West Valley High School - Aurora Yearbook (Fairbanks, AK)

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LEAVING OPPONENTS IN THEIR WAKE WEST STROKED TO ANOTHER TOP SEASON Plunging into their second season of competition, the West Valley swimmers, coached by Judy Soolook, held high aspirations to continue their triumphant ways. Although it was her first experience as a coach, Soolook guided the team through a successful year. In late September, after more than a month of arduous work, competition began as the team journeyed to Valdez, where they left their adversaries dripping wet. This victory launched the Wolfpack into an unrivaled winning streak. West's aquamen were truly indefatequable, and the mermaids were seriously challenged only by arch-rival Lathrop. Moving into the Region meet, West carried along some mighty impressive records. After a fine performance, the Wolfpack boys captured the Region title, but the girls were touched out by Lathrop. The diving team also came through, taking top honors in the region and in the state. ln the State meet, competing against fifteen other teams, the boys swam to sixth place and the girls to ninth. This capped off another radiant season for the young West squad. A With only three seniors leaving, including captains Bill Roth and Jennifer Fate, the outlook for the third season is an excellent one! lsiaskw

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YOUNG AND FRESH JV AND VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAMS GRADUATED FROM THE SEASON MORE EXPERIENCED FOR THE COMING YEAR FRONT ROW: Stephanie Cash, Nora Norum, Pam Gleason, SECOND ROW: Mary Coach Matt Steffes, Manager Karen Sole, Donna Kious, BACK Row: Lori Lundberg, Jah Thompson, Leslie Quakenbush, Ruth Milan. ,..W..,., , 4 W... ........ ,,,,.,,,,, Mid-August signified the start of the 1978 girls volleyball season, a season that was to prove vastly different from the previous one. The team suffered the loss of six varsity team members as well as the individual loss of its Head Coach, Ruth Scanlan. The team had only five returning varsity players and many new members had to be recruited. Matt Steffes stepped up as Head Coach and used the skills he had acquired as Assistant Coach to develop the potential of the relatively young and inexperienced team. While West Valley's varsity team was comprised of younger players and was less experienced than others, the remaining teams in Region VI were older and typically more experienced, giving the West spikers fierce competition. West battled vigorously and managed to come away with three wins in the season. Due to the promotion of several top junior varsity players to the varsity team, the junior varsity was left slightly short handed. Although they were hurt by this loss, they still battled gallantly and attained three wins. The many returning players feel confident they will volley toward a better season next year. Special congratulations go to. sophomore, Lori Meier, who was selected from West to be a member of the.AIl-Region Team.

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f s , W , ,, .,, .. IN N 1 1 I 3.435- Fi i ' li' 5 4 4 rw' Commencing the 200 Yard I.M., Jennifer Fate acquires an early lead. ,F N , , ., 5: is 'V s After a triumphant day at the swim meet, the West Valley aquajocks and Coach Judy Soolook revel in glory. After diving for only three weeks, John Pennebaker easily captures the Regional diving title and proceeds to take second place SWIMMING W.V.H.S. Opponents 161 168 152 152 156 128 141 151 127 B-1st B-6th 61 58 78 50 77 78 141 Valdez Cordova Valdyz Cordova North Pole Eielson Lathrop Eielson Lathrop Regionals State 79 156 G-2nd G-9th it 1 Breaking the smooth water with puissant force, Tom Van Flein surpasses his adversary in the 100 Yard Breaststroke event. at State.