HIgh school sports: The rise of soccer at McNary boys and Woodburn girls, and a coming showdown in volleyball
Pete Martini
Through the first month of the fall season, some teams are starting to solidify themselves as contenders for the state playoffs, and possibly even deep playoff runs.
Here is a look at four non-football teams, and one individual athlete, who are improving and could have a strong showing this season.
McNary boys soccer
The McNary boys soccer team is off to a strong start so far this season, with a 4-2 record and No. 19 rating in the Class 6A OSAA rankings.
“Our team is better than people expected this year,” McNary coach Miguel Camarena said. “I have good technical and dynamic players that translates to having a lot of possessions during our games, creating opportunities to score.”
The Celtics’ losses this season were 1-0 to No. 16 Lake Oswego and 2-0 at No. 1 Centennial.
McNary also has four shutout victories against Central, Canby, Madison and Gresham.
The Celtics open Mountain Valley Conference play this week, with a 7 p.m. Tuesday match at West Salem.
“Still a lot of work to do,” Camarena said. “Looking ahead to conference games. Conference games are always challenging because of the rivalry and we know each other. Our team is going to be ready, and we are looking forward to being in the top of our conference.”
Salem-area high school standings:Football, volleyball, girls soccer, boys soccer
Woodburn girls soccer
The Woodburn girls soccer team is off to a 6-1 start overall this season, including a unbeaten 5-0 in the Oregon West Conference.
The Bulldogs are No. 7 in the Class 4A OSAA rankings — the boys team, by the way, is ranked No. 11 — and they have outscored opponents 28-11.
“Our team is off to an exceptionally strong start this season,” Woodburn coach Andrea Whiteman said. “This coachable group of girls battles and pushes themselves in every single practice, and this has become glaringly obvious in our games.”
Woodburn continues with league matches this week at home 6 p.m. Tuesday against Philomath, and home against Sweet Home at 6 p.m. Thursday.
MORE:West Salem's Paige Alexander is back playing high school soccer and loving it
Toby Ruston, Dallas cross country
Dallas cross country junior runner Toby Ruston is off to fast start this fall, and he currently has the best time among Mid-Willamette boys.
Ruston’s time of 15:58.8, which he ran at the Northwest Classic on Sept. 14, also is the sixth-fastest time in the state among Class 5A boys.
“Toby has great work ethic—trained all summer. He is a really tough competitor, loves to win more than he hates to lose,” Dallas coach Monique Lankheet said. “He is a really supportive teammate and gets along with everyone. So coachable, I don’t remember him ever complaining about a workout.”
High school sports:These 5 Salem-area teams look strong this fall
Last season, Ruston placed third in the conference and ninth at state.
The Mid-Willamette Conference championships are set for Nov. 2 at Crystal Lake Sports Park in Corvallis.
The OSAA Class 5A state championships are set for Nov. 9 at Lane Community College in Eugene.
Salem Academy volleyball
Salem Academy’s volleyball team has been off to a strong start this season, with a 7-4 overall record and No. 2 rating in the Class 3A OSAA rankings.
The Crusaders also are 2-0 in the PacWest Conference and share the lead with Blanchet.
Salem Academy has faced tough opponents this season, including a loss at Valley Catholic, the No. 2 ranked team in Class 4A, and a loss to Kennedy, the No. 1 ranked team in Class 2A.
This week, Salem Academy plays at Amity at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, and then hosts Blanchet in a big match at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Blanchet volleyball
Blanchet’s volleyball team is turning things around this season.
After a 0-11 start to the season, the Cavaliers have won four matches in a row, including their first two PacWest Conference matches of the season.
Now with a 4-11 record, including 2-0 in the conference, Blanchet shares first place with Salem Academy with some big matches coming up.
This week, Blanchet hosts Yamhill-Carlton at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, then has a showdown at Salem Academy at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.