VOLLEYBALL ELITE TALENT GALORE
SOLON VS IC REGINA
THE STREAK ENDS
CLASS 4A’S NEW
POWER?
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CONTRIBUTORS Rush Nigut President
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John Streets Business Operations john@sportsspotlight.com
Tony Atzeni Programming Director tony@sportsspotlight.com
Sam Taylor Art Director
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YOUTH TEAM OF THE MONTH
6
HOOVER SET TO TAKE NEXT STEP
Tork Mason Editor-In-Chief
editor@sportsspotlight.com
Kari Elbert Sales Director
kari@sportsspotlight.com
Darrin Cline Reporter
Read about an Iowa All-Star team and their performance at a regional USSSA tournament.
Des Moines Hoover made the playoffs for the first time in nearly two decades last fall. Now, the Huskies are ready to build on that foundation.
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VOLLEYBALL TALENT GALORE
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SOLON SNAPS REGINA’S STREAK
There is a strong group of elite players back this season, giving fans plenty to get excited about.
Solon put an end to Iowa City Regina’s 56-game winning streak in an instant classic.
Editor’s Note: In this issue, read about the Waukee football program and its emergence as one of Class 4A’s elites entering this season. And for Des
Moines Hoover, this season is about using an electric passing attack to build off of last season’s playoff bid — the program’s first in 19 years. Also read about the end of Iowa City Regina’s record 56-game winning streak, as Solon edged the Regals in an overtime thriller to snap the streak. And in volleyball this fall, there is a bevy of elite talent returning despite the graduation of last year’s strong senior class. Get a look at some of this year’s top players inside!
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PG 10
Youth
YOUTH TEAM OF THE MONTH: 12U TEAM IOWA ALL-STARS Darrin Cline | Contributor
Williamsport, Penn., may steal the spotlight and headlines of the little league baseball world in August, but the Little League World Series is not the only place talented youngsters get to shine on the diamond. The 2014 USSSA Junior All-State games took place Aug. 7-10 in Mauston, Wisconsin, with the 12U squad from Iowa capturing the division title. The Junior All-State games features divisions ranging from 9U to 14U, with All-Star teams compiled from across the states of Iowa, Nebraska, Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois. The 12-man Iowa roster featured players from eight different teams ranging from Winterset to Cedar Rapids to the Quad Cities. “Putting together an all-star team, there’s not a lot of time to build that cohesiveness; but these kids play so many games throughout the year that they know what they are doing,” said Jim Barclay, who was asked to coach the All-Star team for the first time. Iowa began the round robin portion of the tournament with a 7-2 victory over the home state squad. A four-run second inning, powered by an Anthony Potthoff two-run triple, gave Iowa a lead that they never relinquished.
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The second round of pool play saw Iowa take its first loss of the tournament. The Northern Illinois Red squad came out swinging, plating six runs in the first inning. The early lead was too much for the Iowa team to overcome, as they fell 7-3. With a 1-1 record in pool play, Iowa earned a 3-seed for the tournament. A second-inning home run by Zach Barden proved to be the difference-maker in the low-scoring battle. Starting pitcher Calvin Harris allowed just one hit and one earned run while striking out eight. Iowa’s bats came alive in the next round as the 12U team blew by Southern Illinois, 13-2. Iowa was hot from the get-go, scoring 12 runs in the opening stanza. Two-run home runs by both Seth Adrian and Casey Young propelled the offensive onslaught. The offense kept rolling in the semifinal matchup against Northern Illinois Blue. Another Adrian home run in the first inning, and a threehit, three-RBIs performance from Harris helped the team cruise to an 11-3 victory. The two teams battled back and forth early before Iowa put the pedal down and advanced to the tournament championship. It was the fourth contest in a row
(Photo courtesy of Jim Barclay)
against Illinois squads for Iowa, but this one offered the added bonus of revenge. Northern Illinois Red, the only team to best Iowa in the tournament, now stood between them and the championship. With the offense having done much of the legwork in the prior two outings, it was the defense’s turn to step up. Potthoff did just that; the starting pitcher allowed three hits but no runs in five innings of work. Two runs in the first inning and again in the fourth proved to be all the Iowans needed, as they jumped ahead early
and maintained the shut out, closing out their adversaries with a 5-0 win. “For not having played together a lot, they had a really good time with each other,” Barclay said. “It was an easy transition to go from competing against each other to being on the same team. This team was fun to coach. We just let them go play, and they took care of business. It was impressive to see 12 kids who had never played together go out there and be successful, it was pretty cool.”
