Jan. 11, 2024
Yelm graduate Brayden Platt competes in 2024 All-American Bowl
Former Yelm High School linebacker Brayden Platt represented his hometown on national television in the 2024 All-American Bowl on Jan. 6, in San Antonio, Texas.
The University of Oregon signee was one of 108 high school athletes from around the country chosen to participate in the all-star game and one of only four from Washington state.
January was a busy month for Platt as he enrolled at UO and joined the football program. Later that month, he traveled to Hawaii for the 2024 Polynesian Bowl, another high school all-star game featuring more than 100 of the nation’s top football players. Platt is one of four Washingtonians participating in the game.
Platt’s most notable play in the All-American Bowl was a fumble recovery on an onside kick attempt. He flashed his running back experience, scooping up the football in the third quarter and returning it 20 yards near the red zone. After the play, NBC showed a graphic with Platt’s name and hometown. He also appeared at middle linebacker in the second quarter and was involved in a couple of tackles on special teams.
Feb. 1, 2024
Yelm boys wrestling defeats Bethel 37-36 in ‘Bad to the Bone’ dual
Prior to celebrating the 50-year career of head coach Gaylord Strand, Yelm High School’s boys wrestling program narrowly defeated the Bethel Bison 37-36 in the “Bad to the Bone” dual on Jan. 23.
Wrestlers Tate Oberhansley, AJ Erickson, Lake Harris and Genesis Finch each picked up victories via pinfall against the Bison, while teammates Wesley Thompson and Kaleb Holman picked up wins by decision. Their teammate Jonah Smith picked up a heavyweight forfeit.
The team’s narrow 37-36 victory was a “close one,” and Strand pointed at two pinfall victories as the deciding factors in the contest.
Erickson and Harris’ pinfall victories were business as usual, Strand said.
“They performed as expected. They’re wrestling really well right now. I have expectations that they’ll pin when they go out,” Strand said. “If they don’t get a pin it’s because they’ve wrestled someone really good or they aren’t feeling well. They’re pinning machines.”
April 25, 2024
Yelm baseball defeats Spanaway Lake at Cheney Stadium behind five-run fourth inning
Underneath clear blue skies on April 20 at Cheney Stadium, the Yelm Tornados baseball program handled business against the Spanaway Lake Sentinels picking up a 9-5 win in non-conference action.
Playing in the Tacoma Rainiers ballpark, Cheney Stadium, the Tornados offense erupted in the fifth inning and scored five runs — securing an 8-4 lead Yelm wouldn’t surrender for the remainder of the game. The Tacoma Rainiers are the Seattle Mariners minor league Triple-A affiliate team.
Sophomore Parker Myers got things rolling for Yelm, reaching first base following a one-out bunt single in the fourth inning. His teammate Barrett Schnetz got aboard after a single. The scoring in the fourth inning began when junior Wyatt Robison hit an RBI single before reaching second base after a throwing error. Sophomore Jackson Ford sacrifice bunted for an RBI to drive in Yelm’s second run of the inning. Senior Ace Youckton walked prior to sophomore Landan Halterman crushing a double to right-center field for two RBIs. Sophomore Jonah Smith drove in the fifth and final run of the fourth inning with an RBI single.
The five-run outburst in the fourth inning wasn’t the only flurry of runs for the Tornados as they scored three runs in the second inning, as well. Sophomores Lincoln Ramirez and Wesley Thompson each secured RBIs in the early inning, and Ramirez scored after stealing home.
“Getting our offense going was huge. In those innings, we were able to execute some bunts and get back to what we do well,” head coach Dakota Hill said, following the win. “Seeing the boys break through was awesome. Now there is confidence, and a confident hitter is a dangerous one.”
May 9, 2024
Yelm boys powerlifting wins Washington state championship
In its first year of existence, Yelm High School’s boys powerlifting team brought home a state championship on Saturday, May 4, at Northwest Christian High School in Lacey. The meet featured competition from 1A through 4A classifications.
Yelm had three individuals win a state championship, including senior Tucker Myszkowski, 114 pounds, junior Andrei Buban, 123, and junior Mason Embrey, 138. The Tornados also had three second-place finishes from sophomore Luke Brown, 181 pounds, and seniors Landen Barger and Colin West, who tied in the unlimited classification.
“Tucker, Andrei and Mason came in first place and did what they had to do. The nice thing about them is Tucker set the bench press record in his weight class. He’s 114 pounds, and he benched 160 pounds,” Yelm’s powerlifting coach Thomas Hoghaug said. “Andrei Buban, at 123 pounds, squatted 305 pounds and set a new squat record. Mason Embrey set three records, but then someone beat him on his deadlift. He also set the overall total record of 1,100 pounds.”
As a team, the Tornados finished in first with 47 points. Olympia placed second with 34 points, Shelton third with 26 points, Elma fourth place with 22 points, and River Ridge fifth with 20 points.
