“For a bunch of small-town kids, some islanders certainly know the ropes.Ten Bainbridge girls competed in the national U.S. Amateur Jump Rope Federation Tournament at Walt Disney World in Florida, June 23-25.All brought home medals. And 15-year-old Brisa Leachman was named the country’s top freestyle jumper in all age groups.I had a miss in the preliminary round, and took second, Leachman said. But the top three in each age group go into the finals, where everybody competes no matter what age they are. You start over in the finals, and I won.Leachman was competing as part of the Hot Dog USA team from Kirkland. Until last fall, she was a member of Bainbridge Island Ropeskippers, and was part of the four-jumper team that finished second in last year’s world competition.”
“The cliche that there’s no place like home is never more true than on a golf course, where players adapt their games to the layout they regularly play.The home-course advantage proved decisive Thursday, as Wing Point’s team made up a three-shot deficit on its own course, and went on to post a one-shot overtime win over Meadowmeer in the ninth annual Helpline House Golf tournament. This was the most memorable as far as drama, said Meadowmeer head professional Tom Mueller, the only player to compete in all of the tournaments. I can’t remember any being so competitive.The 10-plus hours of competition finally ended on Wing Point’s second hole. There, country club head pro Dave Tunkkari holed a downhill 20-foot chip for a birdie, letting Wing Point hang onto the Fred Schaffer memorial trophy for another year.”
“The third time was indeed the charm for the Village Chevron Babe Ruth League team Monday night, as they took the tournament championship by beating the John L. Scott squad 8-2.It was vindication and revenge for the perennial powerhouse Chevron, which took a 12-2 regular-season record into the tournament. In each of the last two years, Chevron had lost in the tournament to JLS, then known as the Navy team.”
“When the golfing gladiators from Meadowmeer and Wing Point square off this Thursday in their annual benefit challenge, the teams won’t be even. Wing Point is temporarily without an assistant pro, so club champion Neal White will pair with pro David Tunkkari in an effort to keep the trophy in Wing Point’s pro shop for another year.But it’s by no means clear whether the presence of an amateur will help or hurt.For me to compete with those guys, they’ve got to be off a little bit and I’ve got to be playing fabulously, White said. But on the other hand, you do get to play a lot more as an amateur than as a pro, he added.And precedent is on White’s side. The shoe was on the other foot in 1997 and 1998, when Meadowmeer amateur Ed Jonson teamed with pro Tom Mueller. And Meadowmeer won both of those matches, capping a string of five straight victories.”
“Bainbridge’s state-champion 9-10-year-old Little League team of two years ago is back, largely intact, and ready to make a run at the 11-12-year-old title.And two of the battle-tested veterans of that team put their talent and experience on display Monday night in the final game of the major-division baseball tournament, leading the Marlins to the island’s tournament championship.The kids we had two years ago are still doing it for us, Marlin coach Don French said after C.J. Hall and Zach Peach combined to pitch the Marlins to a 5-2 victory over the Reds.”
“Bainbridge’s wheeled warriors will roll along a little more smoothly this summer, thanks to the completion of a roller-hockey rink at Battle Point Park.And skateboarders hope that their dream facility will also become a reality by next year.Perhaps best of all, these new public facilities aren’t costing the taxpayers any money.The $25,000 cost of the roller hockey rink came from the Bainbridge Island Roller Hockey League and the Bainbridge Rotary Club, for whom the rink is named.Rotary Rink was built on top of an existing outdoor asphalt basketball court in the park. Ace Paving resurfaced the court and added 30 feet on each end to make a hockey-length rink. The league purchased removable barricades, which surround the playing surface during games, but which can be removed in part to allow basketball play at other times.”
“Actors have their understudies. The major leagues have the minors. And Bainbridge High School’s varsity teams have their JVs.In each case, the headliners grab the attention. The second-billed work just as long and hard with little or no public recognition, and wait for what they hope will be their turn in the limelight.The clubs – lacrosse and water polo – have post-season JV tournaments, and both Bainbridge girls clubs won the state championship. In the team sports, the JVs don’t enjoy post-season play.On the one hand, playing for the JVs can be a bummer. The kids want to be on varsity, not here, Bainbridge JV baseball coach Mike Benz said earlier in the season.But JV play has its advantages for the participants. Roles are more fluid than on the varsity, and a player without great ability will still get an opportunity.”
“Two fabulous golf shots produced one fabulous vacation for four Bainbridge golfers Sunday in the first annual Bainbridge Junior Golf Tournament.Terry Olson, a 15-handicapper, aced Wing Point’s 15th hole with an eight-iron. That powered his foursome into a playoff.And on the third extra hole, Brad Maier, Olson’s teammate, hit his tee shot to within three feet of the cup, giving his group the first prize of lodging and a round of golf at Pebble Beach in Carmel, California, site of this year’s United States Open.”
“>Island golf is like a lot of other island features. Compact. Scenic. And full of interesting people.What keeps the island’s two golf courses humming are the pros. They are administrators, teachers, friends and managers.What gives way, unfortunately, is their own golf game.My game takes a back seat to running the place, Meadowmeer pro Tom Mueller said.Here is a look at Bainbridge’s three golf professionals:”
“Kitsap County’s best prep baseball players all had a chance to go out on top Wednesday night as stars from Kitsap and Olympic peninsula teams played a doubleheader at chilly Legion Field. And although Bainbridge’s participants were on the losing squad, late-season hero Thomas Henshaw was nominated for the state all-star game to be played next weekend in Wenatchee.”
“Bainbridge sophomore Rebecca Ivey finished fourth in the 800-meter run at the state 3A track tournament Saturday in Tacoma, and nobody was more surprised than she was.Before the state meet, her personal best time was 2:21. Her goal was to improve that to 2:20But in Friday’s preliminary heat, she ran a 2:18.3. And in Saturday’s final, she clipped almost another two seconds off that time, logging a 2:16.87, just two seconds behind Rose Wetzel of Blanchet.I was pretty intimidated by her and her time, Ivey said of the senior Wetzel, who has finished first and second the past two years. I didn’t know if I could catch her.Ivey ran a first-lap 1:06 Saturday, her fastest yet in an 800-meter race.I got boxed in a couple of times, she said. I had to step out, and I couldn’t catch up. The last 300 I just tried to hang on.”
“During the regular tennis season, Bainbridge sophomore Elliot Beam played second fiddle to teammate Erik Hansen.In the post-season, though, Beam came out of hiding and showed that he belongs among the state’s elite players, finishing fifth in the state 3A tournament.Last Friday, Beam won his first two matches in the state 3A tournament to go into Saturday’s semifinals. And although he lost his matches Saturday, he made his statement.”
“Seven members of the Bainbridge Island Golden Eagles Special Olympics team have qualified for the state championship meet June 2-4 at Fort Lewis.’The athletes are looking forward to staying in actual Army barracks, eating in the chow hall, participating in the opening ceremonies, the victory party and being entertained at Olympic Town, coach Cindy Rees said.An anonymous donor provided money to rent a van for the team to travel to Olympia.Rees and her husband Ray started the island team two years ago. Two of their sons are team members.”
