SPORTS
Creston News Advertiser Friday, November 1, 2013
7A
No. 11 Titans sweep Panthers in semifinal By LARRY PETERSON CNA sports writer • lpeterson@crestonnews.com
COUNCIL BLUFFS — Creston was unable to duplicate the performance of Monday’s regional win at Glenwood in falling 3-0 to 11th-ranked Lewis Central in the Class 4A Region 2 semifinal here Thursday. But, this time the opponent was much richer in talent. Junior Reghan Coyle smacked nine kills and senior Megan Driver and junior Abby Bergsten each provided eight in a 25-15, 25-22, 25-21 victory over the Panthers. Lewis Central’s aggressive serving accounted for 15 aces, but also 11 errors in three sets. “The shame of it is they have to play Harlan,” said Creston coach Polly Luther. “LC could beat many teams at the state tournament, I’m sure of it. All four 4A teams from our conference were put in the
same region.” Lewis Central (18-15) plays top-ranked Harlan (34-4) Tuesday. The match is scheduled at Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln, although with AL’s win Thursday night, that match may be moved. Creston ends one game below .500 (13-14) for the second straight year, but showed improvement throughout the season, according to coaches of both teams Thursday. “Oh my gosh yes,” said LC coach Dennis South. “They are serving more aggressive, passing better. It’s a quick defense. It’s wonderful to see the Hawkeye 10 grow the way it’s growing. Creston was 2-8 (in the Hawkeye 10) this season, but they beat a Glenwood team that went 4-6 and beat them in the regular season. So, yes, Creston made tremendous strides.” After falling behind 17-6 in the first set, Creston
played competitively the rest of the night against the state-rated Titans, who pushed No. 1 Harlan to a third set in a best-of-three match in the LC tournament. Creston was serving, trailing 22-21, in the second set before LC finished off the set on a 3-1 run. In the final set, Creston rallied from seven down to pull within one (11-10) on Nicole Haley’s kill and an ace serve by Brenna Baker. Later in that set, It was 23-21 on two strong serves by Sydney Dunphy. But, again, LC captured the final two points to clinch the victory. Luther said she hopes her players realize how close they are to getting over the hump against state-elite teams. “I hope they are convinced. It’s a mental
Raiders return to Van Meter By SCOTT VICKER
CNA sports editor • svicker@crestonnews.com
VAN METER — Back on Oct. 4, standing at midfield of Van Meter’s football field, Mount Ayr co-head coach Delwyn Showalter said he hoped maybe he and his team would be fortunate enough to get a rematch with Van Meter in the playoffs. The Raiders had just suffered their first loss of the season that night, a 14-0 battle with Van Meter, in a
matchup of teams that entered with undefeated records. Mount Ayr earned that rematch with the Bulldogs with a 30-7 win over Panorama in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs Wednesday night in Panora, while Van Meter advanced with a 41-0 win over Treynor. The Raiders constantly battled poor field position and turned the ball over five times in the loss to Van Meter on Oct. 4. “We’re excited about the opportunity to play them
CNA photo by LARRY PETERSON
Creston’s Jami Sickels receives a serve against Lewis Central Thursday in Class 4A Please see regional tournament action. Sickels was 5-of-8 on serve receive and had two digs in the PANTHERS, page 9A 3-0 semifinal loss to the 11th-ranked Titans.
again,” Showalter said. “We left the field up there that night, that was the thing we said, we wanted to get another shot at them. We get to go up there and see what we can do with them this time. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Challenges One of the biggest challenges for the Raiders will be containing Van Meter quarterback Brandon Brittain, a Please see RAIDERS, page 9A
Harriers ready for State Cross Country Meet By SCOTT VICKER
CNA sports editor • svicker@crestonnews.com
FORT DODGE — Saturday morning, the best cross country runners in the state of Iowa will convene here at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course for the State Cross Country Meet. A total of 14 area harriers will be among the best cross country runners in the state, as nine area individuals qualified and five more are a part of the first Creston boys cross country team to qualify for state since 1988.
Class 3A Besides having the first boys team to qualify in 25 years, Creston cross country also set a new benchmark with three individual qualifiers — the most in a
single year in school history. Juniors Maria Mostek and Jay Wolfe, along with sophomore Cooper McDermott all qualified individually. It’s the third trip to state for Mostek, who is the only girl in Creston cross country history to qualify three times. It’s McDermott’s second trip to state after qualifying in Class 4A last year for Newton. Wolfe is making his first appearance at the state meet. Mostek finished 24th as a freshman and 27th last year, while McDermott was 71st in Class 4A. The other members of the Creston boys team are Ben Irr, Garret Taylor, Kruz Adamson, Brant Hudson and Zack Peppmeier. “We’re looking to im-
prove,” Creston head coach Pat Schlapia said. “We still haven’t hit our best yet, and each time we’ve been moving up. Especially in October, we’ve been hitting our stride. These are the times we talk about wanting to peak.” Schlapia said last Thursday’s State Qualifying Meet in Winterset was close to a total team race for the boys, but he’s still looking for a bit more out of the boys team. “Our engine is seven cylinders,” Schlapia said, referencing the seven varsity runners. “Putting it all together, that’s something we expect to happen. Coach (Gary) O’Daniels and myself, we’ve been talking Please see STATE, page 9A
Directions to Lakeside Municipal Golf Course
CNA photo by SCOTT VICKER
Mount Ayr junior Riley Weehler tackles Panorama running back Alex Llanes during Mount Ayr’s 30-7 win over the Panthers Wednesday in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs. Weehler led the Raiders with 12 total tackles, including a sack and three tackles for loss.
