As we come to the end of the 2010-11 high school sports year here in the Metro area, it seems like a good time to look back at the top sports stories, at least to this broadcaster.

This list is not right or wrong, and it certainly is open to interpretation. But looking back, I really believe these were the most interesting and intriguing stories of the past year.

No. 1 -Talent, talent and more talent!

Back when I was roaming the halls of the Channel 9 Newsroom, I would frequently stop by the Sports Office and visit my friend, and one of my mentors, John Campbell.

Frequently the discussion would turn to the top athletes that we have both covered in the Metro over the years on both the radio and television side. It seemed that the conversation would nearly always end up talking about the Class of 1984. There have been some terrific years for Metro athletes, but 1984 may have topped the list with such names as Lorenzen, Hrubes, Batterson, Driscoll, the Anderson's from Linn-Mar and many, many more.

That is until this past Metro sports year.

While there have been some great classes go through town, this past year's may be the best ever. Just sit back and think of some of the great performances we have seen over the previous 10 months ... and these are just a few of the names:

Alex Carr (Washington football, basketball and track)
Jer Garman (Linn-Mar football)
Christian French (Kennedy football)
Katie Sickelka (Kennedy volleyball)
Alexis Litts (Kennedy volleyball)
The Stocker twins (Prairie cross country and track)
Zach Burhite (Marion cross country, bowling and track)
Carolyn Newhouse (Linn-Mar cross country)
Jarrod Uthoff (Jefferson basketball) **Mr.Basketball** **Gatorade Player of the Year**
Matt Bohannon (Linn-Mar basketball)
Shane Benton (Linn-Mar basketball)
Josh Ogelsby (Washington basketball)
Wes Washpun (Washington basketball)
Kasey Semler (Marion basketball and baseball)
Dusty Albaugh (Marion football, basketball and baseball)
Kyle Lamaak (Kennedy basketball and football)
Kiah Stokes (Linn-Mar volleyball and basketball)  **Miss Basketball** **Gatorade Player of the Year**
Tia Dawson (Washington basketball)
Kristin Kramer (Marion basketball and soccer)
Connor Herman (Jefferson wrestling and football)
Ryan Sheldon (Kennedy wrestling and football)
Mo Green (Washington swimming)
Garet Christianson (Kennedy soccer)  **Gatorade Player of the Year**
Brandon Besong (Washington soccer and football)
Shauna Happel (Kennedy soccer and basketball)
Kimmy Askelson (Xavier golf)
Tyler Sampson (Xavier softball, volleyball and basketball)
Kristen Winter (Xavier softball)
Austin Christensen (Kennedy baseball)  **Gatorade Player of the Year**
Tyrell Sykes (Kennedy baseball)
DJ Utley (Prairie baseball)
Dakota Frese (Washington baseball)

Not a bad list huh?? And we can go much deeper than just this group. Overall, looking at the entire Senior Class of 2011 for each sport, I believe this is the top class of athletes to ever grace the Metro fields, courts, etc.

The Class of 2012, as well as future groups, have a tall task in front of them to keep up with the accolades of this group.

I think John and I will be talking about the class of 2011 for many years to come.