Three wins boost Trojans to 9-0

Written by Free Press Tuesday, 07 September 2010 15:49

Marion’s Katey Ehrlich (14) and Briana Hall prepare to block a hit by Hillsboro Tena Loewen’s during Game 2 of their match at the quadrangular Thursday in Marion. Hillsboro’s young but resilient volleyball team overcame stretches of inconsistency Thursday evening to post three wins at the quadrangular hosted by Marion.

In the opening match, Hillsboro beat the host team 25-19, 26-24, then beat the defending Class 2A state champions from Moundridge, 25-13, 25-19, before beating South­east of Saline in the nightcap, 25-17, 25-21.

The Trojans’ 3-0 performance for the evening boosted their season record to 9-0.

After winning Game 1 against Marion, the Trojans found themselves with their backs to the wall with a 24-21 deficit in Game 2. But with Tena Loewen serving, Hillsboro reeled off five straight points to steal the game and seal the match.

“I didn’t think we played our best in that...

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Warriors tame Lyons' Lions on the road

Written by John Giffin Tuesday, 07 September 2010 15:45

Marion wide receiver Jordan Versch flies for yardage Friday against Lyons. The senior recorded three tackles at Lyons. Big plays on defense led the Marion Warriors to a 20-7 season-opening victory Friday night in Lyons.

Bending, but only breaking once, the Warrior defense came up with play after play to stop the Lions’ momentum.

On Lyons’ first offensive series, defensive end Les Riggs sacked quarterback Matthew Vincent on third-and-20 to force a punt. But a Lion penalty on the return moved the home team back to its own 5-yard line for fourth-and-45.

The ensuing short punt gave Marion its first possession at the Lyons 34-yard line.

Riggs started the three-play, 34-yard touchdown scoring drive with runs of seven and 12 yards. Colten Johnson then ran in from 15 yards out.

After a failed two-point conversion, Marion led 6-0 with 9:24 left in the...

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Allen places 5th vs. big-school runners

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 07 September 2010 15:40

Joel Allen pushes hard through the rolling 5-kilometer course at the J.K. Gold classic in Augusta on Satur­day. He finished fifth against Class 5A and 6A runners with a time of 16:48. Battling runners from Class 5A and 6A schools, Hillsboro senior Joel Allen placed fifth at the J.K. Gold Classic cross-country meet Saturday near Augusta.

Competing in a field of 68 runners, Allen lowered his personal record over a 5-kilometer course by 10 seconds to 16 minutes, 48 seconds.

“That’s an outstanding first-race time,” coach Stuart Holmes said.

Evan Landes of Mulvane won the race in 16:08.

The remaing Trojan boys ran in the junior varsity race. Bret Mueller placed third in 18:07, followed by Josh Richert in fourth in 18:09, Justin King 11th in 18:59, Avery Franz 23rd in 20:00, Daniel Gray 60th in 22:13 and Clay Etheridge 64th.

“Even though it was only the first meet, three of the top four guys ran their best...

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Hillsboro tennis wins Sterling tourney, plays well at home

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 07 September 2010 15:30

Hillsboro’s Hayley Pankratz prepares for a backhand volley in her first-round match against Pratt’s Lauren McClain at the Hillsboro Invitational last Tuesday. Pankratz lost the match, 8-2. Placing its four entries either first or second in each division, Hillsboro claimed its first tennis tournament title of the season Thursday at Sterling.

The Trojans rolled up 34 points to finish ahead of Hutch Trinity (30), Sterling (23), St. John (6) and Kiowa County-Greensburg (6).

The Trojans’ No. 2 singles and doubles entries took first while the No. 1 entries placed second.

After a tight 7-5 win over Sarah Brummett of Trinity, Emma Heyen breezed through No. 2 singles with a 4-0 record. She defeated Rachel Schmidt of Kiowa County 6-1, Ashley Smith of St. John 6-0, and Felicitas Becker of Sterling 6-0.

In No. 2 doubles, Hayley Pankratz and Aubrey Meier went 4-0 as well. In their opening match, they needed an 8-6 tiebreaker to...

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