January 17, 2013 Sports 15Elliott, Trcka key bowlersWrestlers finishing season strong

With a national overall ranking of 18 at long snapping, Drew Scott is taking his talents to the Little Apple; Manhattan, Kansas. Scott is the first Division I football player to ever come out of Xavier High School. Next year Scott is planning on snapping for the preseason, 24th ranked, Kansas State Wildcats.

Oh snap! Scott commits to Kansas State

Senior Tara Trcka follows through her throw. Cassie Busch Photo

Q: How long have you been long snapping?A: “Since 8th grade.”

Q: When did you know you had a chance to go to college for long snapping? A: “This past summer I started going to camps and got talked to by different college coaches.”

Q: How does it feel to know you will be playing for one of the best college football programs in the country?A: “It really hasn’t hit me yet, but I can’t wait to play for a school with such great tradition.”

Q: How do you train to get better?A: “I work with a Luke Miller who used to snap at Coe and also played at Xavier. He’s a huge help.”

Collins Photos Connor CollinsSports Editor

Sometimes participants in different activities do not leave those activities behind when they grow older, but bring them along to the next chapter of their lives instead. Senior bowler Kyle Elliott is an example of a passionate athlete who wants to continue bowling for as long as he is able. He is not letting the end of high school end his love for the sport.

Elliott has been on the Xavier High School boys’ bowling team all four years of his high school career. He has stayed with the program because of the friendships he has formed and the great camaraderie that binds the Xavier boy bowlers into a fun-loving but competitive team. That is not to diminish the importance of the “coach factor” either. He attributes his steady improvement every year to Coach Russ Camacho.

“Coach Camacho is always helping us improve as individuals and as a team. Bowling has been a great experience, and I have stayed in the program because of the friendships I have made,” Elliott said.

The boys’ bowling team traveled to Maple Lanes to face Cedar Falls on Friday, January 11. The team lost 2713-2455. Junior Sam Hart was the top series bowler for Xavier, rolling a 338 series.

The Xavier girls’ bowling team could not catch up to Cedar Rapids Washington at the meet

on Friday, January 4, at May City Bowl after the Christmas break. Even with senior Tara Trcka’s 410 series, the highest series out of all the bowlers in the meet, Xavier lost 2618-2500. However, at the meet held on Friday, January 11 against Cedar Falls, the tide was turned. The Xavier girls got back into the swing of the season, beating Cedar Falls 2498-2140. In that meet, Trcka herself had a series of 436 followed by senior Abbey Konzen’s 330.

The Xavier boys’ and girls’ bowling teams will host Cedar Rapids Linn-Mar at May City Bowl on Friday, January 18 at 3:45 p.m.

Shannon MulcaheySports Writer

The Xavier wrestling team has continued to make a name for themselves as the regular season nears a close.

The Saints are ranked fourth in the MVC, with a 3-6 record, and an overall record of 9-14. The team lost to both Jefferson and Dubuque Hempstead in a double dual, where the Saints were lead by double wins from junior Nick Drahozal and freshman Clint Lembeck.

Lembeck was also a key contributor against Waterloo West and Prairie, where the freshman also picked up two wins in the Saints loss. The team bounced back and claimed a third place finish at the Loyd Shaffer Invitational at Marion. Senior Kory Donithan, juniors Joe Mulangaliro and Nick Drahozal all were champions for their divisions.

“As a team, we have developed and progressed a ton, and I would have to credit my win this weekend to Coach Chambers for pushing me harder and helping me with conditioning,” senior Kory Donithan said. Freshman Jeff Vipond and Clint Lembeck were second place finishers.

The Saints next host Dubuque

Senior and Iowa City High at home Thursday January 17 and then prepare to head into the Championship Season starting with JV MVC Tournament Saturday, January 26.

“As the year starts coming to an end, we have to keep with the grind, stay healthy, and finish strong,” senior captain Jake Konzen said.

Sophomore Camden Chicchelly tries to escape from his opponents grasp.Hailey Schiltz Photo

John RichardsonSports Editor