Metro Sports Report

Washington super soph heads to state

Shannon Gorman is nervous. Mention Saturday’s state cross country meet, where she will be the lone representative from the Washington girls team, and she grimaces with tension.

“I feel sorry for people who have to deal with me the day before a meet,” she says. “I just don’t talk to anyone.”

Her coach, Lisa Nicol, is unconcerned.

“Outwardly, she doesn’t seem confident,” says Nicol, flashing a knowing smile as she describes the sophomore leader on her young team. “But as soon as the gun goes off, it all goes away and the competitor comes out. You can see the look on her face. She knows where to be on the course and what to do, and that’s something that’s difficult to coach.”

Evans, Linn-Mar girls seek state X-C titles

The Linn-Mar High School cross country teams will have their eyes on top prizes at the state meet in Fort Dodge Saturday.

Linn-Mar sophomore Josh Evans is one of the favorites for the individual Class 4A boys title after being ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the state for much of the season.

The Linn-Mar girls are ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 4A and hope to battle Dowling Catholic for the team championship.

"I like Josh's chances," Linn-Mar Coach Todd Goodell said. "It should be a good race between Josh and Ben Anderson from West Des Moines Valley."

Anderson is currently ranked No. 1 in Iowa and Evans is No. 2, but Evans defeated Anderson in their only head-to-head meeting at the Heartland Classic in Ames last month.

Keegan Cook, Chase Grabau, Daniel Murphy, Bryce Poellet, Tanner Rathje and Matt Simon will join Evans in Fort Dodge.

Linn-Mar senior Carolyn Newhouse has battled a problem with her right foot and has experienced pain in her left knee, so she might be less than 100 percent Saturday.

Kennedy spanks Saints, makes regional finals

The Xavier girls knew what Kennedy was going to throw at them on the volleyball court Thursday night.

They just couldn't do much about it as the seventh-ranked Cougars overpowered them, 3-0, in a Class 4A regional semifinal in the Kennedy gym.

Lions make quick work of Clinton

Wednesdays are scrimmage days for Linn-Mar during the regular season. They are usually more strenuous than the workout the Lions got against Clinton.

Mark Atwater raced 66 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage to start No. 2 Linn-Mar's 47-0 rout of Clinton in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs Wednesday night at Linn-Mar Stadium.

Linn-Mar advances to Monday's second round. The Lions (10-0) will host Cedar Rapids Washington, which beat Davenport Assumption, 38-35. The Lions drilled the Warriors, 56-7, in a Week 7 game at Kingston Stadium.

Atwater finished with 84 yards and two touchdowns, and also completed all four of his passes for 77 yards and another score. He did all that in the first quarter, which ended with the Lions holding a 27-0 lead.