Statesman Journal from Salem, Oregon • Page 14

Statesman Journal PAGE 4B ii JL WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1999 tjy Gray, Ira and Much left behind impressive sports legacies "It was a crusade of his." And OSC eventually did have black players. There was a keen rivalry during those days of two papers in Salem. Most readers of the sports section figured Lightner and Much didn't speak to one another. It was just the opposite. "People thought we were arch-rivals, but we were great friends," Lightner said.

"Joe was an outstanding writer and a good guy." Reid English is the Statesman Journal Community sports columnist. He can be reached at 399-6702, by mail at P.O. Box 13009, Salem, OR 97309, by fax at 589-6946 or by e-mail at renglishstatesmanjoumal.com. All-Star game in Chicago and in the Shrine game. He was the first OSC (Oregon State College) player taken in the NFL draft, by the Chicago Bears in the first round in 1938.

But a lingering knee injury prevented an NFL career. One of Gray's most memorable games was against USC in the Los Angeles Coliseum in 1935. Al Lightner, former sports editor of the Statesman, saw the 13-7 OSC win working as a security guard. "The LA papers really played it up big," Lightner said. "They said this triple-threat player was the greatest thing they'd ever seen." Mark Gray, Joe's son, said his outstanding sports writer in 1965, during his stint as sports editor of Salem's afternoon paper, the Capital Journal.

"He was a writer of great integrity when at times it was not valued," said Jim Close, who worked with Much at the Capital Journal. "He was always a gentleman and listened carefully." Close, who works in the Statesman Journal's marketing department, recalls how Much lobbied for Oregon State to make the transition in basketball from the Slats Gill era to a new regime. "Joe strongly urged OSC to have black players," Close said. dad got the nickname from his running ability and name. "He was an elusive runner, it was like he wasn't there anymore, like a ghost," Mark said.

Ira, one of Oregon State's all-time top pitchers, still ranks high in many school career pitching records. He remains No. 1 in ERA at 1.79, in complete games with 28 and in shutouts with 10. He also was in the top seven in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched. After a brief pro career, Ira coached at Philomath, and was later a middle school teacher in Albany until retiring in 1995.

Much was honored as Oregon's TABLE TENNIS STAR I I rw, -A I 'V Wo sXV 1 S- a 1 I I Despite a reduction in practice time, the Western Oregon sophomore finishes 2nd in a national tourney. BY REID ENGLISH Statesman Journal MONMOUTH Ever since Phong Ho was 5 years old, table tennis has been his passion. Now that Ho is a 19-year-old sophomore at Western Oregon University, other activities have forced table tennis to the back But despite not practicing near ly as often as he used to, Ho finished second in the expert division at the Association of College Unions Intercollegiate nationals last month in Houston. "He's among the top 2 or 3 in the state," said Dr. Bob Ho (no relation) of the Portland Table Tennis Club.

"He's an aggressive attacker." One fact is certain: He's near the top as a collegiate player in the state for the second straight year. Ho earned a repeat trip to nationals by earning the fourth and final spot at the Northwest Regionals at the University of Oregon in February. Regionals included players from colleges in Idaho, Montana, Washington and Oregon. He split two matches with a player from Oregon at regionals. Ho was second in regionals a year ago.

"I made it a little close this year," he said. "I lost my last two matches." Ho said his national finish in the expert division was below his fourth-place finish in the masters division last year because of the different competitive level. At nationals, the 32 competitors open in groups of four, and their finish defines where they will play the remainder of the tournament. "The first round robin determines the whole tournament," he said. The group winners play in the championship division.

The No. 2s play in the masters, No. 3s in expert and No. 4s in elite. Because Ho was third in his initial group, he was in the expert division, one group below his group of a year ago.

REID ENGLISH COMMUNITY SPORTS Oregon State's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991. Gray, 83, was a longtime Salem resident who was a football official for many years. But his athletic notoriety was in the late 1930s. He was a triple-threat star as a runner, passer and punter. He earned several honors in 1937, including All-America.

He played in the annual college the week. Golfers Kelly Groff of Sprague and Taylor Wright of Sprague will be honored at the club's regular meeting at 6:30 a.m. Friday at Denny's on Market St. The tennis players, who will be in the midst of the state championships, will be honored the following Friday. They are Ashley Campbell, Sarah Tipton, Lauren Fletchall, Matt Casebeer and Jason Swor, all of South Salem.

