Sports from the week of November 5, 2003

Spikers end with trophy

The Panther volleyball team had to settle for a consolation prize last week—the runner-up trophy for the Section 3AA North tourney.

Renville County West eliminated the Panthers in a five game match, 25-20, 25-15, 24-26, 27-29, and 15-9.

The Jaguars played well. They clearly had the edge on the Panthers in the first game and dominated the second. But in the third and fourth games the Panthers tightened their resolve and outfought the Jaguars.

The Panthers were down 24-18 in the fourth game and came back to take a 25-24 lead and go on to win the game. In the deciding game the Panthers ran out of steam.

"We had a lot of peaks and valleys instead of playing consistently throughout the entire match," said Panther Coach Katie Gervais. "We really played the type of game I would like us to play all the time at the end of the fourth game. It is very tough to come back by seven in regular scoring let alone rally scoring because you can't make any mistakes. The girls showed a lot of determination by doing so."

TMB gridders on short end of statistics battle

Davidson, Persons, Strand, Peterson among leaders

Panther football team was out-gained by about a three to two margin this fall.

Tracy/Milroy/Balaton, 1-7 on the season, mounted 1,730 yards of total offense while giving up 2,448 yards.

The Panthers had 733 yards passing and 997 yards rushing compared to their opponent's 751 yards passing and 1,697 yards rushing. The Panthers turned the ball over 19 times to 11 by the opponents.

Matt Persons was the leading rusher for T/M/B with 527 yards in 104 carries, good for three touchdowns. Donald Stand gained 255 yards on 97 carries and scored four touchdowns. Anders Davidson gained 95 yards on 22 caries, while Jason Morin had 82 yards on28 carries.

Strand was 54/120 passing for 684 yards and six touchdowns. He threw seven interceptions.

Davidson led the receivers with 19 catches for 164 yards and scored touchdown. Eric Peterson had eight catches for 56 yards, Persons 8 for 100 yards and a touchdown. Pat Spielmann seven for 209 yards and three touchdowns, Ross Ladehoff six for 102 yards, Morin three for 60 yards, Paul Johnson three for 28 yards and one touchdown, and Brad Lanue one for 14 yards.

Davidson also led the defense with 75 tackles (57 solo), a fumble recovery, two sacks and a blocked kick. Johnson had 79 tackles (47 solo) with a fumble recovery and two blocked kicks. Peterson ahd 64 tackles and a fumble recover, Carlson 66 tackles, a fumble recovering and half a sack. Spielmann had 40 tackes, Morin 29 tackles and a sack, Kong Her 25 tackles and a sack, John Knott 21 tackles and a sac.

Strand and Persons each had two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Ladhoff had an interception and a fumble recovery.

Bethany Ankrum twins qualify for nationals

With Tracy graduates Maria and Marcia Ankrum making a strong contribution the Bethany Lutheran College volleyball team placed fourth in the 2002 National Community College Tournament held in Toledo, Ohio.

It was the best finish in the school's history and Maria Ankrum was selected to the All-Tournament Team. Her sister, Marcia, was chosen for the All-Region XIII team and they were both on the Minnesota Community College All-Southern Division Team.

This season the team has won the conference championship for the second year, with a 12-0 record, and have won the Region XIII crown for the second successive season with a 39-1 record. They have again qualified for the National Tournament in Toledo, Ohio to be held Nov. 13-15.

The Ankrums are 2002 graduates of Tracy Area High School, and were members of the Panthers' Class A state championship team in 2001.