It's going to be a long season.

Jordan Highland (left) out reaches a Lane CC post for the hoop, and Jamie Mayhew (right) drives to the net against SWOCC.

Every year 16 out of 34 teams make it to the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Championship Tournament in March, for a chance at northwest basketball supremacy.

There are high expectations by coaches and players, for Linn-Benton's Roadrunners to make it to the 2010 NWAAC's tournament for both men's and women's teams. And although the men's team is on track, winning their first two league games. The women are facing unexpected obstacles this season, and losing their first two.

Prior to league the men have been winning most their games, and according to head coach Randy Falk, "The more you win the more confidence your team will have."

However both the men's wins were in overtime, and that is something the team is trying to avoid.

"We're trying to make it a tradition here at Linn-Benton." Said coach Falk, commenting that he has taken his team to the NWAACC's tournament for the past two years and plans on making it three.

"If we keep playing like we do and play hard, we're going to get there." Said freshman guard Taylor Roos who is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to his free throws; making 16/19 for the first league game and 10/11 in the second game, sealing the win.

The women's team however is having an almost opposite season when compared to the men.

Losing their first two league games to Lane CC and Southwestern Oregon CC. The Lady Roadrunners are having a tough time finding a balance with an entirely new team, with only one returning player, sophomore guard Kalah Heacock.

"It's hard because we don't have that team chemistry coming into the season, but we try and it's been hard with all the injuries; every time someone is in, someone else is out." Said Jamie Wilson, who was the game's top scorer against SWOCC with 22 points.

Besides being a young team, the Roadrunners don't have a full bench like most of their competition. Which forces some players to play a full game against opposition that has fresh bodies coming off the bench, resulting in a tired and fatigued team.

Despite the odds being against the Lady Roadrunners, the team still has high hopes of making it into the NWAACC tournament in March.

"Our final goal is the NWAACC's tournament, and we're are definitely in one of the toughest leagues with Umpqua, Clackamas and Lane. They're all ranked in the top four and we definitely want to be in one of those positions before NWAACC's [tournament]." Said women's head coach Teresa Guerra who remains positive during a rocky season.

If the men can control the game in the beginning instead of mainly in overtime, and the women can find some more fresh bodies; it should be an exciting season for both teams as they attempt to take LBCC to the top, for victory and bragging rights.

LBCC is currently tied for first with Chemeketa in league, while the women remain tied for third against Portland CC.

Who: Men's and women's LBCC basketball
What: NWAACC Championship.
When: March
How: Hard work, teamwork, and a little luck.
Why: To be top community college basketball team in the northwest.

My first feature story

Photo by graphicshunt.com

The first feature story I will use for this term will be about both the mens and woman's first league basketball games this Saturday.
Sources for interviews will include both head coaches for Linn-Benton, key players from that particular game and possibly some spectators.

sample questions:

How difficult was this opponent what were your/their strength?

Who are the key players, did anyone rise to the occasion for this game?

Did you or didn't you meet your expectations?

What are your feelings for how the game went?

How is the team now compared to pre-league games?

Linn-Benton wins again

Last Tuesday the Linn-Benton Road Runners went to Clackamas Community College to take on the Cougars, and came away with the win, for their third consecutive win.

With a healthy team and win against Clackamas, the Cougars lose their third place spot to LB going into the NWAACC Championship Tournament that is held at Mt. Hood Community College Nov. 19.

Game one of the match did not fall in LB's favor as the opposing team had fierce kills. The Cougars kill skills looked to overwhelm LB and the Road Runners lost the first game 18-25. Game two was close, 25-21, with LB taking game two; they seemed to be figuring out there opponents strength. In game three LB's blocking game stepped up, blocking most of the Cougars attempted kills to end the game 25-15. Game four was a repeat of the third with incredible blocks and well placed kills, the road Runners defeated the Cougars 25-13, for a final score of 3-1.

