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The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

Ben Jacobs

Ben Jacobs, Co-Editor-in-Chief

“College baseball? I think about it every day but if it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t,” Ben Jacobs, senior said. Jacobs has been playing baseball since he was just five years old. Whether it’s playing baseball, football, fishing or backpacking Jacobs is always busy doing what he loves. Besides being very intelligent he is also a quick worker and has a passion for writing. Those attributes and the fact that he loves sports make him a great co-editor in chief for the Amplifier.

Jacobs joined the Amplifier after being inspired by his cousin, a journalist at ESPN. Jacobs also hopes to become an athletics journalist or broadcaster, blending his love of sports and passion for writing. He would love to attend University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. due to its journalism program and sports programs.

Not only does Jacobs love school, but he loves his family too. He especially admires his grandfather, “because he always supports me through thick and thin. He is so easy to talk to we’ll be talking for hours and it will just feel like a few minutes. Also he loves sports as much as I do” Jacobs said.

However, he is not fully aware of the extent of his family roots and he hopes to travel to Russia to fully understand his ties. To meet his goal of going to Washington University Jacobs is taking two AP classes: he also has sports practice every day after school. When taking a break from school he enjoys fishing and backpacking on the weekends with his brothers Max, seventh grade, and Sam a sophomore. “It’s a great way to relax from the stress of school and sports” he said.

Hoping to achieve his goals, Jacobs has worked hard throughout his career in both school and sports. Look forward to seeing Ben Jacobs announce the big game someday.

 

 

All content by Ben Jacobs

Moda Center update

Ben Jacobs, Editor-in-chief
March 10, 2014

The West Linn Boys Basketball team has, for the fourth year in a row, advanced to the Moda Center to compete for the state championship. Not only does this great opportunity for the players but also creates...

Who will survive?

Ben Jacobs, Editor-in-chief
February 6, 2014

UPDATE: After the snow blizzard that cancelled school on Feb. 7 and 10, the Survivor competition has been moved to next week, Feb. 17-21, with the contestants arriving at school the night of the 17th.   Outwit,...

West Linn Varsity Girls Basketball has had a week for the ages, knocking off two top five teams in the state

Ben Jacobs, Editor-in-chief
December 16, 2013

Going into last week, the number seven ranked team (3-0) as faced with possibly the hardest week of the season: three road game against number five South Salem Saxons (1-2), number one Saint Mary’s Blues...

West Linn boys soccer needs extra time to advance

West Linn boys soccer needs extra time to advance

Ben Jacobs, Co-editor-in-chief
November 4, 2013

On a cold Saturday night, the West Linn Lions (11-1-2, 10-0 Three Rivers League) battled their way through two extra time periods to defeat the visiting North Salem Vikings (6-7-1, 4-3-1 Central Valley...

West Linn performs sub par on first Lock-in Drill

Ben Jacobs, Co-editor-in-chief
October 31, 2013

After looking over how West Linn Students and staff handled the Lock-in Drill on Oct. 30, Lou Bailey, principal, and the other administrators awarded a C- for how things were handled. This grade has...

Apple takes down School Internet

Apple takes down School Internet

Ben Jacobs
September 19, 2013

Many students at West Linn High School anxiously awaited the clock striking 10; signaling that the Apple operating system, IOS 7, was available for download. This caused huge problems throughout the Clackamas...

Junior Tripp lot spots revealed

Ben Jacobs
September 13, 2013

The long awaited day for juniors to find out where they’ll be parking this semester has arrived. Check the attached PDF to see if you name was chosen.   SKMBT_60113091313310.PDF

Bringing a European approach

Bringing a European approach

Ben Jacobs
September 11, 2013

Harry Potter buffs might want to start retreating to the performing arts part of the campus if they would wish to see someone who shares Harry’s hometown of Surry, England. New drama teacher Steven...

From the Pacific to the Pacific NorthWest

From the Pacific to the Pacific NorthWest

Ben Jacobs
September 11, 2013

From teaching in the Marshall Islands to the halls of West Linn High School, new social studies teacher Brian Kuzma brings his experiences and unique teaching styles to U.S. History and civics this school...

