Cross-country on the rise in Pilot Rock

PILOT ROCK — Pilot Rock coach Tyler Zyph is seeing an uptick in students joining the cross-country team. The Rockets have nine runners this fall, up from five last year.

“We are trending in the right direction,” Zyph said. “It’s a good group of kids to be around.”

The Rockets lost Elisha Sanchez to football, and Sun Schimmel, who finished in the top 20 at district last year, isn’t returning.

Pilot Rock does return senior Parker Bucher and juniors Landon Norton and Mason VanHouten. Freshman Emmet Hofbauer is new to the group.

“We have some middle school athletes too, which is cool,” Zyph said. “I have four boys. You are always trying to get more kids interested in the sport.”

Junior Hailey Severe returns to lead the girls’ team. She was 32nd at district last year with a personal best time of 23:22.80.

“She’s probably one of the better athletes we have,” Zyph said. “She has been running more than she usually has.”

Basketball players Paige Hansen and Liz Hearn are lacing up their running shoes for the Rockets, as is junior Rylee Bedard and freshman Harley Krebs.

“I haven’t had a full girls team since I’ve been here, so this is nice,” Zyph said. “Liz hasn’t run before, so this is new to her. I don’t ask questions; I coach who shows up.”

Zyph likes that the Oregon School Activities Association separated the 3A schools from the 2A/1A schools for the postseason.

“It never made sense to me in the first place,” he said. “The more opportunities for smaller schools, the better. If you can make it out of our district, you should do well at state. It’s tough. Heppner, Enterprise and Union always seem to be deep. Being an Eastern Oregon school, it’s fun to see those kids excel.”

Pilot Rock cross-country

Journot takes over Pilot Rock volleyball program

PILOT ROCK — Pilot Rock is under new leadership after Jen Porter stepped down after last season. 

Shelby Journot, who was a volunteer assistant under Porter last year, takes the reins, assisted by former Heppner and Walla Walla Community College standout Sydney Wilson.

“They were coached by a really good coach the past four years,” said Journot, who played high school volleyball at Pendleton. “I am ready to get into it. I was coaching youth volleyball last year, but I came to as many matches as I could for support. I have an amazing assistant coach. She is young, smart and athletic. I am thankful and blessed to have her. I’m getting too old to dive on the floor.”

Pilot Rock lost three seniors to graduation, but returned middle Gracee Hemphill, Kessa Litfin (setter/middle), Jada Deist (setter/outside hitter) and right-side hitter Stevee Osborn.

Junior Abby Bensel is getting time as a defensive specialist and in different front-row positions. Junior AJ Johnson, who was injured last year, is the Rockets’ libero.

“We are still looking to fill our varsity bench,” Journot said. “We have a few more to add, just need some more time with them. We had 22 turnout this year, including four from Ukiah. Two are juniors, one is a freshman, and one is a sophomore. I’m happy to have the girls and teach them a good sport.”

Pilot Rock finished 8-3 overall last season, and 4-6 in the highly competitive Old Oregon League.

The Rockets opened their season Aug. 27 at the Pendleton Jamboree. They start league play Sept. 22, hosting Griswold.

The OOL lost Imbler and Union to the 2A ranks, but Pilot Rock will still play longtime league opponents Griswold, Echo and Nixyáawii Community School twice.

“It’s a new league, but we are looking forward to seeing what it brings us,” Journot said. “There is still a lot of competition in there. We will be tested. I’m looking forward to it.”

Pilot Rock volleyball

Rockets regrouping with an independent schedule this season

PILOT ROCK — Pilot Rock coach Shane Munkers knew this season would be a tough one.

The team has low numbers, nearly half the roster is freshmen and there are just two seniors among the 17 players.

The Rockets, who finished 1-8 last season, will play an independent schedule this year at the 8-man level to help develop players and limit injuries.

“We will get some games in with our skill level,” Munker said. “We got beat up a little the past couple of years. We want to be competitive, keep them healthy and get our numbers up. We have four or five freshmen who will be contributors. With a lack of upperclassmen, we have to work with what we have.”

The two seniors on the roster are two-way lineman Dakota Enriquez (6-2, 270) from Ukiah and running back/defense end Logan Gourlie (5-7, 150).

Junior Tucker Holton (6-2, 185), sophomore Adam Hoeft (6-1, 255) and freshman Dom Enriquez (5-9, 170) also will see time on both lines.

“Adam got bigger and will play a lot for us,” Munkers said. “Dom has done really well in practice.”

Sophomore Lucas Thieme (6-1, 175), the Rockets’ all-league wide receiver last year, and freshman Nathan Endersby (5-6, 165) will share snaps at quarterback.

“Nathan was a dominant middle school quarterback last year,” Munkers said. “He, Lucas and Tucker worked out all summer.”

The Rockets opened the season Aug. 28 against Pine Eagle. They will play Mohawk at the Dufur Classic on Sept. 3.

Pilot Rock football