X(C) PRESS & DAKOTAN n PLAIN TALK FALL SPORTS 2015 n PAGE 11 Crofton Lady Warriors Look To Extend Dominance To A Decade BY BEN HEGGE sports@yankton.net CROFTON, Neb. — In October of 2006, the Crofton girls’ cross country team won its first of nine consecutive Class D Cross Country State Championships with five freshmen and one senior. Now in 2015, the Warriors are looking to complete their decade of dominance and win their 10th consecutive cross country title. “We have been blessed with great athletes that have always worked hard,” said Crofton coach Jayne Arens. “We are really excited for another year.” The Warriors will have big shoes to fill this season, as they lose their second, third, and fourth place team finishers from last season to graduation. “We do have big shoes to fill,”Arens said. “But I think we will have some girls step up and fill those rolls for us.” The Warriors do return their top runner in Haley Arens, who finished second overall in last year’s state meet with a time of 20:04. Haley, who happens to be the daughter of coaches Jayne and Jason Arens, will look to provide experience and leadership to the Warriors, as she enters her sophomore season. Crofton also returns junior Krista Zavadil and senior Kyla Dendinger from last year’s state championship team. With the Warriors on the brink of winning a tenth straight championship, this year’s state meet is not what on their minds. “We try to focus on each Krista Zavadil • Crofton and every practice and meet,” Jayne Arens said. “Our girls are making it a priority to do the best that they can do on each and every run, and that is all you can ask.” Despite the focus being on the present, the Warriors are thankful for the great tradition built in the past. “We wouldn’t be where we are today as a program if it wasn’t for all of the hard work and success by former athletes,” Arens said. “Our girls work that much harder and have developed high expectations from past leaders.” The legacy established by the Crofton girls’ cross-country team is truly something rare and special. Last season the Warriors ninth consecu- Kyla Dendinger • Crofton tive state title was a feat that no other team has been able to accomplish. This season Crofton will look to build off a strong group of runners that hope to accomplish what so many others have before them. “We have a great group of girls that are eager to run,” Jayne Arens said. “The blending of our veteran runners with our new runners will be the key to their success this year,” The Warriors will open up their season on Sept. 3 at the Niobrara-Verdigre Invitational. Follow @bigheadbenny13 on Twitter. Haley Arens • Crofton NEB. GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY Bloomfield-Wausa ASSISTANT: Laura Noecker VITALS: Class C, Lewis & Clark ConferCOACH: Duane Wilken ence ASSISTANTS: Jackie Freeman, Kirk LAST YEAR: The Wildcats lost two Hamm letterwinners to graduation, including RETURNING: Clair Trenhaile (Sr., state two-time state qualifier Anna Brodersen. qualifier) RETURNING: Anna Burbach (Jr., letterwinner), Addison Peitz (Sr.), Allie Rosener (So., letterwinner), Karli McCain (So., letterwinner) COACH: Jayne Arens NEWCOMER: Sydney Christensen (Jr.) ASSISTANT: Jason Arens VITALS: Class D, Mid-State Conference LAST YEAR: The Lady Warriors captured their ninth consecutive state title. COACH: Susan Brandon RETURNING: Keeley Hagge (Sr.); Kyla VITALS: Lewis & Clark Conference Dendinger (Sr., state qualifier); Krista NEWCOMER: Kayli Naeve (Fr.) Zavadil (Jr., state qualifier); Samantha Altwine (Jr.); Haley Arens (So., state qualifier, runner-up) NEWCOMERS: Hannah Steffan (So.); COACH: Tom Shafer Jessica Lange (Fr.); Mariah Dather (Fr.) VITALS: Lewis & Clark Conference Mikenna Stevens (Fr.) RETURNING: Sara Aschoff (Jr.); Lydia Haselhorst (Jr.) NEWCOMERS: Addie Villwok (Fr.) Crofton Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Randolph No Billboards. No Fancy Office. Just Unequaled Sports Coverage. The Press & Dakotan Sports Team. Hartington-Newcastle COACH: Mandy Hochstein List Electric FloorTec CERTIFIED Restoration Services “For Those Who Insist On The Best” Water • Smoke Mold • Fire Clair Trenhaile • Bloomfield-Wausa 665-4839 Lance Anderson Const. Inc. 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