Mills announced as the new Athletic Director, resigns as baseball head coach

Mills announced as the new Athletic Director, resigns as baseball head coach

Ben Jacobs
May 31, 2013

Today Kevin Mills was announced as West Linn High School’s new Athletic Director, replacing Rob Holdstom, who’s retiring after this school year closes. With Mills taking the Athletic Director job,...

Exchange student Edoardo Russo looks to be fine after near-horrific accident

Exchange student Edoardo Russo looks to be fine after near-horrific accident

Ben Jacobs
April 9, 2013

Many rumors have been flying around about what injury Italian exchange student Eduardo Russo, senior, who hails from Crema, Italy, sustained this past Saturday, April 6, on the rugby field. Russo was playing...

Lions tennis pick up two wins to lead the Three Rivers League

Ben Jacobs
April 8, 2013

April is treating the Boys Tennis very modestly so far,the West Linn Lions ( 3-1, 2-0 Three Rivers League), despite losing 1-3 at the end of the first round of play, cameback to defeat league opponent...

Experienced Boys Lacrosse hunting for first state title since 2003

Ben Jacobs
March 18, 2013

Things have changed in our world since 2003; the appearance of the iPhone, the first African American President and an apocalypse was proven false to name a few. But one thing has remained the same for...

Girls Basketball advances to second round to face familiar foe

Ben Jacobs
March 1, 2013

In an OSAA first round girls basketball game, the West Linn Lions (11-13, 5-5 Three Rivers League) defeated the Grants Pass Cavers (10-13, 5-7 Southern Oregon Conference), 60-52 behind 21 points and 8...

Boys and Girls swimming capitalize at state meet

Ben Jacobs
February 22, 2013

The West Linn Girls Swim Team stood victorious on the podium when all the day's events had finished, claiming third place to put an exclamation point on the 2012-13 swim season. As a team the Lions sent...

Girls Senior night ends on a sour note

Ben Jacobs
February 22, 2013

In the final home regular season game for the West Linn Lions (11-13, 5-5 Three Rivers League), seniors Julia Boyd-Helm and Megan Longtain were honored with a pregame ceremony to recognize all they had...

Lions Girls Basketball Team sweeps season series against rival Lakers

Ben Jacobs
February 13, 2013

The West Linn Girls Basketball Team (11-11, 5-3 Three Rivers League) used stifling defense, only allowing 11 points in the first half of play, en route to blowing out the host Lake Oswego Lakers (5-16,...

National Signing Day signees

Ben Jacobs
February 7, 2013

The first Wednesday of February marks the day when elite high school athletes dreams become reality. National Signing Day is the unofficial day when high school athletes decide where they will take their...

West Linn tennis coach Ward Lewis coaching efforts honored again

Ben Jacobs
January 15, 2013

No matter rain or shine, West Linn High School’s tennis courts are patrolled by no one better in the state. West Linn’s boys’ tennis coach Ward Lewis has been honored with the National Federation...

West Linn Boys open Three Rivers League play with victory over Cavs

Ben Jacobs
January 15, 2013

The West Linn Lions (11-4, 1-0 TRL) used 10-1 run, capped by a steal and breakaway dunk by Ryan Shearmire, junior post, in the fourth to put themselves up for good as they defeated the Clackamas Cavaliers...

Lions roll Wildcats in home opener

Ben Jacobs
January 9, 2013

In a final tuneup before Three Rivers League play begins, the West Linn Lions (9-4, 0-0 TRL) led the entire game and defeated the visiting Westview Wildcats (7-4, 1-0 Metro Conference) 64-56 on Jan. 8. Anthony...

Boys basketball falls in season opener

Ben Jacobs
December 4, 2012

In a battle of top 10 ranked teams (West Linn ,2, and Grant, 7), the West Linn Lions (0-1, 0-0 Three Rivers League) traveled to Grant High School to battle the Generals (1-0, 0-0 6A special district 1)...

Girls Soccer ends with a loss to Clackamas

Girls Soccer ends with a loss to Clackamas

Ben Jacobs
November 9, 2012

Experience across a field can lead to great things, and this year’s West Linn Lions  features veterans at almost every position. One of the most notable is Arizona State Sun Devils commit and scoring...

