This is a little different edition of Bits and Pieces—focused on three local athletes plying their trade in the professional sports arena. Enjoy catching up with the exploits of Evina Westbrook, Teagan Quitoriano, and Jordan Farr.
Evina Westbrook
Evina Westbrook is staying busy, waiting for the WNBA season to begin next spring. The 24 year old South Salem High and University of Connecticut graduate was drafted, signed then by the Seattle Storm last April after being selected as the 21st player in the WNBA Draft. She was then signed by the Minnesota Lynx before being released after playing for the team for 14 games. But she was then picked up by the playoff-bound Washington Mystics. She only played in six games for the team, but her contract has her returning to the Mystics in April.
So what is Evina doing after all that excitement? Plenty, according to her mother Eva—who happily updated me about her daughter’s activity.
First, Evina had a live chat with fans. REVEL Moment is a live virtual platform where athletes share stories and engage with fans. Eva Westbrook says Evina’s event on October 27th “went great!”
As Mrs. Westbrook reported: “Evina talked more about her time with the WNBA, why she decided not to play overseas this off-season and her position right now with the Portland Trail Blazers.”
That last item is Evina’s current gig—working up in Portland for the Blazers. Evina may or may not be responsible for Portland’s successful start to the current NBA season, but she is getting a nice blend of office work and physical training at the Moda Center and adjacent offices.
“She is doing all different kind of things,” explained Eva Westbrook.
“(Evina) helps on the court, during games she is in charge of certain things. She also gets to practice and train individually or with some of the players and their trainers—so she’s getting trained and staying in shape. They are working with her on and off the court.”
She also runs errands of an undisclosed nature, and works in the office. But Mrs. Westbrook says the most exciting aspect is working with the Blazer broadcasting folks.
“She is part of cutting up video. She is hoping to get involved with the broadcasting part as well since that was her major in college.”
Put a good word in for me with Blazer broadcasting, Evina.
Also on Westbrook’s itinerary is deciding whether to play for Athletes Unlimited in Dallas, Texas in February, just before the WNBA season. The program brings together top basketball performers who play in teams, and score points based on individual performance during the contests played. A leader board tracks the top players, and the four best of each week serve as captains who draft their new teams for the next week. The player with the most points at the end of the month is crowned as the individual champion.
One last item to tease: Evina is looking at playing for Mexico in the next summer Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. Eva Westbrook is full Chicana, and was born in the United States. Evina and her older brother L J have dual citizenship. Stay tuned for more on this in the future.
Teagan Quitoriano
Teagan, who left Oregon State last spring to enter the NFL draft, was selected in the fifth round by Houston, and made the team after the Texans finished their pre-season, where Quitoriano caught a touchdown pass.
The 22-year old Sprague High School graduate got a visit from his mom, Bobbi last weekend.
Although he did not play a down, Teagan was part of a group photo with fellow Houston tight ends as part of National Tight End Day—a very unofficial holiday established by NFL all-star George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers to honor the hard work of the frequently overlooked blocking/receiving members of the offense.
Teagan is likely tickled because his Oregon State Beavers landed at #24 in the latest Associated Press College Football poll, after a large number of ranked teams lost last weekend, catapulting the Beavs into the top 25 for the first time in nine years.
Here’s hoping Quitoriano gets some playing time down the road for the Texans, who are currently 1-5-1 in the AFC South.
Addendum: Teagan got in the game Thursday night. and made some real noise for the Texans. See the full article on his recent exploits. Link to the addendum is here.
Jordan Farr
Jordan Farr playing in the United Soccer League Championship playoffs for San Antonio FC.
The 28 year old Farr played at Cascade High School in his hometown of Turner, and was also an NAIA All-American at Corban University. He attended there from 2013 to 2017. Jordan holds the school record for most shutouts with 44 total—second most in NAIA history.
It’s a big deal for Farr, who has kicked around the pro soccer community since 2019. The pro title game-a personal first—seems like a natural progression for him in a season of firsts.
Jordan also earned his first ever All-League award. Farr equaled the Soccer League’s individual single-season shutout record with 15 clean sheets (shutouts) while posting a save percentage of 75.8 percent and a 0.78 goals-against average.
The November 6th game with Colorado Springs is for the League’s Western Conference Championship. Louisville and Tampa Bay clash in the League’s Eastern Conference Final.
Full disclosure: although I had Jordan’s older brother Michael in class at North Salem High School—I have never met Jordan himself—that I recall. A more extensive story on Jordan can be found on the website of the Salem Statesman Journal newspaper»»> LINK
Hey Mark-
Thanks for the write up on Jordan- I think you might have met him once during our tenure there at North but he was a wee one then. :) Anyway- hope all is well.
Keep having fun with your articles! You Doing great!
Thanks…coachj