KEIZER FIREBALLS 2ND AT VANCOUVER The Keizer Fireballs finished second in a 10U softball tournament in Vancouver, this past weekend. They posted a 4-1 record in the 11-team event, losing 7-6 to the Beaverton Blaze in the title game. Alex Wright had 10 hits and a home run, and Sallie Katter had -nine hits and a home run as the Fireballs amassed 74 hits in the tournament. Pitchers Mariesha Marker, Tiffany Ray and Leah Cortez had 53 strikeouts. The Fireballs are seeking additional sponsors and players.

Contact: 393-0656. SATURDAY: The Salem Bicycle Club has a 30-mile ride to Aumsville at 9 am. Contact: Dick MacDougall, 873-8962. SATURDAY: The Santiam Slow Spokes of Lebanon have two rides starting at 9 a.m. The first is 35 miles from Willamette Mission Park to Mount Angel for lunch.

Contact: Nanci Wagstaff, 31 6-9083. The second is 1 8 miles from Lebanon Community Hospital to Tennessee Road area. Contact: Sally Skaggs, (541) 258-5337. SATURDAY: The Mid-Valley Bicycle Club of Corvallis has three rides starting at 8 a.m. from Osborn Aquatic Center.

The 61 -mile ride goes to Shedd and Waterloo and back via Tangent. The 37-mile ride goes to Shedd and Saddle Butte and back via Tangent. The 23-mile ride takes Campus Way to Peoria and back via Peoria Road. Contact: Rob Gandara, (541) 753-9657 or Alan Acock (541) 757-8523. SOFTBALL TODAY: Registration deadline for men's league of Woodbum Recreation Parks Department.

Few spots remain for league that begins May 25. Contact: Brian Sjothun, 982-5266. MOT SPOT SATURDAY-SUNDAY: Northwest Sand Competition Association season opener at Albany Supercross Race Track. Time trials at 8 a.m., eliminations at 12:30 p.m. Admission, kids under 12, free.

If rain-out, call 772-5235. secern? SATURDAY: A British Mini-Camp for boys and girls at Wallace Marine Park. Times are: 1-2 p.m., ages 5-7; p.m., 8-10; p.m., 11-14; and p.m., 15-18. Contact: Dan Leeming, 1-800-533-9374. Third flight- LG- Vic Kamer.

Dick Snyder. Ken Yoder. Jackie Muter 168: LN: CoxieCox, Max Lucas. Larry Stohr, Bob Bong 122. 9-hote- LN: Max AN, Ray Steele.

Chuck Cole. Wayne O'del 58. AT SANTIAM GC Day's ptey: Team play. Low gross -Dartene Manning, 50. Low net-Betty Emery, Jan Long, 36.

Team 1 -Merba Remseyer, Gladys Oraw. Millie Hal, 38.7. Team2-(tiel Eteenor Hazard. Angela Srri. Jan Long.

393. Jane Heubargar, Betty Emery, Nancy Hardman, 39.3. 18-hole LadtoeOroup Low gross Michelle Lundeen 93. Low net Mane Gateway 78. Day's play (putt for ponts): Class A-Janet Busby 22; Class B-Dorothy Hadteyia Swknrsu SALEM OREGON SHARKS YMCA BOYS Band under 26 free-Paul Mart (Satem) 23.1 1 25 breast-Paul Mart (Satem) 27.81; 25 back-Paul Mart (Salami 26.39; 25 fly-Sawyer Weitman(SYM 40.32.

10and under 50 free-Alax James (WVTS) 53.88; 50 breast-Atex Keller (WVTS) 52.73; 50 back-Alex James (WVTS) 55.84; 50 fly-Atex Katter (WVTS) 50.60. 12 and under 200 tree-Jordon Gnmms (WVTS) 3:54.47: 50 free-SohrnieiSYMI 37.71; 50 breast-Ben Ctmar (WVTS) 53.20; 10O free Ben CUmar (WVTS) 50 back-Crag Schmtz (SYM) 48.09; 50 fly-Crag Schmtz (SYM) 45. 1 8. 13andover 200 free-Chns James (WVTS) 2:44.44: 50 tree-Dusty Adams (SYM) 28 40: 100 breast-Michael Hodgson (Satem) 1:38.22: 200 free-Dusty Adams ISYMI 103.11: 100 back-Mcnaa Hodgson (Satem) 1 :34 88; 100 fly-Dusty Adams (SYM) 1:15.07. Joe Gray was such an elusive running back for Oregon State he got the nickname, "Gray Ghost." Cecil Ira was a crafty left-handed pitcher in the early 1960s for Oregon State.

