NEW LEADER: Lawrence “Legi” Suiaunoa runs a defensive drill during a fall practice. Suiaunoa joins the Mountaineers staff after coaching at Western Washington University. - The Observer/PAUL HARDER

“There’s a lot of optimism for the season,” Camp said. “We’ve got a lot of great leadership coming back. The awesome thing is, they’re mentoring the younger guys.

SPRINT TO THE FINISH: A runner heads towardthe finish line during the triathlon hosted by the city of La Grande. The Observer/CASEY KELLAS

Fifty-four athletes from around the area competed in the event, along with five teams. That number is up from the 34 individuals that competed in last year’s race.

Michael Rushton of Baker City won the men’s heat with a total time of 1:02:09.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT IS A WORK OF THE HEART: Grande Ronde Hospital Foundation Vice Chair Sarah Tsiatsos and Foundation manager Meredith Lair admire a Pendleton Woolen Mills blanket. The blanket is one of the dozens of items to be auctioned off Saturday at the Blue Mountain Conference Center. Submitted photo

“Our goal is to host one of the premier golf events in the region,” Foundation Director Merideth Lair said. “We want people to go out to the course and have fun.

“But the golf tournament is also helping to make things better for the people in the area too. The money we’ve raised has allowed the hospital to make upgrades.”

LEADING THE SHOW: EOU quarterback Chris Ware returns for his sophomore season behind center. - The Observer/PAUL HARDER

While that may not be the case, there is great optimism this season that the offense will pick up where it left off.

The EOU football team opened spring ball ahead of the curve.

ANIMATED AUCTION: Doug Hislop served as the auctioneer during the La Grande High School Activity-Athletic Fundraising Banquet sponsored by the Oregon National Guard 3rd Battalion 116th Calvary. Observer photo/PAUL HARDER

The La Grande High School Activity-Athletic Fundraising Banquet sponsored by the Oregon National Guard 3rd Battalion 116th Calvary was a success, according to Teresa Dowdy.

“I was surprised with the overall figure we brought in. I wasn’t surprised with how the community came through,” Dowdy said.

If the initial community outreach bares any indication on the future of La Grande High School athletics and activities, then everything looks really good.

Tickets are sold out for the LHS Activity-Athletic Fundraising Banquet sponsored by the Oregon National Guard 3rd Battalion 116th Calvary.

Teresa Dowdy said that 280 tickets have been sold for the event, a sell-out.

FINE FORM: Allie Godfrey of the La Grande Swim Club took first in the 200-yard breaststroke Sunday at Veterans Memorial Pool. - Observer photos/PAUL HARDER

The club competed in and hosted its final event of the summer season.

“It was a great season,” head coach Joe Andrews said. “The kids came a long way from where they started.

“We have a few loose ends to tie up this next week, then we’ll be on break until mid-September.”

CRUISING COOK: La Grande High School swimmer Matt Cook is taking on the competition in Waikiki, Hawaii, at the Western Zone Championships. Cook begins his individual events today. Submitted photo

Cook earned a spot at the Western Zone Championships in Hawaii.

The Western Zone Championships are a huge qualifying meet for nationals.  Cook was the only swimmer from Eastern Oregon to qualify.  This meet takes the best swimmers from Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. The meet began Tuesday and runs through Saturday.

Beau Willadsen and Tiger Woods might not have a lot in common on the golf course. But they do off the course, hosting  tournaments.

Willadsen is in his second year hosting the LGCC Amateur by McDonalds at the La Grande Country Club.

The event is in its second season, taking the place of the Elks tournament.

SEALING THE DEAL: Imbler’s Nick West (left) and Pilot Rock’s Chance Bandy (right) celebrate an interception to end the game. Observer photo/BARRETT HENDERSON

BAKER CITY

Defense made the difference during the 17-13 victory by the East squad.

A suffocating defensive scheme held the West to 39 total yards in the first half.