"This win really set us up going into the NWACC tournament, were upward in momentum. And I said all along if had everybody healthy and everybody brought their game that they're capable of we can beat teams like this." Said head coach Jayme Frazier after LB's win against Clackamas.

Sophomore Stephanie Mugleston who led the teams kills for the night with 14 said “we pulled together and really played as a team, and came prepared." Other top match players include sophomore Luci DeLong with 10 kills and 18 digs.

Road Runners win two at home

Stephanie Mugleston goes for the kill.

Over this past weekend the Linn-Benton Community College Road Runners won two consecutive home matches over Friday and Saturday. The matches were against Southwestern Oregon Community College and Umpqua Community College.

Friday night’s game was against SOCC and looked to be up against a tough opponent as the Road Runners were down by seven before scoring their first point, and lost the first game 16-25. But that was not the end as the Road Runners made quick work of the third game winning 25-17 and eventually winning the next two games with scores of 25-21 and 26-24 for the match’s win of 3-1. Sophomore Stephanie Mugleston led the team’s kills with 17 for the night, while team mate freshman Mackenzie Gundlach led the team’s assists with 36.

Saturday’s game against Umpqua looked to be fairly easy for the Road Runners as they handled their opponents 25-16. But in the second game the visiting team showed a comeback although the Road Runners kept it close, they lost game two 22-25. The third game was a flip-flop of the first as the roadrunners won 25-22, then 25-17 for the overall match win of 3-1. Top players for the match included Sophomore Luci DeLong with 15 kills, Stephanie Mugleston with 14 kills, Mackenzie Gundlach with 50 assists and freshman Emily Buchheit with six aces.

“From day one we have dealt with injuries, from back injuries to illness’s like H1N1 for every single match” said head coach Jayme Frazier, commenting that her team has not been at full strength thus far in the season. “For this weekend I asked the team and individuals to step up, and they did and proved that they can do it.” That was the biggest part of the weekend she said, was with a lot of players out with illness, the individuals she asked to step up really did and that allowed the games to end in Linn-Benton’s favor, that and playing consistent for both matches.

Linn-Benton is currently in fourth for NWAACC’s southern region league and has one more away game against Clackamas before the NWAACC Championships.

Teriyaki love

Nestled between Great clips and Pizza Hut and across from parking lot from the Heritage mall. Is a little restaurant that specializes in all things teriyaki.

When first walking into Love Love Teriyaki you'll want look at the large menu board and choose from 15 different combination plates and bowls. The plates come with chicken (teriyaki or spicy), beef, pork or shrimp. there are also "yaki soba" and "yaki udon" noodle dishes.

Once you find a table it usually takes about five or ten minutes to receive your food and engorge yourself in teriyaki perfection. Come hungry because the serving sizes are very generous.

There are several daily lunch specials for $6.25. I had the spicy chicken plate that came with what looked like a pound charbroiled spicy chicken, a sumo size helping of rice, and fresh cabbage with crisp oriental dressing. The meal was very satisfying but I could not finish the whole meal, so I boxed it up for later.


The price range is $6.25-$8.95 and you definitely get what you pay for here. I've been to Love Love Teriyaki several times with various friends and everyone including myself have become a fan. The only downfall to this teriyaki treat is that they are not open Sundays.

Secure your next rental deposit

This tenant requested a full deposit.

Moving away from home for first time and into your own place is exciting. But when it comes time to move like a lot of college student do, they often feel ripped off when they won’t be seeing any or little of their $300-$500 security deposit. Managers may say the deposit was kept for cleaning and damages that were made, and that’s where most tenants give up, and receive nothing even if they feel like they should have got something.

There is a way to receive a full security deposit or at least most of it. Before you rent, be sure to check the apartment complex’s policies and check with the manager of what the security deposit covers. Usually it covers cleaning and damages. Joni Kelsey, manager of Oak Vale apartments in Corvallis, said “we are usually generous with giving back deposits,” and claimed most fees are from “unclean window frames and tracks that often can accumulate moisture and cause mold.”

