Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Wes Gabrielsen catches a pickleball in one hand while holding a paddle in the other during an impromptu practice session at the McMinnville Lower City Park courts. When not on the road, Gabrielsen frequents the courts to join games and say hello to friends. Now when attending, he sees much younger faces than before, which brings a smile to someone hoping to support a youth movement.

Wes Gabrielsen helping to grow pickleball as a game for all ages

Listen closely while strolling along Park Drive in McMinnville, you might hear light pops and passionate grunts. Not to worry, it is just locals on the pickleball courts playing friendly games and working ...

Nathan Ecker/News-Register##Dayton Head Coach Kiegan Schaan (right) stands in as an obstacle for wide receivers like incoming freshman Ethan Christensen (left) to work around during route running drills at a summer practice session.

Pirates' new play-caller prepared to carry on values of Dayton football

Dayton football will have a new head coach when the 2026 season begins, but the instilled traits that have made the Pirates successful are not lost on their new leader. Kiegan Schaan, the Pirates’ ...

Photo courtesy of EVUSA##Sarah-Anne House twirls around the back of her steed during an equine vaulting training camp. In the sport, traditional saddles are replaced with a special surcingle with handles, which aid the vaulter in performing certain moves. For competitions, House often rides borrowed horses, creating a loving relationship with each one.

Newberg teen qualifies for equine vaulting championship

Sarah-Anne House, a 17-year-old multifaceted gymnast and track athlete from Newberg, loves to perform pirouettes on the back of horses more than anything else. The incoming senior to Newberg High School ...

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Findley##Mabel Findley poses for a photograph near the 18th tee box at The Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland. The Old Course is considered by many to be the home of golf. Findley entered a drawing to play a round at the course and was selected. She did so instead of participating in group play of the Scotland Junior Invite Tour, where she was chosen to represent McMinnville following the success of her junior season.

Mac's Findley claims links victory in Scotland

Mabel Findley, a soon-to-be senior and multi-sport athlete at McMinnville High School, took her golfing talents overseas June 20-28 to compete in the Scotland Junior Golf Invitational Coed Tour. The ...

Nathan Ecker/News-Register## The Nike Book 1 “Valley,” a personal favorite being Phoenix Suns  guard Devin Booker s signature shoes. They were a popular choice seen at many DIII college games.

Upon Further Review: Stepping through sneaker heaven

For my first job, I sat at the front desk of a gym in my oasis of a hometown. There, I spent my hours counting seconds as they passed, signing up new members and using Under Armour Icon services to make ...

Nathan Ecker/News-Register##McMinnville Head Coach Tucker Coil instructs his players during a timeout in one of the Bears summer league contests inside the Mac gymnasium. Every huddle has been a moment of growth for Coil and his team, who are looking to make stronger connections on and off the floor heading into a season after graduating eight seniors that Coil coached from their time as freshman.

Bears boys basketball inspiring leadership during summer play

McMinnville’s boys’ basketball team was hard at work over recent weeks. Between summer leagues, youth camps and an alumni game, Grizzly players soaked up as much as they could handle. Their ...

Nathan Ecker/News-Register##Jonah Duryee makes a jumping throw to first base after charging a soft ground ball from his post as the Grizzlies’ second baseman during their summer league game versus Clackamas on Wednesday, July 1, at Patton Middle School. Duryee is being tested all around the diamond as part of Mac’s offseason tinkering with finding the perfect varsity defensive alignment.

Mac's Duryee ready for next steps after varsity reps

Nerves rattled Jonah Duryee when he stepped onto the baseball diamond for his first varsity contest of 2026. The incoming sophomore received the call-up from JV on May 1 for a road bout versus Forest ...

Nathan Ecker/News-Register##Steven Brown of Sheridan in a red, white and blue 2021 Honda Talon keeps his lead over Brad Himes of Tillamook around the final turn of Willamina’s side-by-side short course race on Saturday, June 27. Brown was the best of the factory side-by-side class, becoming the first No. 1 winner in what was the Willamina Mud Drags maiden voyage into side-by-side racing.

Side-by-side short course racing makes Willamina Mud Drag debut

More than 70 vehicles competed in the Willamina Mud Drags on Saturday, June 27, as the city of Willamina raised funds for its Fourth of July celebration. Through spurts of heavy rain and sunshine, competitors ...

Rusty Rae/News-Register file photo##Dayton’s Gabby Chupp reaches third base and yells toward her dugout in the Pirates contest versus YC on April 30.

Top county softball teams recognized with all-state honors

The battle for the 3A softball crown ended in the semifinals for both of No. 4-ranked Yamhill Carlton and No. 3 Dayton, but each was awarded its fair share of All-State recognition. YC had five players ...

Lafayette Fourth of July feature special guests from POW Pro Wrestling

The Lafayette Fourth of July celebration is one of the oldest in the state and this year will feature special guests at the third annual hot dog eating contest. POW Pro Wrestling out of Eugene will have ...

Amity, Mac locals make their case at USATF Oregon Junior Olympics

The first rounds of the USATF Oregon Association Junior Olympics unfolded seamlessly from June 25-28, with a large contingent of Yamhill County athletes competing at Mt. Hood Community College. Along ...

Mac, YC seniors represent squads on all-state teams

All-State recognition graced just one player from McMinnville in 2026, senior designated hitter Cameron Hyder. The Lower Columbia College commit led the Grizzlies in batting average (.432), OBP (.544), ...

Nathan Ecker/News-Register##Incoming Amity sophomore Carter Haarsma makes a pass to Austin Lopez in their summer league game versus Taft at the Warrior gymnasium on Tuesday, June 20. Haarsma was the Warriors’ top guard in his freshman season. He saw a plethora of double teams and heavy on-ball pressure, but is using a combination of experience and less-stressful summer situations to figure out how to more effectively distribute and open opportunities for himself.

Amity boys basketball going back to basics during summer league

Based on record alone, the Amity boys’ basketball team of 2025-26 was the best the program had seen since 2019-20. The varsity Warriors went 16-10 overall and 12-4 in PacWest Conference play. Amity’s ...

Rusty Rae/News-Register##Scott Peterson (class of 2003) receives high fives from Zev Egli (left, Class of 2011) and Chad Jones (right, Class of 2006) while the starting lineups for the alumni game are announced by fellow Mac graduate and current assistant basketball coach Brady Martin. Scott was not the only Peterson in attendance, as Mark Peterson made an appearance on the alumni coaching staff with Athletic Director Ryan McIrvin.

Photo Gallery: Past versus present

McMinnville alumni took on current Grizzly varsity players on Wednesday for the first of what hopes to become an annual basketball game between the school’s past and future graduates. In front of ...

Nathan Ecker is the News-Register s Sports Editor

Upon Further Review: Covering history at Hayward

In my travels across the nation to view athletics for both work and pleasure, few cathedrals of sport have attracted my gaze more than historic Hayward Field. Growing up in a family whose lineage had ...

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