Sports
OFF AND RUNNING
Tribune Staff Cross country season begins Tribune staff Led by a third-place finish by sophomore Kaitlyn Dispensa, the Chanute High School girls cross country team took second place at the Labette County Invitational on Thursday. The Blue Comets actually tied for first place, but lost a tie-breaker and had to settle for runner-up. The tie-breaker looks at the time of the team’s sixth runner. Chanute only had five varsity girls competing....
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Comets earn volleyball wins on the road
Tribune Staff Jason Peake Tribune Sports Editor FREDONIA—The Chanute Blue Comets started fast and finished strong. The Comets quickly knocked off host Fredonia 25-8 and 25-15 on Thursday night. Chanute ended the night with a 25-12, 25-18 victory over Burlington. Chanute coach Gail Petersen said she was pleased with what she saw overall. “I’m really proud of them,” Petersen said. “The girls took some big steps tonight. The thing we gained toni...
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Humboldt cross country has high expectations
Tribune Staff Jason Peake Tribune Sports Editor The Humboldt High School cross country team has its goals set high in 2008. It’s not hard to see why. Cubs Coach Eric Carlson has two state qualifiers back in Andy Hill and Raquel Hill. “Andy and Raquel should lead the way for our team,” Carlson said. “Both qualified for state last year in cross country and in track.¬† They have logged some mileage over the summer and now have some experi...
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Comets open season at Parsons
Tribune Staff Football preview Jason Peake Tribune Sports Editor One year ago, the Chanute High School football team took the field with a large cast of new starters. This year, they’re back as experienced players. And when the Chanute Blue Comets hit the road to take on the Parsons Vikings in week one of the prep football season, don’t expect the nerves to be as bad this time around. “There won’t be as many jitters as last year,” Cha...
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Comets split season-opener
Tribune Staff Jason Peake Tribune Sports Editor CHANUTE—There may have been some opening-night jitters for the Chanute High School volleyball team. The Blue Comets opened the 2008 season with a loss to Colgan and a hard-fought win over Fort Scott on Tuesday at the CHS gymnasium. Colgan defeated Chanute 11-25, 25-15, 25-22. Chanute bounced back and knocked off Fort Scott 25-22, 20-25, 25-21 in the finale. “It was our first night out an...
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MR. VERSATILITY
Tribune Staff Martin does a little bit of everything for Comets Jason Peake Tribune Sports Editor Kevin Martin rarely takes a play off. Literally, Martin rarely leaves the field for the Chanute High School football team. Martin, a 5-11, 175-pound senior, does a little bit of everything for the Blue Comets. “He’s a jack of all trades for us,” Chanute Coach Don Simmons said. “He’s a talented athlete and he’ll do what we ask of him.” J...
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Champs crowned at Humboldt Speedway
Tribune Staff Scott L. Stewart For the Tribune HUMBOLDT—Congratulations to Humboldt Speedway’s 2008 points champions! And, a “Well Done” to all who participated in the 21 races held this season. The 2008 points champs are: Scott Cronk in Factory Stock; Todd Kidwell in B Mods; Jay Lamons, Jr. in Street Stock and Jess Folk, Jr. in Modifieds. This season’s last night was every bit as exciting as the rest of the season. Scott Cronk started off ...
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Blue Comets evaluated in scrimmage
Tribune Staff Jason Peake Tribune Sports Editor CHANUTE—A week before the season-opener, the Chanute Blue Comets went at each other under the lights in front of a large group of students, parents and fans on Friday night at Chanute Community Sports Complex. The annual “soap” scrimmage saw the first string offense reach the endzone time and time again. But in the structured game, no score was kept and there was no punting. The purpose of a s...
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COMETS ARE READY TO RUN
Tribune Staff Sharp will lead girls team Jason Peake Tribune Sports Editor It was the worst possible time to get sick. On October 20, 2007, Brooke Sharp and the Chanute High School girls cross country team headed to the El Dorado Regional. And with a trip to state on the line, Sharp was struggling with a sudden illness. The usually solid Sharp had her worst race of the season and missed out on the state meet. “It was terrible,” Shar...
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Comets fourth at tennis invite
Tribune Staff Jason Peake Tribune Sports Editor Not a bad start. The Chanute High School girls tennis team took fourth place at the annual Chanute Invite on Thursday. Neodesha and Labette County tied for first place with 10 wins each and Iola was third with nine wins. Chanute was next with eight wins and Columbus was fifth with three wins. Chanute coach Mike De La Torre said he was pleased with the team’s showing. “I’m really proud ...
