Fall Sports Guide

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Informer photosMembers of the varsity football team include (front row, from left): Managers Lindsay Webb, Jenna Smith, Courtney Standrich, Samantha Culver, Alex Chase, Tara Greiving, Hayley Bischler and Bailey Hansen. Second row: Blake Bradford, Jordan Hamed, Jon Schoeppel, Clint Gordon, Alex Knoblock, Christian Cathey, Deven Peter, Trevor Tracy, Adam Mark, Soren Larson, Ben Becker and Chandler Ayer. Third row: Caleb Gash, Kyle Haugh, Brice Merz, Dell Crosby, Kalen Grant, Luke Palmer, Alec Martin, Tim Williamson, Jace Snodgrass, Brock Sexton, Kellen Sims and Braden Norris. Fourth row: Malik Brown, David Tullis, Miles Vincent, Dustin McNickle, Mat Kissinger, Chris Zalewski, Chris Malcolm, Jordan Voss, Fred Scott, Jordan Hill, Jose Delgado, Braxton Jones and C.J. Davis. Fifth row: Quentin Cox, Nathan Emrich, Zack Peters, Nate Crossman, Zach Cady, Jeremy Dunham, Marcus Hicks, Reed Trease, Cade Cotten, Ben Rogers, Travis Young, Riley Oldham, Tyler West and Miguel Flores. Sixth row: Noah Packard, Markus Steinocher, Conor Griebling, Kohl Yoder, Chase Branstetter, Damian Avery, Sam Matlock, Kavan Mark, Chandler Shantz, Shane Fowler, DeAndre Goolsby, Conner Littleton, Cole Hansen, Tanner Anderson and Charles Kammiller. Seventh row: Alexis Zelayandia, Shane Richards, Dominic DeFalco, Austin Sublett, Alec McCartney, Tyler Shook, Dalton Denton, Jacob Matlock, Steven Marlatt, Riley Baker, Ernesto Ortiz, Jeremiah Gates, Armond Coppins, Nick Watson, Mason McCarty and Sam Fasig. Eighth row: Coaches Caleb Smith, Kevin Davis, Cade Armstrong, Justin Williams, Todd Olmstead, Chris Pinaire, Brandon Clark, Devin Tarrant, Eric Hendrick, Chris Devore, Shelby Wehrman, sports medicine specialist Bill Baum, athletic trainer Rex Schott, athletic trainer Charlie Minshull-Ford, and student athletic trainers Makinzie Alamo and Sami Harmon.

Derby High School 2012 Fall Sports Preview

By Scott [email protected]

There is an old wooden trophy the Derby High School football team walks by nearly every day.

This trophy, shaped like the state of Kansas, with a gold

Derby football shaping up to be top 6A contender

the football field this past season, and finished better than expected with a young roster. This year, even in a stacked field of Class

6A contenders, Derby looks like it could make a run at a state title.

“Everybody said last year was going to be our down year

and we exceeded everyone’s expectations,” Clark said. “All of the pieces are in place to put us in position to have success.”

Those pieces are a well-rounded coaching staff, athletic players at nearly every position and a strong work ethic.

“We have a team that has bought into a concept of getting better each day,” Clark said. “We come in here and take care of business. There is no wasted time in our program. This team knows that if they are going to show up to the weight room or the practice field, they are going to work. If they don’t work hard, they are going to work even harder. We’ve never once had to tell the kids to increase their effort.”

Clark has shifted around some prominent pieces on offense. Derby picked up Chandler Shantz, a transfer from Buhler who had

please see FOOTBALL, page 3B

Expect success ... on offense. Derby has quality talent at nearly every position, making the Panthers a threat in the air and on the ground.

Must progress ... on defense. It is a young bunch, and intense practices have led to a shallow depth chart.

Player to watch: Tyler West, junior

R i s i n g s t a r : Chand le r Shan tz , senior

Event to watch: Get your popcorn ready. Derby has two marquee road games during the regular season, against Hutchinson on Oct. 5 and Heights on Oct. 26. One of those three teams could easily be hoisting up the Class 6A state trophy at the end of the season.

Expect thisfrom

Derby football

football player on its right stiff-arming an invisible defender, sits near the entrance of the gymnasium at the high school commemorating Derby’s last football state championship back in 1994.

Fast forward nearly two decades to 2012. Brandon Clark is in his seventh year as head football coach for the Panthers, and has pieced together – season by season – all of the intricate parts that could make Derby a state champion once again.

“Every year, you implement new things. Year one, it was just bringing back discipline to the program. That was our main focus. It wasn’t X’s and O’s as much,” Clark said. “Now, we are able to concentrate on the things that make teams great.”

Derby was the dark horse on

From left , Chandler Shantz, Kellen Sims, DeAndre Goolsby and Tyler West give Derby’s offense depth at every skill position. Pictured at top are the captains, from left, Cade Cotten, Braxton Jones, Kellen Sims, Chandler Ayer and Conner Littleton.

From left, seniors Cade Cotten, Braxton Jones, Chandler Ayer and Conner Littleton add speed and strength to Derby’s defense.

B • Wednesday, August 29, 2012 The Derby Informer • www.derbyinformer.com

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2012 Fall Sports SchedulesVarsity Football

Date Opponent Time8/30 Salina South 7:009/7 Andover Central (H) 7:009/14 Maize 7:009/21 Salina Central (H)-Homecoming 7:009/28 Haysville (H) 7:0010/5 Hutchinson 7:0010/12 Wichita SE 7:0010/19 Wichita East (H) 7:0010/26 Wichita Heights 7:0011/2 Regionals 7:0011/9 Sectionals 7:0011/16 Sub-State 7:0011/24 State TBA

Junior Varsity Football9/3 Salina South (H) 6:009/10 Andover Central 6:009/17 Maize (H) 6:009/24 Salina Central 6:0010/1 Haysville 6:0010/8 Hutchinson (H) 6:00

Sophomore Football9/6 Manhattan (H) 4:309/27 Bishop Carroll 4:15

Freshman Football9/3 Salina South (H) 4:009/10 Andover Central 4:009/17 Maize (H) 4:009/24 Salina Central 4:0010/1 Haysville 4:0010/8 Hutchinson (H) 4:00

Girls Golf 8/28 Andover 9 a.m.8/30 Newton 3:009/4 Derby JV Inv. (H) 3:009/6 Winfield 3:009/18 Salina South 1:009/18 Newton JV 3:009/20 Ark City 3:009/27 Hutchinson 1:0010/1 Derby Inv. (H) 3:0010/4 Hutchinson 10 a.m.10/8 Regionals TBA10/15 State TBA

