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Spring Seniors

Softball Iain Dexter, EOU Sports Information Director

EOU Athletics Honors Softball, Cross Country & Track & Field Senior Classes

LA GRANDE, Ore. – With the cancelation of spring sports this year, EOU Athletics would like to honor its four seniors from the softball program and 13 seniors from the cross country/ track and field programs who will not be returning next season. Since our seniors can not be recognized during their final home events, we wanted to show how important each of them have been to our programs, from a distance.
 
This week we have highlighted each individual on our EOU Athletics social media platforms and have used the hashtag #ThankYouSeniors. Below is a list of our senior student-athletes and kind words from their coaches. We want to wish them all good luck on their next chapter of life, Once a Mountie, Always a Mountie.
 
Softball

Julie Hernandez • Outfield
 
Hernandez solidified herself as one of the team's best base runners the last 3 years, appearing in 76 games. She posted 3 stolen bases as well as 19 runs scored, posting a career batting average of .300. She made seven starts in the field in 2020 and finishes with a perfect career fielding percentage.
 
"Julie worked as another senior leader for us in the outfield," said head softball coach Nicole Christian. "With a lot of new players and new coaches, she was not afraid to step in and lead by example. She was dedicated on and off the field to be a leader for our program. We want to thank Julie for all the hard work and time she gave to our program."
 
Payton Pocklington • Shortstop
 
Pocklington was a 4-year player for EOU softball, playing in 54 total games over her career. In 88 at-bats, she recorded 13 hits with 8 RBI and 5 runs scored. In the field playing shortstop and second base, Pocklington had 51 assists and 42 putouts, and was a part of five double-plays turned.
 
"Payton, aka Pock, was a team leader on the dirt," said Christian. "She was the first one to help incoming freshman out in drills, communication among teammates, and would suggest new things to try. She had a huge hit against UBC to help us make a great comeback and win the series. We want to thank Pock for all the hard work and dedication to our program."
 
Jordan Shaw • Third Base
 
In 3 seasons with Mountaineers softball, Shaw has played in 35 games with 26 starts. Shaw has 6 career hits with 1 home run, 7 runs batted in and 3 runs scored. In the field, Shaw has recorded 38 assists and 23 putouts.
 
"Jordan Shaw, aka J Shaw, was a competitor on and off the field," said Christian. "There was rarely a time that you did not see her smiling. She spent a lot of time being a positive leader and worked hard at third base. She had her season cut short due to injury but that never stopped her from being positive and a great teammate. We want to thank J Shaw for all the hard work and dedication to our program."
 
Katie Silvestri • Outfield
 
In 4 years with EOU, Silvestri played in 34 games including making 18 starts in 2020 in the outfield. She finished her career with 13 hits, 10 runs scored, 6 RBI and 3 stolen bases. This year defensively, she had 16 putouts with one outfield assist and no errors.
 
"Katie, aka Bubba, was an instant impact on and off the field," said Christian. "She was huge for us in the outfield using her leadership to help the underclassmen that joined her. She was a team captain and excelled in that role. She took pride in her work in the classroom and on the field and was a true Mountie! We want to thank Bubba for all the hard work and dedication to our program."
 
Cross Country/Track & Field
Analicia Alvarado • Distance
 
Alvarado has been with the EOU cross country and track and field teams since 2016. She took 11th place at the CCC Track & Field Championships in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 2017 and 13th in the same event in 2018.
 
"Consistently pleasant to those around her, Analicia's pleasant attitude will be missed," said head cross country/track and field coach Ben Welch.
 
Weyekin Bill • Distance
 
In 2 years with the Mountaineer cross country and track and field teams, Wild Bill contributed in a number of events. He placed 41st at the CCC Cross Country Championships and ran at the national meet this year. Last year, he ran at the CCC Track & Field Championships, placing 14th in the tough 10K race.
 
"Weyekin came to us late in his college career as a transfer and immediately added to the culture of the team through his work ethic and friendly attitude," said Welch.
 
John Brown • Jumps
 
Brown placed 7th at the CCC Championships in the high jump with a personal best height of 1.84 meters. He set a PR in the triple jump this year on Jan. 25 with a mark of 13.55 meters.
 
