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45 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, March 24, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend May 7, 2004 Coug of all trades Kim Hamilton showed her versatility Saturday by pitching two one-hitters and shining at the Grants Pass Rotary track meet By KEVIN GOFF Mail Tribune When it’s time to punch the clock at the end of the sporting day, Kim Hamilton opts for overtime. The Illinois Valley senior has almost single-handedly pitched the Cougars into the upper echelon of the Skyline Conference softball standings. But her work doesn’t end there. The four-sport star also moonlights as a standout javelin thrower and long jumper for the track and field team. Hamilton, who also earned first-team all-Skyline honors in volleyball and basketball, spends the majority of her time on the diamond. She pitches in games an average of three days a week and spends three nongame days practicing with her softball teammates. Every Wednesday is track day. "She’s absolutely amazing," says softball coach Justine Johnson, who graduated from IV in 1999 and has known Hamilton since her Little League days. "She’s always had the determ-ination. Kim’s very focused, even when she was younger." Advertisement Hamilton’s two-sport schedule hasn’t hampered her performance, though. Last Saturday, she spent the first half of her day tossing a pair of one-hit victories in a doubleheader sweep of Hidden Valley. Immediately after the twin bill, she raced to compete in the Grants Pass Rotary Invitational and won the javelin throw with a mark of 131 feet, 5 inches. She also placed third in the long jump at 15-11¾ in the high-powered meet. "This year’s been a little easier," says Hamilton. "I don’t get as much track time in as I did last year and the year before, so I have to take advantage (of the one track practice)." Hamilton’s senior softball season is laced with impressive numbers. In leading the Cougars to the Skyline’s second-best record of 12-2, Hamilton has posted a 0.56 ERA through 87 innings. She’s struck out 123, walked just six batters, hurled two no- hitters, is 13-3 overall and is hitting over .500. "It hasn’t taken anything away," says Johnson of Hamilton’s track pursuit. "It doesn’t disrupt her focus at all. Most people it would, but she’s just such a competitor." The young Cougars have only three seniors on the team but are primed for a postseason berth. "I think our team is one of the youngest in the league," says Hamilton. "(The playoffs) has been a goal of ours. As long as we get there, we’ll be happy." Despite competing in only two events, Hamilton’s track numbers have been consistent. Her goal of breaking the 140-foot barrier in the javelin hasn’t come yet — 133-3½ is her season best — but the progress has been steady despite limited practice. "She does real well with what she’s got right now," says track coach Bob Thornhill, who’s been tinkering with the idea of getting the speedy Hamilton onto the 4x100-meter relay team. "Who knows what she’d be able to do if she split (practice time) in half." Hamilton won’t have to worry about splitting time next season. She has signed on to play softball at Kent State University in Ohio and will major in sports medicine. The Golden Flashes plan on using Hamilton as a middle infielder, though the prospect of pitching isn’t out of the question. "The offer was too good to pass up," says Hamilton. "I’ve always wanted to get out of Oregon and go far away. (The scholarship) gave me the opportunity to do that." Hamilton is considering walking on to the Kent State volleyball squad, though she admits, "Playing two sports at a Division I school may be a little difficult." If anyone can juggle two sports, it’s Hamilton. For her, it’s just another day at the office. Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. 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