May 30, 2024
Yelm’s Lasher sets 3A meet record with second-consecutive pole vault state title
After securing his first 3A pole vault state championship with a measure of 15 feet, 6 inches, during his junior season, Yelm High School student Jordan Lasher set a goal to successfully defend his state championship crown as a senior in May 2024.
Not only did the senior successfully defend and retain his 3A pole vault state championship, he set a new WIAA 3A state track and field championship meet record with a pole vault of 16-6. He broke the eight-year record of Bishop Blanchet’s Zach Shugart, who originally had the 3A record with a vault of 16-3.
Moments after he secured his back-to-back state championship, Lasher told the Nisqually Valley News he was thrilled to finish his senior campaign as a state champion.
The multisport athlete finished his Yelm High School career as a four-time state champion, including the WIAA’s 2022 3A state football championship, the 2023 3A boys track state championship and two individual titles in 2023 and 2024 as a pole vaulter.
“I’m feeling nothing but excitement. Excitement and adrenaline. I’m just happy right now,” Lasher said on Saturday, May 25, at Mount Tahoma High School. “I’m happy to come back and win it again, of course. Being the last one of that group that helped win (the 3A state championship) last year, it’s kind of special to be able to come back and win it for those guys.”
June 4, 2024
New sports organization aims to offer opportunities for athletes in the South Sound
Total Sports Development (TSD), an athletic skill and ability development organization, launched in Yelm and aims to enrich the legacy of athletics in the region with more opportunities for athletes. TSD began operations in mid-May and began to offer classes to athletes in June. The organization aims to provide numerous opportunities to athletes in the South Sound and surrounding areas. Located in Yelm, TSD’s athletic training programs will take place at Yelm High School.
TSD initially provided training opportunities for football, basketball, track and field, and cheerleading athletes. With the recent Yelm Community Schools levy failure and uncertainty regarding sports in the district, TSD President and co-founder Phil Ogle and organization board members believe TSD’s launch will be crucial for YCS students.
Ogle’s wife, Amber Ogle, and Jared Mathis also serve as TSD co-founders.
“We’re here for the kids. We’re trying to better the community as a whole,” Phil Ogle said. “Some people have said it’s a money grab. Do you have to pay to play a sport? The answer is yes. We have to pay for facilities, we have to pay for coaches — and even then, some coaches are volunteers. We can’t do it completely for free, but if you were to compare just the initial pricing that we’ve put to the public, it is very attractive and competitive because we’re not in it for the money.”
June 27, 2024
Jager Bombers sweep Prairie Days Charity Mushball Tournament
The Jager Bombers, a team mostly comprised of Yelm High School football coaches, used dominant pitching and clutch hitting to take home the Prairie Days Charity Mushball Tournament championship and a $1,095 check toward a charity of their choice on Sunday, June 23.
The team won four games, highlighted by a semifinal victory over defending champions The Feds and a title-clinching win over The Guardians, which was made up of officers from the Yelm Police Department and Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders.
With the check, the Jager Bombers chose to donate to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Jacob Nolan, an assistant YHS football coach, has a special connection to the cause as his grandfather passed away from Parkinson’s.
“Whenever I pick a foundation, that’s always my first one to pick. I didn’t even know they ended up choosing that. I just threw it out there,” Nolan said. “To see that actually be the foundation that we gave the check to, it was awesome.”
Team captain Braden Castleberry-Taylor said the Jager Bombers clinched the title thanks to a strong day of practice and positive energy.
Sept. 12, 2024
Tornados storm back from 14-point deficit to defeat Mount Tahoma in season opener
The Yelm High School football team’s season-opening contest against Mount Tahoma Sept. 5 was comparable to the last several weeks in the Yelm education sphere. It began with anxiety, frustration and some anger, but it concluded with joy, smiles and lessons to learn.
After weeks of educator negotiations and budget cuts, the Yelm community came out in droves to support the Tornados in their first contest as a 4A program, in which they rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit to stun the Thunderbirds, 42-34.
Oct. 17, 2024
Yelm cross country programs compete in inaugural meet at YHS course
The community- and team-driven efforts in creating and constructing a home cross country course at Yelm High School paid off as Yelm’s boys and girls cross country programs competed in their inaugural meet at their home course on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Prior to the competition, the team recognized seniors from the boys and girls teams, including Julian Flores, Noah Cornwall, Alex Hurd, Damon Rabalais, Cristian Flores, Luke Bachus, Elizabeth Redding and Liberty Manley.
Yelm boys head coach Alex McIntire said the Yelm community supported its athletes in a big way. From parents and local businesses donating time and energy toward creating the course, to athletes on the boys and girls teams spending countless hours making the coach’s vision come to life — McIntire believes everyone can be proud of the course.
