Two players recently signed letters of intent to play football at Tabor College this fall.
Michael John Lahita III is from Owasso, Okla.
According to Mike Gottsch, head football coach, “Michael is a super individual who has a passion to play the game at the next level. He was a tough nose guard in high school.
“I am impressed with Michael’s character and his desire to be a quality student/athlete at Tabor College.”
“We will look at him at linebacker,” Gottsch added.
Owasso High School posted a 10-2 record this fall and played in the state semifinal game for the first time in 25 years.
Lahita, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound nose guard, defensive end and long snapper, was nominated for the Jim Thorpe All-Star Game.
Zachary Redding, Wichita, also signed a letter of intent to participate in football.
“Zach has a charismatic personality,” Gotsch said. “He is a very positive person who possesses a great outlook on life. He is a fine football player and will bring lots of energy to our team.
“He is a team player and will provide that positive influence that we are looking for in our players. I am really looking forward to working with Zach in the future.”
Redding played at Maize High School, which posted an 8-3 record and finished second in the Ark Valley League. The Eagles were Class 6A district and regional champions before falling to Manhattan in the playoffs.
Redding, a 5-11, 180-pound, wide receiver and cornerback was a two-year starter for Maize. He also handled return duties.
The Goessel track teams got their season off to a strong start April 3 at the Bluestem Quint.
The boys tallied 90 points and finished second behind Hesston but ahead of Halstead, Fairfield and Bluestem. The girls tied Fairfield for third place.
For the boys, Garrett Hiebert threw the javelin a school record 198-8 for first place—the first of four gold medals he earned for the day.
Hiebert also was gold in the 4x400 relay along with teammates Craig Banman, Sheldon Goerzen and Weston Hiebert, and won the triple jump and 400 meters.
Banman and Sheldon Goerzen teamed with Travis Fensky and Brett Goerzen to grab gold in the 4x100 relay.
Sheldon Goerzen also claimed first in the 110-meter hurdles, Banman won the 300-meter hurdles, Brett Goerzen took second in the long jump and Martin Koppitz finished third in the 800.
For the girls, Kylee Nikkel, Aspen Frey and Kristen Hoffman all turned in second-place performances individually. Nikkel’s effort in the shot put fell a quarter of an inch short of first place.
Frey cleared 4 feet, 6 inches for second place in the high jump and also took second in the 1,600-meter run.
The Hillsboro Recreation Commission deadline is this Friday for registering summer youth baseball, softball, tee-ball, coach-pitch and blastball participants.
Registration is required by April 6, as all league fees increase by $10 on April 7. Players registered after April 6 are not guaranteed a place on a team.
Leagues are forming for boys ages 4-15 and girls ages 4-16.
Fees for registering 4-8 year olds are $25 before April 6 and $35 afterward. All other youth leagues register for $35 until April 6.
Those interested in men’s slow-pitch softball are reminded to register. The cost is $250 for a minimum of 12 games.
Registration forms are available at Hillsboro City Hall.
For more information, contact Doug Sisk by phone at (620) 947-3490 or email at
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The 2007 Marion County youth bowling league participants are: (back row, from left): Tommy Tajchman, Adam Molleker, Aaron Molleker, Austin Pederson, Amanda Steward, Nikki Johnson, Chelsea Cornwall; (front) Austin Molleker, Erin Steward, Colleen Steele, Shyla Harris, Brooke Bernhardt, Elizabeth Dies, Justin Silhan and Jeff Silhan.
The Marion County youth bowling league celebrated another great season with a 9-pin tap bowling party.
Hosted at SherBowl lanes on Sunday, March 18, the bowlers were presented medals for team and individual accomplishments.
Multi-sport participant Julia Carlton of Hesston High School has signed a letter of intent to run track at Tabor College.
While at Hesston High, Carlton has participated in volleyball, basketball and track. As a freshman, Carlton placed ninth in the state track meet in the 3,200 meters.
As a sophomore, she was a member of the 4x800-meter relay team that broke and still holds the school record. The relay team was the MCAA league champion and it placed sixth at state.
As a junior, Carlton again qualified for state on the 4x800 team.
In basketball, she has been a member of teams that qualified for the state tournament three years. Carlton lettered two years in volleyball and received league honorable mention as a senior.
“Julia is a gifted athlete in a number of areas, as evidenced by her high school athletic career,” said Dave Kroeker, Tabor track coach. “She is especially good in track.
“I think she has the potential to be a very good college distance runner and I look forward to her contribution to the Tabor women’s track team over the next four years.”