If you decide to rent be sure to do a walkthrough before moving in and write down any previous damages done to the apartment so management can keep record of it. Also take pictures of every room for your own records. If you missed anything or something breaks within your first couple days, then tell management so you are not held responsible.

After you’re all settled in be sure to place work orders with management for any problem that arises and keep a copy of the work order for your records. Try not to attach heavy object such as bookshelves or ceiling plants, as these can cause large holes that you might not be able to patch yourself. Also stay up on utility bills or management is entitled to take out some deposit to cover expenses left unpaid.

When you are ready to move out, give a 30-day notice. If you do not give notice that you are leaving, you will lose the entire deposit. Once all your belongings are out of the unit be sure to note all damages caused by you and ask management how much will be taken out for repairs. But if your pad is just as good or better then when you moved in, you should expect your full deposit. Lastly take pictures of every room again so if your deposit is gone for some fabricated reason, then you got evidence to back yourself up and for last resort, something to show if it goes to small claims court.

There only here once a year

First lap for the pro 250 class.

Motocross races and events happen just about every weekend all year round in the northwest, and all you have to do is Google northwest tracks to find various websites and schedules. But there certain events that only happen once a year here and motorsport fans from all over come to witness these annual events in person. The atmosphere of one these events are like a rock concert on steroids and its family friendly as well. This is a list of the biggest motocross events that happen annually.

1. Monster Energy Supercross-

Round 15 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series. Qwest Field in Seattle is home to the Seattle Seahawks and the most awesome show on earth, Supercross! With over 67,000 seats, Qwest Field allows fans to watch all the action from wherever your seat in stadium is. The track is built on top of the football field and features man-made obstacles that would make even Evel Kneivel nervous. The main events don’t start till about 7 p.m. but most fans arrive before noon to attend the open pro pits for autographs and watch practice. It’s a good idea to watch practice because the track is so gnarly your favorite racer might get hurt before the night’s qualifiers even start. http://www.supercross.com/

2. P.I.R. anniversary race-

Portland International Raceway’s annual anniversary race. Three years ago P.I.R. held a 40 year anniversary race that attracted lots of vendors, spectators, and pro’s from around the country. Since P.I.R has held that first anniversary race they have been holding one every year since and the event continues to grow in popularity and has a pro purse of 15,000 dollars. The event has race classes from 50cc beginners to 450cc pros and is held on a Thursday night under stadium lights, and features a special pro only section of the track where a 100ft jump is placed and sends riders about 40ft into air much like a supercross track. http://www.thursdaynightmotocross.com/

3. P.R.O's Top Gun-

Top Gun MX team shootout. This annual event is held on Labor Day weekend and goes on for 4 days at Washougal MX Park. Teams are usually put together by various motorcycle shops and companies within the industry. The event has 40 different classes to watch, and feature some of the most talented riders from around the northwest. Specialty races and games put on just for show include the goon race, where all riders dress up in various outfits and costumes and take turns jumping from small wooden ramp into a pit of mud, the winner is chosen based on style or lack thereof and their outfit.The Team with the best overall results for the weekend are awarded a hand made aluminum Top Gun trophy. http://www.pacificracingmx.com/

4. Motocross nationals-

AMA Motocross Championships at Washougal MX Park. Round eight of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross championships are held in Washougal, Wash. Usually during the last weekend of July. The Pro races are held on Saturday which includes 450cc, 250cc, and women’s classes that make up an entire day of racing. Over 30,000 spectators are in attendance to watch the world’s fastest racers battle it out on the most scenic national track in the country. This race allows you to get so close to the track you can almost touch the racers, but that also means you’re eating the dirt there tire throws off when the pass by if you’re not paying attention. The race is also broadcasted live on SPEED TV. Washougal also has their annual Amateur days are held the day after the AMA Motocross Championships is over and features a few thousand of top amateurs from around the country in one the nation’s largest amateur motocross event. http://www.washougalmxpk.com/