Central Oregon has incredible athletes and beautiful scenery, so it would make sense that it would also have world-class adventure photographers. Tyler Roemer is just such a guy and he took a break from capturing awe-inspiring shots to answer a few questions for Central Oregon Athlete:

Central Oregon Athlete – How long have you lived in Bend?
Tyler Roemer – I have lived in Bend for 7 years now.

COA – What brought you to Central Oregon?
TR – Initially, it was the outdoor community that drew me here. I am originally from Hood River, so Bend had the same outdoor recreation centered attitude as Hood River did. Also, this is where I decided to achieve my degree through OSU Cascades. It worked out great!

COA – What sports do you enjoy?
TR – I enjoy everything from rock climbing, mountain biking to snowboarding. Currently, I am excited about getting into the backcountry more and more with my makeshift splitboard and exploring some untouched terrain.

COA – How long have you been shooting pics?
TR – I have been shooting photos for the past 15 years and have been photographing professionally for 3-4 years now.

COA – What advice would you give to someone who wants to shoot outdoor/adventure photography?
TR – I strive to surround myself with positive and motivated people. I love to photograph people and athletes who are just as excited about the outdoors as I am.

Also, I believe it is important to know the sport you are photographing. Having the knowledge of what the athlete may or may not do is crucial. Such as, the crux of the rock climb or the peak of the trick that the skier is doing. Gaining knowledge on the sport will give you the upper hand to get the next shot.

Also, getting out and experimenting with photos is the best way to delve into outdoor and adventure photography. Any opportunity you have to photograph is a chance to refine your skills. Lastly, never leave home without your camera! You never know when that perfect photo opportunity can unfold.

COA – What are some of your photographer accomplishments so far?
TR – Some of my work can be found in National Geographic, Climbing Magazine, Outside Magazine, Canoe & Kayak Magazine, Santa Cruz Bicycles, IBIS Cycles, Sporthill Clothing, Mount Bachelor, Moment Skis and many other publications and commercial based work.

COA – Any favorite places to shoot in Central Oregon?
TR – Lately, I have been attracted to the mountains in the Willamette National Forest outside of Sisters. There are some amazing dramatic landscapes and mountains out there and miles and miles of turf that has been untouched since last fall.

Also, Smith Rock State Park is one of my favorite locations to photograph in Central Oregon. For how small Smith Rock is it offers so many little hidden gems to be explored.

COA – Any adventures coming up?
TR – I have a climbing / work trip to Thailand is coming up soon. I really excited about this one and I have no clue on what to expect. After that it is back to the mountains of Canada and the Sierras.

COA – What’s your favorite workout in Central Oregon?
TR – I love doing the North Fork – Mountain Bike Flagline Loop that is 13 miles west of Bend and about 20 miles long. It is the perfect Fall / Summer trail.

COA – Anything else to add?
TR – My portfolio and work can be viewed at:
site: www.TylerRoemer.com
blog: www.TylerRoemer.blogspot.com

Summit senior Mitch Wettig emerged last year as one of the top players in the then senior-heavy Intermountain Conference. Now Wettig will not only try to lead his Summit boys basketball team back into the playoffs, but should be a candidate for player of the year. Wettig took a minute to answer a few questions for Central Oregon Athlete:

Central Oregon Athlete – How long have you lived in Bend?
Mitch Wettig – I’ve lived in bend for 16 years.

COA – How long have you been playing basketball?
MW – I have been playing basketball for as long as i can remember.

COA – What was it like making your playoff run last year?
MW – Making the playoffs last year and getting to the State Tourny when nobody thought we would was the best memory of high school and having the seniors from last year lead us was awesome.

COA – What are your goals for this season?
MW – Goals for this season are to get to Matthew Knight Court and to become a better leader and be a complete player.

COA – What are your biggest strengths on the basketball court?
MW – My biggest strengths are probably my pullup mid range jumper and driving.

COA – Do you play any other sports?
MW – I did cross country sophomore and junior year and this year after ball I’m doing ultimate frisbee.

COA – What do you like to do when you aren’t playing basketball?
MW – When I’m not playing basketball I like hangin with my friends and teammates and playing fifa or freestylin with Blake Soto.

COA – What is your favorite workout in Central Oregon?
MW – My favorite workout in Bend is swimming the river and wading and fly fishing.

COA – Anything else to add?
MW – I plan on playing basketball at Pacific University next year.

