Trojan seniors out to prove they can continue winning ways

Written by Don Ratzlaff Thursday, 30 August 2007 11:53

HHSvolleyballP8242588.jpg Hillsboro has nine seniors and letter-winners that will form the nucleus of this year’s volleyball team. Pictured are: back row (from left), Corissa Bartel, sophomore Dakota Kaufman, Chelsea Bebermeyer, Amy Neufeld, Samantha Heinrichs; front row, Amanda Bina, Jessica Klose, Bobbi Jo Carlson, Jenesa Klose. Don Ratzlaff / Free Press. Click image to enlarge

Followers of Hillsboro High volleyball can be forgiven for dwelling on key players lost from last season’s 35-3 squad that finished third in Class 3A.

Graduating two NCAA Division I signees (JuliAnne Chisholm and Tina Frick) and a league honorable-mention setter (Jenny Whisen­hunt) would be a significant loss for any Class 3A program.

But that doesn’t mean the...

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HHS returns six of seven runners from state-qualifying team

Written by Don Ratzlaff Thursday, 30 August 2007 11:46

HHScrosscountryP8232568.jpg The Hillsboro boys’ cross-country team returns nine seniors and letter-winners from last year’s squad, while the girls return two letter-winners. Pictured above are: back row (from left) Lance Kliewer, Matthew Klenda, Johnathan Christian; middle row, Tyrel Blecha, Brandon McMillen, Nathan Vogel, Alex Jost; front row, Heidi Schroeder, Cody McMillen, Nicholas Mueller. Not pictured: Jessica Elliott. Don Ratzlaff. Click image to enlarge

With six of the seven runners who competed at the 2006 state cross-county meet returning for 2007, Hillsboro High coach Stuart Holmes see a bright season ahead for his boys’ team.

And although the girls’ squad is small in number, it features the return of last year’s top two...

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Eight seniors, including 1 state qualifier, will fuel HHS tennis

Written by Don Ratzlaff Thursday, 30 August 2007 11:36

HHStennisP8222565.jpg Eight seniors will power coach Lynn Wiebe’s tennis team this fall. Pictured are: back (from left) Amanda Faber, Greta Wiebe, Courtney Fast, Anna Woelk, Julia Loewen; front row, Amber Loewen, Lauren Just, Maria Loewen.Don Ratzlaff / Free Press Click image to enlarge

With eight seniors on her 15-player roster, Hills­boro High girls’ tennis coach Lynn Wiebe faces both a blessing and a challenge this fall.

Having that many players with program experience will make for competitive practice sessions that ultimately will strengthen this year’s team.

But the challenge will be providing adequate court time for eight athletes in a sport that has only six openings in a varsity lineup.

Wiebe said the positives outweigh the...

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Team experience gives PBHS potential for repeating success

Written by Andrew Ottoson Thursday, 30 August 2007 11:27

PeabodyBurnsFBP8220033.jpg After a 6-4 season that put the Warriors second in their league, Peabody-Burns has a truckload of talent among 12 returning seniors and letterwinners. Pictured are: back row (from left) Alex Bengtsson, Andrew Loucks, Anthony Jones, Sean Corona; middle row, Adam Benson, Thomas McGee, Lukas Bambach, Nick Abramowich; front row, Ben Eldrigde, Nathan Bishop, Will Pratt, Trevor Hamm. Andrew Ottoson. Click image to enlarge

A 6-4 season put the Peabody-Burns High football team in a tie for second in the Heart of America League in 2006. Head coach David Pickens, in his third year, has nine returning starters on both offense and defense.

“Having lots of experience gives us a great chance to have an exciting year,” Pickens...

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PBHS runners eye state return

Written by Andrew Ottoson Thursday, 30 August 2007 11:11

PeabodyBurnsXCP8220019.jpg The boys’ cross-country team at Peabody Burns High School returns six seniors and letter-winners from a squad that came in fourth in Class 2A last year. The girls’ squad returns three seniors. Pictured are: (from left) Aaron Topham, Jessica Rosine, Josh Klarmann, Ryan Wiebe, Duane Unruh, Erica Frederick, Ethan Riggs, Kendall Wiebe. Not pictured: Samantha Pickens. Andrew Ottoson. Click image to enlarge

While it may not be possible to replace two-time state champion Andrew Topham’s leadership and dedication on the Peabody Burns High School cross-country team, the returning Warrior boys are taking aim at holding on to their Heart of America League crown and making a return to state.

With Topham leading the way, the...

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