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Volume 2 Issue 8
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High School
High School
HOOVER READY FOR NEXT STEP
Last season marked a step forward for the Huskies. Now they’re ready to build on their success.
Tork Mason | Editor-in-Chief
Des Moines Hoover quarterback Brock Larsen passes against Waukee in the first round of the state football playoffs on Oct. 30, 2013. The Huskies lost the game, 56-13, but they laid a foundation that they’re prepared to build on this season. Larsen is a major part of that effort after throwing for 2,373 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior. (Photo courtesy of The Des Moines Register)
Des Moines Hoover made history in 2013, and the Huskies are ready to build off of the positive momentum created last fall as they enter a new season. Hoover had gone just 3-42 in the five seasons prior to 2013, but a 3-3 start last fall made it clear that something was different about the Huskies, and they reached the playoffs for the first time in 19 years. Head coach Will Siffin said it was initially difficult getting players to buy into what he was offering, because many of the kids had been through it all before. “There were still a lot of guys who were hung up on the past and how hard it’s been on the program and coaches,” Siffin said. “It’s hard [for players] to sell themselves to a program that’s fallen. Other coaches have come in with high spirits, wanting to turn things around, and it just never happened. But then, it starts to happen and they start to believe.” The Huskies still battle low participation numbers — there are just 35 players on the varsity roster in a class that routinely sees rosters of 60 players or more — but Siffin said they hope to make up for lack of depth with a strong group of starters. “We still deal with low numbers, but these kids who stick around and gut it out are higher-quality athletes than I’ve ever trained here,” Siffin said.
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Most of those playmakers do their damage through the air, headlined by senior quarterback Brock Larsen. Larsen was one of the most prolific passers in Class 4A in 2013, as he threw for 2,373 yards and 22 touchdowns, both marks that ranked among the best in the state. His top two targets from last fall, Dejorian Thedford and Nic Snider, are both back and junior Dom Marchel is making his debut for the Huskies this year. Thedford stands at 6-3 and is getting looks from Iowa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa and North Dakota State after hauling in 33 receptions for 680 yards and 6 touchdowns as a junior. Snider led the team with 34 receptions and tallied 523 yards and 4 scores. Marchel, in his first varsity game, caught 9 passes for 156 yards against Urbandale on Aug. 29. Siffin said he’s designed his offense to both utilize the talent he has in the passing game and take pressure off of an offensive line that is physically outmatched by most Class 4A defenses. By spreading the field with such a bevy of weapons that the defense has to respect, the Huskies can more easily attack weaknesses. Still, Larsen said team’s low numbers force the Huskies to get a little creative with defensive lineups in order to keep everyone fresh throughout a game and the season, and it highlights their fortitude.