Girls Varsity Volleyball Date Opponent Time8/28 Goddard Tri 5:009/4 Derby Tri (H) 5:009/11 Hutchinson Tri 5:009/15 Maize Inv. 8 a.m.9/18 Derby Tri (H) 5:009/25 Newton Tri 5:009/29 Andover 8 a.m.10/2 Derby Tri (H) 5:0010/6 Derby Inv. (H) 9 a.m.10/9 Salina South Tri 5:0010/16 Ark City Tri 5:0010/20 Sub-state TBA10/26-27 State TBA

Junior Varsity Volleyball8/28 Goddard Tri 5:009/4 Derby Tri (H) 5:009/11 Hutchinson Tri 5:009/15 Andover Inv. 8 a.m.9/18 Derby Tri (H) 5:009/22 Maize South 8 a.m.9/25 Newton Tri 5:009/29 Valley Center 8 a.m.10/2 Derby Tri (H) 5:0010/9 Salina South Tri 5:0010/13 AVCTL (H) 9 a.m.10/16 Ark City Tri 5:00

Freshman Volleyball8/30 Haysville Quad 5:009/13 Derby Quad (H) 5:009/20 Maize Quad 5:009/22 Goddard Inv. 8 a.m.9/27 Derby Quad 5:0010/4 Goddard Quad 5:0010/11 Andover Central Quad 5:0010/13 AVCTL @ Salina South 8 a.m.

Boys/Girls Cross Country 9/1 Bishop Carroll 9 a.m.9/6 Hesston 4:009/12 K.C. Turner 4:009/22 Rim Rock 10 a.m.9/29 Junction City 10 a.m.10/6 El Dorado 9:45 a.m.10/13 League @ Ark City TBA10/20 Regional TBA10/27 State @ Rim Rock TBA

Boys Varsity & JV Soccer Date Opponent Time V JV8/28 Kapaun (H) 6:30 5:008/30 Valley Center 6:30 5:009/3-8 Titan Classic TBA9/13 Andover 6:30 5:00 9/18 Haysville (H) 6:30 5:009/20 Maize South (H) 6:30 5:009/24 Wichita NW 6:30 5:009/25 Newton (H) 6:30 5:009/27 Maize 6:45 5:1510/2 Salina South 6:30 5:0010/4 Salina Central 6:30 5:0010/5 Wichita NW TBA10/9 Goddard (H) 6:30 5:0010/11 Wichita South 6:30 5:0010/16 Hutchinson (H) 6:30 5:0010/22-27 Regionals TBA10/20 Quarter Finals TBA11/2-3 State TBA

Girls Varsity Tennis 8/25 Collegiate 8 a.m.8/30 McPherson Inv. 3:009/4 Newton Inv. 3:009/8 El Dorado 9:30 a.m.9/11 Goddard Inv. 3:009/13 Derby (H) 3:009/20 Winfield Inv. 3:009/29 McPherson 9 a.m.10/1 League @ Hutchinson TBA10/6 Regionals TBA10/12-13 State TBA

Girls Junior Varsity Tennis8/21 Haysville Inv. 3:008/23 Emporia Inv. 3:308/28 Ark City Inv. 3:009/6 Winfield 3:009/11 Valley Center Inv. 3:009/13 Goddard Inv. 3:009/15 Maize Inv. 8 a.m.9/17 Wellington Quad 3:009/18 Derby Inv. 3:009/25 Newton Inv. 3:009/27 Conway Springs Quad 3:0010/1 League @ Hutchinson TBA

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Informer photoMembers of the freshman football team include (front row, from left): Manager Lindsay Webb, manager Jenna Smith, Jadyn Fisbeck, Christian Thomas, Todd Clubine, David Miller, Garrett Xanders, Noah Moore, Casey VanBurkleo and manager Courtney Standrich. Second row: Jacob Richardson, Alec Dubree, Colton Fisher, Austin Lake, Brendan Lajza, Marquiese Jackson, Tanner Brown, Jacob Dailey and Zach Brophy. Third row: Isaac Rhinehart, Tilghman Booth, Jesse Mark, Riley Adams, Caleb Sheldon, Nathan Hurst, Devin Haas, Braxton Kooser and Evan Green. Fourth row: Chad Sublett, Taelor Davis, Justin Willson, Zack Wheat, AJay Vilalay, Andrew Lillard, Brady Bust, Jacob Moeder and Jose Estrada. Fifth row: Ted Green, Jonah Packard, Michael Kolasch, Trevor Hudson, Daniel Conner, Tylor Lovette, Kaleb Kelley, Tyler Bristow, Nick Uran and Ryan Stang. Sixth row: coaches Justin Williams, Chris Pinaire, Devin Tarrant and Eric Hendrick.

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21 touchdowns and nearly 2,000 total yards as a junior.

The addition of Shantz moved senior Kellen Sims and junior Jeremy Dunham from quarterback to wide receiver. Junior DeAndre Goolsby, a Kansas State prospect, returns at tight end.

Tyler West, who has started at running back since the end of his freshman year and rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season, is poised for another solid year. Junior Cole Hansen anchors an offensive line

that has improved from last season.

“We have the experience,” Clark said. “We don’t have too many guys that first game that are gun shy because they’ve never played in a varsity game.”

The defense is young, but fast and physical. The athleticism is there, it just needs to be harnessed, Clark said. Juniors Travis Young and Jose Delgado and seniors Braxton Jones and Conner Littleton will give Derby some stability in key positions on defense.

“We have three or four broken bones already this

year. That didn’t happen five or six years ago. We weren’t hitting hard enough to break bones,” Clark said. “It’s not 11 guys trying to go find the football. It’s a defensive line occupying the blocks so the linebackers are free. It’s safeties moving in the right direction for the cut back or the stretch. All 11 guys have to be on the same page. If they leave a hole open, these teams will exploit that.”

Derby finished 8-4 last year, ending its season in the class 6A playoffs to Wichita Heights for the second time since 2009.

Clark knows there are

FOOTBALL: Derby has all the parts to make a deep run in class 6A playoffsFrom page 1B some marquee games on

the schedule, but like most coaches, he is not looking past Derby’s season-opener at Salina South on Thursday.

“We aren’t good enough to practice for Hutch or Heights,” Clark said. “We are going to be tested early. Salina South is one of the

best 5A teams in the state. They are just like us. You’ll see a ton of juniors starting for them that played their sophomore year.”

