Girls Volleyball seniors to State!

By Pete Mohr | November 12, 2008

volleyballVolleyball’s “Senior Night” win (Nov. 4) over “A.J.” and their victory at “P.V.” the next evening gave the Desert Sky champs a perfect 12-0 in Region play. The two “Ws” vaulted the Lady Falcons to the #4 seed and secured a State 1st Round home court advantage, Wednesday, Nov. 12, against Lake Havasu. (l-r) Ali Adams (Tina & Gene Dietz), Co-Captain Whitney Wilde (Susan & Bill Wilde), Co-Captain Shiann Fraley (Lori & Mike Fraley), Brittanie Morey (Christine & Ralph Morey), Erica Dykstra (Sandy & James Dykstra). LadyBirds are in a tough bracket, but “could … go … all … the … way!”
Photo by Pete Mohr

Last Friday, at “Football Factory #2”…

By Pete Mohr | November 12, 2008

Anne MontgomerySCOTTSDALE – Anne (“Annie”) Montgomery, the only female referee in Arizona (right), got Sonoran News pre-game attention! But not even the on-field presence of my friend, this multi-talented lady (journalism teacher at South Mountain High, novelist, former ESPN anchorperson) could ease the “got close” disappointment of the Falcons’ 28-45 final game loss to the #2 ranked Chaparral Firebirds on “Senior Night” at Chappie Town.

Headline sarcasm (above) put aside, the Chaparral football complex is some kind of impressive – and more than a little coveted by this sportswriter: the artificial turf playing surface and lighting that actually illuminates the entire field! Maybe … someday … when football becomes a tradition at Cactus Shadows …

I’m 1950s sorry for all you student “no-shows” (pitiful – again!) that you weren’t on-hand to enjoy some exciting football: at 9:54 of the 4th, trailing 13-24 (after two 1st half field goals by Bryce Redmond, sandwiched around a Danny Trittler touchdown reception from quarterback Dillon Classen), Senior running back Jackson Donahue burst off right tackle and sped 78 yards for a TD. A dumb unsportsmanlike conduct penalty (aren’t they all?) set the point-after attempt back to the Firebird 18. Spotted to kick from the 25, holder Paul Walsh shoveled the snap from Tyler Souva to kicker Redmond who threw a spiraling strike to Trittler at the goal-line right pylon! Falcons down by only three!

But the Birds’ comeback was short-lived. The Chappies exploded for three TDs over the next 2:36, their middle score set up by linebacker Chandler Frame’s race to the Falcon two with a fumble recovered in midair. Super back Duane Garrett hurdled for the six; and at 5:21, it was Garrett again for the last Firebird touchdown: Chaparral, now outta-sight at 45-21.

Still, these Falcs didn’t quit. At 8:45, Classen connected with senior Tommy Murphy on a 48-yard catch-and-run that made the 17-point final margin more-than respectable.
“Crow” sez, “Well done, Falcons!” Caw! Caw! Caw! You gave the Chappies your best shot. Playoffs next year, guys. Next year!

Harriers’ “Top Ten” At State!

November 12, 2008

cross countryOn Saturday, Nov. 8 the weather was near-perfect for Cross Country State Championships: temperatures in the low 70s, no wind. Coach Patty Egan’s Girls got the Falcons off to a good start at 9:25 a.m. – medalists Natalie Omundson’s strong 4th and Stephanie Light’s 23rd pacing the LadyBirds to a 5th place finish. Next up, at 10:40, Coach Cara Van Ecks’s Boys. Co-Captain Kyle Short (“I was pleased that I could run my race”), a critical 2nd, with Austin Miles notching 4th. Cody Williams’ 17th gave the Falcon Guys three medalists out of the first 28 finishers, good for runner-up honors (and a trophy!) behind those “other Falcons,” Tucson’s Catalina Foothills. Girls 5th and Boys 2nd was the best CSHS combined finish at State. (above, l-r) Ryan Storck, Austin Miles, Alex Kaufman, Co-Captain Short, Cody Williams, Coach Van Eck, Jordan Bagnall, Keith Omundson (holding “Justin,” the team’s good-luck traffic cone “mascot”) and Evan Williams (alternate). Congratulations, Coaches and runners – and to Ben Cresswell on his unselfish, supportive co-captaincy.
Courtesy photo

Golf’s record-setting gals win big!

November 12, 2008

girls golfCSHS School Counselor Mike Sarraino is not given to superlatives; so when he praised to Sonoran News, “These girls are fantastic! On and off the course!” that said it all about his newly-crowned Girls Golf State Champions. At Tucson’s Randolph Park Golf Complex, Nov. 5-6, the Lady Falcons (by a 27-stroke margin!) won their fourth State Championship in six seasons – this one their first back-to-back titles. Senior Lauren Weaver’s “lights out” 68-66 for medalist honors; freshman sister Lindsey’s 3rd; freshman Lily Bartell’s 4th; Senior and Captain Reba Schneider’s tie for 8th; sophomore Beau Bremer’s 77 (1st day); and senior Kelli Nakano’s 79 (2nd day): those scores back up Coach Sarraino’s summary critique: “the most dominant performance of our four championships.” Their two-day total of 572 was only two strokes off 5A Xavier’s 2006 record. (l-r, with Coach Sarraino) junior Linnea Norton, Bartell, Nakano, Captain Schneider, Lauren Weaver (holding medalist trophy), Lindsey Weaver, Bremer. Ladies, “Congratulations” doesn’t even come close!
Courtesy photo/Bonnie Nystrom