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By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter

Senior Sports Reporter – Spring 2019

All content by Bryce Weedman
On June 1 CWU will host the women’s rugby prospect camp, allowing high school players to test their skills at
the collegiate level.

Women’s rugby to hold prospect camp

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
May 29, 2019

  CWU Women’s Rugby will host an elite prospect camp on June 1. The camp will play host to highschool prospects from all over Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California, said head women’s rugby...

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CWU Volleyball is moving into the last few months of their offseason. The 2019 season will begin with a double header on Sept.6.

Volleyball makes postseason preparations

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
May 22, 2019

In November 2018, the CWU Volleyball Team wrapped up their season. The Wildcats finished 23-6 overall with a 16-4 conference record, according to the Wildcat Sports website. The team was able to make it...

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Athletes are getting ready for a summer of physical training as they prepare for 2019-20
athletic seasons.

Athletes grind in the summertime

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
May 22, 2019

The last whistle blown, and the last game-winning shot. Every season ends eventually, but for athletes, the training never stops. The academic year comes to an end in June, but what do athletes do during...

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OPR offers outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, camping and rafting throughout the summer. OPR also offers group activities in the summertime like a guided horseback ride. Gear is available to rent from OPR’s office.

OPR & Intramurals offer summer activities

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
May 15, 2019

If you are staying in Ellensburg this summer, you may be wondering how to stay active. There are activities offered this summer both from Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals (OPR) and CWU Intramurals. According...

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AJ Wood stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs in at 220 pounds. He pitches a top speed of 93 mph, averaging 91 mph.

AJ Wood winds up and brings it home

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
May 15, 2019

If you don’t know who junior AJ Wood is, then you should remember the name. Wood is a pitcher for CWU Baseball, and according to his teammates and coaches, he is a stand out player, and human being....

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The sports complex project began with the renovation of Tomlinson Stadium and the plan is to add two additional facilities. Athletics is waiting for more funding to move on with the second and third phases of the project.

Sports complex project awaits next phases

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
May 9, 2019

Phase two and three of the CWU complex project do not have a set start date due to the lack of funding, but the university knows what the end goal should look like, according to Athletic Director Dennis...

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Senior offensive lineman James Moore has been invited to the Seattle Seahawks’ Rookie Mini-Camp. Moore hopes to hear about getting a contract with the Seahawks.

Moore invited to Seahawks’ mini-camp

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
May 9, 2019

The Wildcat’s senior offensive linemen James Moore has been invited by the Seattle Seahawks to attend rookie mini-camp. General manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll extended the invite...

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The John Wayne Trail hike is one of the methods ROTC uses to help cadets stay in combat-ready shape. Cadets must trek six miles
with 30-40 pound backpacks.

ROTC defines ideal soldier

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
May 1, 2019

It’s still dark, but the sun has just begun to rise over the hills of Kittitas county. It’s 5:45 a.m. and Army ROTC cadets arrive at the John Wayne Trail next to the Ellensburg fairgrounds. Cadet soldiers...

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Canon Racanelli, Tai-John Mizutani and Christian Moore are competing for the starting quarterback position
for next fall.

Football looking for next quarterback

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
May 1, 2019

Three Wildcat quarterbacks are currently competing for the chance to be the starter come next season. The Wildcats will start their season against the Idaho Vandals on Sept. 7. Previously the Wildcats...

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Bryce’s Hot Take: Tiger Woods is the greatest comeback story of all time

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
April 24, 2019

After Tiger ‘Eldrick’ Woods won his fifth green jacket in early April, so much rushed to my mind. Woods had been winless in majors in an 11 year time span. Not since the 09’ U.S. Open had Woods added...

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B season of intramural sports began on April. 22. Flag football and volleyball were traded out for softball, outdoor soccer and basketball.

Intramurals kick off B season

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
April 24, 2019

The second half of spring intramurals is here, and the recreation team is prepared to give the best experience to participating students, according to Coordinator of Intramurals and Special Events Jordan...

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Softball is gearing up to play in the GNAC conference tournament. CWU currently holds first place with Con-
cordia University trailing in second.

Softball eyes GNAC title

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
April 24, 2019

On May 2, the GNAC’s top four teams will play in the conference tournament. CWU Softball finds themselves in first place with an overall record of 28-14 and a conference record of 19-5, according to...