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Several organizations help give Derby High School athletics and activities the boost they need throughout the school year. Panther PAC

Anyone can volunteer to help with the Panther PAC. Volunteers work concession stands during home football, basketball, soccer and volleyball and wrestling events.

Each year, the funds raised are given to the school in one large donation. This year roughly $20,000 was raised by the Panther PAC. Last year, the Panther PAC raised an additional $26,000.

Panther PAC meetings are held in Room G34 of DHS at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of every month. If that Monday falls on a holiday, the group meets at the same time and place on the second Monday of the month.

This year’s president is Loren Gerwick. For more information, contact Gerwick at 214-6689.DHS Football Booster Club

Members of the Football Booster Club

will be selling Panther football apparel again this season. Merchandise can be purchased from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at DHS, as well as at all games.

New items on sale this year include spirit sleeves, sparkle shirts, car flags and decals, rope bracelets, and female shorts. Fan T-shirts and hoodies will also be in high demand.

Carmen Trease is the president of this year’s booster club. Other members include Sherri Young, vice president; Tammy Sexton, treasurer; Tracie Bradford, secretary; Jeanette Hansen, junior representative; Denise Gash, sophomore representative; and Alana Kooser, freshman representative.

The booster club meets the second Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. in Room G34 at DHS.

For more information on the football booster club, or to volunteer, contact Trease at [email protected]. Additional contact information on all members can be found on the DHS football website, www.derbypanther.com.

Groups give DHS activities a boost

please see GROUPS, page 5B

The Chance Transmissions Football Picks Contest

Russell BaldwinDHS athletic director

KevinPayneVoice of the Panthers

DionAvelloDerby mayor

Guest Participant

FrankSeitzDRC Superintendentof Recreation

PicksBishop Carroll, Kapaun,

Michigan State, Alabama, K-State

703 N. Buckner788-1550



Your Custom Screen PrintingSpecialist Since 1980



Picks





OFFICIAL READER ENTRY FORMYour picks of the five games are due at The Derby

Informer office no later than 5 p.m. on Friday!

Name: _______________________________

Address: _____________________________

City: ______________________ St.: _______ Zip: _____________

Phone: ______________

E-mail: _______________________________

1. ________________ 2. ______________ 3. ______________

4. ________________ 5. ______________

PicksHeights, Northwest,

Michigan State, Alabama, K-StateBishop Carroll, Kapaun,

Michigan State, Michigan, K-State



K-State

Bishop CarrollKapaun

Michigan St.

Alabama

K-State


Michigan St.

Alabama

K-State


Michigan St.

Alabama

K-State

HeightsKapaun

Michigan St.

Alabama

K-State


Michigan St.

Alabama

K-State

Bishop CarrollNorthwest

Michigan St.

Alabama





1101 N. Rock Rd. • Derby788-MYMD (788-6963)

0-00-0 0-00-0 0-0

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0-0

ScottElpersInformer sports editor

Picks: Bishop Carroll, Kapaun, Boise State,Alabama, Kansas State

Record: 11-14

CFB: Michigan at Alabama

CFB: Boise State at Michigan State

HS: Wichita Northwest at Kapaun

HS: Heights at Bishop Carroll

Season TotalsCFB: Missouri State at Kansas State

TimHamblinDHS principal

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Members of the cross country team include (front row, from left): Vanessa Haugh, Breah Waldron, Melynda Bussman, Thao Pham, Melissa Nguyen, Destiny Haugh and Hannah Winterhalter. Second row: Steffanie David, Tihler Wright, Hannah Larson, Ashley Claxton, Kara Runyon, Cassie Kuipers, Katharine Doerksen and Nicole Mellinger. Third row: Katherine Ciarleglio, Madi Greenwood, Kaittlin Cabrin, Chandler Benway, Grace Mitchell, Alexa Ammerman, Alyxis Bowens and Whitney Feltrop. Fourth row: Andy Metler, Conner Edwards, Austin Thrailkill, Josh Springer, Garrett Green, Tanner Smith, Adam Keen and Travis Allen. Fifth row: Christian Compton, Evan Julius, Kendall Faison, Blake Clifton, Connor Dempsey, Chris Williams, Marcus Rhodeman, Brandon Lewis and Terran Brown. Sixth row: Coach Eldon Edwards, manager Colleen Compton, manager Vy Pham, Nathan Melton, Liam Ormiston, Jack Shayler, manager Morrigan Crow and coach Jimmy Adams.Informer photos


With the longstanding tradition Derby High School’s cross country program has built, even a year like this garners high expectations.

DHS retired arguably the best girls cross country class in the state when seniors Emily Hornbeck, Amber Green and Lindsay Cuadra graduated last year, but that is not going to keep the Panthers from a shot at postseason success.

“Tradition does make a team better, but it won’t make a team state champions,” said Eldon Edwards, DHS head cross country coach. “You have to have the talent.”

Edwards has the talent again this year, just not quite the level it was last year.

Hornbeck and Green were the only two runners in DHS history to medal all four years of high school, and both were on the 2008 Class 6A state championship team.

H o r n b e c k p l a c e d f o u r t h individually at the state meet this past year – another school record. She was also the regional and AVCTL Division I champion. Green placed 15th at state, fourth at regionals and third in the AVCTL meet this past season. Cuadra was 11th in the AVCTL, 13th at regionals and 71st at state. She was also an alternate on the 2008 state team

“I don’t know that we can replace those three individually. I think it’s going to be a group effort,” Edwards said. “It will take a couple of girls to replace one of them.”

Edwards’ plan is to get two girls to move up 10 to 15 spots each race, which would be the equivalent of one of Derby’s former standout runners moving up 20 to 30 spots.

“The good thing we have going with the girls is that we are really deep. We have a lot of good girls. We may not have the Emily Hornbecks like we lost,” Edwards said. “I think

we are in a good position.”Edwards has nearly 25 girls on

the roster, and he can see 15 of them easily running varsity at some point this season.

Kaittlin Cabrin placed 39th at state last year, and is the outright leader so far this season. Thao Pham, Alyxis Bowens, Alexa Ammerman, Melynda Bussman and Kara Runyon are also running steady early on.

Sophomores Steffanie Davis, Whitney Feltrop and Katharine Doerksen were just short of varsity last year, but could be bumped up from junior varsity this year.

“We had a really good JV team last year,” Edwards said. “They are real hardworking kids and very coachable.”

Grace Mitchell is also turning heads as a freshman.

The boys squad also has potential this season.

