GEARING UP: A contestent at the Solstice triathlon completes the transition to his bike. The Observer/PAUL HARDER

However, a few competitors transversed the landscape around Morgan Lake with relative ease during the Solstice Triathlon Saturday.

Jason Jablonski returned to La Grande after winning the event in 2006. The Wenatchee, Wash., native was the first person to finish. His time of 2:19.30 broke the previous course record of 2:23.00. Jablonski also won the event in 2005.

The summer all-star season kicks off Saturday at Community Stadium on the campus of Eastern Oregon University.

“It’s a great game,” Cove head coach Todd Shirley said. “Plus the college gets to have a bunch of graduated kids on their campus. Some of them might not have decided where they want to go. EOU has a chance to reel them in.”

Are you tough enough for an extreme event?

So far 115 people have said yes to that question and entered the Solstice Triathlon, an XTERRA event, hosted in

La Grande this weekend. The previous high for registration was 85.

People from nine states will travel to the event.

MENACE ON THE MOUND: Josh Yundt was named Most Outstanding Pitcher for the South team during the Class 4A All-Star Series in Roseburg. - Observer file photo

Yundt was invited to the Class 4A All-Star series in Roseburg.

“It was pretty exciting to find out that I was selected for that,” Yundt said. “I knew there were going to be some great players there, and it was going to be a chance to compete against them.”

A small crowd for the Tiger Booster Club meeting couldn’t deter the attitude of the hosts Monday at the La Grande High School auditorium.

The objective was to release the new figure standing in the way of the middle school and high school continuing athletics and activities for the next school year.

UPSIDE DOWN EJECTION: Bull rider Willy Ives takes a head dive before the horn sounded on his ride Sunday. Observer photo/PAUL HARDER

Lightning storms filled the sky Saturday, and was accompanied by rain. The Sunday final only saw brief periods of bad weather.

One truck from Texas left a little heavier. Traveling partners Tilden Hooper, Clint Cannon and Steve Anding took three of the top four spots in the bareback riding competition.

SUPER SOPHOMORE: Union’s Jessy Reynolds is one of four Bobcats nominated for the Class 2A/1A player of the year. - Observer file photo

Poor was named the Class 2A/1A baseball coach of the year after leading Union to the state championship game.

The class 2A/1A softball team is still in the voting process and will be released when available.

Local athletes earn league awards after grueling baseball and softball seasons

EYE ON THE BALL: Jordann Roberts watches a pitch cross the plate against Irrigon during the state title game Friday. The Observer/BARRETT HENDERSON

The 2009 OSAA class 2A/1A state softball championships was anything but pretty. A combination of the weather, a muddy field and a game that featured a total of six hits led to Irrigon capturing its school’s first team title in any sport.

The Knights (19-8) defeated the 19-7 Bobcats 1-0 off a run in the first inning. Irrigon High School, which opened its doors in 2005, completed an unbelievable run in the state tournament after finishing third in its league.

BATTLING BOBCAT: Union’s Jordan Brown pops up a pitch during the state title game Friday at PGE Park. Brown finished the game with one hit on three plate appearances. The Observer/BARRETT HENDERSON

Umpqua Valley Christian edged Union in a well-played, defensive-minded game, 2-1.

The Bobcats (21-2) boasted an impressive record and a 20-game win streak, but was the underdog against the No. 1 Monarchs.