“A lot of people [on this team] play both ways,” Larsen said. “It shows mental toughness, that we can have 20 guys while the other team has 80 guys; they can rotate two or three guys at one position, while we only have one or two.” The Huskies also displayed their resolve near the end of last season, when they had to rebound from back-to-back losses to Mason City and Dowling Catholic, and beat Ottumwa in Week 9 to make the playoffs. “That showed we were able to fall and still get back up on the horse that next week,” Larsen said. The passing game was very successful a year ago, but the players also got a confidence boost when they competed in the National Select 7-on-7 Tournament in Hoover, Ala. There, Larsen and Co. competed against some of the nation’s best talent and got valuable experience that can hel the team this season. “Down in the south, they’re really fast,” Larsen said. “We saw a lot of speed at the cornerback position. They’re really fundamentally sound. Linebackers were big, safeties were big and fast. So we had to hit our spots and windows precisely, because the windows were smaller.” That experience nearly paid off on Aug. 29 against Urbandale. The Huskies faced a 28-14 SportsSpotlight.com
High School deficit heading into the fourth quarter, but Larsen found Thedford for a 35-yard scoring strike on the first play of the quarter and then tied it up with a 60-yard touchdown pass to Snider. The J-Hawks scored the game-winning touchdown with just over a minute remaining to get a 35-28 victory, but the big play potential of Hoover’s offense was on full display. Larsen finished the game with 421 yards and 3 touchdowns while completing over 60 percent of his passes and throwing no interceptions — a marked improvement in the two areas in need of the most work for Larsen. As a team that is often easily overshadowed by perennial metro powers such as Valley or Dowling Catholic, Larsen said the Huskies draw a measure of motivation from the fact that people write them off, but that the results on Fridays are what really matter. “People are like, ‘Who’s Hoover?’” Larsen said. “So we get some motivation to go forward and win, get our name on the map. But we don’t really care; we just want to go out and win.”
Des Moines Hoover’s Luke Powley is one of the Huskies’ top defensive players. He made 23 tackles and pulled down 3 interceptions as a junior in 2013. (Photo courtesy of The Des Moines Register)
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Des Moines Hoover’s Dejorian Thedford is the Huskies’ top returning playmaker. He caught 33 passes for 680 yards and 6 touchdowns as a junior in 2013, and headlines a deep, electric receiving corps this fall. (Photo courtesy of The Des Moines Register)
Volume 2 Issue 12
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Student
Athlete
of the
MONTH
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CLICK IT OR TICKET Drew’s Q & A
What’s your favorite sport to play? Why? Football is my favorite sport because it becomes your second family. During football you grow closer to your friends as if they’re your brothers. What’s your favorite sports memory? Two years ago when we came back and beat GliddenRalston with a last-second field goal to advance to the UNI-Dome. I had it good through high school because I got to play all my sports with my older brother, Nick. Not many people get to experience that feeling. Do you have any fun pre-game “rituals” that prepare you for an event? After school before a home game, we go to Brayton and eat at Mel’s Diner. We have been going to Mel’s ever since I was a water boy in sixth grade. What’s your favorite subject in school and why? World history is my favorite subject because it interests me the most. One of my favorite teachers, Tony Petersen, has a good way of getting things across to simpletons like myself. Who inspires you? Why? Soldiers and veterans inspire me the most because they sacrifice their lives for our freedom. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be playing my favorite sport or learning my favorite subject in school. What is your dream job? Join a military branch and become a patrol officer.
Achievements Sports: Football, Basketball, Track and Field, Baseball Athletic Achievements/Honors: Football - First team All-District (2012, 2013); First team All-State Defensive Back, Des Moines Register (2012, 2013); First team All-State Defensive Back, Omaha World Herald (2012, 2013); First team All-State Defensive Back, Sports Spotlight (2013); Sports Spotlight Co-Defensive Player of the Year (2013); Basketball - First team All-Conference (2013-14); Baseball - First team All-Conference (2013-14) Photo by Tork Mason
College or post-high school plans: Undecided
Drew Peppers
SportsSpotlight.com Exira/Elk
Horn-Kimballton High School, Class of 2015, 3.2 GPA
