runners take off as the Newcastle 5K Run/Walk begins last September at Lake Boren Park.

In February, the Newcastle 5K Run/Walk faced an uncertain future, after founder Lee Strom announced he could no longer shoulder the brunt of the work that it takes to direct the race due to work commitments.

The future became a whole lot brighter recently when Newcastle Dentistry agreed to assume race management, ensuring that the popular September event would continue.

“We can’t let students down,” Patricia Ramos, Newcastle Dentistry’s community liaison, said. “In the last four years, they’ve raised more than $18,000 going for scholarships. How can you let that die?”

Rebranded as the Newcastle 5K Run/Walk for Education, the Sept. 8 event is all about raising funds for college-bound high school seniors, said Geoffrey Strange, a dentist with Newcastle Dentistry.

“It’s not like education is getting cheaper,” he said. “It’s getting more and more difficult and the question is should only people that have money get to go to college? I mean, that doesn’t seem fair.”

Strange has run the Newcastle 5K before, and has the T-shirts to prove it, he said, and many of his employees are fitness enthusiasts, so it was a perfect fit.

The 2013 event will look largely the same as it has in the past, Ramos said, though a new 1K Kids Dash will be offered. Runners can participate for $10.

“We found that it’s a great way to have kids train for cross country that comes in the fall,” she said. “Some kids are more competitive than others, so we’re trying to give them the space they want to get the recognition for their effort.”

Registration for the regular 5K costs $25 per person, or $20 through group-registration. High school students can enter for $15. Fees will increase after Aug. 15. The 5K begins at 9 a.m., but for those who want to participate with strollers, or leashed dogs, there will be a staggered start at 9:15 a.m.

“This race is super flexible,” Ramos said. “Everyone is welcome, even dogs, as long as they are on a short leash and they are friendly. If you want to bike the race instead of running, of course you can do that, but it will be time delayed so we give space to the serious runners.”

Following the main race, the free, untimed Bitty Kids Dash will occur for young children.

Ideally, all funds raised from participant registration will go directly toward the scholarship fund, Strange said, but that will be determined by the amount of sponsors the race accumulates. Newcastle Dentistry is still seeking sponsors, and Strange said he would like to see more community businesses fill that role.

“Most businesses rely on the community, but it’s a two-way street and I understand that times can be challenging. It’s challenging running a business. It’s all about priorities, though,” he said.

HomeStreet Bank and the Coal Creek Family YMCA are just a few of the local businesses that have agreed to sponsor the event, Ramos said.

For volunteers, Ramos said they hope to turn to the schools. Race organizers will sign community service sheets for students who help.

“If they come, for example middle school students, they can get a glimpse of all the things that are going on to help other people go to college,” she said. “You volunteer, you run and then at some point you apply for that scholarship, so it’s a holistic process.”

Runners can register online at www.newcastle5k.com. Initial fees will increase Aug. 15. Participants can also register at a Newcastle Days booth, or on the day of the race, but they are not guaranteed a T-shirt.

“We’re trying to build community with the race,” Ramos said. “We want people to come out and volunteer. We want it to be a whole family event and we want to remind everyone that our goal is those kids going to college.”

What to know

•  The Newcastle 5K Run/Walk for Education is a 3.1-mile course that travels on a mix of trails and paved roads through Newcastle parks and byways.
•  The Sept. 8 race begins and ends at Lake Boren Park.
•  Register for the event at www.newcastle5k.com.

Get involved

The Newcastle 5K Run/Walk for Education is seeking sponsors and volunteers. Learn more by emailing Patricia Ramos at patricia@newcastledentistry.com or info@newcastle5k.com

Contributed
The Hazen High School drill team poses with its state championship trophies at the Yakima SunDome March 22. Hazen placed first in 3A pom and second in 3A military.

Hazen High School is home to a burgeoning dynasty, even if its leader, drill team coach Kristin Sargent, may be too humble to admit it.

That’s what it’s called when a team wins back-to-back state championships and has placed at the state competition every year since 2008.

The Hazen High School drill team added to its overflowing trophy case with an impressive showing at the March 22 Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s Dance and Drill State Championships in the Yakima SunDome.

The team placed first in 3A pom and second in 3A military, after taking first in both events last year.

“Getting a back-to-back win is not common, so it was very exciting for the team,” Sargent said.

Hazen’s military score was actually higher than last year’s, but the score was not enough to capture first this time.

“When you’re in a subjective sport like that, you can’t control how your competition scores,” Sargent said. “It was close and could have probably gone either way, but it went this way and we’re happy with it.”

After spending time competing in high school gymnasiums around the area, getting a chance to perform in the large Yakima SunDome is always a thrill for her girls, Sargent said.