Joe Much brought a higher level of sports writing to the Salem-area in the 1960s. We lost these three sports notables in the past 10 days. Memorial services for Gray and Much were last Saturday. The service for Ira is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday in Albany.

Gray and Ira played in different eras, but they have something in common. They were elected to IN BRIEF Salem Twisters softball team wins event The Salem Twisters' 14U ASA softball team captured a 16-team tournament in Chehalis, this past weekend with a perfect record. The Twisters defeated the Diamond Dolls 9-4 in the championship game. Earlier wins were by 6-0, 13-0, 2-1, 7-2 and 9-3. All opponents were from Washington.

Pitchers Kathleen Kerp and Abigail Harter were the winning pitchers. Kerp hit .556 with five doubles and a home run. Jessica Bobo hit .667 and Tessie Nelson ,636. Hitting over .400 were Loretta Antonio, Lacey Crass, Kim Ford, Mariah Garcia, Loveleen Gilimete, Harter and Allison Wils. SEVEN ATHLETES TO BE HONORED The Salem Sports Breakfast Club has named several golfers and tennis players as athletes of CALENDAR FRIDAY, SATURDAY: Soccer 101 for adults, 6-9 p.m.

Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Western Baptist fields. Registration deadline is Friday. Cost is $55 or $95 for a couple. Contact: 362-7308 or at www.cascadesurge.com.

THURSDAY: A kick boxing class at Westside Courthouse Athletic Club p.m. to help benefit cancer research at St. Jude Children Research Hospital. Cost is $7 non-member donations or donations from sponsors for members. Contact: 581 -31 71 IDS TODAY: Pheidippides Running and Walking Club 5-mile group run at 6 p.m.

at Governors Cup on Court St. Contact: 399-2029 or email at dhagenuswest. net. wam SATURDAY: The Willamette Wanderers Volkssport Club is sponsoring a 10k Iris Walk at Northside Church, 7685 River Keizer. Walkers may start between 8 a.m.

and 1 p.m. and must finish by 4 p.m. Contact: Frances Hice, 362-5318 or Dawn Lindholm, 363-7044. BICYCLirJS SATURDAY: The Salem Bicycle Club has a Reach the Beach fund-raiser for the American Lung Association of Oregon starting at 7:30 a.m. from the Oak Hills Mall on Edgewater St.

in West Salem. Among other starting points are Corvallis, Amity or Grand Ronde. Entry fee is $45. The 77-mile ride goes to Pacific Cfty. There is an option of riding back or staying overnight at a house secured for club members.

Contact: Mary Schmidgall, 585-8313. SCOREBOARD RATS Hole in one Duane Schatz, hit a hole in one on the 1 54-yard No. 3 hole at Salem Golf Club with a 5-iron. It was his first in 29 years. 6df ATOAKKNQU.

Days play: A Rebecca CaudHotiz ChaffirVTeri RctarisJuoV SpencerFieda Mier 16: B- Said PaWMm Brand 18; C- Betty Bue-hte 18; Pat Schroedar- 16. LQ: A- Uz CraffirvFreda Mfler 48; Sandte Park 56; Betty Buchte 62; Rochette Rodda 63. LN: A- Rebecca Caudio 36.5: Vickie Jones 46; Pat SchroederMarie Smiley. 1S-hol Days play A Judy Spencer 28; Donna Brerman 32. LQ: Judy Spencer 101; Sandie Park 110.

Srennan 83. ATCREEKSIDEWGA Bind Bogey A- 1. 69: 3, Carol Franz 71. ATMCNARYGC 9-nrjle LN: A- Dot Lewis 37; B- Martha Van 38; C- Lori Pedereen 38. Mutt Jeff: A Rhonda Judson 13: B- Ey JunoHamet Skoog Behap 13; C-Karen Dean 15.