“Hosting on the home course that we built was an emotional experience. I have had hopes for a course on campus for about eight years, and to see it all come together was one of the more rewarding experiences in my life. We broke ground on the project last December with the help of cross country parents and Alvarez Excavation. From then on, the entire project was 100% donated through the time and resources of cross country athletes, families and generous community members. It was one of those great reminders that people are good,” McIntire said. “I would like to thank all of the volunteers who have transformed the vision of a home course into a reality. I feel privileged to serve Yelm as a teacher and a coach. This is a community that I am proud to work for. I am so grateful.”
Oct. 31, 2024
Yelm middle school fastpitch teams raise money for family with breast cancer
“In this family, no one fights alone.”
The seven-word message featured on the shirts of the Yelm and Ridgeline middle schools fastpitch teams was as widespread as the smiles and pink decorations during a friendly fundraiser game at Ridgeline Middle School on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
The two teams united to support Brandi Abramoski, the mother of Britney, a Ridgeline student athlete, and her family as she battles breast cancer. Students donned pink and white shirts with the message of hope and sported pink ribbons and other pink attire, and they teamed up to create signs that said “Strike Out Cancer.”
Local businesses got involved with the fundraiser as well, as Kaos Dance Elite donated money directly to Abramoski and her family, and Gamer Graph-X donated shirts which were for sale during the game. Yelm Cinemas, Puerto Vallarta, Starbucks and Lattin’s Country Cider Mill & Farm donated gift cards for a raffle. Parents took command of the fundraiser to raise money for Abramoski and her family.
Overall, the event and raffle raised approximately $900 for the family. Yelm Middle School head fastpitch coach Lindsay Walton said the Ridgeline Storm and the Yelm Whirlwinds, referred to as “cross-town rivals,” have rallied around the Abramoski family since the diagnosis at the beginning of the year.
Nov. 14, 2024
Rainier girls cross country secures first state title in program history
So close, but so far.
Since the turn of the decade, that had been the all-too-familiar sentiment for the Rainier High School girls cross country team on its way home from the state championship in Pasco. The girls always performed well, including back-to-back top-five finishes the last two years, but their names were always stamped behind the same teams: Pope John Paul II, Garfield-Palouse, St. George’s and Liberty Bell.
This year, it was finally the Mountaineers’ turn to be the last team standing on the podium with the state trophy in hand. The Mountaineers won their first-ever state championship Saturday, Nov. 9, to cap off the postseason triple crown in which they also won the league and district titles.
The Mountaineers weren’t just motivated to improve upon their previous finishes in Pasco and prove that they belonged with the top dogs at the 2B and 1B levels. They were on a mission to prove they were the top dog. Rainier, which scored 71 points, did so with a one-point victory over Pope John Paul II, 72 points.
Nov. 21, 2024
Rainier makes history with back-to-back state trophies
When Carrie Ooms took over as head coach of the Rainier High School volleyball team, she referred to it as “starting from scratch.”
Her arrival three years ago sparked an interest in the sport for a program that had just two state appearances in a three decade span. Rooted in the rich tradition of the C2BL, the Mountaineers were waiting for their taste of success.
And Ooms was not shy about setting lofty goals.
“They want to win,” Ooms said. “They’re really dedicated and work really hard to meet expectations.”
Three straight state tournament berths later, sixth-seeded Rainier is beginning to see what consistent winning looks like.
Ignited by two four-set victories over seventh-seeded River View and eighth-seeded Liberty from Spangle, the Mountaineers walked out of the Yakima Valley SunDome with the fifth place trophy, the first time ever they have finished top-eight in back-to-back seasons.
Once the celebration concluded on the court, Ooms was visibly teary-eyed. The quartet of seniors — Janess Blackburn, Acacia Murphy, Brooklynn Swenson and Annabelle Whiteman — were with her from the beginning made her emotional.
“Everybody was on board, and this long when everyone’s on board, you have a successful team,” Ooms said.
Dec. 19, 2024
TSD cheer teams flourishing despite adversity in program’s debut season
Dec. 7, 2024, was the proudest day of Amber Ogle’s 15-year coaching career, and it had nothing to do with both of her Total Sports Development cheer teams earning top-two medals in their competitions that day.
It had everything to do with how her vision for the cheerleading program embracing a family culture was coming to fruition, but not in a way she could have ever imagined.
Ogle, the co-founder and president of cheerleading at TSD, oversees the program’s two teams, TSD Rain and TSD Hurricane. TSD Rain, which includes 18 cheerleaders aged 8 to 12, is coached by Kaylee and Kendall McJunkins, while TSD Hurricanes, composed of 18 cheerleaders aged 13 to 18, is coached by Rae-Lynn Hixon and Coral Ogle, Amber’s daughter.
Both teams competed at the Comp in the Swamp event at Decatur High School in Federal Way on Dec. 7. TSD Rain earned a first-place medal for the third straight competition to start the season, while TSD Hurricane earned second place.
