Local Athletes Make All-League Teams

WAITSBURG -- The verdict is out and WP football topped the list for all-league players in District 9. Eight Cardinals made the cut for the 2011 season with head coach Jeff Bartlow receiving the nod for Coach of the Year.

"It's an honor," said coach Bartlow. "The kids work hard and it reflects on them too."

The Cardinals are still alive in state playoff action, and as of this last week, the players' statistics are impressive .

Bartlow's team is averaging 159.2 yards passing per game with 220.4 yards rushing. The Cardinals have an average game score of 41.6 points and had four players make the all-league offensive line .

On the defensive side, the boys of fall are averaging 75.9 tackles per game with 1.7 sacks. Four Cardinals also made the all-league defensive line.

Senior Zach Bartlow nailed the quarterback slot with 1,683 yards passing and 25 touchdowns. He also racked up 1,128 yards rushing with 20 touchdowns.

Junior Billy Brown was chosen for a running back position with 1,042 yards rushing with eight touchdowns.

Junior Dalton Estes was chosen for a wide receiver slot with 41 receptions for 650 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Senior Cadman Donovan made the offensive lineman group with 11 solo tackles, 27 assists tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Senior iron man Greg Stearns made the defensive line with 13 solo tackles, 55 assists and three and a half sacks.

Senior Eshom "Mongo" Estes was lined up right with Stearns on the defensive line with nine solo tackles 33 assists and five sacks.

Senior Dustin Wooderchak got the call for a linebacker with 17 solo tackles and 26 assists.

Senior Jus t in Zuger rounds out the selections as a defensive back. This stealthy Cardinal came out of the woodwork this season to lead his team in interceptions with seven so far this year.

BULLDOGS

The Dayton Bulldogs were right on the Cardinals heels with seven players chosen for the 2011 all-league team. The Bulldogs had a fabulous winning season finishing with a 5-4 record and were excited about their improvement from previous years.

Senior Hayden Fullerton was chosen for a running back position and junior Wyatt Frame nailed down a wide receiver position. Senior Joey Schlachter was chosen for the tight end position while junior Alex Naylor was a pick for the offensive line.

Defensively, senior s Colton Bickelhaupt and Garret Turner were picked for the defensive back position, and senior brick house Kroft Sunderland was an excellent choice for a defensive lineman.

VOLLEYBALL

DAYTON

On the volleyball side of things, the Dayton Bulldogs had three players chosen for the District 9 all-league roster. The Bulldogs added a first place district trophy to their trophy case before being eliminated from the district tournament with losses to WP and DeSales.

Junior Jessica Tate made the all-league team leading the Bulldogs with 98 percent serving, 21 aces, and 194 digs for the season.

Senior Nicole Lambert was a shoe-in with 244 digs leading the Bulldogs. She had 93 percent serving with 21 aces, and 73 kills.

Senior McKayla Bickelhaupt rounds out the Bulldog selections leading her team with 171 kills. She had 88 percent serving with 41 aces and 204 digs.

WAITSBURG

The WP Cardinals' power house Ronnie Hulce was also selected for the District 9 allleague team. Although stats on her were not available this girl can hit the ball. She was a consistent server who frightened her opponents with the strength of her swing, and bounced all around the court digging up attacks.

Only five honorable mention slots were available for the all-league volleyball team and WP received three of those slots. Kayla Huxull's hustle and bustle around the court setting up attackers earned her recognition and the blocking power of Dionna Baker could not be overlooked. Krystal Harris's versatility on the court proved to be a stable choice.

Congratulations to all of our athletes. Best of luck to you in the upcoming winter sports season.