CHS track has 7 state veterans

Written by Janae Rempel Tuesday, 02 April 2013 12:39

The Cougar track and field team will rely on the experience of 11 returning letter-winners and seniors. They are: front row (from left), Anna Weber, Beka Basore, Nellie Kassebaum; middle row, Brenna Shields, Conner Montgomery, Cacey Simons, Shelby Makovec; back row, Ty Simons, Justin Deines, Grant Srajer. Not pictured: Houston Svoboda. The Centre track and field team was well-represented at the state meet last year, and with most of his state qualifiers returning, fourth-year head coach Alan Stahlecker expects good things from the Cougars again this season.

“Last season we qualified the most athletes for state that we have in a number of years,” he said. “With only losing one to graduation, I am expecting us to be competitive in those events—all running events.”

In field events, the boys’ team lacks throwers, but the girls should have some depth in that category, Stahlecker said. He also expects the jumpers to be competitive.

The girls return three state qualifiers, all expected to be key contributors again this season.

Junior Cacey Simons and...

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Canton-Galva track numbers triple for new coach

Written by Janae Rempel Tuesday, 02 April 2013 12:37

The Canton-Galva track and field team will feature a healthy corps of returning letter-winners and seniors this spring: front row (from left), Benjamin Young, Brianna Huser, Jacey Cantrell, Sarah Becker, Rachel Becker, Cole Sovde; back row, Trey Moddelmog, Ren Dieker, Eli Janzen, Trevor Unruh, Austin Bullinger, Kendrick Bandy. With Canton-Galva track and field participants more than tripling in number from last year (from 12 to 40), first-year coach Jeff Savage will rely on numbers to fuel the Eagles’ success this season, especially for the boys’ team

“We should be able to field competitive relays and develop throwers with our numbers,” Savage said. “Jumping events will be another area with good numbers.”

While the Eagles may lack in sprinters this year, Savage praised the Eagles for their work ethic.

“Not much sprint speed but good, hard-working kids that will continue to improve because of their work ethic,” he said.

Topping Savage’s list of returning contributors for a young girls’ team is junior Ally Smiley, who holds the school...

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New coach aims for change

Written by Janae Rempel Tuesday, 02 April 2013 12:36

Six returning letter-winners will form the core of this year’s Eagle baseball team. They are: front row (from left), Nick Bray, Jacob Struber, Connor Farnham; back row, Tanner Klingensmith, Jacob Dailey, Kaden Littrell. With first-year coach Kelly Nelson at the helm, a young Canton-Galva baseball team will look to improve on last year’s 1-21 season.

Nelson said overcoming a history of losing may prove challenging, but he has already seen positive strides.

“The juniors have shown good leadership, and the boys are buying in to what we are coaching,” he said. “Their attitudes have been positive despite losing as many games as they did last year.”

Expected to contribute this season are sophomores Tanner Klingensmith (catcher), Nick Bray (first), Ryan Grant (second) and Connor Farnham (shortstop) and juniors Jacob Struber (third), Jacob Dailey (outfield) and Kaden Littrell (outfield).

Also key will be freshmen Ethan Loyd, Caleb Sovde and...

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Eagles to build on 15-7 season

Written by Janae Rempel Tuesday, 02 April 2013 12:36

The Canton-Galva softball team will be led by these returning seniors and letter-winners: (from left) Erika Smith, Jennifer Likes, Lauren Ballantyne and Hannah O’Neil. The Canton-Galva softball team will rely on a strong outfield and a number of returning players to lead them this season.

Under the direction of Dale Dvorak, who is entering his second year as coach, the Eagles hope to build on last year’s 15-7 record.

Five returning starters will anchor this year’s team, led by second-team Heart of America all-league selection Erika Smith, who will provide the foundation in the outfield.

Other returning starters are Hannah O’Neil (pitcher/shortstop), Leah Schmitz (outfield), Lauren Ballantyne (infield) and Jennifer Likes (outfield).

Dvorak will also look to these newcomers to contribute: Mikayla Baldwin, Sierah Pennington, Selena Lacey and Brittany Dieker.

Dvorak said the strength of his...

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GHS golf seeks return to state

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 02 April 2013 12:35

Under the direction of second-year coach Chad Lindeman, the Goessel golf team will look to build on last year’s fifth-place team finish at the Class 1A state tournament. <p>Anchoring the Bluebirds will be three returning state qualifiers: seniors Trey Schmidt, Dan Smucker and Tyler Schulz.<p>“We have three seniors coming back this season with quite a bit of varsity experience,” Lindeman said. “As a team, that is not a lot of experience, so we will be rebuilding the team as the year goes along.”<p>Nine new golfers join the team this year.<p>“We have a bunch of fresh faces, which is exciting for the future of Goessel High School golf,” he said.<p>The numbers may make it difficult to find the right mix for post-season play.<p>“A challenge we will face is finding the right group to go into the post season,” Lindeman said. “The varsity spots will change from meet to meet, which will give opportunity for golfers to step up into that role and see what they can do.”<p>Goessel does not compete in a league, Lindeman said. <p>The Bluebird coach said he expects to focus on the mental game this season.<p>“It’s easy to handle when things are going well, but our golfers need to handle the bad shots and not let them ruin the day,” Lindeman said. “They also need to work on course management instead of taking unnecessary chances.”<p>Goessel is scheduled to open play at Herington April 2.

The Goessel golf team returns eight seniors and letter-winners: back row (from left), Reece Hiebert, Trey Schmidt, Tyler Schulz; front row, Lucas Hiebert, Jo Hoffman, Garrett Woelk, Dan Smucker, Martina Filippi.