"John Brown has been one of the most interesting athletes I have ever worked with," said assistant coach Rebecca Rhodes. "There is never a dull moment on the track when he is around. I have had the pleasure of coaching him for nearly 3 years now and have seen him not only make some major strides athletically, but also turn his life around. He has truly left a mark on this program in many ways more than his jumps marks."
 
Stormy Bullard • Distance
 
Bullard ran her fastest 5K cross-country time this season on Oct. 26 at the William Jessup Warrior Invitational with a mark of 19:27.8. She had a great performance at this year's CCC Cross Country Championships, taking 33rd to help the team place 3rd. She was a part of this year's national qualifying team.
 
"Stormy turned herself into one of the better Steeplechasers in program history, despite not having done anything with hurdles in high school," said Welch. "Stormy balanced a busy work schedule, challenging major and athletics in a way that should serve her well in the future."
 
Hunter Frazier • Throws
 
Competing for 4 years at EOU, Frazier has been a solid thrower for the track and field team. This year, he hit a personal record in the shot put of 11.96 meters in his final meet of the year. Frazier took 7th in the 2019 CCC Championships in the hammer throw, hitting a PR of 44.04 meters.
 
"Hunter Frazier is one of those athletes that a coach can count on," said throws coach Dirk Bortz. "Hunter has always been one of those athletes on and off the field that will ask, "What can I do to help coach?". For the past few years, he has taken the shared responsibility of being an event group leader. His actions have helped set a standard we hope all athletes achieve as upperclassmen. It has been exciting to watch Hunter's ability develop in the Hammer and other throwing events over the course of his collegiate career. Hunter's hard work, dedication, and leadership are just a few characteristics that he has helped instill in his younger teammates and will no doubt help him be successful in whatever the future may bring."
 
Elizabeth Herbes • Sprints/Mid-Distance
 
Herbes is a three-time NAIA Indoor Track & Field All-American in relays, helping the distance medley relay take 8th place in 2018, followed by a 6th place finish with the 4x400 relay in 2019 and a 7th place finish this year also in the 4x400 relay. Herbes was also a member of the CCC Champion 4x400 relay in 2019, while helping the 4x100-team take second place.
 
"Elizabeth Herbes has more grit as an individual than most teams have a whole," said Rhodes. "The look she has in her eye as she hunts people down; she is a force to be reckoned with. She has anchored our 4x400 team at national meets, hunted down and passed University of Idaho for a national qualifier, and has put many relay teams on the podium at conference. She will certainly take this grit into the next chapter of life."
 
Lucas Hidalgo • Pole Vault
 
Hidalgo earned All-CCC accolades in the pole vault in 2017, as he placed 2nd at the CCC Championships with a PR height of 4.70 meters. He placed 5th the last two years in the CCC and is a two-time national qualifier.
 
"I'll always remember Lucas as a great teammate," said pole vault coach Bob Heitstuman. "No matter what was going on, he was there for his team. Equipment, support, whatever was needed. Picking them up when they needed to be celebrating their successes. Toughness: Lucas was injured both times he competed at nationals. He was able to set aside the pain and compete. He jumped his PR at nationals with a broken hand. He's a tough kid and it's been a pleasure to be his coach."
 
Alexa Jones • Distance/Mid-Distance
 
A member of the EOU cross country and track & field teams, Jones ran her best career 5K time at the 2019 CCC Championships, finishing in 19:46.7 to place 40th overall. Jones ran her best time of 2:27.55 in the 800 meters at the 2018 CCC Championships.

"Always one of the first to step up and provide help with team activities, her friendly attitude to teammates and team spirit will be missed," said Welch. "That team-first mentality will serve her well in her professional life."
 
Dawson Kennon • Javelin
 
Kennon qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Championships the last two years in the javelin throw, placing a best of 15th in 2018. He earned All-Cascade Conference in 2018 when he placed 2nd in the javelin. Kennon posted his PR of 57.98 meters on April 13, 2019 at the NNU Open.
 
"Dawson Kennon came to EOU as a tall skinny freshman," said javelin's coach Joe Brogdon. "Through hard work, a good diet, and hours in the weight room became a physical specimen and a two-time national qualifier, and after only two years is # 9 on the EOU all-time javelin list. He is an excellent student who is graduating in three years."
 