West Linn cross country team wrap up the season in strong fashion

West Linn cross country team wrap up the season in strong fashion

Ben Jacobs
October 31, 2012

The West Linn cross country team finished its 2012 campaign at Clackamas Community College at the Three Rivers League district meet. The boys cross country team is sending seven runners to the state...

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis come to Portland and Eugene

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis come to Portland and Eugene

Ben Jacobs
October 11, 2012

Over the last three years, Seattle-based underground hip hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have taken over the Pacific Northwest hip-hop music scene. Tonight at 8 p.m., Macklemore and Lewis will bring...

West Linn Lions veterans try for their third Three Rivers Leage title

Ben Jacobs
October 4, 2012

Experience across a field can lead to great things, and this year’s West Linn Lions  features veterans at almost every position,One of the most notable is Arizona State Sun Devils commit and goal scorer...

West Linn girls lacrosse looks to settle season-long score in State title game

Ben Jacobs
May 24, 2012

As it has been for many West Linn programs this year, the girls lacrosse team's fate will be decided on how it performs against Lake Oswego. This time, though, the stakes are higher;  tonight, at 7 p.m. ...

Two seniors end high school careers with highest recognition

Ben Jacobs
April 11, 2012

It had been decades since both the West Linn Boys and Girls basketball teams made the State playoffs at the same time. That all changed this season, as both the boys and girls teams placed fifth in state....

West Linn boys and girls golf teams shine at first league meets

Ben Jacobs
April 11, 2012

Ping! Both boys and girls golf started out the 2012 season with a bang. The girls team blew every TRL team out of the water at its Oswego Country Club meet on March 19. The team shot a combined 356,...

After impressive quarterfinal win, West Linn Boys Basketball team stumbles in the stretch

Ben Jacobs
March 23, 2012

Two Three Rivers League superpowers met at the Rose Garden March 9, and both The West Linn Lions (22-7, 9-1 TRL) and the Lake Oswego Lakers' (22-6, 9-1 TRL) looked to settle a season-long score. Calvin...

West Linn boys tennis team looks to continue its rally

West Linn boys tennis team looks to continue its rally

Ben Jacobs
March 16, 2012

Fresh off yet another Three Rivers League title, the West Linn boys tennis team expects to extend its dominance and take the champions hop for the eighth time out of the last nine years. "We have a...

West Linn Boys basketball team once again smells roses

Ben Jacobs
March 7, 2012

After two double digit playoff wins against the Roseburg Indians (9-16, 3-9 Southern Conference) and the Century Jaguars (22-4,12-2 Pacific Conference), the West Linn Lions (21-5,9-1 Three Rivers League)...

Cheap eats near the Rose Garden

Cheap eats near the Rose Garden

Ben Jacobs
March 7, 2012

With both girls and boys basketball playing at the Rose Garden, here are a few cheap eats within walking distance of the Rose Garden. Both Wendy's and Burgerville offer locations within 0.2 miles of...

Swimmers strikes gold at state swimming meet

Swimmers strikes gold at state swimming meet

Ben Jacobs
March 1, 2012

On the night of Jan. 19 two West Linn swimmers stood higher than anyone in their event Brie Balsbough, sophomore, and Curtis Klein, junior, brought home state titles in- the state meet at Mt. Hood Community...

West Linn Girls basketball advances, despite slow start

West Linn Girls basketball advances, despite slow start

Ben Jacobs
February 29, 2012

The West Linn girls basketball team (16-9, 7-3 Three Rivers League) trailed 10-8 at the end of the first quarter, but out scored the visiting Centennial Bruins (10-13, 7-5 Mt. Hood Conference) 27-18 in...

West Linn boys basketball powers past Cougars en route to league title

West Linn boys basketball powers past Cougars en route to league title

Ben Jacobs
February 29, 2012

The West Linn Lions (19-5, 9-1Three Rivers League) started the game 4-4 from beyond the arc and rode that momentum for the rest of the game, defeating the visiting Canby Cougars (8-15,2-8 TRL) 73-57. With...

