Sports
14
Freshman Dickes’ success leads team Competing in a varsity sport is tough. Competing as a freshman or sophomore is even harder, especially if one has never even participated in the sport before. This is the case for freshman Jenny Dickes, who has been the top varsity girls’ cross country runner this season. To make it even more impressive, this is her first time in cross country. “We are surprised that she has done so well. We’re very proud of her and enjoy watching all the girls compete in the meets,” said Dickes’ mother, Pat Dickes. Upperclassmen, both for the girls’ team and the boys’ team, have contributed to the underclassmen’s successes by giving them advice on how to run the best they can. “Stick with cross country because it’s a great sport,” Senior Zach Schowalter said. In the Iowa City West Invitational, Dickes placed 20th overall with a time of 15:47. Junior Marinna Schroud placed 29th and sophomore Maddy Bailey placed forty 7th overall, which contributed to the teams’ 6th place finish. Dickes, placing 13th overall in the Clinton High School Invite, led the Xavier team once again to an improved 5th place finish. At the MVC Super Meet on Thursday,
October 4, the Xavier girls’ team placed 8th overall. “It is a bit nerve-wracking running varsity as a freshman, but this experience has been exciting. It has gotten a lot easier balancing cross country and trying to settle into high school because I’ve met new people and made new friends,” Dickes said. The Xavier High School boys’ cross country team has seen their players improve throughout the season, especially the freshman and sophomores who have been stepping up their game. “The freshmen are not afraid to run with the big boys in the front of the pack,” Sophomore Evan Gradoville said. The boys’ team placed 10th overall in the Iowa City West Invitational, they improved greatly in the Clinton High School Invitational placing fourth overall with their top ten runners. The team finished 12th overall in the MVC Super Meet in Cedar Falls. The Xavier girls’ and boys’ cross country teams will finish their regular season by participating in the MVC Divisional in Dubuque on Thursday, October 11.
Shannon Mulcahey Sports Writer
Dr. Douglas Recker St. Pius X Parishioner
Dr. Chris Moothart St. Joe’s Parishioner
319-393-4019 1475 Boyson Road Conveniently Located West off I-380 Hiawatha
Xavier High School
Swim Update: Asplund and Kenney Two Xavier athletes are forced to compete for other Cedar Rapids high schools in order to swim. Senior Mckenzie Asplund swims for Washington High School, and junior Carly Kenney swims for Kennedy High School. The two are given the option of which schools to swim at due to no swim team at Xavier. Asplund, a first team All- Conference selection the last two years, and a second team selection her first year, chose to swim at Washington due to their strong tradition of swimming success and also because she really enjoyed their coach. Both Kennedy and Washington swim teams have high hopes for the end of the season as districts near. Kenney primarily races for the Cougars in the 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, and in three relays. “I have really enjoyed swimming for Kennedy and all of my teammates are really nice and supportive,” Kenney said. Kenney has placed first in numerous events this year
including the 50 freestyle on September 19 against Williamsburg, the 200 freestyle against Jefferson on September 25, and the 400 freestyle relay on October 2 against Washington. Asplund typically races in the 500 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 200 medley relay, and 400 medley relay for Washington. Asplund has had a lot of success once again this year. She won the 200 medley relay against Dubuque Wahlert on September 25 and won the 200 IM against Kennedy on October 2nd. . “My goals for the rest of the year are to make podium in a couple of events at districts and to make state,” Asplund said. Districts will take place October 27 at an undecided location. Both girls swim on Saturday, October 13 at Washington High School at the MVC Swimming Championships. The meet is set to begin at noon. Alex Fox Sports Writer