Mueller heir apparent to lead Trojan cross-country boys

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 30 August 2011 16:44

The seniors and returning letter-winners on this year’s HHS cross-country team are: front row (from left) Samantha Ens, Amy Bartel, Erin Bartel, with coach Stuart Holmes; back row, Clay Ethridge, Bret Mueller, Josh Richert, Avery Franz, Daniel Gray. Filling the running shoes of Class 3A runner-up Joel Allen and all-league performer Justin King will be a challenge for this fall’s Hillsboro cross-country team. But coach Stuart Holmes sees signs that his returning runners plan to pick up the pace.

“You can tell that almost all of the athletes have been running on their own this summer,” Holmes said. “So as a team, and individually, the kids appear poised to have another strong season,” said Holmes, who is in his ninth year.

Led by Allen and King, the Trojan boys placed sixth last fall at the state meet in Wamego. Bret Mueller, the third Trojan to cross the finish line at state and a two-time all-league runner, appears to be the candidate to step into the lead role this...

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Trojan volleyball reloads for state run

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 30 August 2011 16:42

The Hillsboro volleyball team has 10 seniors and returning letter-winners from last year’s team that finished 31-12, placed second in the Central Kansas League and qualified for state. They are: front row (from left), Christina Morris, Danae Bina, Maci Schlehuber, Addie Lackey; back row, Callie Serene, Tena Loewen, Krista Reimer, Erin Loewen, Sammy Koons, Lindsey Brazil. Powerful attack hits on the front line may wow the crowd, but Hills­boro volleyball coach Sandy Arnold is looking for proficiency in less glamorous areas to power her team toward another successful season this fall.

“The two things we will stand on is passing and serving,” said Arnold, who starts her eighth season at the helm with a 194-69 record and five state tournament appearances. “Those two things will help my team more than anything.”

All but three players return from last season’s 31-12 squad that placed second in the Central Kansas League and made it to the Class 3A tournament in Salina.

Gone are seniors Allie Faul after a three-year run at setter, and middle-hitter Hayley Jirak. Junior front-row veteran Taylor...

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HHS football team talented and big, but also thin

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 30 August 2011 16:41

Hillsboro has a core of 16 seniors and letter-winners this fall. They are: front row (from left), Lucas Sinclair, Aaron Klassen, Derek Kelsey, Devin Dick, Brandon Rooker, Luke Moore, Shaq Thiessen, Casie Allen, Tyrell Thiessen; back row, Evan Ollenburger, Tyler Profitt, Nathan Unruh, Dylan Jirak, David Nelson, Aaron Slater, Tanner Jones. After losing around 10 senior contributors from last year’s 5-5 team, you might think Hillsboro football coach Max Heinrichs would be apprehensive about the Trojans’ prospects this fall.

But the shelf hardly is depleted. In his third year at the helm, Heinrichs (12-9) and his team of assistants welcome back 16 returning letter-winners, including 11 starters.

Combine those numbers with a 7-1 record by the junior varsity a year ago, and the potential is there for substantive success.

“I really like this team,” Heinrichs said. “There’s nobody we can’t line up with and play—as long as we don’t have injuries.

“Some of my question marks are depth on the offensive line, depth at linebacker, and who’s actually going...

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Improved strength and speed keys to success for TC runners

Written by Katie Morford Tuesday, 30 August 2011 16:40

Robert Masson, a first-team All-KCAC pick last season, returns to lead the Bluejays in 2011.Katie Morford / Free Press<p>Newcomer Alex Wuest is the lone senior on the men’s team while sophomore Brielle Lund will lead the women as a returning All-KCAC performer. The Tabor College men’s and women’s cross-country teams will work on improving strength and speed this season with the hope of surpassing their sixth- and seventh-place finishes in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference championships last year.

“I think (the men) should have a good shot at finishing fourth, maybe third if everything goes just right,” coach Dan Swaney said. “The women were seventh last year and I’d like to get fifth, but we might be able to finish as high as fourth.”

Swaney said he expects junior Jacob Heil and sophomore Dylan Crawford to be key competitors on the men’s side, along with Hillsboro freshman Joel Allen.

All-KCAC runner Brielle Lund, a sophomore this year, and freshman Hannah Holmes...

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