Offensive Firepower to Lead Trojans
If you're looking for a team that has weapons returning, but also has a lot of questions, the Trojans appear to be that team. And questions aren't bad, just some spots to fill.
One question that doesn't need to be answered though, is the offensive prowess at the skill positions. They did lose Kohen Grindle, who was electric with over 2,000 total yards and 29 TDs, but Cambridge returns two major contributors to help their offense go. Senior quarterback Carson Trompke. Last season Tromke threw for 1,347 yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions a year ago.
Helping him in the backfield will be senior Tye Stanton. Stanton had 650 yards rushing and five touchdowns last year and is a physical runner the Trojans will lean on.
Now for the questions, the offensive line will be interesting to see how it develops. And head coach of the Trojans, Catlin Rice, who is entering his third year at the helm, is well aware of the situation. "Offensively we only have one lineman returning but was our best OL from last season this is going to be a weakness and we will need some of those older guys who rotated in last year too as subs to be starters."
Cambridge is in the D1-9 District with Alma, Arapahoe, Hi-Line, and Southern Valley.
The Trojans will start the season on August 25th versus North Platte St. Pat's.
Trojans Return Core From Both Boys and Girls
Head coach for Cambridge, Peter Bogardus, is returning the core from both of his squads so they should be able to have continued team success this season.
Junior, Gavin Gunderson, will look to lead the Trojans as he is coming off f a 13th-place finish at the RPAC meet. Dierks Sayer, a junior, and senior Wyatt Jackson will also look to improve from last season as they finished 17th and 19th at the RPAC meet last season. These athletes hope to improve as the season progresses to make a run for the team titles at the RPAC meet and districts.
The girls return to the same group and want to pick up where they left off last season and seek continued post-season success. Senior, Brenna Deterding was the 3rd place finisher at the RPAC meet and district runner-up, and junior, Rachel Harris, finished 5th at the RPAC meet and 3rd at districts, and looks to lead Cambridge this year. As a team, they finished RPAC Runners-Up and District Champions and look to continue to find that post-season success.
Trojans return Offensive Prowess and Passers but Search for New Setter
Despite losing a pair of four-year starters, teh Cambridge volleyball team is again dreaming big ahead of the 2023 season.
The Trojans return a pair of first-team all-conference performers and have five starters back from last year's squad that reached the State Tournament. That trip to State left a sour taste for Cambridge, one that still exists this summer.
"Losing a tough, 5-set battle against the State Champions to end last season has these girls hungry and excited for another great season," Coach Lauren Carpenter said.
Up front, Cambridge returns Jalen Kent, a fourth year starter as an outside who had 309 kills and 352 digs a year ago. She added 47 ace serves and 33 blocks. She joins a pair of returning middles in Brylyn Springer (115 kills, 43 blocks) and Erin Johnson (262 kills, 55 blocks). Right-side Leah Downwer also returns as does third-year starter Bailee Ahlemeyer.
There's a lot of firepower and passing prowess to work with, but the cog between those two facets has to be developed. Cambridge graduated a four-year starter at setter in Breelle Miller and now will use the summer to find a replacement.
Emmerie Tomplin started the conference consolation match for Miller last season and Carpenter said she'll battle a few others for the position. Cambridge also needs another hitter up front, but Carpenter was confident the Trojans can develop that replacement.
Trojan Golfers Look to be in the Mix this Season
Last year for the Cambridge Trojan Girls Golf Team, they were able to rely on experience throughout the season. In 2023, it will look quite different for Lyle Calvert who has been in charge of the program for nine seasons. He expects to have a small team, with two returners that will lead them this year.
"Both Emma Rasmussen and Mileeya Monter have played the last two seasons and I am excited to see their development continue. They are great girls that work hard and keep things fun. I expect Emma Rasmussen to compete for a medal at every tournament we have this year and I think we will see her competing at the state tournament. I also expect Mileeya Monter to break into the top 15 at a couple of meets and earn a medal at a couple meets," said Calvert.
It will be an interesting season to watch for the Trojan Girls Golf team as they have become a team that finds themselves in the mix at every meet they go to.