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.

I hope you enjoy.

No. 5 (tie) Xavier Soccer and Prairie's re-emergence

I know what you're thinking. Starting right off the bat with a tie, take a stand a pick one. Well, I can't. Both of these stories were big enough to be on the list of top stories for the year.

The Xavier boys and girls both won state championships.

What's new?

The Xavier girls capture their sixth straight championship, this year in Class 2A as the IGHSAU expanded soccer to three classes. Xavier has won 18 straight games in Muscatine. The names keep changing, but the result remains the same.

The boys won their second consecutive and fifth title overall in Des Moines. If you put that together that's eleven championship banners flying in the rafters of Thillen Gymnasium.

No school can match that, in or out of the Metro (with the exception of Washington boys swimming). And with both squads welcoming back many of the starters again next year, do not be shocked if they make it a lucky 13 titles by this time next year.

Each school goes through it. A rough patch as far as athletics is concerned. The breaks just don't work out for one reason or another and it seems like your team is always behind the 8-ball. That seems to be what has bit the Prairie athletic programs over the last few years. Granted, the Hawks have had success in some avenues such as wrestling, football and girls basketball, but other times have been tough.

Perhaps that is all in the rear-view mirror.

The Hawks bounced back in a big way this past year with numerous teams faring well, lead by a state title in boys cross country and a strong finish in boys track and field. In addition, the baseball team has put together its best season since joining the MVC, and enthusiasm is running high behind James Moses' boys basketball team. The participation numbers are coming back up again and the facilities are making a big jump, led by the refurbished John Wall Field. Put that together with the wrestling and girls basketball success of recent seasons and it is a good time to be a Prairie Hawk, right now and in the future.

Next week, the fourth biggest story in the Metro.

(Scott Unash is the sports and program director at KGYM-AM 1600. He is a six-time winner of the Iowa Broadcast News Association play-by-play Announcer of the Year Award. Scott and Mark Dukes co-host the Gym Class weekdays from 3-4 p.m. on KGYM)