“It’s like a beehive in there, and everybody’s just walking around, so when the girls first walk in, you can see their eyes just get big,” she said. “It’s a magical thing, and the WIAA does an amazing job of making this event special for the girls.”

It is not easy to so consistently excel at the state competition, Sargent said. The team’s 26 girls practice for about 10 months of the year, rarely stopping for holidays, vacations or school breaks.

“It’s a huge time commitment, but it’s worth it,” she said. “You can definitely see the results.”

The team practices four days a week for about two hours. Members must maintain a 2.5 grade point average, higher than the usual 2.0 sports standard.

“It’s a lot of work, but it doesn’t take long for the girls to catch the fever of what it means to be a Hazen driller and what that expectation entails,” Sargent said.

Sargent knows firsthand what it takes to don the Highlanders’ colors, having done so as a Hazen student herself. She was a member of the Liberty High School drill team before coming to Hazen, where she was the drill team captain in 1999.

“I’m grateful that I was able to be at both schools. I learned a lot at Liberty,” she said. “To come back to Hazen, though, it felt so comfortable. I came in and I can’t leave. It’s so rewarding and it’s so much fun.”

In addition to competitions, the team also participates in community parades, football games, basketball games, community and charity events, and Hazen pep assemblies throughout the year.

Captains Lydia Sim, Newin Pales, Quynh Nhu Tran and Valerie Tran lead the team. Lieutenants for the team are Christine Ta, Errin Williams and Michelle Tsuboi.

Members of the team from Newcastle are Kelsey Chin, Uugii Munkhdelger, Sim and Tsuboi.

On the Web

Learn more about the Hazen High School drill team at www.hazendrillteam.shutterfly.com.

Liberty rugby player Ian Wright is used to donning the blue-and-green uniform of the Liberty Rugby Football Club.

The Liberty High School senior temporarily traded in the Patriots’ colors, though, for the familiar red, white and blue of USA Rugby, when he represented the country at an international competition in February.

Contributed
Liberty Rugby Football Club player Ian Wright attempts to evade a defender as he runs across the pitch. Wright was selected from a pool of more than 120 elite athletes to join the USA Rugby High School All-Americans.

Wright was selected from a pool of more than 120 elite athletes to join the USA Rugby High School All-Americans. Only 24 athletes were chosen to fill two teams that competed at the Las Vegas Invitational Sevens Tournament, going up against squads from Canada.

“Actually having the chance to represent my country, it means more than anything,” Wright said. “Words can’t describe it.”

Wright’s selection came as no surprise, given his work ethic and determination to succeed, Liberty Rugby Football Club coach Jeff Candler said.

“I can probably count on one hand how many practices he’s missed in five years,” Candler said. “He’s not one to sit out a drill or a game. He doesn’t miss opportunities to better himself.”

Wright’s refusal to quit stems from his aspiration to compete in the world’s premier sporting event — the Olympics. Rugby returns to the Summer Olympics in 2016, after almost a century away from the games.

“As a high schooler, being able to represent the USA is awesome, but being able to represent your country in the Olympics would be even better,” he said. “Just knowing that I possibly have a chance to be one of those top guys is pushing me to do even more and get even better so I can make that team.”

Wright’s selection to the High School All-Americans is a promising first step as USA Rugby prepares for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Candler said.

“This is part of the player pool that they’re seeking for the Olympics,” he said. “This is the age group that they want. They’re developing this group of athletes, and they’re going to pick out of them for the Olympic team in 2016. It’s a great honor.”

The USA Rugby High School All-Americans fielded two teams at the Las Vegas tournament. Wright was placed on the second team, but it was the first team that emerged as the victors, earning the chance to continue playing at tournaments in England and South America.

Though Wright was not on the winning squad, his performance in Las Vegas stood out, and he was one of three athletes selected as reserves to the team that traveled to London at the end of March.

The sport of rugby is a bit of a different animal, Candler said, but its popularity in the area has grown by leaps and bounds over the years.

“We’ve expanded from a club of 20 people to 100 people,” he said. “It’s entirely different from your mainstream sports. Our sport brings kids closer through the physicality of it and the bond that’s created from going through the learning process of a sport they probably didn’t know before.”

That physicality is what attracted him to the sport five years ago, said Wright, who also played football for Liberty. Rugby, similar to football, has been a useful outlet to relieve stress and clear his mind of distractions.

Wright’s favorite part of the sport, though, is the relationships he has cultivated with both his teammates and competitors.

“The camaraderie in this sport is amazing,” he said. “I consider them all as part of my family, my rugby brothers. I just wouldn’t trade it for anything.”