Sports

Eight seniors and letter-winners will lead the Canton-Galva volleyball team this fall. Pictured are: back row (from left), Jessica Janzen, Jessica Bacon, Allie Enns, Mariana Redden; front row, Ashley Vogts, Kaycie Shearer, Kylie Haines, Shannon Williams. Andrew Ottoson. Click image to enlarge

With a new coach for the second time in as many seasons, and having posted a 7-28 record last year, the Canton-Galva High School volleyball team has set its sights on finishing with a winning record mark. That accomplishment has proven elusive in recent years despite the level of talent in the program.

The football team at Goessel High School has eight seniors and lettermen returning after an 8-2 run to a district championship last season. Pictured are: (from left) back row Craig Banman, Travis Fensky, Kendall Voth, Weston Hiebert, and Austin Unruh; front row Dustin Peterson, Kurtis Duerksen, and Grady Stultz. Click image to enlarge

Coach Justin Coup?s football squad at Goessel High School put together an 8-2 record in 2006, winning their 8-man Heart of America league title and district championship.

?We have a good core coming back, but we also lost 10 seniors to graduation,? Coup said.

Eight returning letter-winners give the Goessel High School volleyball team a solid core this fall. Pictured are: back row (from left), Aspen Frey, Rinda Duerksen, Karis Janzen; middle row, Jessica Goertzen, Sara Sebring, Jennifer Raymond; front row, Karina Harvey and Katie Flaming. Click image to enlarge

The Goessel High School volleyball team posted a 23-12 record in 2006 and went 7-4 in Heart of America league play.

Goessel High School cross-country coach Greg Bontrager has nine seniors and letter winners returning to run in 2007. Pictured are: back row (from left) Anthony Esau, Ryan Goertzen, Jake Schrag, Isaac Fast; middle row, Travis Duerksen, Chris Johnston, Matt Johnston; front row, Lindsey Wedel, Sara Boman. Click image to enlarge

After running with a roster of 18 athletes in 2006, the Goessel High School cross-country team has a band of 20 for 2007.

Ten returning lettermen will lead the Marion Warriors football squad in 2007. Pictured are: back row (from left): Brett Billings, Austin Hager, Matt Thierolf, Brad Klenda, Justin Heidebrecht, Chase Carlson; front row, Mitchell Leppke, Derek Riggs, Mark Kukuk, Hank Collett and Charlie Holub.Andrew Ottoson. Click image to enlarge.

Change is the most certain fact of life for any football program, especially at the high school level.

But for the past two decades, there has been one other constant at Marion High School: Grant Thierolf, who is entering his 20th year as head coach with a cumulative record of 118-65.

Nine seniors and letter-winners from last year?s Marion High School volleyball team return to the court for the Warriors this fall. Pictured are: back row (from left) Kimber Hardey, Lana Carroll, Julia Zeiner, Kristen Waner, Kaylee Heerey; front row Austin Percell, Kalaya Jackson, Lindsey Hett, Lauren Helmer. Andrew Ottoson / Free Press. Click image to enlarge

After five years in retirement, Marion High volleyball coach Jim Versch returns to the hardwood for his 14th season this fall.

Six returning seniors and letterwinners will lead the Marion High cross-country team. Pictured are: (from left) Tacy Taylor, Jaclyn DeForest, Brooke Johnson, Camille Christen?sen. Not pictured: Ryan Jones, Louis Holt. Andrew Ottoson.

Having seen her teams grow from 14 to 22 runners after one season at the helm, Marion cross-country coach Bethany Carlson has reason to be optimistic.

The girls? team has grown from six to 10 and will be led by Camille Christensen (personal record 15 minutes 59 seconds), a junior who finished fourth at the Mid-Central Activities Associa?tion league meet, eighth at the regional meet and 21st at the Class 3A state meet a year ago.

Fans who pay attention to the divisional or league standings of their favorite team in the new Mid Central Activities Association may need a scorecard to keep up with the different scenarios that apply to various activities.