Lions roll over Pioneers

Ben Jacobs
February 17, 2012

The balanced scoring attack of the visiting West Linn Lions (17-5, 7-1 Three Rivers League) overwhelmed the host Oregon City Pioneers (4-17,1-7 TRL) in a 73-58 romp for the Lions. The Lions had four players...

Despite raucous crowd, Lions offense sputters

Despite raucous crowd, Lions offense sputters

Ben Jacobs
February 14, 2012

On Feb. 9 the West Linn Lions (16-5, 6-1 Three Rivers League) battled the visiting Lake Oswego Lakers (16-5, 6-1 Three Rivers League) in a game that had TRL title implications. The Lakers gained the lead...

Lions run all over Pacers after moment of silence

Lions run all over Pacers after moment of silence

Ben Jacobs
February 8, 2012

The host Lions (16-4, 6-0 Three Rivers League), despite a slow start, defeated the visiting Lakeridge Pacers (7-12, 1-5). Anthony Mathis, freshman, started the game 3 for 3 from three-point range and never...

Surging Lions look to finish a promising start to season on high note

Surging Lions look to finish a promising start to season on high note

Ben Jacobs
February 6, 2012

Coming into the 2011-2012 boys basketball season, many had chosen Lake Oswego as the frontrunner for the Three Rivers League title. However, the young, high-powered offense of the Lions looks to knock...

Lion's “pink out” too much for the Pioneers

Lion’s “pink out” too much for the Pioneers

Ben Jacobs
January 25, 2012

On Jan. 20, the boys basketball team hosted its annual “pink out” game, which helped raise money for the Breast Friends Foundation. The Lions did not disappoint on this special night, defeating visiting...

Lions Top Timberwolves with hot shooting from outside, 60-41

Ben Jacobs
December 6, 2011

The visiting West Linn Lions (1-0,0-0 Three Rivers League) topped the Tualatin Timberwolves (0-1, 0-0 Pacific Conference) in a non-conference game, 60-41. The Lions rained in six three-pointers in the...

Young but talented Lions want to be able to say again “We’re Garden-bound”

Ben Jacobs
December 2, 2011

One season after a sixth place finish in the state tournament, a young, revamped West Linn Lions basketball team looks to pursue a Three Rivers League title and a repeat appearance at the Rose Garden,...

The rich not getting richer: Students speak about the NBA lockout

The rich not getting richer: Students speak about the NBA lockout

Ben Jacobs
November 18, 2011

Some of you may have noticed the missing noise of sneakers on the hardwood, or the sound of the rock hitting the court. Most Portland Trailblazers fans have, and the strike has even hit the student population...

Girls' Soccer Team experiences playoff blues

Girls’ Soccer Team experiences playoff blues

Ben Jacobs
November 10, 2011

The Girls' Soccer season came to a halt on Saturday night at Thurston High School. The team ended its season with a 4-1 loss to the Thurston Colts. Madison Leek, junior, scored the team’s lone goal in...

Girls' soccer midseason preview

Girls’ soccer midseason preview

Ben Jacobs
October 31, 2011

Now with the West Linn Girls’ soccer team regular season coming to a close, the Lions are primed to make a deep playoff run. The Lions finished fourth in the Three Rivers League this season which lands...

Scores for Fall Sports

Ben Jacobs
October 3, 2011

Boys' Soccer: 9/27- Lost @ LO 2-3 9/29- Won vs. Clackamas 3-0 Girls' Soccer: 9/27- Won vs. LO 4-1 9/29- Won vs. Clackamas 2-0 Volleyball: 9/27- Lost vs. Lakeridge 2-3 9/29- Won vs. LO 3-2 Varsity...

Despite losing an entire field of seniors, the Girls' soccer team is looking for a three-peat

Despite losing an entire field of seniors, the Girls’ soccer team is looking for a three-peat

Ben Jacobs
September 30, 2011

Many teams that lose enough seniors to fill the entire field are not usually favored to win, but that’s what is special about the Girls’ Soccer Team. The Lions have to replace 12 roster spots from...

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Ben Jacobs