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Baseball has been working hard throughout the season. They will travel to Monmouth, OR to compete in a four game series against Western Oregon University for
Easter weekend.

Baseball travels to take on Western Oregon

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
April 24, 2019

CWU baseball will take on Western Oregon University in a four game series this coming weekend. On April 19 the Wildcats will take on the Western Oregon Wolves at 1 p.m. and 4 p. m. On April 20 they will...

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CWU Softball takes two against SMU

CWU Softball takes two against SMU

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
April 20, 2019

CWU Softball was able to sweep the two games against Saint Martin's University (SMU) on Friday, April 19. In the first game at 1 p.m. and the second at 3 p.m., sophomore Lexie Strasser pitched seven innings...

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At the center of Nicholson Pavillon stands the 2019-20 CWU cheerleading team. Each student who made the team was given a red rose. Cheer preform at every basketball and football event, rain or shine.

Cheer tryouts held for 2019-20 team

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
April 17, 2019

CWU was looking for the next team of cheerleaders for the 2019-20 season. Head cheerleading coach Kelsey Stephens has found them. There were around 30 students that tried out and 11 returners including...

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CWU to host Inaugural Track meet at new Recreation Sports Complex

CWU to host Inaugural Track meet at new Recreation Sports Complex

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
April 12, 2019

CWU will host the inaugural track meet at the new RSC (Recreation Sports Complex) this Saturday, April 13. It is the first time in two years that CWU will host a track meet. The event will start at 10...

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Sophomore Infielder Mitch Lesmeister warms up during practice. Soft toss gets the players arms stretched out.

Lesmeister shines in sophomore season

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
April 10, 2019

One of the players the Wildcats have turned to this season is sophomore infielder Mitch Lesmeister. Lesmeister is hitting .345 average with three doubles, one triple and three home runs. Lesmeister has...

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Senior Infielder Savannah Egbert has a .442 batting average and has a slugging percentage of .496. She also
has a .519 on-base percentage.

Softball heats up as playoffs get closer

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
April 10, 2019

CWU Softball is in the middle of a pretty good season, mid way through 2019. The Wildcats are in first place in the GNAC with a 22-12 overall record, and a 13-3 conference record. A one game lead over...

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Tonight's Open Mic Night at The 1891 Bistro

Tonight’s Open Mic Night at The 1891 Bistro

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
April 4, 2019

Open Mic Night at The 1891 Bistro was tonight. It started at 8 p.m. and was for anyone and everyone who wanted to show off their talents or enjoy the live performances. Participants could sing, play...

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CWU students utilizing the SURC basketball courts. Spring basketball intramurals are heating up, and so is
the competiton.

Forecast for spring intramurals

Bryce Weedman, Senior Sports Reporter
April 3, 2019

According to Jordan Bishop, coordinator of intramural sports, spring intramurals at CWU is something many students look forward to, mostly because the weather is warmer, and there are more opportunities...

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Mariners 2019 season will surprise most

Mariners 2019 season will surprise most

Bryce Weedman, Staff Reporter
February 21, 2019

When the Seattle Mariners opened up their 2018 season, there was a lot of buzz around not just the Pacific Northwest, but the whole MLB. The Seattle Mariners hadn’t made the postseason since 2001. With...

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Bringing home an incredible run: The moment that changed sportsmanship forever

Bringing home an incredible run: The moment that changed sportsmanship forever

Bryce Weedman, Staff Reporter
February 21, 2019

  It’s 2008 at Gary and Bobbi Frederick Field in Ellensburg, Washington, as the top two softball teams, Western Oregon University (WOU) and CWU, are battling it out for the GNAC Championship....

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Women's basketball coach Randi Richardson-Thornley shoots hoops with her players prior to practice starting. Richardson-Thornley maintains great relationships with her players as can be seen at practices and games with her constant encouragement and motivation.

Unique philosophies: finding success as a head coach

Bryce Weedman, Staff Reporter
February 14, 2019

Most of us grew up playing team sports, or have dabbled with the thought of joining a team. Behind every great team, there is usually an even greater coach calling the shots and helping push their team...

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An athlete’s mindset for a healthy lifestyle

An athlete’s mindset for a healthy lifestyle

Bryce Weedman, Staff Reporter
February 6, 2019

An athlete’s diet and training method is as important as how they perform on game day. If you want to play at the highest level, it isn’t all about one thing, it’s everything put together. There’s...

