Linn-Mar High School - Marion, Iowa

Linn-Mar netters cruise to state tournament

The entire Linn-Mar boys tennis team mobbed the center court at Jefferson Saturday afternoon and piled on senior Tyler McCann after his singles win cinched a trip to the state team championship in Urbandale.

For the Lions, it will be the first time at the tourney in 24 years. They won the meet the last time they played in 1988. And while they’ve won the MVC division title four years in a row, up to now they fell one win short of making it to state.

“It’s fitting that Tyler was the one that clinched it for us,” said Linn-Mar Coach Chris Wundram. “He’s been a three-time state qualifier (in doubles), but this is his first time with the team.”

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Houdeshell nets 3 gold medals in wheelchair races

DES MOINES - Jordan Houdeshell took a sweet victory lap at Drake Stadium Saturday after winning three gold medals in wheelchair races at the state track meet.

He received a standing ovation all along the route, with total strangers leaning over the rail to shake his hand and give him high-fives.

Houdeshell, a junior from Linn-Mar High School, pumped his right fist in celebration and smiled all the way. He's proud to represent all wheelchair athletes and loves to compete.

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Kennedy thwarts Lions' state tourney bid

It wasn’t exactly the way Kennedy’s Sarah Lasecki wanted to prepare for the state team tennis tournament, but at least she’ll be there with her team and with a doubles partner for the third straight year.

Although she lost both her singles and doubles matches in the regional finals against Linn-Mar on the Kennedy courts Saturday afternoon, Lasecki’s teammates picked up the slack.

They combined to topple the Lions, 5-3, in the Class 2A regional final to advance to the state team tournament for the fourth straight year and the 10th time in the last 13 years. The Cougars (13-3) have been to the state semifinals eight times during that stretch.

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No. 3 Dowling hands Lions loss in OT

WEST DES MOINES -- Third-ranked Dowling scored a goal in the fifth minute of overtime and sent No. 5 Linn-Mar to its second tough-luck loss in as many days Saturday, 3-2, in a girls soccer game at west Des Moines Valley.

Linn-Mar lost a 2-1 game to No. 6 Waukee on Friday night at Valley.

Dowling took a 1-0 lead in the first half, but Linn-Mar answered on the ensuing kickoff. Olivia Garcia scored on an assist by Emily Soyer.

Erica Noyes scored a second-half goal for the Lions.

Linn-Mar is 11-4.