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ELITES IN TOWN Waukee was a Class 3A school just eight years ago, and the Warriors quickly became a playoff fixture in Class 4A, making the playoffs in six of their first seven seasons in the state’s largest class. But they were never quite elite, never quite on the same level as perennial powers such as Dowling Catholic, Valley or Ankeny. After a 10-2 season and 14-9 state quarterfinal loss to eventual 2013 state champion Dowling, it appears that’s about to change this season. The Warriors entered this season ranked second in the preseason polls behind only Dowling Catholic. They boast a stifling defense and an offense powered by one of the state’s best running backs, senior Trevor Allen. But the biggest key to the Warriors’ success in 2013 wasn’t necessarily talent. Perhaps more important was discovering faith in themselves that they could truly be one of the state’s best. “Each and every week, we felt like — for the first time in our program’s history — that we would win the football game,” head coach Scott Carlson said. “Not that if things went perfectly, we could, but that we would win. That was a real tipping point for our program last year, and [last year’s seniors] gave us a great boost of confidence.” Senior defensive end Anthony Nelson, who is committed to play for Iowa State next fall, said it’s been a steady journey for the program over the past few years, and now the results are apparent. “It was a long time coming,” Nelson said. “It took a lot of work from the coaches, players in the weight room and developing our guys starting as eighth graders and freshmen. Finally, four years later, you can see the effects of that.” Waukee returns many of its key players from 2013,
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but that’s not to say there aren’t important questions facing this year’s team. All four starters in the secondary, including All-State defensive back Matt Hoeg, graduated; and four starters on the offensive line, three of whom are now playing collegiately, have to be replaced. Nelson said it was great to have so many starters returning, not just because this group is so talented, but because every position group has a senior leader that the rest of the players in that unit can look to for guidance. Carlson said following the team’s intrasquad scrimmage on Aug. 22 that everybody was getting a bit restless and was ready to start playing the games that counted. He added that while he was encouraged by what he saw in fall camp, he wouldn’t know for sure how his team was shaping up until after Week 1. “When you get out here and the lights come on — on Friday night with 6,000 people in the stands — that’s when you find out,” Carlson said. The new faces will have to settle in quickly, as the Warriors face a front-loaded schedule that features Valley, Southeast Polk, Dowling Catholic and Johnston in the season’s first month. Carlson said that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. It gives his team a chance to identify its weaknesses right away and get them corrected before the playoffs. And the Warriors certainly demonstrated that they are a force to be reckoned with this fall with their 28-6 dismantling of Valley on Aug. 29. Allen led the way with 168 rushing yards and one touchdown, while Pat Gray added 109 yards and a score. Quarterback Ben Ferkin threw for 83 yards and a pair of touchdowns to tight end Michael Jacobson. Allen is the player who grabs most of the headlines for the Warriors, and Carlson said the senior is the “complete package” at tailback with his combination of speed, size,
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WAUKEE
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Name, Name,and Name Three of the best Cross together breaking records.. etc... or a Quote
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vision and power. But Allen said this team isn’t just a one-man show, even if outsiders don’t notice it. “We have ballplayers all over the field on offense, defense and even special teams,” Allen said. “And a lot of them are overlooked. They play hard, to the whistle and give it their best. I see it; maybe not everyone else sees it, but I do.” Senior defensive end Anthony Nelson, who is committed to play at Iowa State next fall, disagreed with the suggestion that others are sometimes overshadowed by Allen. “We don’t look at it that way,” Nelson said. “We just want to win the game, and whoever gets the credit in the press, that’s their decision. We don’t care; we just care about the scoreboard, and we’re going to fight for each other.” Carlson said it’s great for his team to be considered one of the top contenders for this year’s state championship, but he said it’s still a bit early to declare it to be one of the state’s elite programs. The Warriors will need to earn that distinction on the field this year and beyond. “You take a measured approach when you’re evaluating a program,” Carlson said. “Was that a one-year anomaly, a thing that just comes out of a special group of kids? Or is it something that these kids are buying into the same way guys did last year, where this is becoming more of a standard? “That, to me, is what’s so exciting going into this year. How will we respond to success? Are we ready to take that next step? Time is going to tell.”
