Bowling, cross country top year for Spartan boys

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By DOUG OLESON SYCAMORE – Cross country and bowling were the most successful boys' sports teams at Sycamore High School in 2008. After winning the state title in 2007, the SHS cross country team made its third straight trip to state last fall. Paced by Matt Gilmer and Tyson Kinsley, who finished sixth and seventh respectively, the Spartans took fifth place in state. For Gilmer, who missed part of the season with an injury, it was only his fifth race. Kinsley was a transfer student for Coach Mike Lambdin, who was honored as cross country coach of the year for winning the 2007 title. 2008 was a great start for first-year Head Coach Aaron Williams. After going undefeated in the regular season, the boys' bowling team finished eighth in the state tournament with a 12,434 series. It was the first time in their four-year history that the Spartans qualified for the state meet. Shane Toms led the Spartans by taking 15th in the state meet with a 2,599 series. At the boys' state track meet, three Spartans qualified, including: Kevin Sabock, who placed 11th in the shot put (53-10); Derek Campbell, 37th, 3,200-meter run (10:10.98); and Gilmer, 1,600-meter run (4:25.3). In his final high school season, four-year starter Jason Schepler qualified for the state wrestling tournament. Schepler, who finished 41-6, won over 120 matches in his prep career. Despite having a young roster, Coach Chauncey Carrick's Spartans had a good season, going 12-8 in dual meets, as well as a second place finish in the Sycamore Regional. At the start of the current season, freshman Alex Murfee became the first girl to ever wrestle at SHS. Another Spartan who shot his way to state was senior golfer Zach Teague. The only Spartan to ever reach the state golf tournament, Teague qualified for the second year in a row in 2008. Although the baseball team wasn't quite as successful, Jason Cavanaugh's team went 23-10, including a 5-4 win over Kaneland to capture the Dixon Regional. The season ended in the Rochelle Sectional with a 3-1 loss to Rock Falls, which advanced to the final four. An indivudual highlight was Will Strack's no-hitter. After a promising start, the boys' basketball team finished 13-13, under first-year Head Coach Jeff Hillmer. The season ended with a disappointing 80-64 loss to Oswego in the first game of the Sycamore Regional. Among the seniors lost to graduation were Strack, Josh Howells, Kortney Hunter and Ryan Friel – all starters. Strack thrilled local crowds with his dunks, Howells with his long-range shooting ability and Hunter with his aggressive drives. 2008 was a tough year for the football team, which finished 4-5.