Sports

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Sports

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Boys’ Basketball begins undefeated The boys’ basketball team is off to a hot start this season after winning their first two games against highly touted 3A teams. The Saints played their first game of the season in a home opener on November 26 against defending 3A State Champion Mt. Pleasant in the Ron Thillen Gymnasium. The Saints started the game slow, going into halftime losing 26-18, but Xavier battled back in the second half and won 60-48 in Coach Ryan Luehrsmann’s first game as the

head coach of the team. “We were really worried about this game,” Coach Luehrsmann said in an interview with MetroSportReport. “It’s a great win for us.” Junior Matt Nelson led the team with 17 points. Seniors Trey Sampson and Corbin Woods chipped in with 16 and 14 points, respectively. The Saints then went on to play their first away game November 30 at 3A pre-season number one ranked Waverly Shell-Rock. Xavier defeated Waverly in a close game, 49-46. Trey Sampson knocked down three 3-pointers and scored 19 points. Sophomore Adam McDermott scored 11 points and Corbin Woods had 10 points. “We’ve started off the season really well and we hope to continue our success,” Trey Sampson said. “We’re going to keep working hard as a team.” The team played at Ottumwa on December 4. The Saints will play again Friday December 7th at home against Dubuque Hempstead. The sophomore game begins at 6 p.m. followed Senior Trey Sampson brings by the varsity game. the ball up the court against Mt. Pleasant on November Alex Fox 26. The Saints won 60-48. Sports Writer Cassie Busch Photo

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Sugar Bowl Louisville vs Florida

Xavier High School

Bowling sets goals high Every team has its goals for the season and it is no different for the Xavier girls and boys bowling teams. Their main objective is to make it to the State Bowling Meet and bring home the trophy. The girls’ bowling team consists of six varsity members, all of whom are returning varsity bowlers from last year. Last bowling season, senior Tara Trcka qualified for the State Bowling Meet individually. Russ Camacho, the coach of both Xavier bowling teams, is setting his sights high on making it to the State Bowling Meet this year as a team. “I would like both teams to qualify for the State meet, and hopefully win our first State title. Individually, I would like everyone to improve and become a contributor to the team,” Coach Camoach said. On Tuesday, November 20, the girls’ bowling team hosted its first meet of the season at May City Bowl. Trcka led the team to beat Waterloo East, 2528-2454, by bowling games of 259 and 202. Seniors Abbey Konzen and Kari Brost, along with Trcka, notched the top three scores on the girls’ team. The girls again came out on top, rolling against Iowa City West

on Friday, November 30, with help from Trcka, Konzen and senior Kalie Drahos. They won by a score of 2406-2279. The boys’ bowling team brings back familiar faces as well this year, including sophomore Caleb Miller. Miller said his experience last year helped him make new friends and prepared him for this season. “I want to improve my spare shooting and improve as a team,” Miller said. He was the lead bowler for the boys in their meet on Tuesday, November 20, against Waterloo East at May City Bowl. Miller’s games of 180 and 266 and senior Kyle Elliott’s 410 series were not enough for the Saints to a win against Waterloo East, however, and they lost by a score of 3016-2966. In the second meet of the season, Miller, Elliott and junior Zach Klimesh led the team to a win against Iowa City West on Friday, November 30, 2767- 2666. Both the girls’ and boys’ teams play Friday, December 7, at May City Bowl against Iowa City High at 3:45 p.m.

Shannon Mulcahey Sports Writer

Wrestlers earn a victory The Xavier wrestling team has high hopes for their second season under Coach Ryan Chambers, this is apparent from the strong start for their first meets of the season. The Saints picked up the first win against Washington, defeating the Warriors 52-24. The results are contrary to last year’s score, when the Saints were defeated in a 67-9 loss. The Saints were the dominant team this year, winning 10 of 14 matches, including five pins. Freshman Jeff Vipond completed the quickest pin of the night in a mere 14 seconds for the 106-pound division. Football players returning to the mat also made a difference in the outcome this year. Juniors Sean Ickes and Nick Drahozal both claimed victories for the Saints, just a mere week after the State Final game. The Saints also competed in

the Independence Invitational, where the team placed sixth out of nine teams. Clint Lembeck was the highest finisher for the Saints, earning a second place finish in the 126-pound division. Sophomore Phillip Waddell, who wrestled in the 170-pound varsity division, left the meet with a neck injury, but is expected to make a full recovery. Even after the Independence finish, the team is still confident. “After defeating Washington, I feel confident saying we are ready to compete against some top teams and hopefully this is just the beginning of a great season,” senior captain Jake Konzen said. The team competes next on Thursday, December 6 at Dubuque Hempstead.

Marion: November 26- December 8 and December 17-31

John Richardson Assistant Sports Editor

Cedar Rapids: November 5-16 and December 17-29


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