Senior Brandon Lewis will anchor the boys team. Lewis has

battled injuries in the past and is hungry to end his varsity cross country career with a state medal after placing 28th last year.

“He’s been our best (boys) runner since his sophomore year,” Edwards said. “He deserves it. I hope he stays healthy and has a really good season.”

Liam Ormiston, who was the No. 2 runner for Derby this past season, is back for his sophomore year. Edwards also expects Nathan Melton and Evan Julius to have strong senior seasons.

The competition never gets easy for Derby. The Panthers run in defending Class 5A champion Bishop Carrol’s invitational on Saturday at Lake Afton.

“Our schedule is perfect. Almost every one of our meets is a big meet,” Edwards said. “We’ll see a mix of big schools, little schools and out-of-state schools. All of those add up to make an interesting schedule.”

Cross country ripe with talentExpect success ...

across the board, even though Derby recently graduated some of the best cross country runners in schoo l history.

Must progress ... early. Derby has a difficult schedule every week, but it will groom runners for an equally difficult postseason.

Players to watch: Kaittlin Cabrin, senior; Brandon Lewis, senior

Rising stars: Grace Mitchell, freshman; Jack Shayler, freshman

Event to watch: Derby does not tread lightly into the season. The Panthers start off at defending Class 5A state champion Bishop Carroll’s invitational at Lake Afton on Saturday.

Expect thisfrom

Derby cross country

The booster club will have a tailgate party tonight (Aug. 29) at 6:45 p.m. at the Panther Stadium parking lot, and Military Night at

the first home football game of the season on Sept. 7. DHS Band Booster

The Band Booster Club p rov ides fundra i s ing support and helps out the DHS band in a variety

of other ways. Booster c lub vo lun teers he lp with everything from organizing new uniforms to chaperoning and providing food to the band’s various festivals.

The booster club helped raise money for the band’s trip to Washington, D.C. this summer, and will continue fundraising efforts for future shows and other events. Fundraisers include

Derby Panther yard signs and apparel.

The booster club holds meetings on the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the DHS band room. Siobhan Fugle is

the booster club president, Penny Vogelsang is vice-president, Susan Moushey is secretary and Deena Davis is treasurer. Contact Fugle at 788-3938 for more information or to volunteer.

GROUPS: Many volunteers help keep sports teams running smoothlyFrom page 4B

Key girls on the cross country team include, top row from left, Kaittlin Cabrin, Alyxis Bowens, Whitney Feltrop, Alexa Ammerman, Chandler Benway. Bottom row are Madi Greenwood, Melynda Bussman, Kara Runyon, Thao Pham and Hannah Winterhalter.

Key cross country boys include, from left, Andy Metler, Nathan Melton, Evan Julius, Brandon Lewis, Liam Ormiston and Garrett Green.


Informer photosMembers of the varsity volleyball team include (front row, from left): Kylee Sheldon, Katie Jorn, Kenzie Young and Riley Spainhour. Second row: Manager Josiah Ray, McKenzie Brown, Makenzie Holcomb, Tori Miller and Manager Tanner Broyles. Third row: Manager Kevin Gurley, McKenna Reynolds, Rebekah Spainhour, Ricki Clark, Piper Hahn, Manager Nathan Gash and Coach Shelby Kraus.

Members of the junior varsity volleyball team include (front row, from left): Manager Skylar Anderson, Bailey Ooten, Mercedes Swartz, Korianna Tullis and Sabrina Brzezinski. Second row: Samantha Simmons, Sara West, Reagan Newhouse and Abigail Elder. Third row: Manager Kim Carbonell, Katelyn Minks, Winter Waple, Baylee Gee and Coach Brad Pendrak.

Members of the freshman volleyball team include (front row, from left): Peyton Tilma, Avery Noel, Melanie McCormick and Nalita Saengdueanpeng. Second row: Grace Alspaw, Sydney Pater and Kaylyn Reeves. Third row: Coach Kris Elliott, Aubrey Buzzi, Kali Elftmann and Sydney Woody.


Filling the empty spots left by top players Hayley Ray and Jessica Onken will not be easy for the Derby High School volleyball team, but a new crop of talent has helped fill the void.

“We lost our best hitter and our best setter, but we made up for it,” said Derby senior McKenna Reynolds. “Even though these girls are young, they make up for it in talent. There is a lot of experience.”

Reynolds is one of five returning starters for the varsity volleyball team this season. Joining the varsity roster are six new, but experienced, players.

Seniors Ricki Clark and Piper Hahn are new to the team as right-side hitters, while sophomore newcomer Kenzie Brown will be an outside hitter. Freshmen Katie Jorn (setter), Riley Spa inhour ( r igh t - s ide hitter) and Kenzie Young (defensive specialist) could all see varsity action, said Derby head coach Shelby Kraus.

E v e n w i t h m o r e newcomers than returning starters, Derby’s chemistry has not been compromised, Reynolds said.

“We have some new girls on the team, but we really brought them in and made them a part of the family. We have good chemistry already,” she said. “That’s important in this sport. Good chemistry is one of the top things you see in all successful teams.”

Reynolds, who made the AVCTL Division I all-league second-team as a junior, will take on a leadership role as one of two returning senior starters for the Panthers. Rebekah Spainhour, an AVCTL Div i s ion I honorab le mention last season and four-year varsity player, will be the other.

“I’m excited to take on the role as a team leader and help with the success of our team,” Rebekah said. “I think we have a pretty strong team this year, even though we have some new people.”

Kraus made some early changes on the court this year. Junior Tori Miller, another all-league honorable mention in the AVCTL Division I, has moved to setting a 6-2 offense with Jorn. Miller will continue to hit outside while on the front row and set when she is playing on the back row. Brown will round out the main hitters on the front row.

Derby should remain consistent offensively with Miller, Rebekah and Kenzie

New faces don’t hinder chemistry for volleyball

Holcomb as returning hitters, Kraus said.

“We have good passing and good hitting as well,” Rebekah said. “I think we are strong in both areas.”

The defense should also be solid with Reynolds at Libero, returning junior defensive specialist Kylee Sheldon, and the addition of Young, Kraus said.

Derby finished with a 24-16 record last season, and ended its season with a loss to Wichita East in the semi-finals of Class 6A sub-state. Rebekah thinks Derby can make another solid run through sub-state and league competition.

The Panthers were tested early with the AVCTL preseason tournament at Hutchinson this past weekend, and matches against Goddard and Maize South on Tuesday. Derby hosts its first home matches of the season against Salina

Michael D. Gordon, OD

39

Expect success ... f rom the returning starters. Five players return from last year’s s q u a d w i t h h i g h e x p e c t a t i o n s t h i s season.

