Mountaineers the top-ranked team in NAIA for first time in program history

For the first time in program history, the Eastern Oregon University men’s basketball team is ranked first in the latest NAIA Division II coaches’ poll.

And the team is enjoying the view from the top of the NAIA mountain.

Union’s Brazen Wellington goes for a layup against Elgin Friday. BRAD MOSHER/The Observer

UNION — Elgin scored first Friday.

After that, it was Union that burned the net on the way to a 68-42 triumph as both boys basketball teams resumed Blue Mountain Conference play. 

From left, President of Northeast Oregon baseball Mike Lanman, Legacy’s Tony Grover, Legion coach Mark Lanman and vice president of Northeast Oregon baseball Erik Yundt pose with an award presented to Legacy for being named the sponsor of the year in the state of Oregon for the 2012 season. CASEY KELLAS/The Observer

American Legion baseball isn’t cheap.

Teams travels hundreds of miles per summer, entering expensive tournaments, and they go through a lot of baseballs.

So a good sponsor is a necessity.

Union’s Kaci Langford goes up for a shot as Pilot Rock defenders surround her in the second quarter of the championship game of the Optimist Christmas Classic Saturday. CASEY KELLAS/The Observer

Union girls overcome 24-point deficit to defeat Pilot Rock, 46-44

The Lady Cats have a penchant for drama.

Or so it seems this season. 

Imbler’s Stephanie McGilvray puts a shot up through the arms of Echo’s Katelyn Elligson (12) and Erika Parks (33). The Lady Panthers won the game 42-29. CASEY KELLAS/The Observer

The Imbler girls basketball team won its third straight game Thursday night on the first day of play in the La Grande Optimist Christmas Classic at Quinn Coliseum.

The Lady Panthers held the Cougars to 27 percent shooting to pull out a 42-29 victory.

Justin Jarvis represented Eastern Oregon University at the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association National Finals last June in Casper, Wyo. EOU file photo

Six years after being cut, the rodeo program is once again going strong 

The sport of rodeo has deep roots in Union County, and especially so at Eastern Oregon University. 

After its induction in 1968, the EOU rodeo program had a renaissance of sorts, excelling nationally throughout the 70s and 80s. 

EOU’s Jorie Freeman had 10 points and 10 rebounds in the Mountaineers’ 88-54 victory over Northwest University Saturday night at Quinn Coliseum. CASEY KELLAS/The Observer

The ninth-ranked Eastern Oregon University women’s basketball team upped its win streak to nine games with its most lop-sided Cascade Collegiate Conference victory Saturday. The Mountaineers ran away from visiting Northwest University for an 88-54 win to improve to 15-2 overall and 6-0 in the CCC.

“We set some goals. Some very specific, attainable goals,” coach Anji Weissenfluh said.  

Union’s Keesha Sarman (40) drives in for a layup while Heppner’s Blake Greenup tries to stop her. Heppner won Saturday’s game in overtime, 64-60. BRAD MOSHER/The Observer

UNION — The Lady Cats rallied early in Saturday’s battle with Heppner, only to see victory slip away in overtime, 64-60.

The first league loss dropped Union (2-1) into third place in the Blue Mountain Conference race, behind undefeated Enterprise (4-0) and Heppner (3-1) and just a half-game ahead of Weston-McEwen, Grant Union and Pilot Rock — all with 2-2 league records.

Powder, Imbler highlight all-state

They met in the district championship.

They faced off again in the state title game.

And they are linked together again in the 1A all-state selections.