Layers of Success: Local high schoolers set high standards in competitive endeavors

Best of luck to the three Engineering program Robotics teams, including the all-freshman Transformers, who head to state this weekend.

The HRVHS boys basketball team brought excitement back to the program with its best record and first playoff appearance in more than a decade. Coach Steve Noteboom and his band of running, scrapping shooters filled the stands every week, thanks largely to their teamwork and tenacity and plenty of scoring to go with defense. Results of their Tuesday night playoff game were unavailable at presstime, but whatever the result, the 2014-15 season was a major success.

(Now, may the Horizon and HRVHS athletic directors and coaches see fit to making an Eagles v. Hawks pre-season game an annual tradition.)

HRV wrestler Jessica DeHart made school history with her fourth-straight 106-pound wrestling title. Jessica is not only an excellent athlete but one of the cadre of women wrestlers who have inspired many other females to try the sport, and excel. Congratulations also to state champions Payton Rigert (152) and Sarah Sullenger (113).

Christian Marquez (132) came up just short in his quest to repeat as men’s state 5A champion, but the silver remains a real mark of merit, and Marquez deserves applause for his leadership and excellence throughout his wrestling career.

Then there are the perennially successful HRVHS ski and Hood River snowboard teams, which advance to state this weekend. Kudos to skiers Hannah Bergemann and Patrick Crompton, who took top honors in the Mt. Hood League (details on page A7).

Back on the subject of basketball: what can you say about Darrin Lingel and his Horizon Christian Hawks? Back in postseason for the sixth straight year, the team has the talent and confidence to win state for the second time (the Hawks did so in 2012). The undefeated squad glided past Triangle Lake in the play-in game on Friday but had to gut out a tight victory against South Wasco the previous week — probably the best thing that could have happened in terms of preparation for the state tournament.

In any event, congratulations go to the HCS program — the gold standard in Class 1A basketball. All the best as you head to Baker City to start your title quest tonight.