Hillsboro aims to reload for state tourney run

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 27 March 2012 15:05

Nine seniors and letter-winners will lead the Hillsboro baseball team this spring. Looking for a fourth consecutive berth in the Class 3A state tournament are: (from left) Jordan Faul, Lucas Sinclair, Derek Kelsey, Cody Delk, Kale Arnold, Nathan Unruh, David Nelson, Aaron Wintermote and Luke Moore. Losing an ace pitcher and the team’s top two hitters to graduation might rattle some high school baseball coaches, but Hillsboro’s Doug Dick feels the players he has this spring can fill the void.

That’s saying a lot considering the Trojans have qualified for state three years in a row.

“Our goal isn’t any less than it has been—our goal is to get back to state,” said Dick, who is in his third year at the helm. “Last year I felt like we were the second best team at state. We happened to play the best team in the first round.”

Pitching and catching

Dick’s ace (Dylan Delk, 6-2) and top two hitters (Aaron Bina, .544 and Ben Gard­ner .500)—three first-team all-league selections—may be gone from last year’s...

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Trojan softball returns all-league core for 2012

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 27 March 2012 15:05

The Hillsboro softball team has eight letter-winners returning from last year’s state-qualifying team. Pictured are (from left) Tena Loewen (out with a knee injury), Danae Bina, Erin Loewen, Krista Reimer, Courtney Weber, Stephanie Sanders, Amy Bartel and Sammy Koons. A large veteran core combined with a promising group of talented freshmen should make Hillsboro softball a formidable team again this season.

The Trojans, coming off a 19-5 season and a third consecutive appearance at state, return six starters, all of whom received all-league recognition in 2011.

“I’m really excited for the seniors,” said Stephanie Sinclair, who is 98-37 through six seasons as the Trojan head coach. “They definitely want to be a dominating team, and these kids work really hard.”

The Trojans knew graduation would take away Taylor Nikkel, a three-time first-team all-league outfielder, and Allie Faul, a second-team catcher. But no one expected the loss of Tena Loe­wen, a first-team utility selection as a...

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HHS track combines state qualifiers with young talent

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 27 March 2012 15:04

Hillsboro track and field returns six athletes who were state qualifiers last season. They are (from left) Avery Franz, Josh Richert, Shaq Thiessen, Callie Serene, Tyler Profitt and Bret Mueller. Hillsboro will build its track fortunes this season on a foundation of six returning state qualifiers and some young talent coming into the program.

Heading that list of state qualifiers is Callie Serene, the defending Class 3A 800-meters bronze medalist and the only Trojan girl to make it to Wichita last season.

“Callie is still developing her speed and strength,” coach Dennis Boldt said. “I look for good things from Callie.”

Serene could have some female companionship at state this season. Freshman Emily Sechrist joins the track squad as the Class 3A state champion in cross country.

Classmate Karen Leihy, a middle-school record-holder in distance running, broke the girls’ high school record in the first cross-county...

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National qualifiers to pace Bluejays in track and field

Written by Katie Morford Tuesday, 27 March 2012 15:03

The Tabor men’s and women’s track teams return seven seniors and All-KCAC performers. They are (from left) Henry Kellumen in triple jump, Mike Klaassen in hammer throw, Emily Post in triple, long and high jumps, Tynan Honn in shot put, Jasmine Peggese in hammer and Noah Collins in the 4x800. Not pictured: Yvonne Brubacher, pole vault, and Nathan Vogel, 4x400 and 4x800. The Tabor track teams feature a balanced approach this season with national qualifiers returning in both track and field events.

Three Bluejays already have qualified for this season’s NAIA Outdoor National Champion­ship: Dominick Eastman, Emily Post and Samantha VanRanken.

“We have some really high-quality kids,” coach David Kroeker said.

The men have a batch of talented freshmen and transfers who will add depth and speed this season.

One of them, Eastman, qualified for nationals in the 110-meter hurdles. He was an All-American hurdler during the indoor season, and will be competing for Tabor in the 110- and 400-meter hurdles this outdoor season.

Other young runners hoping to bring their success indoors to the outdoor...

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