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december 07
black white
special edition
Exercising equality through Title IX
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hirty-five years ago, Congress passed a legislation that included Title IX of the Education Amendments. Although the original statute did not mention anything about athletics, Title IX now serves as the most important piece of legislation for female athletes. In 1979, the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare announced a policy clarification for Title IX. This interpretation stated that a school must provide an equal amount of athletic opportunities for “the underrepresented gender.” Before Title IX was introduced, 294,015 high school girls played sports. However, in 2001, according to www.titleix. info, 2,784,154 girls partook in high school athletics. The adoption of Title IX is to thank for this 800 percent increase in participation. In light of the volleyball team’s recent state championship, The Black & White is taking time to celebrate our female athletes and their accomplishments.
The volleyball team captured the 2007 4-A state championship. Read about the squad on page two.
At last year’s state competition, bowling placed third. Kayla Schmidt was the individual runner-up.
In 2006, the Dragons made the state basketball tournament for the first time in more than 50 years.
The girls’ soccer team has made a trip to the state tournament three of the last four years.
For complete coverage of each girls’ team, including track, golf and tennis, see page four.
Spread by Kari Dockum, editor-in-chief
Sisters share state supremacy AMY LOVEJOY design editor
A time-out is called, and the volleyball team quickly hustles to the sidelines. Among them, the Knuth sisters, Taylor, a junior, and Tory, a freshman, quickly offer each other a quick piece of advice. “Tory, tip left where the center is!” The Knuth sisters have accomplished a lot together. Along with their teammates and coaches, they have worked to win their first ever state championship. This is the first state championship ever won by a girl’s sport. The season, which was the first time the girls had ever played together, helped to strengthen their relationship, not only with their teammates but with each other.
“We were able to win a state championship together and that’s not something every pair of sisters gets to experience,” Taylor said. “We think that was a special thing that we’ll always have to share together, so that definitely strengthened our relationship for now and in the future.” The girls played the same position, middle, so they were able to help each other during games and practices. “They would talk between each other give each other tips,” mother Dawn Knuth said. The girls were able to encourage each other as both players and sisters, and Taylor’s experience helped Tory as a freshman starting on varsity.
Taylor’s advice, as well as help from the other players, helped to make Tory feel very at ease on the team. “I think Taylor did a great job talking with Tory throughout the year, trying to help her with the different things that are required,” head coach Rick Brooks said. Although Tory was playfully nicknamed the “stupid freshman,” the team was very welcoming. “They were very inclusive and made her feel very comfortable,” Dawn said. “If she made a mistake, it was no big deal.” Because there were two middles on the team, the girls did not have to compete for playing time. “They played the same position, but not be in the
same rotation, so there was not more time for one than the other,” Brooks said. The sisters were viewed as individuals throughout the season, which allowed them to grow separately as players. “They both are unique and brought their own personality to the team, which is what makes any team strong,” Brooks said. “They did a great job of being teammates and not just sisters.” As for next season, the Knuths hope that their success carries over. “I’m really looking forward to next season because so many people are back,” said Taylor. “I’m hoping we can defend our title.”
Teamwork creates chemistry,
wins girls’ first ever state title TOREY ROBINSON
feature editor
SENIOR LEAH EMBREY SERVES the ball to Cedar Falls in the girls’ volleyball championship game at the state tournament. Embrey served the winning ball, earning Johnston its first girls’ state title ever.
Taking a deep inhale and holding it, senior Leah Embrey tossed the ball high and smacked her serve across the net. A block and hit later, the moment her team had been working towards all season arrived: the varsity girls’ volleyball team defeated Cedar Falls and earned Johnston’s very first girls’ state title. It was also the first 4A championship in school history. “It was amazing and unbelievable,” Embrey said. “I was just kind of in shock.” The state championship completed the girls’ unprecedented 40-2 season. According to Embrey, the girls were only able to perfectly sync together once they decided to put all their personal interests aside and focus on success of the team. A speech by coach Rick Brooks prior to the regional competition inspired all the team members to inscribe, “We not me,” on the outside soles of their shoe. Senior Holly Von Fumetti felt that the message on their shoes reflected the attitude the team needed at state. “ ‘We no me’ really defined us as a team,” she said. “Everything we did was in the best interest of the team as a whole.” Brooks said jealousy can sometimes get in the way of a successful team. “The post-season is about preparations, and sometimes not everyone gets in,” he said. “I explained to them that they were not here as individuals. They needed to not only get support from one another, but have support for their teammates.” Junior Olivia Schiefelbein felt it was just what the team needed to do well. “We couldn’t win state if we weren’t together,” she said. “It allowed us as individuals to focus as a team.” Teamwork was not the only component that set the team up for success. According to Brooks, having already had a state appearance took away from the hype and allowed them to focus on what needed to get done. “We had a lot of returners that had experience that made it about more than just getting to state,” he said. “There were a lot of competitive girls that pushed each other to succeed.”
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4 All photos by Leah Kron/Dragon
1. THE TEAM HOISTS its 2007 state championship trophy after defeating Cedar Falls in the 4A title game. The girls had an unprecedented 40-2 record on the season. 2. WEEPING WITH JOY, senior Colby Lindsay embraces junior Sam Jungman. Lindsay was a starter for the Dragons. 3. CELEBRATING THEIR VICTORY, the girls leap to hug each other. The team won the first girls’ state championship in Johnston history. 4. JUNIOR TAYLOR KNUTH ACCEPTS a medal for earning a position on the 4A All-Tournament Team. Knuth was also named to the 4A All-State Team.
girls’ sports Complied by: Kari Dockum, editorin-chief; Lee Yocum, sports editor; Amy Lovejoy, design editor
Softball
Cross-Country
Tied for seventh place, 2007 State Tournament
Finished one point out of third place in 2007 State Meet
Emily Kuster, 2007 First Team All-State selection
Obsie Birru finished in fifth place at the state meet
One game away from state tournament in 2006
2006, 2007: seven state qualifiers, two alternates
Eighth place, 2005 State Tournament
Pat Hennes named 2007 CrossCountry Coach of the Year
Swimming
Soccer
Bowling
Placed fifth at the 2007 State Meet with four qualifier
In 2006, placed third in the State Bowling Meet
State qualifiers three of the past four years
Undefeated in dual meets for the 2007 season
Kayla Schmidt finished second overall in 2006
Twelve shutout wins in the 2007 season
2006 All-State: Hannah Smith, Meredith Luksetich
Placed third at girls’ regionals in 2006
Third place in 2007 State Tournament
Cheerleading Dance Team
Basketball
Won the 2006 State Cheerleading Championships
Missed second place by half a point at 2007 state competition
In 2005, made state tournament for the first time in 80 years
2006 stunt groups finished third and fifth
Division one ratings in both pom and jazz divisions in 2006
Katelyn Sunde was a 2006 First Team All-Conference selection
Finished in sixth place in 2007 state competition
2006: Three All-Iowa Dance and Drill Team members
Went 13-11 and were one game from the 2006 State Tournament
Track & Field
Golf
Eight Drake Relays qualifiers in 2007
Placed third at the CIML Conference Invite in 2007
4x400 team finished seventh in the 2007 state meet
Ashley Williamson took sixth place in the conference meet
At the 2007 state meet, the team placed fifteenth
Took seventh place at the regional competition
Tennis Rachel Lang and Aleece Gustafson took fourth place in 2007 Individual Regionals Team beat Southeast Polk 11-0 in a regular season dual meet in 2007