Sports
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Xavier High School
Peyton Manning signs with the Denver Broncos Before the NFL season begins, the Denver Broncos will have a new quarterback taking over the team. Peyton Manning signed a five year, $96 million deal with the team on March 20. Manning played for the Indianapolis Colts for 13 seasons before being released by the team on March 7. Manning sat out the 2011 season due to surgery on his neck. During that season the Colts went 2-14 with Kelly Collins coming out of retirement to quarterback the team. The Colts owner, Jim Irsay, stated that no Colt will wear Manning’s number 18 again. Manning was persuaded to play for the Broncos by owner Pat Bowlen and former Broncos
quarterback and current Executive Vice President of Football Operations, John Elway. Manning will be replacing Tim Tebow as the starting quarterback. Tebow was traded to the New York Jets on March 21, after the Broncos signed Manning. Tebow will now become the back-up to Mark Sanchez and will go in during the games when the offense uses the Wildcat formation. The Broncos and Manning are expecting great things from the team. Manning stated in his introductory press conference that he wants nothing less than a Super Bowl win. Manning will have many receivers to throw the ball to. Eric Decker led the team last season in receptions,
yards, and touchdowns. Another target for Manning will be Demaryius Thomas who caught four touchdown passes last season. Manning will also have the option to hand the ball off to running back in Willis McGahee, who rushed for 1,199 yards and four touchdowns last season. Tebow is also expecting big things from his new team. Tebow may not get much playing time while backing-up Sanchez, but when in, Tebow will also have many receivers to throw the ball to. The Jets are led by Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress, who combined for over 1,000 yards and 16 touchdown catches. Last season, Tebow was not
named starting quarterback until late into the season. During a period of six games, Tebow led the Broncos to a 6-0 record, many of the wins coming on late drives in the fourth quarter to win the game. He threw for 1,729 yards and 12 touchdowns as well as 660 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. The NFL season begins April 26 with the draft which ends on April 28. The first regular season game is September 5 in a match up between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. The full schedule has yet to be released. Ryan P. Milke Assistant Sports Editor
Xavier girls’ soccer starts season on the right foot The Xavier girls’ soccer team began their quest for a seventh straight soccer title April 3 against Cedar Rapids Prairie. Xavier came into the season ranked no.1 in 2A under head coach Doug Graham. Junior Kayla Armstrong scored first in the 26th minute. Armstrong added another goal, and Senior Lauren Konchar scored two goals to lead the Saints to a
4-0 victory. The team then took on Waterloo West April 10. Armstrong and freshman Elizabeth Bailey scored three goals apiece and Annie Dale scored two as the Saints won with ease, 11-0. “Everyone is faster this year and things are way different compared to middle school soccer,” Bailey said. Sophomore Marissa Berutti, Freshman Sydney Wright, and Lauren
Mystery Athlete
Konchar all scored a goal a piece. The Xavier Saints defeated Jefferson, 7-0, at Kingston field on April 12. Dale scored three goals, Armstrong added two, and Junior Monica Busse and Bailey added a goal a piece for the Saints. “It’s going to be a tough year, there is a lot of good competition in our area but we’ve been working hard, and trying to stay together as
a team so we can win another state championship,” junior goalie Sarah Chicchelly said. The Saints are 3-0 on the year. The team plays next Tuesday against Cedar Rapids Washington. Alex Fox Sports Writer
John Richardson Sports Writer
Q: What sports do you participate in? A: I’ve played varsity tennis for four years. Q: What is your biggest accomplishment? A: Qualifying for state doubles last year with Lisa Cowden and getting sixth place. Q: What are your plans for after high school? A: I’m going to Coe to play tennis and major in athletic training. Q: What are your pre-competition rituals? A: I always eat pasta the night before, listen to music before the meet, and use a can balls with the number tree for the meet. Q: What are your goals this year? A: My goal this year is to qualify for state again and place higher than last year. Answer: Senior Laura Birky
John R. Van Heukelom, D.D.S., M.S. K. Jeff Westlund, D.D.S., M.S. Daniel S. Sarasin, D.D.S.
385 Third Avenue S. E. Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 319-365-8441