Sports

DES MOINES- Liberty High’s Ashlyn Keeney made school history with her effort in the 3,000-meter run Thursday, April 25, at the 2019 Drake Relays in Des Moines. A freshman, Keeney won the event in 9:39.64, making her the first Liberty High student athlete to win at the Drake Relays, and also setting the fastest time for a freshman in state history. Her time is also the eighth-fastest in the United States, ever, by a freshman. Keeney was also the runner-up in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:09.99.

FORT MADISON– The Liberty High varsity girls’ soccer team improved to 4-3 Monday, April 22, with a 3-0 shutout of the Fort Madison Bloodhounds, in a non-conference game, at the Baxter Sports Complex, in Fort Madison.
Two of the Bolts’ goals came from a pair of freshmen, Grace Heddens and Emma Wilde. Junio Briana Ervin scored, as well, while sophomore Rylie Baldes had an assist.

SOLON- Solon’s boys were on the attack against Mount Vernon.
The varsity soccer team dropped the Mustangs to 2-8 on the season with a 4-0 shut out at Spartan Stadium Friday, April 26.
The Spartans kept Mount Vernon keeper Zach Kolker busy all match. Kolker recorded 24 saves against four goals allowed.
Two of those goals belonged to Solon senior Luke Yetley, with seniors Jorel Justus and Ben McAtee adding one each. Senior Drew Bruck, senior Luke McInnis (two) and sophomore Gabe Yetley were credited with assists.
Senior Ian Johnson recorded two saves in goal for the shutout.

TIFFIN- Clear Creek Amana (CCA) High School’s track and field team hosted its annual invitational meet Thursday, April 4, with Anamosa, Benton Community, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Cedar Rapids Prairie, Des Moines North, Dike-New Hartford, Iowa City West, Linn-Mar, North Linn, Vinton-Shellsburg and Williamsburg participating.
Brandon Barker was the Clippers’ sole individual winner after taking the 1,600-meter run in 4:49.90. Kaden McAreavy, Tom Johnson, Jack Sexton and Quentin Gisleson won the 4x800 relay in 8:51.23 for the Creek Boys’ only winning relay.

NORTH LIBERTY– Liberty High officially joined the Mississippi Valley Conference (MVC) with the start of the fall sports season. In addition to a number of “firsts” for the football, cross country and volleyball teams, as well as the swimmers who competed in West High green and gold; the school earned its first Cliff Brees Fall Sportsmanship Award.
The MVC presented the award to Liberty (Valley Division) and Cedar Rapids Xavier (Mississippi Division) Wednesday, Nov. 14, during the semi-annual league administrator meeting in Dubuque.