Boys' Varsity Improves to 2-1

By Staci Morris

The high school boys’ basketball team finished 2-1 on the week. Their only loss to Chariton, they beat Earlham on Thursday and continued for another big win the next day against Southeast Warren.

The boys took control over the Earlham Cardinals early and ended the first quarter 11 to 8. The Roadrunner’s kept the lead throughout the second quarter as well, and left for halftime ahead 26 to 21. With 5:25 left in the fourth quarter, Earlham was forced to take a time out after a run left the Roadrunners ahead 41 to 34. After some forced turnovers from Earlham, they sealed their outcome and the Roadrunners took the win with a final score of 53 – 37.

The next night at home here at Interstate 35, the Roadrunners faced the Warhawks of Southeast Warren High School.

The first few minutes from tip off showed that it was certainly going to be an intense game and that proved with a score of 18 to 15 at the end of the first quarter, with a Roadrunner lead.

A back and forth game led to a halftime score of 29 to 23.However, the Roadrunners would not allow Southeast Warren any kind of lead throughout the game.

With freshman Zach Goering leading the team in points, the Roadrunner’s led by ten with 6:38 left in the fourth quarter. With some fouls by I-35, Southeast Warren was led to the free throw line. Even so, the Roadrunners didn’t allow a comeback and took the win 63 to 55.

Rocky Start for High School Boys' Basketball

The Interstate 35 varsity boys’ basketball team encountered their first opponent for the 2011-2012 season. This last Tuesday night here at Interstate 35 the boys faced the Chariton Chargers. With one returning starter, the remaining seniors stepped up to fill the spots. Starting for the night were seniors Brody Brownlee, Luke Simmerman, David Kennedy, Kurt Adams, and Josh Klipping.

It started off rocky for the first game of the year. The boys’ defense just couldn’t keep up with the speed and strength of Chariton. The Roadrunners trailed from tip-off. The score was 35 to 21 at the start of the second half and the boys looked to get an offensive edge with a drive from Brody Brownlee and sneak assist to freshman, Zach Goering. However, the Chargers wouldn’t allow a comeback and with three minutes left the Roadrunner’s were down 42 to 33. Brownlee came back with a huge three at the end of the 3rd quarter with Chariton answering with a buzzer beating jump shot to make the game 53 to 42 at the start of the 4th.

The fourth quarter looked the same with the boys making shots, but Chariton answering right away each time. The Roadrunner’s just couldn’t get ahead and eventually would accept the loss with a final score of 76 to 53.

A Good Start to the Girls High School Basketball Season

By: Taylor Parish

It’s been a good start to the season for the Interstate 35 girl’s high school basketball team. They are beginning the season with a 2-1 record. They won their first game against Melcher-Dallas on November 21, 45-41. It was an intense game. It looked like the Roadrunners were taking control, but the Saints made a comeback in the second half. Interstate kept it together and played strong to come out on top.

On Tuesday November 22, the Roadrunners traveled to Earlham. It was a tough start with one starter receiving three fouls in the first quarter and eventually she fouled out along with another starter fouling out late in the game. The Cardinals never stopped and the Roadrunners could not catch up. They eventually lost 50 – 73.

The Chariton Chargers made their way to Interstate 35 on Tuesday November 29, for the Roadrunners first game at home. The Roadrunners took a commanding 14-3 lead in the first quarter. The Chargers never gave up and fought back within single digits of the Roadrunners. Interstate took the lead and never gave it back, winning 54 – 49.

What’s Up?

By Taylor Parish
What’s up with the library being so cold?
– Ellen Lupkes
What’s up with a certain someone coming into our classes and distracting us?
– Student Body
What’s up with the library conference room windows being covered with paper one day during lunch?
– Curious Bystander
What’s up with no food at lunch?
– Hungry
What’s up non basketball players crowding the varsity locker room in the morning?
– Irritated Baller
What’s up with the varsity locker turning into a basketball only locker room?
– Anonymous
What’s up with seeing the same high schooler wherever I go?
– Aimless wanderer
What’s up with strength and conditioning hogging the weight room?
– Need to lift
What’s up with me not finding $20?
– Empty Pockets
What’s up with Mehrhoff hating all of us?
– Confused Novels Student

Jordan Yawn

By Rachael Wiggins

We all know about the successful runners in the high school, but what about the middle school? Eighth grader Jordan Yawn has found great success in middle school cross country. Yawn placed in the top five in every single meet this season, including the middle school state meet where she placed second. Among her many achievements are two first-place finishes, one at the conference meet and the other at the Greenfield meet.
“If she keeps working hard, Jordan will make a great addition to the varsity team next year,” commented Yawn’s cross country coach Carl Spoerl.
Finding equal success in high school cross-country will not come without its challenges. High school courses are a half-mile longer than are middle school courses and there is much more experienced competition. Yawn will have to work harder than ever to find as much success in high school as she has in middle school. Keep up the good work, Jordan!

Two Roadrunners Run in Fort Dodge

By Olivia Sulentic
On October 20, the boys and girls cross country teams traveled to Atlantic for the district meet. To qualify for state, the runners have to place in the top ten. Interstate 35 had two runners that were able to meet this requirement.
Senior, Maddie Beeler just nabbed the qualifying spot placing tenth. This is Beeler’s first year qualifying for the state meet.
Sophomore, Holly McKinney was also fortunate enough to qualify to run in Fort Dodge. She placed seventh in Atlantic. McKinney qualified as a freshman and hopes to make it all four years.
In Fort Dodge, on October 29, the two roadrunners ran at the state meet.
McKinney placed 27th out of 125 runners with a time of 15:51. She tied her own school record, running the exact same time as last year at the state meet.
“I was excited to make it back to state. It was especially great to be able to run with my best friend,” stated McKinney.
Beeler placed 83rd with a time of 16:36. This was her best time in her career.
“I was really glad that I got to go my senior year. I’ve worked really hard all season and making it to state was exciting for me,” said Beeler.
“It was my focus this year to get Maddie to state. She was so close last year and would have made it if she hadn’t gotten hurt. I knew Holly would make it, so I really wanted Maddie to get there her senior year,” state Coach LeMaster.

Strength and Conditioning

By Rachael Wiggins

If you were to drive by the school at 6:45 in the morning, you would probably be surprised at the number of cars in the parking lot. More and more students are getting out of bed early to go work out at the school. The strength and conditioning group was started by Jason Smith, a football coach, and Jamie Smith, the girls’ basketball coach. The group began their workouts over the summer, and is currently back at it after a short break over football and volleyball season.
“I’m one to believe that the harder you work at something, the harder it makes it to quit. So if these kids dedicate themselves to become better athletes, it will spread through the school to develop a sense of athleticism, teamwork, and school spirit,” commented Jason Smith.
The group does agility workouts as well as lifts weights, but each person’s workout is tailored specifically to the sports he or she is training for. Workouts are every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6:45 to 7:40. Any and all students are welcome!