Star of the Sea School

Helping to contribute to that success was the small private school Star of the Sea, situated up on the hill in the middle of Astoria. They consistently put out very good basketball teams, competing in this Jr-High league, which provide great competition for the schools feeding Astoria High School. So much so, that eventually one of these teams became small school basketball state champions in 1958, making it the seventh state basketball championship for the town of Astoria. Astoria High School had won six state basketball titles up to this time.

The graduating class of 1969 was the last year Star of the Sea had a high school. This gave Astoria High School an opportunity to receive many outstanding athletes to help its athletic programs. There were four main people that were responsible for the outstanding coaching of athletics from the mid 1970s-2000, which contributed to the success of Astoria athletics. They were, Charlie Turina, who started voluntarily coaching 7th and 8th graders in 1941 till 1990, Alice Turina, who voluntarily coached from 1968 till 1999, and Jerry Olson (assisted by Bob Bjaranson) 1979-1985. There were others that voluntarily helped, but not to this degree.

Charlie Turina was the stalwart of Star of the Sea Jr-Hi basketball for almost 50 years. He also assisted some with the 1958 state champion team, as well as coaching most, if not all, of the players in Jr-High. Charlie was responsible for coaching 20 boys and girls that made the varsity basketball teams at AHS, which ultimately participated in state tournaments. Many became all-league and all-state players.

Alice Turina was the one person that was the multi-sport coach for more than 30 years. She coached volleyball, basketball and softball. Her main sport was volleyball, actually ending up assisting at Astoria Middle School. Just as her husband Charlie, she had many of her athletes compete at the varsity level and become all-league and all-state.

Jerry Olson and assistant Bob Bjaranson were responsible for starting track and field at Star in 1979. With no track to practice on, they would block off the street in front of the school to practice the running events and the baseball field for the field events. Needless to say they never had home meets. In this short span of seven years, they produced 13 athletes that went on to compete in the state meet at the high school level. Many became league and state champions. The present 1600 relay record for girls at AHS is comprised of three girls from Star of the Sea school. The boy’s 1600 meter current record holders, who tied the original record, had two Star of the Sea members.

Thank you Star of the Sea schools for your many contributions to Astoria High School, especially Charlie and Alice Turina, Jerry Olson and Bob Bjaranson, for your many years of volunteer coaching. At the present time we have five Hall of Famers from Star of the Sea: Chris Tarabochia, Amy Reinebach, Jennifer Olson, Eric Viuhkola and Len Chamberlain.