Two Sport 'Cats are in high gear this spring.

Cole Bixenman has spent four years pulling double duty for the 'Cats.

Spring sports in the air which means two things...lots of winning by Linfield Wildcat teams and that a group of your Linfield football players are getting it done on the Diamond as well as the Track. A great aspect of small college athletics, and especially at a college like Linfield, is the opportunity to compete and play for a top level football program and excellent spring sport teams as well.

In today’s world you see more and more of young athletes choosing to “specialize” in a single sport and dedicate all of their time towards one craft but there are still a number of multiple sport athletes that are looking for that opportunity to compete in two sports in their post-high school careers. For many Linfield Wildcats in the past and present not only is that opportunity a reality but is fully supported by Linfield Football Head Coach Joe Smith and the spring sports staff.

When asked about his football players playing two sports Coach Smith more than willing to share his thoughts: “Being able to play multiple sports is one reason athletes that excel in more than one sport choose to come to Linfield. We have had a long tradition of guys doing football and baseball, as well as guys doing football and track. A few have even done both football and basketball. I enjoy watching our football guys compete in the spring in other sports. Having coached baseball here for Coach Carnahan was a great experience for me, one that I look fondly back upon. Linfield Baseball will always be special to me.”

In 2011 we have three ‘Catdom’ers on the Wildcat baseball team

#8 Gunnar Cederberg, Outfield (Senior, Tigard Or. - #8 Wide Receiver)

#10 Cole Bixenman, Catcher/Outfield (Senior, Federal Way, Wash. - #10 Quarterback)

#15 Eric Biege, Outfield (Junior, Sammamish, Wash. - #11 Rover)

On the Track & Field Roster we have 4 ‘Cats representing

Michael Chopp, Sprints (Junior, Gig Harbor, Wash. - #16 Wide Receiver)

Michael Madden, Hurdles/Decathlon (Frosh, Buckley, Wash. - #29 Wide Receiver)

Drew Wert, Throws (Soph, Grants Pass, Ore. - #60 Guard)

Bryan Takano, Jumps (Frosh, Canby, Ore. - #38 Running Back)

Track & Field Head Coach Travis Olsen is a former Punter for the ‘Cats, and he has two other former football players on his staff (Tramaine Payne and current football assistant coach Gabe Haberly).

Wildcat11 also needs to give a shout out to Linfield’s defensive coordinator Jackson Vaughan who is also Linfield’s Head Softball coach. Coach Vaughan has turned a competitive softball program into a juggernaut in Division III. Coach Vaughan’s and his ‘Cats have won 7 NWC titles in a row, won the 2007 National Title, and the 2011 ‘Cats are current #1 in the country at 8-0 and have outscored their opponents 104-12 on the young season. Yikes.

So if you make it out to the ‘Catdome this spring be on the lookout for the players and coaches who help lead the ‘Cats on the gridiron during the fall. Go ‘Cats!