Must progress ... from the new additions to the varsity roster. Chemistry will be a key component in Derby’s success.

Player to watch: McKenna Reynolds, senior

Rising star: Kenzie Brown, sophomore

Event to watch: Derby hosts league r iva ls Newton and Maize on Oct. 2. The Panthers’ returning starters circled that date on their calendars long ago.

Expect thisfrom

Derby volleyball

Rebekah Spainhour (left) and McKenna Reynolds take on leadership roles this year as seniors.

South and Salina Central on Sept. 4.


Informer photosMembers of the boys varsity soccer team include (front row, from left): Raymond Macias, Julio Vielmas, Alan Flores, Thome Denesongkham, Matt Chapman and Bryan Willhight. Second row: manager Kelsi Greenstreet, Clayton Matzen, Hernan Vielmas, Chase Sacket, Austin Swindler, Jose Vaquera, Ryan Steven and manager Naomi Fahring. Third row: Coach Aaron Aberg, Lake Crawford, Marcus Mckee, Edgar Vaquera, David Bustos, Dimitri Starr and Coach Paul Burke.

Members of the boys junior varsity soccer team include (front row, from left): Drew Palmer, Caleb Brussow, Ryan Liu, Cade Brown, Westin Biays, Ethan Brussow and manager Danielle Needham. Second row: Kody Shepherd, Alan Diaz, Damian Rogers, Austin Ring, Jared Chapman, Tyler Willich. Third row: Coach Aaron Aberg, Quentin Reuther, Jesus Beltran, Brian Loera, Gage Tretheway, Marcel Moeschter and coach Paul Burke.

Members of the boys soccer C-team include (front row, from left): Gabriel Smith, Trevor Schwartz, Ricky Lopez, Gentry Bernardo and Austin Hubert. Second row: Efrain Tarango, Eli Stewart, Danny Smith, Christian O’Dell, Tavion Martin, Colton Swartz, Nathaniel Harris and Conner Rundell. Third row: manger Katherine Needham, Tanner Melton, Braden Phetkhamchanh, Colin Brown, Zachary Tye, Andrew Ost and Isaiah Bonson. Fourth row: Bradley Romo, Conner Holt, Nathan Fox, Marcel Moeschter, Edgar Vara, John Doerksen and coach Jose Vigil.


The Derby High School boys soccer team had an impromptu coaching change just a few weeks before practice began earlier this month, but that did not change the Panthers’ expectations this season.

Paul Burke replaced Robert Rhodes, who had a 23-24-1 record in three seasons as head coach of the boys varsity soccer team. Even as a first-year head coach, Burke was not completely unfamiliar with the team, after spending several years as a Derby assistant coach.

“They’re still getting used to the way I do things, but there is some experience there,” Burke said. “We’re not was t ing any t ime here. We’re trying to get everything done to prepare us for that first game.”

The team has responded well early on, and the expectations this season are as high as they have ever been, said senior midfielder Jose Vaquera.

“Paul knows his stuff and the team knows him,” Vaquera said. “We can get a better record than we had last year, and we want a shot at state.”

Derby ended last season 7-9-1 with a 2-1 loss to Wichita South in the first round of Class 6A regional competition. This year, the schedule will be just as difficult. Vaquera said if the Panthers remain focused and driven, that record could turn around.

“We just need to put a

New coach, same expectations for boys soccer

“We are going to pressure more up top and not rely on our defense to save us,” Burke said. “We are going to try and come out and score more goals and not just try and win games 1-0.”

Keeping possession of the ball will be key for Derby to score more goals, Burke said. Winning those possessions is also important, Vaquera added.

“We need to win headers and 50-50 balls,” Vaquera sa id . “We need to be physical.”

Vaquera, a four-year varsity starter, was named Derby’s most valuable player and to the AVCTL Division I all-league first-team as a junior last season. He will once again be counted on for his leadership.

Derby only lost two starting seniors from last year, defender Aric Neely and fo rward Brandon Huynh. The Panthers have a strong junior class that has played varsity since they were freshmen.

“Those juniors are on their third year of varsity coming in,” Burke said. “They communicate well on the field and know where each other is going to be. They know they need to move in open space and make things happen on their own.”

Derby played its first home game of the season against Kapaun Mount Carmel on Tuesday, and will follow up with a game at Valley Center on Thursday.

little effort into it, and stay focused in all of the games,” he said. “We lost to some teams we should’ve beat last year.”

Burke agrees. “We are slowly coming

together and it’s going to take time,” he said. “Staying focused as we try and find the right place to put players is a priority.”

Burke wants to build on what the team did well in the past. He’d like to see a more aggressive front line, and not rely so much on the defense.

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Expect success ... in team chemistry. Eight starters return this year and many have played varsity together since they were freshmen.

Must progress ... in being agressive on offense. In the past, g o a l s h a v e b e e n scarce and Derby has relied too much on its defense.

Player to watch: Jose Vaquera, senior

Rising star: Hernan Vielmas, freshman

Event to watch: De rby hos ts r i va l Campus on Sept. 18. The Panthers have a brutal away schedule, with games at Maize, Wichita Northwest and Andover.

Expect thisfrom

Derby boys soccer

Key soccer players include, from left, Marcus McKee, Edgar Vaquera and Julio Vielmas.


Informer photoMembers of the girls golf team include (front row, from left): Kate Bedford, Kennedy Long and Kelly Mason. Second row: Taylour Hayes and Sydney Murray. Third row: Coach Tim Herrs, Laurie Harris and Shanna Gilbert.


With three solid golfers returning from last year’s s tate-qualifying team, Derby girls head golf coach Tim Herrs thinks a second consecutive trip to state is within reach this season.

Gone are gradua tes Bridget Walston and Rachel Thompson, who helped Derby to a third-place finish at Class 6A regionals and a trip to the state tournament last season.

Kennedy Long and Kelly Mason are back for their senior season, and Taylour Hayes also returns after a breakout freshman year.

“We are looking to build on that experience, and bring some newcomers along,” said Herrs. “Hopefully by the end of the year, they can contribute a good fourth score for us, so we have a chance to go back to state again.”

Long and Mason are both strong off the tee, and will continue to use the driver to their advantage this season. Hayes does not have the driving distance off the tee that Long and Mason have, but the sophomore makes up for it with a well-rounded approach and her ability to keep the ball in the fairway and out of the trees, water hazards and sand traps.