Hayden Crook just finished up a very busy Fall where he starred on the Bend High soccer team and was the kicker on the football team. He didn’t take much of a break as now he’s leading the Lava Bear’s basketball team. The speedy Crook slowed down long enough to answer a few questions for Central Oregon Athlete:

Central Oregon Athlete - How long have you lived in Bend?
Hayden Crook - Since 6th grade

COA – What sports do you play?
HC – Soccer, football, basketball

COA – How do you manage such a busy Fall of sports?
HC – It is very tough to manage but it helps having two great coaches who let you work with both teams.

COA – What are you goals for this basketball season?
HC – To average 16 points a game, to be 1st team all league, to win the league title

COA – Do you have a favorite sport?
HC – I dont really have a favorite sport but if i had to pick right now it would be basketball.

COA – What do you like to do when you aren’t playing sports?
HC – Sports is basically my life but when I am not playing sports I like to chill with my friends

COA – What are your biggest strengths on the basketball court?
HC – I believe my biggest strengths on the court would be shooting, and my quickness to get by people.

COA – What is your favorite workout in Central Oregon?
HC – My favorite workout in central oregon would probably be running the butte 2-3 times.

COA – What is the best part of playing sports @ Bend High?
HC – The best part about playing sports at Bend high I think is the amazing tradition we have in winning.

COA – Anything else to add?
HC – come watch bend high boys basketball play this year.

Junior point guard James Reid is off to a fast start. The returning starter and coaches son is averaging 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6 assists per game in the early season. Reid, who let his team to second place in the Class 5A state tournament as a sophomore, was kind enough to answer a few questions for Central Oregon Athlete:

Central Oregon Athlete – How long have you been playing basketball?
James Reid – Organized since 1st grade. But been a gym since I can remember.

COA – How long have you lived in Bend?
JR – Since I was 5 yo.

COA – What’s the best part of playing in your dad’s basketball program?
JR – I can always talk to him about the team and getting better individually.

COA – What was it like playing in the state championship game last season?
JR – It was something I’ll always remember even though we came up short.

COA – What is your biggest strength on the basketball court?
JR – Probably leadership and just making the team run how its supposed to.

COA – What do you like to do when you aren’t playing basketball?
JR – Definitely play video games. It gets pretty heated with my friends.

COA – What are some of your goals for this season?
JR – I think as a team we can win league and make it back to Eugene for the State Tournament.

COA – What advice can you give to younger point guards?
JR – Work on as much ball handling as you can so you dont even have to think about it in games.

COA – What is your favorite workout in Central Oregon?
JR – Our “director of development” Jim McCaffrey puts some pretty challenging workouts together after practice and in the offseason.

Jordan Wolfe was a standout runner at Mountain View high school. Recently he took 10th overall and first for his age group at the Portland Marathon. His time of 2:42 was the second fastest in his age group of all time @ the Portland Marathon. Wolfe was kind enough to answer a few questions for Central Oregon Athlete:

Central Oregon Athlete – What are you doing these days as far as racing?
Jordan Wolfe – My racing is informally just training with Detachment 910 through Air Force ROTC. We have physical fitness testing and there is a 1.5 mile run that has inspired some friendly competitiveness. It was actually after training with more of a military focus that I got back into racing after taking my senior high school track season off, and deciding not to run for my college team. In high school I was always injured or sick and during that year off I built some new strength. With that new strength I ended up surprised myself while doing some spur-of-the-moment repeats. After those, I decided to start building a base again and see what I could do in a marathon.

COA – Where are you located these days?
JW – Seattle, WA in the ever eventful U-district

COA – Tell me about running the Portland Marathon, were you surprised by your time?
JW – Portland was a wonderful no pressure experience. I didn’t know what to expect and neither did anyone else which allowed me to go out and play. I went out with a goal of breaking 2:40 but telling myself that I would be happy to just qualify for Boston with a 3:10. I ended up settling into a pack with some great guys running about my goal pace and got into a sub-six rhythm. It felt great, the atmosphere was awesome, and the other racers were very encouraging. I was just so stoked to be racing again. I was also terrified of hitting the infamous “wall” the whole time, but my fitness carried me well, and when I did tighten up at mile 21 I was still riding on high spirits. I can’t wait to get some more miles on my legs and give it another go! The marathon is such a great distance!

