Hometown coach looks to launch Bluebirds’ flight

Written by Katie Morford Tuesday, 30 August 2011 16:58

Goessel High School football letter-winners and seniors for the 2011-12 season are: back row (from left), Trey Schmidt, Drake Sterk, Alex Schmidt, Peter Voth, Nic Buller; front row, Joe Campbell, Bruce Benjamin, Shane Goerzen, Mark Schmidt. The Goessel football team is hoping for a fresh start this season with first-year coach Tyler Schroeder, who returns to his hometown after playing football at Bethel College.

Goessel is looking to improve on a 3-6 finish last season, banking on experience and new ideas to make them a threat in the Wheat State League.

“This season we return a focused group of athletes that are ready to play,” Schroeder said. “Our strength this year is on the offensive and defensive line and we look to speed and quickness to fill in at other key positions.”

Returning starters for the Bluebirds include seniors Joe Campbell, a 5-foot, 10-inch senior at offensive and defensive line, and Drake Sterk, a 6-foot senior who returns to the offensive...

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New coach, Jordan Hett will lead MHS cross-country team

Written by Katie Morford Tuesday, 30 August 2011 16:57

The Marion cross-country team is hoping a new coach means new fire for their state competition aspirations.

Rebecca Hofer, who teaches fourth grade at Marion elementary, will begin her first season coaching cross country.

But this is not her first experience with running.

“I was the assistant coach under Bethany Carlson during the 2008 and 2009 seasons,” Hofer said. “I personally love to run and I hope I can share that passion with my cross-country runners.”

In the past few years Hofer has completed five half-marathon races and one full marathon race, and plans to run additional races in the future.

“I am excited to be the new cross-country coach, because it combines my love of running and joy of working with kids,”...

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Veterans key for MHS success

Written by Katie Morford Tuesday, 30 August 2011 16:55

Eight seniors and returning letter-winners will lead the Marion Warrior volleyball team this fall. Pictured are: front row (from left), Lakisha Hammond, JayDee Schafer, Megan Rich­mond; back row, Montana Percell, Briana Hall, Whitney Gordon, Annie Whitaker, Katey Ehrlich. The Marion volleyball team will look to experience for the winning edge this season.

Despite losing setter Chassidy Carlson and outside hitter Raelene Allen to graduation last May, the Warriors have five returning starters from last year’s season, including senior outside hitter Whitney Gordon and middle hitter Briana Hall.

Gordon was named to the first team in the Heart of America league last season and was chosen for the all-tournament team at the Centre and Belle Plaine tournaments.

Hall also was a member of the Belle Plaine all-tournament team.

“Whit should really be a force and we should be able to get her the ball,” said coach Jim Versch. “Both (newcomer) Montana Percell and Briana Hall should be strong at middle...

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Marion football sets its sights on winning Heart of America

Written by Katie Morford Tuesday, 30 August 2011 16:48

The Marion fooball team has a sizable corps of seniors and returning letter-winners on to which to build a successful season. Pictured are: front row (from left) Cory Hiebert, Cole Lewman, Dakin Ledford, David Helmer; second row, Hogan Lovelady, Spencer Fugitt, Eric Regnier, Mikael Antoszyk, Jacob Harper; third row, Chris Cardenas, Dylan Goebel, Wiley Lundy, Brody Carroll; fourth row, Caleb Williams, Isaac Baldwin, Ethan Hett; standing row, Miller Hendrix, Jon Tacha, Colten Johnson. The Marion Warriors have set their sights high for this fall’s football season. To reach them, several players will have to step up and plug holes created by graduation.

“Our goals, as always, are to win the (Heart of America) league first,” said coach Grant Thierolf. “Then win district. Then win state. Those are things we always have a goal to do.

“We like winning league championships, we need to win a district championship. It’s been a long time since we’ve done that.”

Thierolf’s theory is simple: The Warriors need to put their players in games that really matter so they can experience what it’s like to play under those circumstances.

“I think we have a decent chance,” he said. “We’re going to have to...

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