Local News

Ex-Lion Parry semifinalist for award

Fifth-year senior defensive tackle David Parry, a former Linn-Mar standout, was named a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, the award's selection committee announced Tuesday morning.

The Burlsworth Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding football player in America that began his career as a walk-on.

Parry, a political science major, has been a force in the middle for one of the top-ranked defenses in the country. The Marion native has accounted for 24 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and two sacks, while playing in nine of 10 games and starting eight at nose tackle.

The trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth. Without one scholarship offer, Brandon walked on at Arkansas in 1994 and worked his way to being a three-year starter and was eventually named an All-American in 1998. Burlsworth was selected as the 63rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL draft, but was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later. The Burlsworth Foundation was created in his memory and supports the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those children that have limited opportunities.

Fans will be allowed to vote for their favorite semifinalist via a fan vote at www.burlsworthtrophy.com through Nov. 20th. Finalists will be announced Nov. 25, before being honored at the 2014 Burlsworth Trophy banquet Dec. 8th in Springdale, Ark., sponsored by the Springdale Rotary Club.

2014 Burlsworth Trophy semifinalists

Justin Hardy, WR, East Carolina
Mark Weisman, RB, Iowa
Jonathan Truman, LB, Kansas State
Chris Jasperse, C, Marshall
Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
Ben Beckwith, G, Mississippi State
Mack Hollins, WR, North Carolina
Joe Schmidt, LB, Notre Dame
David Parry, DT, Stanford
Zach Vigil, LB, Utah State

Ollinger, Thomas, Torson named all-state

Amanda Ollinger of Jefferson, Alyssa Thomas of Marion and Kayla Torson of Xavier have been named to the all-state volleyball squads by the Des Moines Register.

Ollinger, a 6-foot-3 junior, was named first team all-state in Class 5A. She led Class 5A in kills with 532 and finished second overall in kills in the state. She also had 218 digs, 68 blocks and 28 ace serves.

Thomas, a 5-10 junior, was named first team all-state in Class 4A. She helped Marion reach the semifinals of the state tournament and finished the season with 367 kills, 89 digs and 49 blocks.

Torson, a 5-11 senior, was named second team all-state in Class 4A. She collected 338 kills, 325 digs, 48 blocks and 25 aces for Xavier. She will play college volleyball at Nebraska-Omaha.

Drake tops All-Metro swim team

Kelsey Drake of Linn-Mar has been named the Athlete of the Year on the All-Metro girls swim team.

Megan Lewis and her assistants at Washington High School were named the Coach of the Year.

Drake won gold medals in the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly at the state swim meet in Marshalltown Saturday. She also helped Linn-Mar place third in the 400 freestyle relay and sixth in the 200 freestyle relay.

The All-Metro teams were based on times and points.

FIRST TEAM

Lizzie Adams (Linn-Mar), Maddie Bagby (Kennedy), Paige Broghammer (Linn-Mar), Alyssa Deuso (Linn-Mar), Kelsey Drake (Linn-Mar), Logan Eckhardt (Washington), Taylor Golden (Kennedy), Lauren Havertape (Washington), Sam Jacobsen (Kennedy), Jenn Jenks (Linn-Mar), Stephanie Jenks (Linn-Mar), Mikaela Lengwin (Linn-Mar), Mackinzee Macho (Kennedy), Emily Nelson (Washington), Kirsten Siebenga (Kennedy), Brooke Timmerman (Kennedy), Jessica Williams (Kennedy).

SECOND TEAM

Sarah Gannon (Kennedy), Jayden Lovell (Kennedy), Darby Manternach (Kennedy), Kaitlyn Nemickas (Washington), Caitlin Sievers (Washington), Carolyn Simon (Kennedy), Delaney Thoma (Washington), Lydia Yang (Kennedy).

HONORABLE MENTION

Linn-Mar: Grace Ahlers, Emma Behrens, Elizabeth Cavanah, Hannah Gardner, Hailey Harms, Georgia Sanderson, Kelly Wingerson
Washington: Morgan Chambers, Lucy Ernst, Alyssa Harris, Jenny Hughes
Kennedy: Courtney Fisher, Raquel Green, Kennedy Smith
Jefferson: Josie Thompson, Emily Wallace

Times set for Xavier, Washington football

The Xavier Saints will play Pella in the semifinals of the Class 3A football playoffs on Thursday at 8:21 p.m. at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

The Washington Warriors will meet Bettendorf in the semifinals of the Class 4A playoffs on Friday at 4:06 p.m. at the UNI-Dome.

Here is the full lineup for Class 3A and Class 4A:

CLASS 3A
Thursday

5:36 p.m. - Creston (10-2) vs. No. 3 Sioux City Heelan (11-1)
8:21 p.m. - No. 10 Xavier (9-3) vs. No. 1 Pella (12-0)

CLASS 4A
Friday

4:06 p.m. - No. 1 Washington (12-0) vs. No. 2 Bettendorf (12-0)
7:06 p.m. - No. 5 Waukee (11-1) vs. No. 4 Dowling (11-1)