COA – What is next on your racing schedule?
JW – I didn’t get my Boston registration in on time so I am thinking that Eugene will end up as my spring marathon. This winter I will be hopping into the “Winter Grand Prix” put on by Club Northwest which is a local six race series. I realize that I am just a baby in this sport so I am hoping to use each race experience to learn while keeping my speed up, my mind sharp, and my heart hungry.

COA – What was the highlight of your XC/track days back @ Mountain View?
JW – My senior season my wonderful sister Jessica joined me on the team. It was so much fun to share the connection that comes from working out together. We hurt together, won and lost together, and ultimately, though disappointed with my racing, I won a season of memories with her and she ended up taking 6th in state that year (which I reveled in greatly.)

COA – Any goals you can share with us when it comes to competing?
JW – I want to learn what it means to live the lifestyle of competitive running. If I can get a good balance down between training physically, spiritually, and mentally, I think I have the ability to run for the Air Force Marathon Team. If I was to make that team upon graduation in June 2013 I would be ecstatic. It will be a three year process of patience and faithfulness as I finish this season of schooling but if I make that team… I feel like I could do anything.

COA – What other sports do you enjoy?
JW – I love soccer, cycling, ultimate frisbee, and endurance sports in general.

COA – What do you like to do when you aren’t training/racing?
JW – I love music! singing it, writing it, playing it, listening to it, performing… I love it all. I love adventuring, whether it be around the neighborhood, on a mountain, in a book, or with food–new experiences are thrilling!

COA – What is your favorite workout in Central Oregon?
JW – Butte repeats. There is just something about the grind of busting out a workout in the center of central Oregon that gets me pumped. I can look down and see my high school track, I look out and see the mountains that stare back as if challenging me to climb harder… and a bunch of central Oregonians cheer you on. The atmosphere is powerful.

COA – Anything else to add?
JW – Growth is worth the growing pains.

Sisters senior Taylor Steele just won a district cross country title and now he’s gunning for an individual state title. He slowed down just long enough to answer a few questions for Central Oregon Athlete:

Central Oregon Athlete – How long have you lived in Sisters?
Taylor Steele – About 9 years.

COA – Do you play any sports other than Cross Country?
TS – Track and I played basketball until this year I am doing indoor track. I also have a passion for soccer, rock climbing, skiing and snowboarding.

COA – What do you like to do when you aren’t running?
TS – Studying and hanging out with friends. I am also in to sports photography.

COA – Tell me about winning the conference championship?
TS – Winning Sky-em was important for the upcoming state meet. But it was a good experience to see all my hard work during the summer pay off. But i really hope i can carry on and do well at state. A disappointment was the team not making it to state.

COA – Any goals for the state meet?
TS – I really want to win but who doesn’t want to win. I really think that I have the possibility to be in the top 2 or 3. But I really want to make it to Border Clash I was a bubble runner last year. But I would like to make a statement and become the first Outlaw to win the title.

COA – How long have you been racing?
TS – I started racing in 8th grade

COA – What has been the highlight of your running career so far?
TS – Last year making the state meet in track and accomplishing so pretty good times. But more importantly watching hard work pay off every year just watching my times get lower and lower.

COA – Do you have a favorite course?
TS – I really like the district and state courses.

COA – What is your favorite workout in Central Oregon?
TS – I really like running the old dirty half trail and the Peterson ridge trail system. Biking Peterson ridge is also fun. There are also many bouldering areas around sisters that are fun to climb on.

COA – Anything else to add?
TS – Every runner should try and go to steens mountain running camp. Its a life changing experience.

Mountain View sophomore John Carroll has helped lead his Cougar football team to a perfect 8-0 regular season. The speedy Carroll slowed down long enough to answer a few questions for Central Oregon Athlete:

Central Oregon Athlete – How long have you lived in Bend?
John Carroll – About 8 years.

COA – What positions are you playing this season?
JC – Wide Receiver and Free Safety.

COA – What other sports do you play?
JC – Baseball, Basketball, and I also Ski.

COA – How long have you been playing football?
JC – I started playing tackle football in 6th grade, but I first played flag football in 2nd grade.

COA – What has been the highlight so far for you this football season?
JC – We just took it to the Lava Bears and beat them pretty handily. And being a sophomore i get two more chances to beat them and I look forward to the opportunities.