The State Cross Country Meet is held at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course north of Fort Dodge. Fans driving to the meet can take Henry A. Wallace Road and Highway 92 to Stuart Road, through Stuart, where Stuart Road eventually turns into Highway 4 at Panora. Continue on Highway 4, which eventually turns into N Avenue and then Baxter Avenue. Turn right onto County Road D36 and then after 6 miles, turn right onto 230th Street, which will eventually turn into County Road D20 and then Kenyon Road. Make a slight left turn onto US-169 North and after 4.4 miles, turn right onto 170th Street. After 2.5 miles, turn left onto Nelson Avenue and continue for 2.8 miles to reach Lakeside Municipal Golf Course. Paid parking is available at the golf course and in the surrounding fields. The round trip from Creston is 236 miles. An alternate route would be to take Interstate 80 East to exit 110 for US-169. Turn left onto US-169 North and take it through Fort Dodge until reaching 170th Street. Turn right onto 170th Street and after 2.5 miles, turn left onto Nelson Avenue. Drive 2.8 miles until reaching Lakeside Municipal Golf Course.
Images of emotional moments show ‘essence’ of sports participation During our coverage of fall sports postseason action this week, I came upon two photographs that, to me, captured the essence of “why we play sports.” One was taken in the Glenwood gym at the conclusion of Creston’s upset victory over Glenwood in the quarterfinals of regional tournament play. The Rams had won the earlier meeting, 3-1, on the Panthers’ home court. This time, Creston came out with total dominance in a 3-0 sweep, when it counted. Glenwood’s only lead of the night was 1-0 in game two. I trained the camera on the players on the court just as the final point was being played out, with the other Creston players shown on the bench in the background. It played out better than I even hoped, as the Panther players — particularly middle hitter Natalie Mostek — showed a rush of emotion as her team scored the clinching point of the match. Everyone in the photo was showing pure joy and elation. A program that has taken its lumps for years had just done something unexpected by outsiders. But it was something they had worked
Straight shots Larry Peterson sports writer
for, and knew they had in them. That moment is what you think about on that seventh set of sprints at the end of practice, or the 6:30 a.m. weightlifting session. Or the mid-morning skills work in a hot gym in June. It’s when you come together as a team and achieve something you’ve worked toward. A moment of proving something, to the community, and to yourselves. ••• Yes, both the volleyball team and the football team lost to highly-ranked teams with superior talent the past two nights. The Creston/O-M Panthers fell 45-7 to No. 1-ranked Sioux City Bishop Heelan Wednesday night on the Morningside field where former Panthers Alan Smith and Briar Evans now play; and the Panther volleyball team was defeated by 17th-ranked Lewis Central Thursday night. But no matter what the circum-
stances, when that “final” moment comes, and you’re a senior, it hits you hard. Contributing photographer Terry Freeman captured the essence of seniors and coach sharing one last huddle at midfield Wednesday night, after coach Morrison had met with the full squad. It was an emotional scene. Tears were flowing. These guys had all gone through a lot together. Three playoff runs. Beating Harlan twice in a row for the first time in Creston history. A district championship their sophomore year. Summer weights. Summer 7-on7 sessions. Camp week in brutal heat. Playoff practices in wet, cold conditions. It’s hard to let go when you’ve become family with a group of people working for the same goals. This group really wanted to lead Creston’s first team to the UNIDome. But, you have no control over the quality of your opponent, and Bishop Heelan is a cut above. State runner-up last year, perhaps state champions this year. I felt guilty having to do my postgame interview with coach Morrison right after that embrace
CNA photo by LARRY PETERSON
Creston middle hitter Natalie Mostek (center) and teammates celebrate the final point of Monday’s regional victory at Glenwood.
with the seniors, because it was as emotional for him as for the kids. But, deadline duty trumped sympathy, and I plodded on. Coach Morrison was gracious with his time, and thoughtful answers, as always. ••• It was fun to bump into Morningside’s Smith, the former Panther.
He’s pumped for his own team’s title quest, as the No. 1-ranked Mustangs could be headed for a showdown against No. 3-ranked Grand View come playoff time. I also spoke briefly with former Panther standout Luke Neitzel, Please see SHOTS, page 8A