The year 2006 was full of victories large and small for Lebanon area teams, athletes and fans. No less than three local men became professionals in their chosen sport, and several other competitors made a mark on the national level in everything from wrestling (Amy Bloom) to bass fishing (Kory Ray).

So presented here are the best (and a few of the worst) in sports for 2006:

Best deal:

Twins Paul and Pat McQuistan were drafted into the NFL, and both are seeing playing time in their rookie season.

Other notable recruits:

Brian Nelson took his baseball career from Corban College to the Texas Rangers. He still managed to find time to co-coach Lebanon's fall baseball team.

Drew George will play baseball for '06 national champion Oregon State University in '07.

Lebanon High School swimmer Cortnee Hanson finished a stellar prep career as the holder of numerous school records. She is now swimming for the University of Idaho, a Division I school.

LHS basektball player Destiny Neuenschwander, who has been tearing it up on the LBCC women's basketball team.

LHS volleyball star Jorden Burrows signed with Western Oregon University.

Best team effort:

Build Lebanon Trails. This group had a busy, successful year, which the Lebanon community should be grateful for. BLT organized popular monthly hikes on proposed trails, increased membership and got funding for the first trail to be built (Marks Slough). They say that 2007 will be even better.

Other notable groups:

Relay for Life, which once again put on a touching and inspiring event.

The Willamette Speedway, who continued their tradition of entertaining large crowds in a hometown style.

Best Olympic performance:

In the summer, Chris Bilyeu, 16, represented Oregon in bowling at the premiere Special Olympics National Games in Iowa.

Best reason to get off the couch:

The Strawberry Festival Strawberry Run, resurrected by the LHS track team. There are so many people lining the course, it's like… running a parade route.

Another good reason:

The Lebanon Sprint Triathlon. Get out to it next year, if only to watch the supremely fit people who complete it.

Best show of spirit:

The legions of fans who traveled hours and hours over the snowy pass to watch LHS football in Bend, inarguably outnumbering fans from home team, Mountain View.

Worst show of &#8220spirit":

Spectators screaming derogatory things at refs during high school games, particularly football and volleyball. Not flattering.

Best non-traditional sport showing:

Nationally-ranked water skiier Anthony Darling, 16, competed at

the Goode National Water-skiing Championships in California.

Best overtime performance:

Fifth game of LHS vs. Ashland in the state volleyball tournament, when the Warriors pulled off a 21-19 thriller.

Best &#8220first":

LHS's Amy Bloom became the first freshman women to qualify for the class 4A state wrestling championships. She also competed in national wrestling events.

Best showing by a team that didn't practice:

Lebanon's fall baseball team, which won the state championship with virtually no actual practices. Spring should be fun.

Best rivalry:

Lebanon High School and West Albany. No other opponent the Warriors faced garnered their own T-shirt (Beat West).

Worst rivalry:

The one between the Lebanon Aquatic District and the Mid-Valley Swim Club. Let's hope this unfriendly divorce becomes more amicable soon.

Best facility upgrade:

ELCA's beautiful all-weather track which encircles the soccer field, making it a great multi-use athletic facility. At last, the Eagles can host track meets at their own school.

Other notable facilities:

The sand volleyball court, new softball and football scoreboards, repainted bleachers and new weight room at Lebanon High School.

The Aquaclimb wall, dedicated to Skylar Schlim, at the Lebanon Community Pool.

Worst facility upgrade:

The one that didn't happen, despite great effort by community members- the improvement of the gyms at Academy Square.

Best reason to cheer:

The LHS football team. The Warriors began generating buzz before the season even began. They lived up to it, making the state playoffs for the first time since 1998 and drawing crowds larger than most people could remember. They made it to the semifinals for the first time in 22 years, earning recognition as one of the top four teams in the state, despite never being ranked in the top ten.

Best display of martial arts:

The Way of the Warrior tournament. From tiny kids who couldn't put their shoes on to advanced masters who could easily kill you, all put on dazzling displays.

Best return:

Bo Yates, whose efforts helped improve the facilities and the moral of the LHS athletics programs.

Best future stars:

The Senior Seahawks, who won the Pop Warner Division 2 football championship in their debut season in the league.

Best decision by a governing organization:

The OSAA's decision to reclassify high school sports. See &#8220best reason to cheer"; &#8220best show of spirit"; &#8220best overtime performance"; and &#8220best rivalry."

Worst decision by an elected official:

Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo's crusade against the OSAA for reclassification. Castillo backed three districts in their quest to overturn the redistricting. Now, with one successful season completed, she's introducing legislation that will give her more control over redistricting, despite the fact that most schools in Oregon have supported the change. All those opposed to mixing politics with high school sports, raise your hand.

Best recovery:

Tyler Gorham, 18, who took a beating from a bull in August and should literally be back in the ring by the first of the year.