As a journalist, I’ve covered sports since I was a college student, which is a lot more years than I care to count right now.
Of course, I’ve done a lot of other things in journalism as well, so I haven’t been consistently in the press box. I may not have the years of experience I see in some of my grizzled colleagues when I go to, say, the state championships. But I have enough to know a great team when I see one.
I’ve seen some this fall in Sweet Home.
Before I go any further, let me note how easy it is to take success on the athletic field, on the mat, in the pool for granted. Sweet Home has had tremendous success in some sports, but I think we forget what it takes to get there and stay there. More on that in a moment.
It’s been really heart-warming to see the success of our football team (7-1 this season), and our volleyball team (16-4, all of those losses coming at the hands of the state’s No. 1 and No. 2-ranked teams – and not by much).
Because we have a lot of balls in the air, we newspaper staffersoften often can’t stay the entire length of a contest. It’s not for lack of interest, believe me, but covering news for The New Era is really a 24/7 enterprise and we actually do have other obligations. So we stay as long as we can, usually to get photos we need, then go take care of whatever else needs to be done.
Two weeks ago, I got to watch the entire match against No. 1 Sisters, in which Sweet Home’s girls put up a stubborn and valiant battle against the No. 1 team in the state. They had the Outlaws on the ropes for the first two games before running a little low on gas, which gave Sisters enough of an opening to claw its way back and win by two points.
Two points.
Sweet Home’s young players never gave up.
Over the years I’ve spent a lot of time thinking and discussing with coaches about what it takes to win, consistently. Talent, of course, helps, and training is a must. But it also requires a certain mentality: the expectation that you’re going to win.
I’ve seen well-trained teams with talented players fold in front of lesser opponents (in terms of talent, if not training) because of exactly that. The underdogs came in expecting to win. The team that should have been the favorite was hoping not to lose.
I think anybody who’s seen our football and volleyball teams this year can attest that the ingredients are there: talent, training and toughness. These kids believe in themselves.
I joined the folks who believed this football team had potential when I watched the Huskies’ first game last year, at Hidden Valley. Sweet Home was literally a bunch of mostly raw sophomores, who in any other year would have probably been starting on the JV. They got creamed in the first half by an experienced Hidden Valley team after a long road trip. But even in that game, they toughened up and put up a fight. By halftime they were noticeably better.
That continued and this year all that experience is paying off.
Yes, that loss to Cottage Grove in Week 5 of this season might have been deflating, but anyone who knows sports will tell you scores don’t tell you everything. And a loss at the right time is often the best teacher for young players.
In competitive leagues like ours wins don’t just happen. That goes for just about any sport we play here at Sweet Home. And that’s why I appreciate it when kids put it together, figure out how to be successful.
The multiple championships won by our wrestling and swimming programs, our two most consistently successful over many years, are the result of extensive effort.
Those kids are in there before school and after school, doing what it takes to be excellent. We shouldn’t forget that when they win yet another title.
Character and a great work ethic are being developed in those early-morning and grueling afternoon practices – and all the off-season work they do. The same goes for athletes who put in long miles or do hard workouts on hot summer days when their friends are at the lake or when everybody else is staying inside as icy rain falls on the track or the practice field.
Obviously, I haven’t touched on all the sports we play here, but the principles apply and I’m mentioning all this to help us appreciate what we’re seeing. I also haven’t said a lot about the coaches, who are a critical part in making all this come together.
My point is, if you haven’t seen what I’m talking about yet, you have three chances this week.
On Thursday afternoon, Oct. 26, Tanner Sayers and the rest of the Huskies will run in the league cross-country championships at Lane Community College.
The weather promises to be great and if you’ve never seen a cross-country meet, this is a great place to do it. I mention Tanner because he’s made huge strides this season after putting in many miles – alone – on hot summer roads. He has high aspirations and he’s done the work. It’ll be very fun to watch if he and his teammates have a good day.
On Friday night, Oct. 27, the football team will host Crook County in a play-in game that will qualify the winner for the 16-team state championship bracket. Sweet Home beat the Cowboys handily earlier this season in a hastily arranged game here, because Crook County was covered in smoke. The Cowboys doubtless want to even the score. Could be a fun match-up.
On Saturday, Oct. 28, the volleyball team will play at Crook County (just a coincidence, brought upon by the OSAA’s ranking and bracketing system, which I could also comment on but won’t.)
The winner will likely play at Sisters early next week. Needless to say, Sweet Home, coming off two close losses to the Outlaws, will be looking to see if they can make the third time the charm.
Crowd support will be critical for the Huskies at each step and if you go, I think you’ll be proud.