High School
High School
VOLLEYBALL: ELITE TALENT GALORE
With a bevy of skilled players back across the state, fans shouldn’t have trouble finding great players this fall. Darrin Cline | Contributor
Trinity Christian’s Mikaela Foecke is one of the state’s top players. She led the Crusaders to a runner-up finish at last year’s state tournament in Class 1A. (Photo courtesy of Holy Trinity Catholic High School)
The best of the best. Seven of the greatest volleyball players in the state of Iowa; this was the 2013 Iowa Girls Coaches Association (IGCA) Elite All-State volleyball team. For five of them, however, last year was only their junior campaign, making 2014 an opportunity for an encore performance. Looming large in Class 1A is the defending IGCA Player of the Year, Mikaela Foecke from Holy Trinity Catholic in Fort Madison. A 6-3 outside hitter, Foecke is an imposing presence with elite strength on the high school volleyball scene. “She really developed into a varsity player as a freshman; she was strong and athletic,” Holy Trinity head coach Melissa Freesmeier said. “She really does a lot of weight room work. People see her as more of a college player because of her build and her strength.” While Foecke had the strength, she had to refine her technical skills in order to reach the next level. She had dabbled in the sport since childhood,
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Dike-New Hartford’s Briana Weber was one of the state’s most efficient outside hitters last season, and she led the Wolverines to a Class 2A state title. (Photo courtesy of John Jensen/The Grundy Register)
but began delving deeper with high school on the horizon. In eighth grade, she joined her first club team, and the added practice proved to be the difference-maker. “I started to get a lot better that year,” Foecke said. “Before then, I couldn’t hit, but around that time I really started to figure things out.” Freesmeier said Foecke’s learning curve throughout her career has been steep. “Each year she improves because she does whatever it takes to get better,” Freesmeier said. “She’s become a smarter player and her court awareness is unbelievable.” It didn’t take long for colleges to take notice of these ever-evolving talents. Foecke drew interest from a number of major colleges before committing to one of the nation’s premier programs — the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Before she turns her focus to the college game, Foecke has unfinished business at the high school
level. Holy Trinity has been a regular visitor to Cedar Rapids for the state tournament, but hasn’t captured a title in the current senior class’ tenure. “After last year, we’re just working harder,” Foecke said. “We know what it feels like to reach the state title [game] and come up short; we don’t want to repeat that.” Among the most familiar faces in the annual title chase are the Wolverines of Dike-New Hartford. This year’s team is no exception, with two returning Elite All-Staters leading the charge. Rachel Koop and 2013 Class 2A Player of the Year Briana Weber are part of a deep senior class that has already won three state titles during their high school careers. “Our players truly want to work and get better to become complete players,” Wolverines head coach Diane Harms said. They are willing to work and try different things.” Part of becoming that complete player is understanding every moving piece on the court; this
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High School is where Koop shines. As a third-year varsity setter, Koop acts as the floor general for the Wolverines. “She’s a great floor leader; she knows who to set and has a good sense of where we need to attack,” Harms said. “Her versatility allows us to do a lot of things.” Harms relies on Koop to call most of the plays and determine where to send hitters. Often times the hitter on the receiving end of those sets is Weber, a six-rotation player who can be equally dangerous in the back or front rows. Despite standing at only 5-9, Weber has started all four years as an outside hitter. Her tremendous leaping ability has propelled her to the elite level. To bolster her physical skills, Weber has added more offensive weapons to her arsenal. “She has really started to add more shots and increased her shot selection,” Harms said. “She’s working her way into running different sets and she’s attacking from different zones.” While Koop may often be the vocal leader and play caller for the Wolverines, Weber tends to take the focused and quiet approach, leading by example
Dike-New Hartford’s Rachel Koop led Class 2A with 1,130 assists in 2013. Koop will play for Northern Iowa next year. (Photo courtesy of John Jensen/The Grundy Register)
