AREA HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Oct 26, 2000 by Capital-Journal

Valley Falls

Volleyball --- The Dragons finished the season 7-22, falling to Jefferson North 15-7, 16-14 in the first round of the 2A sub-state at Wathena.

Wabaunsee

Cross country --- Keen Umbehr and Coye Crenshaw-Kleve collected berths for Saturday's Class 3A state meet with their performances at the Horton regional. Umbehr just nipped Sabetha's Eric Girton at the finish to win the regional crown in 17:37. Crenshaw-Kleve was 16th in the girls' race, but picked up the final individual berth.

Volleyball --- Wabaunsee finished the season 10-15, getting eliminated in the first round of the Silver Lake sub-state by Riley County.

Other league notes

Lyon County League --- Olpe and Lebo made it a 1-2 league finish at the girls' 2-1A cross country regional at Hayden. Defending 2-1A champion Olpe scored 22 points and had the regional champion in freshman Michelle Stueve, a third from sophomore Allison Samuels, a fifth from freshman Mandy Cole and a ninth from freshman Sheila Zeller.

Lebo's Nichole Combes was runner-up and freshman Megan Novotny was ninth, helping the Wolves to their first team berth with 51points.

In the boys' race, Olpe picked up the final team berth, scoring 91 points. Junior Dustin Ballinger made it an Eagle sweep, edging Madison's Aaron Kennedy by seven seconds.

The league had three teams at the Madison volleyball sub-state, but none were able to capture a berth in Saturday's Class 1A state tournament in Hays. Waverly and Flinthills both reached title matches, but Waverly fell to Hope 15-6, 15-10 and the Mustangs lost to Thayer 15-9, 14-16, 15-7. Lebo also lost to Thayer 15-11, 11-15, 16-14.

Lebo's Ashley Gourley was also a top-10 Kansas finalist in the Wendy's High School Heisman.

Mid-East League --- Defending Class 3A champion Northern Heights pulled off a regional sweep at Central Heights. The Wildcat girls got top-10 finishes from Amy VanGundy (second), Kari Robidou (sixth), Ashley Johnson (eighth) and Morgan Howard (ninth) and held off Mission Valley 30-38. Heights' boys edged Central Heights 43-48. Justin Johnson was third, while Ryan Marcotte (eighth) and Garett Frank (10th) also were in the top 10.

Riley County's boys won their regional and the Falcon girls were second at the Southeast of Saline regional. Erin Mortimer won the girls' race in 11:54 and Luke Sigle was third in the boys' race.

Sigle and fellow Falcon Ashley Oplinger also were named Wendy's High School Heisman finalists.

Big Seven League --- Sabetha captured the boys' crown at the Horton 3A cross country regional, scoring 53 points. The Bluejay girls also qualified for state with a third-place finish.

Nemaha Valley upheld its top-seed status at its own 3A volleyball sub-state, rolling to the title. The Panthers (26-6) topped Effingham 15-11, 15-13 in the title match for the state berth.

Delaware Valley League --- Mt. St. Scholastica and Horton finished 1-2 in the girls' team standings at the Horton 3A cross country regional, earning state trips. Oskaloosa's boys also will go after taking third.