“I technically got first place,” junior Rory Mason said, regarding her first swim meet of the 25-26 school year. “It was a really small meet, so I was the only person in the 100 I.M. category.” Despite being the only competitor in her category, Mason didn’t feel too unaccomplished. This is because Mason doesn’t find her motivation in what she places; instead, she focuses on improving her time between meets and bonding with her teammates.   “I like that in swim, you can measur

Head Coach Leah McMahon builds the Mt. Hood Community College women's basketball program around more than skill. Her approach extends beyond the court to emphasize effort, teamwork, and a love for the game. With a roster made up mostly of freshmen, the players grow together as they balance academics with competition and find meaning in the work that strengthens them as a team. The team plays with intensity and pride, built on a foundation of effort, focus and defense. Every p

While actual fishing techniques and concepts like reading water are key to successful angling, I've found several factors that can affect a trip. These may be obvious to some, but I've neglected them on various trips. They apply to every fishery in varying degrees, and can hinder the experience if not considered. Outdoor Apparel The first factor is proper clothing and outdoor gear. Shivering between casts is a sure fire way to regret going in the first place. You don’t need t

“No matter what you’re doing, give it 110%,” Sandy High School football coach Josh Dill tells his team. “Even if you make a mistake, make sure to give it your full effort.” Dill has coached right guard and defensive end Tanner Sedgwick for the last four years; that coaching recently came to a close after the Columbia Cup finals game took place Nov. 22. As Sedgwick prepared for his final football game, he reflected on his time spent playing for Sandy High School.  Sedgwick beg

It isn’t often an entire community can say they have witnessed greatness born. It also isn’t often an entire community can say they witnessed greatness flourish. And it is almost never that an entire community can say they have witnessed greatness become legend. But now, the entire communities of Mt. Hood Villages and Sandy can say, without a doubt, they have been a part of that most unique phenomenon with the life and death of Jeff Flood. Born to Colene and Jeff Flood on J

Basketball player Michael Jordan was cut from his school’s basketball team his sophomore year, the New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony was cut from his high school team, and Lena Smith was cut from her 4th grade basketball team. Smith, unlike Jordan and Anthony, did not go on to play basketball. Instead, as a freshman on Sandy High School’s Varsity Volleyball team, she placed second at nationals.  After being cut in fourth grade, Smith’s PE teacher offered her a spot on the voll

For immediate release: " Vancouver, WA – October 12, 2025 – Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of serious illness and death among women—especially among women of color and those in rural communities. To raise awareness and funds for breast health education, and funds for early detection, financial assistance, and emotional/psychological support programs, Pink Lemonade Project has been named the beneficiary of the 19th Annual Girlfriends Run/Walk by WHY Racing Eve

Kalee Robertson got her start in volleyball in elementary school, then became the starting server during middle school and continued to enjoy playing throughout college. Now, as the coach for the Welches School’s sixth/seventh grade junior varsity team and the eighth-grade varsity team, Robertson is getting a chance to share her knowledge and experience with students around the same age as she was when she began to play. “My goal for the season is for all athletes, despite th

As Jamela Turin prepares for her first high school varsity game, she remembers her parents’ advice: “Don’t act younger than everyone. You can’t play like everyone’s older than you… act like you belong there.” Her parents told her this when she was notified that she, as a freshman, made Sandy High School’s girls varsity soccer team. She wasn’t just excited because she was a freshman on varsity – she was excited for her whole team’s potential to succeed.  After several strenuou

Last year’s Sandy High football team had a strong season that ended with them riding high off of a playoff win. Thankfully for Coach Josh Dill and Pio fans alike, many of the players who cut their teeth as sophomores on the varsity team are returning.  “I’m really excited about this year’s squad,” Dill said. “We graduated some good seniors but we have a lot of good football players coming back. They have more speed than I’ve ever had. We’ll be building off of that playoff win

With a very strong group of juniors that played a massive role in team successes last year as sophomores and a solid corps of senior leadership, it is anticipated that the Sandy High School girls’ soccer team will improve upon last year’s 4-9-2 record this season.  Amongst a group of talented juniors, the team is defensively anchored by junior goalkeeper Hannah Winans. Winans became the team’s regular goalie during her freshman season on varsity. She has been a standout playe

At an age when most people are content to take it easy, Rosemary Nichols is rewriting the playbook on aging. At 86, she’s not only lifting weights – she’s breaking barriers on the world stage. This past July, Nichols competed in the 2025 USPA Power Nationals in Pittsburgh. Taking the platform in the 85+ age division, she claimed world records in all three lifts – squat, bench press, and deadlift – in the International Powerlifting League. Her final deadlift of 92.5 kilograms