Bulldog Sports Round-up — Oct. 19, 2017
- Published: October 19, 2017
Cross Country
On Friday, Oct. 13, the McKinney girls won the Cross Country Metro Buckeye Conference Championships at Cedarville University with a perfect team score. The first five finishers were all Lady Bulldogs. Coach John Gudgel commented that this very rare occasion was enabled by a very determined and dedicated team, as well as the exceptional capabilities of Head Coach Isabelle Dierauer. All McKinney girls ran personal records in this race, most dropping an entire minute of their already competitive times.
Leading the charge to the finish was League champion Cheyan Sundell-Turner in a fine time of 14:12. Runner-up, overcoming an ankle sprain, was Sophia Lawson who strode to a time of 14:16. Completing the trifecta was Lily Rainey (14:17). Fourth and fifth place finishers respectively were Avery Reeder (14:30) and Maggie Knopp (14:49). Other valuable contributors to the league title were Rosemary Burmester (9th), Josie Dewine (11th) and Carina Basora (14th).
The McKinney boys team also put together a fine performance with a 3rd-place finish — their highest team finish for the entire year! Krishan Miller earned all-league status with a 7th-place finish in a season best time of 13:04. Ethan Knemeyer also ran a fine race, with a personal record of 14:05, earning a 17th place. Adding to the team’s depth were Leif Walters (25th), Josh Clark (27th), Maddox Flatt (28th), Luka Sage-Frabotta (29th), Jason Knemeyer (31st), Liam McClean (32nd) and Tallis Onfroy-Curley (33rd). All demonstrated the teamwork of running together and pushing one another to season best efforts!
The YSHS boys demonstrated strong leadership to the entire YSHS/McKinney cross country program to earn a hard-fought 4th-place finish. Zach Lugo earned All League status with his 12th place finish. The remainder of the team ran in tight formation, including Mark Bricker (16th), Kaden Boutis (18th) and Eli Capasso (24th).
Ninth-grader Jackson Bleything flashed tremendous potential with a time of 23:42 and a 41st finish. Other valuable contributors were season-best efforts from Elijah Naziri (45th), Gideon Naziri (48th), Parker Bleything (49th) and Griffin Roberts (50th).
The unofficial “Comeback Runner of the Year” award during the high school girls race would have to go to YSHS Junior Jude Meekin who, after earning All-League status two years ago, was unable to compete last year due to injury, but overcame that setback and ran to a 2nd-place finish in a fine time of 22:21.
Varsity volleyball
The Varsity Volleyball team finished their regular season with two easy wins over conference rivals Jefferson and Dayton Christian. The Bulldogs celebrated Senior Night while beating the Jefferson Broncos 25–10, 25–5, 25–10. Senior Payden Kegley reached her 1,000th career dig. Senior Raven James led the Bulldogs with 22 points, 15 aces, 4 kills and 1 dig, while Elle Peifer served up 10 points, 8 aces, 4 kills and 2 digs. Amani Wagner and Kelsie Lemons both contributed 7 points and 6 aces each, with Lemons putting down 4 kills while Wagner had 1 kill and 1 block. Wagner also put up 8 assists for the Bulldogs. Dede Cheatom helped out with 2 kills and 1 block. Elly Kumbusky took a turn at serving adding 5 points with 2 aces to the total. Payden Kegley took off her libero jersey for a chance to play the front row earning 3 kills, 4 points, 4 aces, 1 assist and 4 digs.
On Thursday, Oct. 12, the Bulldogs seniors took their home floor for the last time with a win against Dayton Christian 25–10, 25–8, 25–9. It was a bittersweet day for the Bulldogs, as it brought to a close an amazing regular season. Tyler Linkhart scored 16 points with 13 aces, 10 kills, 10 assists, 1 block and 6 digs. Elle Peifer unleashed 13 points with 5 aces, 3 kills, 1 block and 2 digs. Alex Ronnebaum served up 6 points, 2 aces, 2 kills, 7 assists, 1 block and 4 digs, while Kelsie Lemons had 9 points, 7 aces, 6 kills, 1 assist and 3 digs. Dede Cheatom was on fire with 6 kills and 3 blocks, along with Raven James, who had 5 points — all aces, 1 kill, 2 assists, 1 block and 3 digs. Payden Kegley finished with 3 points, 2 aces, 2 kills and 6 digs. Elly Kumbusky ended the game with 3 digs.
The Bulldogs finished their regular season at 15–5 overall and 10–2 in the Metro Buckeye Conference for a 2nd-place finish. They will play their first postseason game on Thursday, Oct. 19, at Brookville High School at 7:30 p.m. against the Greeneview Rams. Coach Linkhart encourages you to come out and support the team!
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