By Dean Backes
MaxPreps.com
St. Joseph Benton director of human resources Doug Flowers and athletic director Mike Ziesel surrounded themselves with coaching candidates that had Benton ties when they began interviewing for former Cardinal football coach Derek Wilson’s replacement.
Matt Tabor, one of those candidates, was announced as Wilson’s replacement Wednesday.
“With (Tabor’s) ties – not only to Benton High School and his father being so well respected as a football coach at this institution – it was a logical thought,” Flowers told the St. Joseph News-Press. “But in the end, it was up to Mr. Tabor to convince us through the interview process that he was the best candidate for this position.”
Tabor did just that, out-bidding fellow Benton alums Mike Long (Clinton head football coach) and Jim Wolfe for what he called his dream job.
“For me and my career, I just felt like the time was now,” Tabor told the News-Press. “This is the job I always wanted. This is it. This is my final resting spot right here.”
Tabor guided St. Joseph Bishop LeBlond to a 15-22 record over the course of four years before joining childhood friend Paul Woolard’s staff at Lafayette last fall. The 1995 Benton graduate will follow in the footsteps of his father Don, who coached Benton for 11 seasons.
Wilson guided Benton to three-straight playoff appearances from 2004-2006 after going 2-7 in his debut season in 2003. A year ago, the Cardinals finished with a disappointing 2-7 campaign.
Track and Field: Bateman Hurdles 26-year Old Record
For 26 years no one could touch the 300-meter hurdles record at the Aldo Sebben Missouri State Relays. On Tuesday, Waynesville hurdler Lucas Bateman put his name in the record book next to that very event.
“That was my ultimate goal today,” Bateman told the Springfield News Leader of the hurdle record. “I broke the school record at state last year, and breaking the meet record today was actually more exciting than breaking the school record.”
Bateman ran the 300s in a time of 39.01-seconds. Then he ran the opening leg of the record breaking 1600 relay, which broke the tape in 3-minutes, 20.89-seconds. Bateman was third in the 110 hurdles with a time of 15.08-seconds.
Baseball: Hollenberg Tacks on Nine More Ks
Earlier this season, Ryan Hollenberg broke Mexico’s record for strikeouts in a career. Now, that mark just keeps growing and growing.
Hollenberg was credited with nine strikeouts in Mexico’s 8-3 win over North Central Missouri League foe Hannibal Tuesday. He gave up four hits and walked three batters for the complete seven innings.
“Ryan continues to pitch extremely well for us,” Mexico baseball coach Keith Louder told the Mexico Ledger. “He’s sitting with a 1.56 ERA right now and he easily could have had a shutout.”
Hollenberg now has 130 strikeouts for his career after surpassing the former career mark of 113 held by Kyle Louder and Stephen Wortmann.
Hunt Fans 20 Batters
It took Tyler Hunt a while to find his control in a 3-0 win over Fayette during the consolation game of the Lewis and Clark Conference Tournament Monday. But once he did, Hunt was unhittable.
The freshman struck out 20 batters in seven innings and nearly reached the top of the Missouri State High School Activities Association’s record book for Ks in a game. His performance was just two strikeouts off of the state record held by an Ash Grove pitcher. A North County hurler tossed 21 Ks in 1980.
Fayette did have opportunities to score early when Hunt struggled and dished out eight walks.
Girls Soccer: Wiesner and Beard Notch 100 Career Points
Following a 3-0 win over Marshall, which strengthened Moberly’s hold on the North Central Missouri Conference’s top spot, Andie Wiesner and Shawn Beard had just made school history.
Wiesner (Sr.) and Beard (Jr.) reached the century mark in points scored for Moberly girls soccer coach Robbie Murray. They are tied for second on the school’s scoring list behind Ashley Cook’s 108 points.
For the season, Wiesner has 13 goals and six assists, while Beard stands at 11 goals and 10 assists.
Franklin Nets Record Assist
Truman sophomore Sarah Franklin had no idea she was about to break her school’s record for assists in a career.
But when Amy Soto scored on a give-and-go on the first goal of a rain shortened 2-0 win over Raymore-Peculiar Wednesday, Franklin made school history with her 26th assist in less than two seasons.
“I never thought about it,” the record breaker told the Independence Examiner. “I didn’t know before Monday, and I didn’t know tonight. I didn’t focus on getting it.”
Franklin broke the school’s career record for goals during Monday’s win over Winnetonka.
Boys Basketball: Despite Coaching Change Coy Still a Sun Devil
Mark Phelps was named Drake’s new men’s head basketball coach Monday. But St. Joseph Benton basketball standout Johnny Coy still says he will still play for Arizona State.
“I’ll always be rooting for Drake, unless we’re playing them,” Coy told the St. Joseph New-Press.
Phelps was the first Division I coach to watch Coy play in person and played a crucial role in the two-time All-Stater’s recruitment to ASU.
