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Falcons
finally fly
Cactus
Shadows has never been confused for a football powerhouse. Heck,
prior to last season, winning even one game seemed to be a major
accomplishment.
But
in 2005, the Falcons not only broke a lengthy losing streak, they
vaulted all the way to the state playoffs. Playing with one of
the most explosive offenses in the state, coach Chad DeGrenier
helped take the Falcons from laughing‑stock to playoff‑tested.
Juniors
Phillip Aholt, Eric Gorraiz and Kyle Watkins led an offensive
parade last season that shattered a handful of school records.
The Falcons ultimately finished a game under .500 at 5‑6,
but the 23‑13 loss to Queen Creek in the first round of
the 4A‑Division II playoffs only made the Falcons hungry
for more in 2006.
With
Aholt back at quarterback, Gorraiz returning to the offensive
backfield and Watkins still in the mix at wide receiver, schools
may want to invest in backup lightbulbs for the scoreboard in
2006.
Falcons
savor second state girls golf crown
Armed
with the best girls golfer in the state, the Cactus Shadows girls
golf team began the parade of seven state championships for the
school in October. The Falcons’ 1‑stroke victory over Catalina
Foothills in the 4A‑Division II state tournament was the
first of many celebrations the school experienced in 2005‑06.
The
Falcons picked up their second state championship ever as No.
1 Esther Choe won the individual championship by 8 strokes. Lauren
Weaver took third overall to help Cactus Shadows hold off a second‑day
charge from Catalina Footh dows first won state in 2003, Choe’s
freshman year. Choe became a major story later in the year when
she made the cut in March at the LPGA
Safeway International at Superstition Mountain Golf and
Country Club.
CSHS
nets 2nd volleyball title
It
wasn’t peace signs some Cactus Shadows girls volleyball players
were holding up after they beat Sinagua in November for the
4A‑II state championship. It was two fingers to represent
the Falcons’ second state title.
A
year after being knocked off the top of the perch following
2003’s state championship, the Falcons returned to the state’s
top spot thanks to a frantic week of wins at the State Volleyball
Festival at Glendale Arena.
Seniors
Rachel Oligmueller, Cortney Weedman and Lara Kilgore led the
way to the
second state crown, giving coach Karen Sitkiewicz a perfect sendoff
as she leaves for the head coaching job at Phoenix College.
Oligmueller
was the inspirational leader, playing the semifinals and finals
of the state tournament on a badly sprained ankle. The Falcons
also sported a supporting cast of underclassmen that should
make them a contender again in 2006.
O’Connor
football validated
Sandra
Day O’Connor’s football team knew it had to be ready for the big
time in 2005. With the realignment of the Northwest
Division and the Eagles playing their first full season
in a 5A region, it was time for the Eagles to soar. And soar they
did.
For
the first time in its short history, O’Connor qualified for the
state playoffs when its
6‑4 regular‑season record was good enough to get it
into the 5A‑Division II state tournament. The Eagles caught
a tough draw in the first round and ultimately lost at Sunnyside
35‑17.
The
successes were many, however. Quarterback Ian Michels went more
than 1,500 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards for the second
straight year and the Eagles achieved their second straight winning
season.
Coach
Rick Mey is hoping that the Eagles can progress even further in
2006. Could a state playoff victory be near?
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