in her work ethic. Both styles attracted college coaches, with the pair choosing to continue playing together at Northern Iowa next year. Another in-state college recruit has returned to try and help her squad win another state championship. Harlan’s Jess Schaben is back for her senior season after guiding her squad to the 2013 state title and a No. 1 ranking to open the 2014 Class 4A poll. Angie Spangenberg took over the Harlan program in 2011, during Schaben’s freshman year. It didn’t take long for the coach to realize the talent awaiting her. “She’s got a great wingspan,” Spangenberg said. “Her arm is extremely quick; it’s like a whip out there. From top to bottom, from the time she contacts [the ball] to when she finishes is very fast. That contact is very fast and is what makes her stand out, what makes her very, very effective.” With Spangenberg at the helm and dedicated roster from top to bottom, Harlan captured the state title, the first volleyball championship in school history. It’s a dedication to improvement that has paid off for Schaben. “She’s physically a lot stronger,” Spangenberg said. “You can tell she put quality time in the weight room and she’s dedicated to developing core strength. She couldn’t be the all-around player she is without making that commitment.” Those talents are not limited to the volleyball court. Schaben has also excelled as a basketball star for the Cyclones. Harlan captured last year’s state championship, with Schaben earning AllTournament team honors. “I have no doubt that she could have played collegiate basketball,” Spangenberg said. “She’s a competitor, no matter what sport she’s out for you are going to get 100 percent of pure athleticism.” Even with her basketball prowess, Schaben’s greatest passion remains volleyball, and she has committed to play for Iowa State next season. Ankeny Centennial’s Jaali Winters didn’t find her passion for volleyball quite as quickly. As a fifth grader, Winters hated the idea of playing volleyball, but her mother wanted her to give it a shot. Seven years later, she has embraced the idea. Winters has moved around to different positions throughout her career, but has found a home as an outside hitter. Jess Rinehart had been a volunteer coach for Ankeny during Winters’ freshmen and sophomore seasons, and when the school district split into two high schools, Rinehart took over as the Ankeny Centennial head coach. Her athletic ability was never in question, so the
focus for her coaches became refining her skill set. “I knew she was very talented from our time at Ankeny,” Rinehart said. “Since then she has really stepped up as a leader. She’s focused and comes in every day wanting to get better. She’s a great competitor and never wants to lose.” That competitiveness is evident throughout the Centennial roster. The team reached the Class 5A semifinals in 2013 and entered 2014 at No. 1. “We started this season stronger than we did last year, and we just need to keep building on that foundation,” Winters said. “Individually, my composure is much better. I’m less jumpy and I feel more confident out there.” Though the season is still young, both the player and coach have seen necessary improvements being made. “She’s developing more shots,” Rinehart said. “She’s always had power and been able to power through blocks, but she’s learning different ways to score.” Much like her four fellow returning Elite All-State players, Winters will be continuing her volleyball career beyond high school. The 6-2 hitter has verbally committed to play for the Creighton next season. The bottom line this season: fans shouldn’t have much trouble finding elite talent near the nets.
Ankeny Centennial’s Jaali Winters was second in Class 5A with 534 kills in 2013. She is committed to play for Creighton next fall. (Photo courtesy of The Des Moines Register)
www.agentkeithh.com SportsSpotlight.com
Volume 2 Issue 12
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Cole Jackson Photo by Tork Mason
Bemis was dazzling throughout the state softball tournament. The senior led the Indians to their second state championship in school history, fanning 23 batters in 17 innings of work. She was named the Class 3A All-Tournament team captain after edging Bondurant-Farrar, 7-6, in the state title game.
Jackson was superb on the mound in the state tournament. He tossed a complete game no-hitter and struck out 15 batters in a 7-1 quarterfinal win over Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto, and fanned 10 in a 4-hit shutout against Dyersville Beckman to lead the Comets to their first-ever state title.
Nelson was solid all season and was a key cog in the Tigers’ drive for a state tournament bid. He finished the season with a 7-3 record and a 0.97 ERA, and did so without overpower hitters. He struck out 58 batters in 72.1 innings and held opposing hitters to a .185 batting average.
Photo courtesy of Brindley family
Brindley capped her senior season by leading the Cardinals to the Class 2A state title. Brindley pitched all 21 innings and allowed just 6 runs, including only 3 earned runs, on 5 hits. She also fanned 16 during the tournament. She finished the season with a 22-3 record and 169 strikeouts in 142 innings pitched.