AT BATTLE CREEK GC frrt bngo. bango. bongo Artena CokerCarol PetersorWI MulanS. LQ: A- Judy Webb; B- Pat Bry C-LebMedajry. Salem Senior GoW AT TRYSTING TREE Ctiampionship- 38; LN: Herb Miller 33.

1 ftght- LQ Parker Glenn Hossner 32. 2 (light-- LG: Don Carl DalasCharley 33. 3 flight- LQ: Bob FreSSO. 4 flight- LG: Aral OiokSenske33. AT SENIOR ESTATES 18-hote Four lady First flight- LQ: Fredrickson.

Pat Thompson 79: LN: June Baiew, Veiyle Second flight- LG: Muriel Cote. Dorothy Voder 81: LN: Johnson, Veca McAlteter, 52. Beat the Pre Ulm John Bnndle 67; John Murphy 48; Bob Chester 63: Bob Parker 66; Leo Lumsden 66: John Halter 64: Dick Pargeter 71; Mel Johnson 71; Mark Massey 71 Leo Yonce 68; Norm Hammond 67: Bob Scott 7 1 Come Cox 71 Jim Spaa 69; Bi Bermatt 63: Bi Rene 67; Bd Hansel 67; Guyle Fielder 70; Jack Blaylock 66; Hariey Neely 70; Bob Adkre 63 AT SENIOR ESTATES First aght LG Larry FieUer. Gator Sharer, LN 84 Wilson. Ben Rone.

Ftch Bennett Second flight- LG: Del Stevens. Keith Smth. 159. LN: Norm Stautter. Marin Hammond, Rober JAY REITER Statesman Journal practices his table tennis form at one of the residence halls at WOU sophomore recently finished second in the nation in his class.

in 1958. Ho's stepmother, Simone Yang, plays on the U.S. national team. She also offers a stiff challenge to Ho. "I've never beaten her," Ho said.

"I've come close. She stays up close to the table. Her counter game is amazing. She puts you in a corner and moves you around good." Diep said his wife is ranked 2300 in the world, and his son is at 2100. The highest ranking is 2800.

As far as the 5-foot-6, 110-pound Ho's game is concerned, it's mostly offensive. "I like to be aggressive," he said. "My best way of scoring is with smashes or loops." A loop is going over the ball and generating a lot of top-spin. "It's tough to handle. When the ball comes off your racket, it should bounce upward." OFFENSIVE ATTACK: Phong Western Oregon University.

The "I had one really good guy, he was third overall," he said. "The guy that was second in our group had never played in a tournament in the U.S., so he had no rating." Ho said his goal this year was to finish first in the masters division. "I wasn't very pleased how I played," he said. If I had played better, I could have been first or second (in initial group). Both matches were close.

I felt better about how I played last year." Ho said school, work and a lack of practice has affected his play this year. The computer science major was a sales associate at an outdoor apparel store in Salem for the past seven months. "School and work took most of my time," he said. "I didn't practice until three days before going to Houston. I don't play as often as I used to.

Until I was 14, it was Emerg. Vet. Devil Rays Capital City Co. Tigers West Coast Bank Padres MAJORS SALEM Hanard Machine Phillies Kilroy's Storage Dodgers Cornerstone Cardinals Brush College Mets Dave's Pharmacy Giants Rick Lewis Ins. Pirates JUNIORS Ho usually 4-5 days in a two-hour routine." The workouts, which included practicing with a coach for six years, resulted in six Oregon State Junior Championships and about 150 trophies.

He said his biggest win was a national championship earned in 1990 in San Diego when he was 11 years old. Ho got an early start in the sport because table tennis has been a popular activity in his family. The family lives in Hillsboro, where Ho was a 1997 graduate of Glencoe High School. "My father took me to various tournaments and pushed me hard," he said. "It's given me a lot of great experiences and traveling.

It's been an important part of my life." Diep, Ho's father, played while growing up in Vietnam. He said he was ranked No. 3 in the world Valley Recycling Martins Pacific Pride Indians Condon Law Mariners SENIORS Pizza Hut Yankees Beard Sporting Rockies SOFTBALL Womock Ins. Reds P.T. Northwest Expos DISTRICT 7 LITTLE LEAGUE STANDINGS Fennimore Cut.

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