“Kennedy and Kelly can really hit the ball a long way. That just shortens the course,” Herrs said. “Taylour can’t get out there with them in terms of length, but she’s a steady golfer and doesn’t get herself in a whole lot of trouble.”

New to the squad this season is freshman Sydney Murray, another steady golfer, Herrs said.

“She’s up there in terms of her ability,” he said. “She can’t hit as long as some of the other members, but like Taylour, she’s pretty steady. She has a pretty good short game, and hits fairways and greens.”

I n o r d e r t o s t a y competitive in a difficult field of Class 6A golfers, Derby will need to be consistent near the green. Chipping, putting and short irons have been the primary focus early in practice this season, Herrs said.

“Everyone needs to work on their short game,” he said. “Chipping and putting are going to be half of your shots. If you can knock a shot or two off of each hole, then you’re going to have a huge advantage.”

That advantage will help when Derby works toward another state berth. The regional field will feature some of the best golf teams in the state, and a handful of teams that are equally-matched.

“Our regional has two rea l ly good teams in Manhattan and Washburn Rural, then there are three or four teams that are pretty comparable in their abilities,” Herrs said. “I like our chance if we could maybe distance ourselves and get a 10-shot advantage over the course of the year.”

Derby shot a 422 as a team at regionals last year, defeating Wichita East by 10 stokes. Manhattan (332) and Washburn Rural (336) ran away from the competition for first-and second-place at the tournament.

Derby could see both teams, and several other top competitors in the area, at the Hutchinson Invitational at Carey Park Golf Course

Girls golf eyes second straight trip to state

on Sept. 27. “The Hutch tournament

is one we look at because there are 18 or 20 teams there that we will see in either regionals or state,” Herrs said. “That’s a good measuring stick to see how we are going to be.”

Derby had i t s f i r s t tournament of the season at Wichita State University’s Braeburn Golf Course on Tuesday, and will travel to Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton for another on Thursday. The Panthers will also host a tournament at Derby Golf and Country Club on Oct. 1.

Expect success ... off the tee. The driver has been the club of choice for seniors Kennedy Long and Kelly Mason.

Must progress ... closer to the green. Putting and chipping wil l be important if Derby wants to make a second straight trip to the Class 6A state tournament.

Player to watch: Kennedy Long, senior

Rising star: Sydney Murray, freshman

Event to watch: Derby travels to Carey Park Golf Course in Hutchinson on Sept. 27, where it will match up against 18 or 20 teams it will likely see again in regional and state competition.

Expect thisfrom

Derby girls golf


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Much like last year, the Derby girls tennis team will rely heavily on its underclassmen at the varsity level.

Derby had one senior, Abbie Hills, on the tennis team last year. That is one more than they have this year.

“We are going to be pretty young,” said Dennis Burns, DHS tennis head coach. “That could make for an interesting year.”

Without a senior on the team, Burns said the junior

Youth remains a constant in girls tennisclass has stepped up to take on a leadership role for the Panthers.

Junior Morgan Hughes has become the standout player early this season for Derby. Hughes placed fourth at the Class 6A regionals and fifth at the AVCTL Division I meet as a sophomore last year. The fourth-place finish in regionals awarded Hughes her first trip to state competition. She would like to return and bring home a medal this season, Burns said.

“She has set her sights high this year and wants to place at state,” he said. “She is setting the tone right now for the rest of the players. Everyone is chasing her.”

Juniors Anna Watkins and Kaitlyn Oline have played well this season and could play singles or doubles. The same can be said for sophomore Kourtney Richardson.

D e r b y h a s s e v e r a l freshmen on the team that have shown promise early on, and could fill vacant varsity roster spots during tournaments, Burns said.

B a i l e y F a r r i s a n d Mackenzie Hughes will likely see varsity time this year as freshmen. Ashley Gates, another freshman on the team, played in Derby’s Davis Cup this past summer, and could also play varsity this year.

“She may be that dark horse, that sleeper that we need,” Burns said. “We’re not for sure how high she can get yet, but we watched her play quite a bit in the Davis Cup over the summer.”

Even as underclassmen, the group of freshmen has some experience playing in middle school. Several

also took lessons or played competitively over the summer.

“They came in ready to play,” Burns said. “These girls probably have come in at a higher level than what we’ve had in the past.”

With potential players for doubles and singles, the roster could shift several times this season.

Inexperience has caused some problems across the board. Burns said the girls struggle with serving and volleying, and need improvement in many other areas as the season unfolds.

“We might take some licks in doubles this year,

Informer photoMembers of the girls tennis team include (front row, from left): Morgan Malmquist, Ashley Gates, MacKenzie Tilma, Ada May, Emily McMillan Bastin, Alexis DeVous, Marissa Sanders and Bailey Farris. Second row: Amy Prieb, Katelyn Wendland, Moriah Keen, Kyra Clinton, Sam Clinton, Cora Decker, Kaitlin Richert, Tayelor Anderson and Skyeler Maddox. Third row: Ashlyn Levins, Macie Hamlett, Anna Watkins, Kourtney Richardson, Alexis Hoffmeier, Tiffany Voss, Kaylie Opskar and Sara Wallace. Fourth row: Mackenzie Hughes, Maddy Hills, Morgan Hughes, Kaitlyn Oline, Kayla Root, Hannah Vogelsang, Addie Reeves and Myah Coberly. Fifth row: Coaches Dennis Burns and Huy Vien.

but we have some athletes, so you never know what might happen,” Burns said. “That youthfulness and talent could pay off.”

Big tournaments circled on Burns’ calendar include Goddard on Sept. 11, and

Derby’s own tournament on Sept. 13. Two tournaments at McPherson on Aug. 30 and Sept. 29 will give Derby a look at what the postseason might bring.

“Our league is going to be tough, but this is a good year

for us in regionals,” he said. “That second (McPherson) tournament will be a big tune-up meet for us, and how much we’ve improved as the season went on.”

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Expect success ... from the junior class. Without a senior on the team, j un io rs have provided early leadership for Derby.

Must progress ... in doubles competition. With a young roster full of inexperienced players, Derby will need to find two players who compete well together.

Player to watch: Morgan Hughes, junior

Rising star: Ashley Gates, freshman

Event to watch: Derby will see where it stands against some of the league’s best at the McPherson tournament on Sept. 29, just two days before the AVCTL Division I meet.

Expect thisfrom

Derby girls tennis

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If there was ever a rebuilding year for the Derby High School color guard, this would be it.

The color guard lost five seniors last year and a bulk of the squad’s experience. This year, the 13-member squad is comprised mainly of underclassmen with three sophomores and seven freshmen on the roster.