Brooke Wilmes Photo by Tork Mason
Wilmes’ youth didn’t show at the state tournament. The freshman went 7-for-9 with four doubles, a homerun, 8 RBI and 8 runs scored during the Dragons’ Class 5A title run. Wilmes was also named the AllTournament team captain.
Jay Campbell
Senior | Dav. Assumption
Photo by Tork Mason
Kaylie Brindley
Freshman | Johnston
Senior | WDM Valley
Nicky Nelson
Senior | Earlham
Photo by Tork Mason
Senior | North Polk (Alleman)
Senior | Clarke (Osceola)
Libby Bemis
Photo by Tork Mason
Campbell saved his best for last on the diamond. The senior scattered 5 hits and 4 strikeouts in the Class 3A state championship game, leading the Knights to a 1-0 victory over Dallas Center-Grimes. The title was Assumption’s ninth, tying Kee (Lansing) for the most summer championships in Iowa history.
In the
Spotlight high school This page presented to you by:
Each month we publish youth and high school action photos from around the state. We would love to get yours! Send us your photos at support@sportsspotlight.com Photos of the Aug. 28 game between Davenport Assumption and Bettendorf courtesy of Mike Ruefer. Photos of the Aug. 29 game between Solon and Iowa City Regina taken by Tork Mason. Photos of the Aug. 29 game between Waukee and Valley courtesy of Impact Imagery.
Health & Fitness
GET THE SCOOP ON KNEE INJURIES Sponsored articles from Des Moines Orthopaedic Surgeons Why is the ACL so important? The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is located on the inside of the knee joint originating from the femur and attaching on the tibia. It helps to provide stability and rotational control of your knee. It also secondarily protects your meniscus and articular cartilage inside your knee from seeing increased stresses that could cause damage. The ACL can be injured through both contact and noncontact sports. Patients will express they felt a “pop� and shortly afterwards the knee will swell. Usually, the swelling will subside and the patient will feel fine when running in a straight line, but cutting activities will feel different and the knee will give out frequently. Active people of all ages usually opt to have surgery to reconstruct their ACL. By doing so, it will allow them to return to sports and protect the remaining intra-articular structures in the knee. Return to sports is usually in the 4-6 month range depending upon severity of injury and progress with rehabilitation. Prevention techniques such as proprioceptive training, plyometrics and core strengthening are now being
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taught at the grade-school and high school levels. Information provided by Dr. Jason Sullivan, Sports Medicine Doctor, Des Moines Orthopaedic Surgeons, 6001 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, (515) 224-4250.
What is a meniscus tear and how is it treated? Knee pain is one of the most common presenting complaints at most orthopaedic surgery offices. Meniscus tears are the most common knee injury seen at orthopaedic centers. Menisci are cartilage structures in our knees that act as shock absorbers. While menisci are very good at absorbing compressive loads, they can be easily torn with twisting movements. Another common mechanism of injury for damaging a meniscus is very deep bending, especially deep bending while carrying or lifting heavy loads. Pain over the inner or outer knee is the most common sign of a meniscal tear. Swelling in the knee is also frequently seen with meniscus tears. Screening X-rays or an MRI are typically taken for patients with persistent pain in the knee. Nonsurgical treatment consists of rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy. Unfortunately, the majority of the meniscus has a very poor blood supply, which leads to poor healing, making surgical treatment of meniscal
tears frequently necessary. Knee arthroscopy is an outpatient surgery that can be used to either trim or repair a torn meniscus. Thankfully, recovery from knee arthroscopy is typically rapid. Information provided by Dr. Chris Nelson, Hip and Knee Surgeon, Des Moines Orthopaedic Surgeons, 6001 Westown Parkway, (515) 224-4230.