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Boys hope to repeat as SEK champs
Tribune Staff Dimond will lead Comets Jason Peake Tribune Sports Editor Last year was a historic one for the Chanute High School boys cross country program. The team won the Southeast Kansas league title for the first time since 1974. And meet after meet, the Blue Comets ended up atop the team standings. But at the same time, the Comets were left disappointed when the season ended a little early. Despite high expectations, no one adv...
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Area volleyball glance
Tribune Staff Here’s a quick look at the area volleyball teams—Jason Peake. HUMBOLDT CUBS Coach: Staci Hudlin Last year’s record: 23-11 League: Tri-Valley Returning starters: Kelci Owens, senior setter (had a school record 482 assists last year, 50 aces); Lenzie Boring, senior middle hitter (89 kills, led team in blocks); Callie Umholtz, senior hitter (109 kills last year); Bailey Myers, senior libero. Also back are seniors Megan Di...
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BLUE COMETS RELOADED
Tribune Staff Volleyball team has goals set high Jason Peake Tribune Sports Editor The last time the Chanute High School volleyball team took the court, it wrapped up one of the best years in the program’s history. For starters, the Blue Comets are the defending Southeast Kansas League champions. Chanute went 27-11 overall and 8-0 in the SEK last season. The Comets came up one match short of the state tournament, falling to Labette County at ...
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Tennis team is optimistic in ‘08
Tribune Staff Jason Peake Tribune Sports Editor Mike De La Torre can’t hide his optimism. The head coach of the Chanute High School girls tennis team said he can’t wait for the season to arrive. “I’m always optimistic going into the season,” he said. “It’s a new year and everyone’s 0-0. I’m excited.” The Blue Comets open the season today with the Chanute Invite. The meet begins at 3 p.m. and will be held at Highland Park, Katy Park an...
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Men’s soccer team has goals set high
Tribune Staff Jason Peake Tribune Sports Editor The Neosho County Community College men’s soccer program has had two solid seasons back-to-back. Panthers coach Steven Harrison feels this year should be more of the same. The Panthers went 15-6-1 last year, finished second in the conference and were the Region VI tournament runner-ups. In 2006, NCCC went 15-5-1 and won the conference and the region. Harrison doesn’t have much back from...
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Sports briefs
Tribune Staff Isaac wins golf tourney Chanute’s Nancy Isaac won the Women’s Greater Kansas City Public Links Association two-day tourney on August 18 and August 20. The first round of individual stroke play was played at Tomahawk Hills golf course and the second round at Swope Memorial Golf Course. There were 54 players from the association and three flights, their largest turnout ever. Isaac made up two strokes on Wednesday at Swope an...
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Folk wins at Speedway
Tribune Staff Scott L. Stewart For the Tribune The irresistible force that is Whitey Folk continues at Humboldt Speedway, as the man scores another Modified feature win. It might be good though, if your Whitey, that the top six heat finishers drew for starting position. Things really open up for the guy that draws number 1 out of the hat, and your older brother, Jess Jr., is stuck with number 6, even though he’s got a rocket ship for a race c...
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Neosho County teams getting seasons underway
Tribune Staff Tribune staff Asya Herron is the new Head Volleyball Coach at Neosho County Community College. Herron takes over for Lindsay Sowder, who took an assistant position at Pittsburg State University. Herron is a graduate of Chanute High School and also attended NCCC and William Penn Univeristy, playing the libero position. She has been an assistant in the program and was a grad assistant at Pitt State. The Panthers’ top returner ...
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Comets schedule scrimmage games
Tribune Staff The Chanute High School volleyball team will host its annual scrimmage game on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the new gymnasium. The Chanute High School football team will host its annual “soap” scrimmage on Friday at 7 p.m.
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THE SECRET’S OUT
Tribune Staff Blanchard won’t sneak up on teams this year Jason Peake Tribune Sports Editor Week after week, Ty Blanchard patiently waited his turn. During the early stages of the 2007 season, Blanchard watched from the sidelines as the Blue Comets offense did its thing. “Coming into the season, he was probably our number three running back,” Chanute coach Don Simmons recalled. Eventually, as fate would have it, Blanchard got his cha...
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