“We graduated so many over the last two years that this is more like a start-over year,” said head coach Tamaira George. “We have a lot of young girls this year.”

The color guard is not entirely underclassmen. Serena Logue is the lone senior on the squad this year, and there are two juniors. The three will lead the young group, which has been busy since last spring

Freshmen make up bulk of color guard

Informer photoMembers of the color guard include (front row, from left): Jolene Sinclair, Olivia Black, Serena Logue and Molly Fugle. Second row: Morgan Owens, Ivy Kennedy, Chaela Herron, Désha Thomas and Nicole Mathews. Third row: Sophia Loibl, Alaysha Monk, Tana Schwartz and Katie Thorne.

learning new routines. George had tryouts this past March, and the team practiced extensively all summer.

Olivia Black, Alaysha M o n k , S o p h i a L o i b l and Molly Fugle started practicing in early June and joined the Derby High School Marching Band in

the Fourth of July Parade at Washington D.C.

The color guard returned in time for three more weeks of camp this summer. The group continues with a patriotic theme as it works on Heroes Fallen, Not Forgotten with the marching band this fall.

“It’s a patriotic theme and

a tribute to soldiers over the span of time, from the Civil War on up,” George said.

The color guard has been busy working on the new routine, and will perform parts of it with the marching band during halftime of Derby home football games this season.

The color guard will

also compete in three competitions this fall. Derby will travel to competitions at Kansas State University and the University of Kansas, and then finish up the season in late October at the Neewollah Festival in Independence.

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The Derby High School marching band does not get a lot of time off during the

summer, but a trip to the nation’s Capital made the break between school years even busier than in the past.

Every three years, the DHS marching band takes

a trip. Last time it was to Dallas, and the trip before that was to New York City. This year, the band got to march in a Fourth of July parade in Washington D.C.

Trip to Washington D.C. keeps marching band busy“It was a great experience

for them, and they really enjoyed it,” said Adam DeVault, band director for DHS. “They practiced hard to be there.”

The marching band added a little Kansas flavor to the D.C. parade with numbers like Home on the Range and Over the Rainbow.

When i t returned to Derby, the marching band quickly moved its focus to the upcoming fall schedule, where it will perform during halftime of all four home football games and compete in three marching festivals.

This year ’s marching band theme will be Heroes Fallen, Not Forgotten. The theme, which is a patriotic ode to military veterans, was a mere coincidence from the band’s trip to Washington D.C.

“With our proximity to the Air Force (base), we thought something with a patriotic theme would be nice,” DeVault said.

The band has been rehearsing throughout the summer at various camps.

After spending most of June preparing for Washington D.C., the band spent July and all of August on Heroes Fallen, Not Forgotten. The band wrapped up its final camp by performing at Pantherpawlooza earlier this month.

Seniors Blake Cordell, Garrett Valentine and Mike Johnson will guide the band as drum majors. This year’s marching band has more than 160 students. The concert band has nearly 50 students.

In addition to performances at home football games, the marching band will compete at Central States Marching Festival at Kansas State University, Heart of America Marching Festival at the University of Kansas and the Neewollah Festival in Independence.

DeVault said the marching band is always excited to end the year at Neewollah in late October. Not only is it the fall festival for the host town, but it is a chance for Derby to repeat as the overall first-place winner of

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Field piece ... The Derby High School marching band has spent the summer working on the patriotic number, Heroes Fallen, Not Forgotten.

D r u m M a j o r s : Seniors Blake Cordell, Garrett Valentine and Mike Johnson.

Event to watch: D e r b y t r a v e l s t o Independence, Kan., for its final competition of the season at the Neewollah Festival on Oct 27. Derby was named the best overall marching band at the festival in 2011.

Expect thisfrom

Derby band

M u s i c t h e m e : Heroes Fallen, Not Forgotten.

Captain: Olivia Black S e n i o r : S e r e n a

LogueAbout the squad:

Underclassmen make up most of the color guard. The squad has one senior, two juniors, three sophomores and seven freshmen.

Event to watch: Neewollah Festival i n I ndependence , Kan., on Oct. 27. The color guard joins the marching band for the final competition of the year.

Expect thisfrom

Derby color guard

the marching contest. “We’d love to repeat

that,” DeVault said.

Courtesy photoFrom left to right, Ginger Hart, Julian Ramos, Sera Voss, Joshua Schemanski, and Justin Kim march in the July 4 parade in Washington, D.C.

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For Derby’s first outing of the season, head coach Shelby Kraus was pleased with the early progress her volleyball team has made. The Panthers had an early look at some of their top league competition, going 4-2 overall at the AVCTL Preseason Tournament in Hutchinson this past Saturday.

“(It’s) not just important to see league teams early on, but to see where you are at as a team and what needs to be focused on during practices,” Kraus said.

Derby won matches against Goddard, Salina South, Goddard Eisenhower and Hutchinson, and lost two to Valley Center and Maize.

The Panthers eased into the tournament with a 25-15, 25-22 win over Goddard in straight sets. Senior Bekah Spainhour had six of her 24 blocks on the day against the Lions.

Valley Center, always one of the top threats in the area, coasted to victory in its opening set against Derby with a 25-10 win.

“The first set with Valley Center was just awful,” Kraus said. “We were on the defense the whole set and struggled to get anything to work offensively.”

The Panthers switched up their formation in the second set, using junior Tori Miller has their only setter. The idea worked well, but Derby still came up short, with a 26-24 loss.

Derby rebounded from the loss with three straight victories over Salina South (25-17, 25-21), Eisenhower (29-27, 25-23) and Hutchinson

Derby works out the kinksin preseason volleyball tournament

(19-25, 25-15, 25-21).Minor mistakes made the

matches against Salina South and Eisenhower closer than Kraus would have liked, but steady passing by senior McKenna Reynolds, junior Kylee Sheldon and freshman Kenzie Young gave Derby the edge over the two teams.

Hutchinson forced the Panthers to three sets, but Derby found a way to win once again.

“Their outside hitter just dominated us in the first set. We were not blocking well at all, and giving too much of a split in the block,” Kraus said. “The second set we dominated and just hit the ball really, really, well. In the third set we blocked really well again.”

Spainhour added another 11 blocks in the match. Reynolds and Young’s de fens ive averages were a 2.8 out of 3, Kraus said.

After a long day on the court, Derby struggled in its final match of the tournament against Maize.

