Boys’ b-ball focuses on future, not past
With an open mind, it’s easy to see the correlation between Yelm High School’s boys’ basketball team and Don Draper of “Mad Men.”

Fall sports wrap-up
By Nisqually Valley News


Junior Ashley Taylor was Yelm’s lone cross country participant at Saturday’s 3A Washington State Championship in Pasco.

Taylor ran the hilly Sun Willows Golf Course in 20 minutes, 8 seconds, placing 50th out of 138 runners. She placed 66th at last year’s state meet.

“There were some really good times,” she said. “Runners were finishing one after another.”

“I really want to get in the top 12 next year so I can go to the Border Clash. I’m going to have to train really hard to do that.”

Yelm football
By Nisqually Valley News

The Tornados fell 16-14 last Thursday in their season finale at Sumner.

Yelm entered the fourth quarter with a 14-7 lead, but gave up a touchdown pass for the tie.

Yelm lost after allowing a safety in the final seconds..
The season had its ups and downs, but was a major upgrade compared to last season’s one win output, which came via a forfeit as Yelm was trailing.

Yelm coach Randy Swilley always said nobody, except for their team, expected the Tornados to do anything this year. Their performance showcased the season’s success.

Rainier volleyball
By Nisqually Valley News


The Mountaineers turned their prior losing ways into a postseason berth, finishing the season with a 10-7 record.

They finished the year by losing their first playoff game last Wednesday to Kalama, 3-0, at La Center High School.

However, Rainier bounced back in their next game against La Center, winning 3-1.

The win advanced them to Saturday’s showdown versus Onalaska, who had swept them twice throughout the regular season.

Unfortunately, history repeated itself as the season ended with a 0-3 defeat.

Most Recent Sports Items

2008 high school recap
Jan 02, 2009
Throughout the past year, team and individual success shined for Yelm and Rainier sports. An array of veteran leadership and youthful immergence led many of the schools’ teams to prosper. Several deep postseason runs were had by both schools, resulting in berths to the state tournament, and ultimately culminating in three solo championship titles from Yelm.

He came. He saw. He puckered up.
Jan 02, 2009
Commentary by Tyler Huey

Community recollection: ’08
Dec 26, 2008
AS ANOTHER YEAR-LONG journey reaches its conclusion, a brand new calendar is days away from taking 2008’s place. In a world smothered by hectic schedules, today’s day and age is like a 3-year-old computer -- out with the old and in with the new. But it doesn’t always have to be that way. If there’s ever a time to kick back, relax and recollect, the holiday season is a prime opportunity.

Inevitability: Kiss my feet, peasant!
Dec 26, 2008
"Mind Of Mr. Perfect", Commentary by Tyler Huey

Tornados look to rebound, reestablish winning ways
Dec 19, 2008
Question: What do the Yelm High School boys’ basketball team and the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals have in common?

Yelm nets four All-League selections
Dec 19, 2008
Along with reaching the postseason, Yelm High School girls’ soccer team netted four 3A Western Cascade Conference first team All-League selections.

A nationwide inspiration
Dec 19, 2008
"MIND OF MR. PERFECT " Commentary by Tyler Huey

Yelm girls suffer first loss
Dec 19, 2008
If Saturday’s girls’ basketball game could be simulated and replayed possession by possession, Yelm coach Russ Riches said they would’ve won nine out of 10 times. It’s unfortunate for Yelm their matchup fell into the 10 percentile category.

RHS boys get league win
Dec 19, 2008
Thanks to clutch free-throw shooting, the Rainier High School boys’ basketball team held on for a 57-52 win at Forks on Tuesday.

Wrestling hits bumpy terrain
Dec 19, 2008
It’s been a difficult week for Rainier High School’s wrestling team.

Tornados overwhelm Bears
Dec 12, 2008
Yelm improves to 3-0 with 54-39 win

Yelm finishes third at weekend tourney
Dec 12, 2008
For Yelm High School’s wrestling team, the goal is to win a state title, not go undefeated during the season. At least they won’t need to worry about succumbing to unprecedented pressure like the New England Patriots faced in Super Bowl XLII.

Titans’ O-line openly welcomes new ‘teammate’
Dec 12, 2008
"Mind Of Mr. Perfect" Commentary by Tyler Huey

Mounties earn five medals at invitational
Dec 12, 2008
Five of Rainier’s seven available wrestlers medaled at the Ocosta Invitational on Saturday.

YHS boys’ b-ball off to fast start
Dec 12, 2008
Like Yelm’s football team did in the fall, the boys’ basketball squad is quickly erasing its prior misfortunes this winter.

Mounties win seesaw battle
Dec 05, 2008
Season openers have a tendency to showcase flaws rather than highlight assets. On Tuesday night, the Rainier girls’ basketball team did both.

RHS boys cast eye to SunDome
Dec 05, 2008
As an ode to fallen rapper Notorius B.I.G., Puff Daddy covered Sting’s “I’ll Be Missing You” in 1997 -- the same year Rainier High School’s boys’ basketball team last advanced to the state tournament.

Detroit Lions:Thanksgiving annihilation
Dec 05, 2008
Mind Of Mr. Perfect: Commentary by Tyler Huey

Inexperience rules the mat for Rainier
Dec 05, 2008
The Rainier High School wrestling team has an interesting goal: They don’t have a goal. Looking at the team’s experience -- only eight wrestlers with mat time -- it may be wise not to have unexpectable expectations.

Yelm loses scrimmage
Dec 05, 2008
The Mountaineers’ girls basketball team defeated the Tornados 10-9 in their final scrimmage game Saturday evening at Yelm High School.