Alex Navarro • Distance/Mid-Distance
 
Navarro earned five different All-American awards over his outstanding career with EOU cross country and track & field. He helped the 4x800-relay take 2nd in 2018 NAIA Outdoor Championships. In 2019, Navarro placed 5th in the 1,000 meters in indoor season for his second All-American honor. He was All-CCC taking 3rd at the CCC Cross Country Championships, followed by an 8th place All-American finish at nationals. To complete his career, Navarro took 5th with the men's 4x800 relay and 6th in the 1,000 meters at the 2020 Indoor Nationals for 2 more All-American honors.
 
"What an amazing story!" said Welch. "Alex is a very fun athlete to work with and watch develop from a complete novice to a highly accomplished athlete. His time here is a testament to consistent work ethic and effort, both as an athlete and as a student."
 
Kinnah Rhodes • Sprints
 
Rhodes earned All-CCC honors twice in her career, taking third place with the 4x100 meter relay in 2018 while winning the CCC title in 2019 also with the 4x100 meter relay. Rhodes was a qualifier for the NAIA Outdoor Championships in both 2018 & 19.
 
"Kinnah came to us as a sprinter with a passion for the hurdles," said Rhodes. "Being a transfer student she had lots to learn with not much time but boy did she put her head down and grind. Kinnah sits second all-time in the EOU record books. For someone who had a very short window to be successful and transformed herself into one of the best hurdlers EOU has ever seen is amazing."
 
Jakob Sandhagen • Javelin
 
Sandhagen has competed in the javelin and discus throws since 2017 at EOU. Last season, he earned All-CCC after taking 2nd in the javelin at the CCC Championships. He followed that up with a 10th-place finish at nationals, throwing a PR of 59.73 meters.
 
"Jake Sandhagen is like having a coach on the field and is the javelin athlete I have relied on the most to assist the younger throwers," said Brogdon "Jake overcame a devastating elbow injury as a freshman, used a redshirt year to get his technique where it needed to be and worked his way back to become the No. 3 thrower on the EOU all time-javelin list. He spent last fall in Europe honing his javelin skills with the elite throwers over there. Without question, Jake could be a very successful javelin and throws coach."
 
Karianne Zollman • Javelin
 
Zollman earned All-American last season at the 2019 Outdoor Championships, placing 8th in the javelin throw at 42.72 meters, setting her personal record at the same time. In her three years of competing at the CCC Championships, Zollman took 6th or better in the javelin throw.
 
"All-American Karianne Zollman is the hardest working javelin gal I have ever coached," said Brogdon. "She does sprint workouts prior to her javelin workout then finishes it off with a medicine ball and weight room workout. She ends her career #4 on the EOU all-time javelin list and was in position to possibly break the women's javelin record."
 
For more information on Eastern Oregon athletics, follow @EOUAthletics or visit eousports.com.
 
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Players Mentioned

Analicia Alvarado

Analicia Alvarado

5' 0"
Junior
Stormy Bullard

Stormy Bullard

5' 11"
Senior
Alexa Jones

Alexa Jones

5' 9"
Junior
Alex Navarro

Alex Navarro

5' 7"
Senior
Weyekin Bill

Weyekin Bill

Senior
Julie Hernandez

#5 Julie Hernandez

OF
5' 3"
Senior
R/R
Payton Pocklington

#3 Payton Pocklington

2B/SS
5' 4"
Senior
R/R
Jordan Shaw

#11 Jordan Shaw

3B
5' 2"
Senior
R/R
Katie Silvestri

#4 Katie Silvestri

UT
5' 2"
Senior
R/R
Lucas Hidalgo

Lucas Hidalgo

Pole Vault
Senior

Players Mentioned

Analicia Alvarado

Analicia Alvarado

5' 0"
Junior
Stormy Bullard

Stormy Bullard

5' 11"
Senior
Alexa Jones

Alexa Jones

5' 9"
Junior
Alex Navarro

Alex Navarro

5' 7"
Senior
Weyekin Bill

Weyekin Bill

Senior
Julie Hernandez

#5 Julie Hernandez

5' 3"
Senior
R/R
OF
Payton Pocklington

#3 Payton Pocklington

5' 4"
Senior
R/R
2B/SS
Jordan Shaw

#11 Jordan Shaw

5' 2"
Senior
R/R
3B
Katie Silvestri

#4 Katie Silvestri

5' 2"
Senior
R/R
UT
Lucas Hidalgo

Lucas Hidalgo

Senior
Pole Vault