“Our offense became weak and we started to get a little bit slow on our feet,” Kraus said. “We didn’t connect a lot on sets in that match, and when we did, Maize put up a nice block. Maize hit the ball very well and their defense was top notch. We didn’t block in that match like we had the rest of the day, and our passing was a bit lower than we had averaged earlier as well.”

Consistency issues seemed to plague Derby the most, which can be expected early in the season, Kraus said.

“We certainly are not cons i s ten t on se t s and attacking, but our serve receive, defense, and blocking were better than I thought,” she said.

Spainhour had a solid outing

with a team-high 32 kills to go with her 24 blocks. Kenzie Holcomb added another 30 kills. Miller finished with 25 kills, but what impressed Kraus was her setting. She had 58 set assists on the day. Freshman Katie Jorn followed with 24 assists.

“Tori Miller has taken on a huge task with me asking her to set for us part time with freshman Katie Jorn,” Kraus said. “Miller has never set before, and both she and Jorn are doing a wonderful job getting to the ball to make the set. It’s just the perfect set that needs to become more consistent. I think once we can get our hitters to click with our setters, we will be a dominant force.” derbyinformer.com


Informer photosMembers of the varsity cheerleading team include (front row, from left): Ariel Ko, Kaitlyn Moushey, Brooke Hull, Kayley Rinehart, Elizabeth Mitchell, Shelby Showalter, Allie Smith, Kaitlyn Ashley, MaKayla Allen and Morgan Bott. Second row: Alexandria Kennedy, Jasmine Kennedy, Amber Larson and Kari Ormsby. Third row: Kirstan Dubree, Ocean Swartz, Madi Hileman and Rheagan King.

Members of the junior varsity cheerleading team include (front row, from left): Hanna Nottingham and Taylor Lichti. Second row: Makenna Allen and Carly Campbell. Third row: Jordan Russell, Kelsey King, Megan Rooney and Michelle Lewis.


Even after losing eight seniors from this past year’s squad, experience will be plentiful among the ranks of Derby High School cheerleaders this fall.

A m a j o r i t y o f t h e cheer leaders re turned from last year, and seniors Elizabeth Mitchell and Shelby Showalter will be at the helm as captains of the 18-member varsity squad.

B o t h a r e f o u r - y e a r cheer leaders , and are coming off of a successful showing at the NCA Cheer Camp in Kansas City earlier this summer.

Mitchell received the Leadership Award and was one of 11 Derby All-American nominees, while Showalter earned All-American honors at camp along with junior Kaitlyn Ashley and f reshman Jasmine Kennedy.

Derby also rose above 24 squads featuring more than 500 cheerleaders to earn numerous top team awards.

The squad won Top Team Performance and Champion Chant, two of the top awards

Senior captains lead experienced cheerleading squad

given at the camp. Derby also collected four Superior ribbons and was awarded the Spirit Stick two out of the three days of camp.

“They were amazing, taking home the two top awards you can get,” Derby cheerleading coach Deb Killen said. “Those are two awards you want to get when you go to those camps. They were excellent.”

Killen said the enthusiasm

over the summer has blended into practice as the school year got under way. The varsity team has four freshmen, who all gained valuable experience over the summer.

T h e j u n i o r v a r s i t y cheerleading squad also has a successful summer camp. Six of the eight junior varsity cheerleaders were All-American nominees. As a team, the junior varsity

cheerleaders earned two Superior ribbons and two Excellent ribbons during competition, as well as secured the Spirit Stick for

two days at camp.The varsity and JV teams

will cheer together at both homecoming and senior night football games this

season. The two squads will also work together during their annual cheer clinic fundraiser on Oct. 6.

Informer photosMembers of the Pantherettes include (front row, from left): Haley Abbey, Sonya Burns, Sarah DeCristoforo. Second row: Aleesha Lawless, Belinda Flores, Maggie Laurhammer and Harper McMinn. Third row: Peyton Madison and Vanessa Cook.


Normally, the Pantherettes spend a couple days over the summer break at Emporia

Home camp puts Pantherettes in the spotlight

Burns was named an All-American at the camp, as was junior co-captain Brenna Prater. All-American

Seniors Elizabeth Mitchell (left) and Shelby Showalter are Pantherette co-captains.

Pictured from left are seniors Haley Abbey, Sonya Burns and Sarah DeCristoforo.

Team Capta ins: Elizabeth Mitchell and Shelby Showalter.

A l l - A m e r i c a n s : Shelby Showal ter, Kait lyn Ashley and Jasmine Kennedy.

A l l - A m e r i c a n nominees: Varsity, 11; junior varsity, 8.

Summer camp team awards: Varsity had Top Team Performance, Champion Chant and four Superior ribbons. Junior varsity won two Superior ribbons and two Excellent ribbons.

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Derby cheerleading

A l l - A m e r i c a n nominees:Brenna Prater, Sonya Burns, Sara DeCristoforo, Harper McMinn and Aleesha Lawless.

A l l - A m e r i c a n s : Brenna Prater and Sonya Burns.

Team awards from home dance camp: Excellent rating for home routine, Superior ra t ing fo r learned routine and Superior Showmanship Award

About the squad: E ight exper ienced Pantherettes return from last year, giving the 10-girl dance squad just two new members.

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Derby Pantherettes

State University brushing up on their skills with numerous other dance squads.

This summer, the camp came to them, giving the Pantherettes a chance to work one-on-one with National Dance Alliance instructors in Derby.

“It allowed us to focus on just our squad,” said Pantherettes head coach Jenny Ramsey. “We weren’t out to compete against anyone. We were just there to work on our own stuff and improve.”

The Pantherettes were stil l judged and given ratings by the NDA, just like the camp in Emporia. The squad received an Excellent rating for its home routine, a Superior Showmanship Award and a Superior rating for the team dance the Pantherettes learned over the two-day camp.

“They did really well,” Ramsey said. “This camp allowed us to cater to certain areas that we need to work on. We were able to focus on technique. Without a ton of different squads, the judges were able to focus on us the whole time.”

Senior captain Sonya

nominees included co-captains Sarah DeCristoforo and Harper McMinn, and Aleesha Lawless.

The Pantherettes have a lot of experience on this year’s squad, with eight of the 10 members returning from last year. Freshman B e l i n d a F l o r e s a n d sophomore Peyton Madison are the new additions to the dance team this season.

The squad is busy working on choreography for two new routines for Derby’s four home games and pep assemblies.

Ramsey and her assistant coach, Amie Harris, were both Derby High School graduates and Pantherettes.

Ramsey said this group of Pantherettes has more experience than other squads in the past.

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