COA – What is the best part of playing Mountain View football?
JC – Definitely the atmosphere of everything. We have coaches that care about us, player that get along and that makes it so we keep things light, but we can also take care of business when we need to.

COA – What do you like to do when you aren’t playing sports?
JC – I have a pool at my house so in the summer I like to hang out there, also just hang out with friends, and get better at sports.

COA – What is your favorite workout in Central Oregon?
JC – Actually one of the volleyball coaches at USC used to live here and me and my brother would workout with him in the summer to to improve our speed and power.

John “Guns” Gunderson grew up in Central Oregon, now he lives in Las Vegas and fights all over the world. The Mixed Martial Arts specialist is a three-time fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. UFC is the pinnacle of MMA fighting and one of the most popular sports leagues in the world. Gunderson took some time to answer a few questions for Central Oregon Athlete:

Central Oregon Athlete – How long did you live in Central Oregon?
John Gunderson – 12 years.

COA – Where are you living now?
JG – Las Vegas.

COA – When did you get into MMA?
JG – in 2002

COA – Did you play sports in Central Oregon growing up?
JG – Yes, football and boxing.

COA – What has been the highlight of your MMA career so far?
JG – Winning a fight in the UFC.

COA – What’s on your upcoming schedule?
JG – Looking at Dec. 16th in Costa Rica.

COA – What is something that the typical MMA fan doesn’t know about the sport?
JG – For a real professional it takes up all of your time.

COA – What is your training schedule like when you have a fight on your calendar?
JG – Conditioning in the morning for an hour, then techniuqe, then sparring at night for two hours.

COA – What is your favorite workout in Central Oregon?
JG – I use to love to run up Pilot Butte.

COA – Anything else to add?
JG – Central Oregon made me tough because of everyones work ethic that is passed along.

Austin Sears has established himself as one of the premier running backs in the entire state of Oregon and has led his Mountain View team to an undefeated record so far this season. Austin took a break from running over defenders to answer a few questions for Central Oregon Athlete:

Central Oregon Athlete – What positions are you playing this year in football?
Austin Sears – Mostly running back and a little corner back and linebacker.

COA – How does it feel to step up as the featured back for Mountain View?
AS – It’s tons of fun, but stressful to live up to the expectations because of how many great backs that we have had in past years.

COA – Have some of the great MV running backs before you had an influence on you?
AS – Since I’ve been at Mtn. View, Ash, Scott, and Sol have all taken me under their wings and really helped me learn a lot about how to run the ball.

COA – Do you consider yourself a football player who plays tennis, or a tennis player who plays football?
AS – A football player who attempts to play tennis.

COA – What sports to you play other than football?
AS – Hockey, soccer and tennis.

COA – What do you like to do when you aren’t playing sports?
AS – Hang out with friends. Movies, x-box, and anything active.

COA – What has been the highlight of your football career so far?
AS – Finally getting to run the ball.

COA – What’s your favorite thing about playing football for the Cougars?
AS – Our whole team is very close, we work really hard but have a good time doing it. We all have the same goal to win state.

COA – What is your favorite workout in Central Oregon?
AS – It’s a strength training program by Kelly Engam. He really helped us improve our strength this off season.

Paxton Deuel has quite a list of accomplishments on the tennis court already as a junior at Summit high school:

• 2009 Class 5A boys doubles state champion.
• The only all-freshman boys doubles state championship team in Oregon history (with partner Adam Krull).
• 2010 Class 5A boys singles semifinalist (third in the history of bend).
• Two-time IMC district champion (singles and doubles).

And those are just playing high school tennis. Deuel has also had success at the regional and national level of junior tennis. Paxton took a second to answer a few questions for Central Oregon Athlete:

Central Oregon Athlete – How long have you been playing tennis?
Paxton Deuel – Since I was 6 years old

COA – What got you interested in tennis?
PD – My parents started playing with me which evolved into lessons and clinics at the Athletic Club

COA – What are some of your strengths on the tennis court?
PD – Footwork, Serve, Forehand

COA – What have been some of your tennis career highlights so far?
PD – Playing at Kalamazoo

COA – What other sports do you enjoy beside tennis?
PD – Biking.

COA – What do you like to do when you aren’t playing tennis?
PD – Hang out with friends, workout

COA – What is your favorite workout in Central Oregon?
PD – Working out at Strength Solutions with the best strength trainer ever

COA – Where do you play most of your tennis?
PD – Athletic Club of Bend