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Adjust your altitude and take it to the slopes

Adjust your altitude and take it to the slopes

Bryce Weedman, Staff Reporter
January 30, 2019

Picture being on a mountain full of snow in the middle of winter. It’s freezing out, the trees surround you and you sit at about 4,000 feet of elevation. You can see your breath, and beautiful white...

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Taylor Shaw, a senior on the women's basketball team, is a fighting force and a major part of the team.

Shaw continues to shine for the Wildcats

Bryce Weedman, Staff Reporter
January 23, 2019

If you don’t know who Taylor Shaw is, then get to know the name. Shaw is the shooting guard for CWU’s women’s basketball team and she is having a stand out year for the Lady Wildcats. Shaw, a 5-foot-8...

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Skis and snowboards can be seen gathered in the OPR along with additional gear and equipment needed for
trips like the one to Mission Ridge. This trip can be seen as a great way for students to bring in the new year.

OPR bundles up for Mission Ridge ski trip

Bryce Weedman, Staff Reporter
January 16, 2019

It’s winter in the Northwest, and what better way to enjoy the cold weather than a trip to the mountain. On Jan. 26, OPR (Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals) will be taking a group of CWU students up to Mission...

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Editorial: CWU’s storied athletic program

Editorial: CWU’s storied athletic program

Bryce Weedman, Staff Reporter
November 30, 2018

CWU’s athletic community is full of history and there are elements that most people aren’t aware of concerning the program’s background. CWU has nurtured some very talented and successful athletes,...

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The history of Wellington the Wildcat

The history of Wellington the Wildcat

Bryce Weedman, Staff Reporter
November 15, 2018

The history of Wellington the Wildcat We all know that if you are a CWU student or alumni, you are a Wildcat, and we hold that pride of being a Wildcat with us for our entire lives. Most of us have...

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Game day magic: a behind-the-scenes look

Game day magic: a behind-the-scenes look

Bryce Weedman, Staff Reporter
November 10, 2018

It’s all tied up with a minute left in the game. The Wildcats drive the ball down field for 60 yards and score the winning touchdown. The crowd goes crazy and the players lose their minds. It sounds...

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Opinion: Sonic Fans will have to wait to get a team

Opinion: Sonic Fans will have to wait to get a team

Bryce Weedman, Staff Reporter
November 1, 2018

The Seattle Supersonics, named after the Boeing Supersonic which never officially got off the ground, were first given the opportunity to be an official NBA franchise in 1967, which lasted till  2008....

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Riley Maier practices shot put in the field house at Nicholson Pavilion. The indoor season will officially begin when the team heads to the Candy Cane Open at Eastern Washington University on Dec. 1.

Indoor track back in session at CWU

Bryce Weedman, Staff Reporter
October 25, 2018

CWU Indoor Track and Field sets their eyes on the 2018-19 season looking to fly high into the GNAC Championship. According to senior HarLee Ortega, in 2017, the Wildcats were able to achieve a lot in terms...

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Guard Brianna Phiakhamngon (freshman) drives past teammate Kaelie Flores (junior) at their pre-season practice.

Women’s basketball sets the bar high

Bryce Weedman, Staff Reporter
October 18, 2018

The CWU women’s basketball team is getting ready to dive into their 2018-19 season, starting with their first game on Nov. 3. CWU has hovered around .500 these last few years, and according to head...

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CWU Cross Country runners training.

XC gets set to line up at the Lewis-Clark State Invite

Bryce Weedman, Staff Reporter
October 10, 2018

On Oct. 13, CWU Cross Country will hit the road looking to improve on their already impressive season, with the women and the men both currently sitting at fifth in the conference standings. As the season...

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CWU welcomed West Texas A&M University for the grand reopening of Tomlinson Stadium. The Buffalos defeated the Wildcats 28-26, CWU's second loss of the season.

Stadium renovations bring buzz to Tomlinson

Bryce Weedman, Staff Reporter
October 4, 2018

On Saturday Sept. 29, CWU unveiled the newly renovated Tomlinson Stadium, a project worth $4.5 million that had been in the works since June. The Wildcats lost to West Texas A&M 28 – 26 in a nail...

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