The Sprague High School racquetball team took third place at the Oregon High School Racquetball League state championships, which concluded Sunday.
The tournament was held at the Cascade Athletic Club in Gresham and the Mount Hood athletic club in Sandy.
Junior Connor Laffey led the way for the Olympians, finishing second in the top division for singles and doubles (with teammate Ben Wade).
“That’s the first time we’ve had a boy in the singles and doubles finals,” said club president Bill Edmiston. “To get to the finals is like throwing a shutout in a playoff baseball game. He’s a phenomenal racquetball player.”
Sprague won three championships, Daniel Schaub and Anna Stell at No. 3 mixed doubles, Jon Schaub and Leif Tsang at No. 3 boys doubles and Alec Dehart at No. 4 boys singles.
Beaverton won the overall team title, followed by Lincoln and Sprague. Lexi York of LaSalle (girls) and Sam Reid of Lincoln (boys) were the top division singles winners.
Laffey, Wade and Stephanie Herschbach of Sprague as well as Josh Lebow of Salem Academy were named first-team all-state. Dehart was a second-teamer and Tsang, Jon Schaub and Alexis Maceira received honorable mention.
“We only had one senior on the girls team and three juniors,” said Edmiston. “They competed very strong. So did the boys. That’s a tough tournament. It was pretty close competition. They played their hearts out. We’re proud of them.”
The Olympians move on to the nationals, which will be held Feb. 22-26 at the Multnomah Athletic Club and the Lloyd Athletic Club in Portland. Sprague will be looking to defend its 2011 national championship. The Olympians have won three of the past four national titles.
“We’re feeling confident about nationals,” said Edmiston. “We’ll be ready to compete, and we’ll see what happens.”
The team is coached by Ryan Edmiston, Bill Edmiston, Don Kerzel, David Herschbach, Dan Franklin, Alice Laffey, Jeff Stell and Stacey Witenberger.
The team receives free court time for practices at the Courthouse locations on Lancaster Drive and River Road S.
“We appreciate their involvement in Sprague racquetball,” said Bill Edmiston. “We can’t play without their help.”