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High School
SOLON SNAPS REGINA STREAK AT 56 IN OT THRILLER The Spartans battled to the end of an instant classic that had a little of everything, and put a stop to the state’s longest-ever winning streak in the process. Tork Mason | Editor-in-Chief
Solon’s Connor Ham closes in on Iowa City Regina quarterback Drew Cook after a fumbled field goal snap on Aug. 29. Cook was tackled for a loss on the play, and Solon won the game, 29-28, in overtime. (Photo by Tork Mason)
Solon quarterback Brandan Childs rolled to his right, slipped out of a tackle and fired a pass into the end zone, where Connor Ham was open and waiting to haul in a historic reception. Ham caught the pass from his knees for a 2-point conversion to give the Spartans a 29-28 overtime victory over Iowa City Regina, snapping the Regals’ record 56-game winning streak and creating bedlam as Solon players and fans rushed the field. It capped a thrilling contest that saw both teams make big plays and goal line stands, even through occasional bouts of rainfall. Spartans head coach Kevin Miller said after the game that his team had earned the chance to go for the win when Ham pulled Solon to within 28-27 on a 6-yard end around in overtime. He called timeout and dialed up the play that would decide the game, one way or another. “We came this far; these kids battled for four quarters,” Miller said. “We made some crucial mistakes, but we kept battling, scratching, clawing our way. And we were going to go out on our terms. We had nothing to lose; when you’re playing a team that’s won 56 games in a row, you have to take a chance.” Miller was tasked with replacing the bulk of a lineup that reached the Class 3A semifinals in 2013, including former quarterback Jacob Black. But Childs, a junior making his first varsity start, was up to the task in a big contest. Childs completed 14-of-19 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown, lending balance to an offense spearheaded by Ham
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Solon’s Halston Durr (6) and Logan Linderbaum celebrate Durr’s 16-yard touchdown reception against Iowa City Regina on Aug. 29. The Spartans won the game, 29-28, in overtime and snapped the Regals’ 56-game winning streak. (Photo by Tork Mason)
and tailback Brandon Kramer on the ground. When he was called upon to win the game with his arm, Childs didn’t flinch. “I just knew we had to put the ball into the end zone by any way possible,” Childs said. “It worked out pretty well.” Childs and the Spartan offense weren’t without a few miscues, though. After Ham set the offense up with a first and goal opportunity inside the 5-yardline in the first half, a high snap sailed over Childs’ head and was recovered by the Regals to keep the Spartans from taking a 21-7 lead. In the fourth quarter with the score tied at 21-21, Kramer made a dazzling run to the 1-yard line, but Regina’s Nick Phillips snagged a Childs pass out of the air to keep the score knotted up. Kramer was quiet in the first half offensively, but the senior did produce one of the game’s biggest plays when he received a pair of great blocks to spring him free for an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown to put his team up, 14-7. He then steadily wore down the Regal defense in the second half, where he piled up most of his 118 rushing yards and scored an 8-yard touchdown that put Solon ahead by 7 points in the fourth quarter. Even though Kramer had been picking up yards in significan chunks throughout the second half, the Spartans were confident putting the game in the hands of Childs and Ham at the end. “We worked on a lot of [Ham’s] passes in practice, and we worked on that route for short yardage situations,” Childs said. “We knew that we had that
locked down in that situation.” Childs said knocking off a program as prestigous as Regina in his first-ever start under center was a great experience for everyone involved. “It’s crazy,” he said. “[Regina head coach Marv Cook] and [Regina quarterback] Drew [Cook] have a great program. It’s just a crazy feeling knowing we took down the elite team of all of Iowa and put their streak to an end. It’s a great feeling.” After the game, Miller praised his players for never giving up, even when adversity struck throughout the game and when the Regals finally tied the score at 21-21 and had the momentum. He also wasn’t shy about letting his players know how much the victory meant to him and the program. “I’m speechless,” Miller said. “Coming into this football game, as a staff, we didn’t know what we had in our hands. But you guys battled like warriors; that’s how Spartans play on this football field. This is one of the greatest wins in Solon history. We’ve won some championships, and this ranks right up there. “What you guys showed on this football field was nothing less than magnificent and spectacular. It was beautiful, to watch you guys play like that. It’s been a long time since I’ve made that comment.”
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