Fall Sports Recap

SPORTS SPORTS

The 2021 Cross Country season has been eventful for the team. With the conference meet on October 16, runners are working to beat their past records and compete for a spot to move on in the coming weeks. “We have been impressed with the improvements from the whole team this season and are excited to see their hard work pay off during our Championship meets,” coach Lindsey Plaster said. Liberty North Cross Country took on the Kearney Invitational Meet. They walked away champions taking 1st overall for men’s varsity and 1st for women’s varsity. Sophomore Sage Wilde took first overall, beating the course record, with a time of 15:37 running the entire race well ahead of the field of competition. “I think that we are working really hard as a team this year and the competition between teammates when were running is crazy but also really fun. The family and the bond that we have created is also an amazing thing to be a part of,” sophomore Jayden Johnson said. written by: Alyson Klug

XCXC

photo by: Rorey France

#28 TENNIS TENNIS TENNIS

photo by: Rorey France

The 2021 Women’s Tennis season came to a close on October 4 with the Team District Tournament, where the North team faced off against the Liberty Blue Jays. “The match we normally all look forward to is Liberty’s, as the competitive spirit between the rival schools is infectious. Unfortunately, we fell short this year, but I’m especially excited to see how we play against them next season,” junior Madison Tucker said. A star player of the 2021 season was Olivia Carter who won All Conference and All District Honors in singles with a record of 17-4. With the season closed, Coach Doug Davis reminisces about his favorite match against Ray Pec. “[It was a] close match. The team all played really well. The team really came together and Ray Pec didn’t see it coming. Nor did I, but it was great. Definitely my favorite,” Davis said.

written by: Mak Morgan

RECAP RECAP

The Liberty North Girls Rugby team is 1-2 after emerging victorious against the Liberty Blue Jays in their first competition. Unfortunately the team lost to Independence High School and the Park Hill Trojans in their second and third competitions. The team is looking forward to an exciting season with the opportunity to travel to Texas and Minneapolis to compete out of state and test their abilities. With rugby being a less popular sport on the state level, the team is forced to travel out of state for competition. “We’re excited to compete and show what we can do and hopefully inspire others to start their own programs on the state level,” Assistant Coach Brodie Orth said. Due to injuries. the last two scheduled competitions were canceled. The team is scheduled to compete against the Liberty Blue Jays Girls Rugby team on October 16 at Liberty High School. “It sucks not being able to compete but it provides us time to get better and prepare,” Orth Said. written by: Jack Bendure

RUGBY RUGBY

photo courtesy of: Jeff Knold

VOLLEYBALL VOLLEYBALL

As of October 7, Varsity Volleyball continues to impress as their record is now at 22 to 2. According to coach Katie Dowden, they don’t plan on stopping there, pushing to gain a state title for the second year in a row. “Our overall goal has always been to win State. We’re just going to take it one game at a time but that’s our goal and we’ll build on it from there,” senior Addison Beagle said. After the October 7 game, varsity fought to win all three sets against Liberty. The first set was close, winning 26 to 24. Getting stronger, they took the second set 25 to 14. Finally, the third set ended at 25 to 22, allowing them to claim yet another victory. “What makes our team strong would definitely be our bond, our bond is great. Whether you are on or off the court, you get along with each other. Also, being able to play for each other. We’re not a selfish team, no matter winning or losing, we are still doing it for each other and with one another. With our end goal of state, no matter what happens we will persevere and push through everything,” senior Ellie Staatz said. written by: Maia Gaddis

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Sports SPORTS SPORTS

This has been a strong season for Liberty North Varsity Softball. As of October 13, their record is 21-11, with one game left in the District Championships scheduled for October 14. “The last few games have been going very well. On October 12, we played Oak Park in the first District game and beat them 10 to 0. October 13, we played Liberty and beat them 6-5 with a walk-off hit by Haley Klebenstone. Then on October 14, we won districts against St. Joe Central, and will play on October 21 in state sectionals,” Coach Amanda Self said.

The Liberty North Men’s Swim season of 2021 has started off well. On September 15, the team competed in a match between 31 teams that scored and tied for 14th in the final standings. “The season is going really well. Our team isn’t really big but despite that, we are placing really well at meets for how many people we have swimming and everybody is swimming their best. My biggest achievement this season is my 100 breaststroke because cutting it down from a time I have struggled with for a while is something that is really pleasing,” senior Andrew Augustine said. T he men’s soccer season of 2021 has been filled with highs and lows, and with few injuries and many wins. “This year’s soccer season has gone by well so far. We’ve had very few injuries and we’ve played pretty well. Nothing terrible has happened thus far. The best thing that has happened is that we got down to 2-0 in Springfield to a really good Ozark team and showed a lot of character and heart to tie the game up and force it to penalty kicks. My biggest achievement is keeping everyone healthy heading into conference play,” head coach Art Smith said.

SOFTBALL SOFTBALL

written by: Mak Morgan

photo by: Rorey France

SOCCER SOCCER

photo by: Rorey France

written by: Alexis Helms

written by: Alexis Helms

SWIM SWIM

photo by: Rorey France

Sports RECAP RECAP

The Eagles are 5-0 after a first game exhibition loss to the nationally ranked Bentonville Tigers 43-30. The Eagles went on to beat their cross town rival, the Liberty Blue Jays 44-13. The Eagles went on to beat the defending State Champs, RaymorePeculiar Panthers 42-14. The Staley Falcons were exposed to Covid-19 in week three. In week 4, the Eagles competed against the Park Hill Trojans and emerged victorious with a score of 42-3. They then went to the undefeated Lee’s Summit North Broncos and came out victorious. “Every game presents a new obstacle and a new difficulty, each week you have to prepare for whatever you’re going to see that week. In football every team runs different things so every week we have to be ready to rock and roll,” Head Coach Greg Jones said.

written by: Jack Bendure

FOOTBALL FOOTBALL

photo by: Madelyn Hartman

GOLF GOLF

photo courtesy of: @LNEagleGolf T his has been a successful season for Women’s Golf, going undefeated in matches. Their season isn’t done yet as they drive to secure their spot as 2021 state champions. “For this season, the whole team is going to try and win state. It’s definitely going to get busy,” junior Kate Braden said. On October 4, Varsity won the conference tournament with Averi Mickelson getting first for the third year in a row. Next up were the district and state tournaments. With the intent of gaining a state title, each player has done work to keep them sharp during the season. “The majority of our varsity players play tournaments on a national level all summer long. They also play at some bigger local events. Those girls have just put in a tremendous amount of work in preparation for this season,” coach Jeffery Braden said. written by: Maia Gaddis