May 15, 2019
Libby Arnold, Sports Writer
May 15, 2019
Xavier football, basketball and track athlete is now the head varsity boys’ basketball coach. Xavier High School will welcome back Coach Mike Freeman, graduate of the class of 2001.
“This is an exciting time for me and my family. To lead the basketball program where I went to school is an awesome honor,” Freeman said. “I am really excited about getting going, getting with the players and getting ready for our season.”
Being a part of the Xavier community is...
Caitlynn Daniels, Sports Writer
May 15, 2019
With spring sports coming to an end, baseball and softball season are in full swing. Xavier’s baseball and softball teams have one common goal, the state tournament. The baseball team lost last year in the second round of playoffs and the softball team placed fifth at state. Both of these teams are looking to finish their seasons better than they did last year.
“We want to drop what happened at the end of last season and refocus our attention on this year’s team,”...
Keera Ball, Sports Editor
May 1, 2019
Many athletes strive to get stronger in order to improve their game. The Xavier soccer athletes have been given a new opportunity to become more flexible because Lisa Hanigan teaches yoga to the girls’ and boys’ soccer teams once a week.
“I believe it helps athletes to not only strengthen their muscles but also to keep them longer,” Hanigan said. “You want your muscles to be long and strong so that you can stay flexible and that means you are less prone to injury.”
Incorporating...
Caitlynn Daniels, Sports Writer
May 1, 2019
Growing up, sports were always a big part of junior Nick Fischer’s life. As a multi-sport athlete, Fischer had to learn how to schedule time for practice in multiple activities. From baseball to soccer, he has learned many valuable lessons about giving his all to every sport.
“Playing in multiple sports helps me, but it also means I am really busy,” Fischer said. “I played in an indoor soccer league during the off season because I wanted to try and get some touches...
Grace Ries Sports, Assistant Editor
May 1, 2019
“Amazing” and “excited”. These are the emotions senior Nathan Skala and junior Aubrey Jones felt after individually qualifying for the Drake Relays.
Skala ran on Friday, April 26 at 2 p.m. in the 800 meter open. He also ran on Saturday, April 27 at 10:03 a.m. in the 4x100 meter relay with seniors Christian Klein, Aaron Larson and junior Kaiden Cuevas.
“I am very excited to run at the relays,” Skala said. “My senior year, but my first time at the relays,...
Quinn Hanigan, Sports Writer
May 1, 2019
This freshman class brought a lot of new athletes to Xavier’s spring sports. Included in this class are boys’ tennis players Declan Coe, Hugh Courter, Brady Horstmann and Trenton Link. This group of freshmen have added youth to the boys’ varsity team. It is unusual for that many freshmen to be on varsity, as last year there was only one.
“My goals this season include making it to individual state for singles and playing in team state,” Horstmann said. “I also...
Caitlynn Daniels, Sports Writer
April 11, 2019
Behind every great athlete is a great coach. Behind every Xavier hurdler is Coach Korey Johnson. Coach Johnson has found ways to motivate his runners on and off of the track.
“I send emails and podcasts to athletes to help them with the mental side of the sport,” Johnson said. “If we believe that we have the ability to accomplish big things, we are much more likely to do so.”
Junior hurdler Libby Arnold has found the podcasts and motivational emails to be helpful.
“I...
Libby Arnold, Sports Writer
April 11, 2019
Eleven years ago, one Xavier athlete picked up a tennis racket and did not look back. Spending countless hours on the tennis court during the summer and on vacation will bring the best for the Xavier boys’ tennis team. Sophomore Matthew Schmit plays an important role.
“Matthew is very talented. One of his biggest strengths is the patience he shows when playing a match,” Head Coach Jim Potts said. “He does not always go for the big shots right away but waits for...
Grace Ries, Assistant Sports Editor
April 11, 2019
Hard work and dedication will lead one girls’ golf player through the season.
Junior Ellie Braksiek has been working every possible moment to improve her golf abilities.
“I practiced every day last summer,” Braksiek said. “During the winter, I practice indoors at Elmcrest. I also get lessons from my coach, Larry Gladson, once a week. I went to Palm Springs for Spring Break, and I was able to play four full rounds and practice every day.”
Through all of...
Quinn Hanigan, Sports Writer
April 11, 2019
As the school year is approaching the end, students are enjoying the spring sports for the fleeting time they are in season. For Xavier girls’ tennis players Madeline and Sarah Abu-Nameh, this will be the last opportunity to officially compete together as doubles partners. Maddie is a senior and Sarah is a junior graduating early. So, not only is this their last tennis season as partners, but the last of their high school careers.
“It is a bittersweet feeling for this...
Quinn Hanigan, Sports Writer
March 15, 2019
A chilly start is predicted for sports this spring in Cedar Rapids. Even with the cold weather, the time has almost come for Xavier boys’ soccer to start up once again. The defeat from last year is still fresh in the minds of seniors Andrija Mijatovic and Kristijan Smolcic, who are both from Zagreb, Croatia. They both were foreign exchange students at Xavier as juniors and are excited for a fresh season of opportunity.
For the two Croatians, the adjustment to the style...
