Christopher Drexel

Story Archive

Bishop Gorman starts practice with eye on state and national titles

Monday, March 2, 2009

When Jeff Malm began his freshman season with the Bishop Gorman baseball team, he told coach Chris Sheff he wanted to win four state championships.
The senior pitcher could get his wish this spring. Gorman, winners of the last three state titles, opened practice Saturday with one goal — winning another crown.

Summerlin bowler rolls three perfect games in winter season

Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009

Jay Zornow has almost gotten used to what it feels like to bowl a perfect game.
When the last frame approaches, most of his fellow competitors tend to stop what they are doing and watch. Then, when the last strike happens, it is pandemonium.

UNLV thrower excels with the hammer

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009

When LaShante Ellison began competing in track and field, she never imagined it would lead to a spot on a Division I college roster.

Bishop Gorman makes long-awaited return to State tournament

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009

Bishop Gorman has sat out the last two state tournaments in boys basketball, and for the Gaels, that's two too many.
One of Southern Nevada's most storied programs, Gorman stamped its ticket to the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association's version of the Final Four by winning the Sunset Region championship, 60-55, on Friday against Palo Verde.
After winning state titles in 2002 and 2005 and reaching the semifinals in 2006, the Gaels are eager for a return trip to the state tournament.

High flying senior hopes to lead Bishop Gorman to state title

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009

Dunking in high school basketball is typically a rarity.
But Bishop Gorman senior Kylel Coleman has turned it into an art form.
The shooting guard has earned such a reputation for his jams that fans at the school's House of Glory gymnasium have come to expect them each game.

Centennial cruises to Sunset title

Friday, Feb. 20, 2009

Centennial took a major step Friday to regaining the upper hand in a nearly decade-long girls' basketball rivalry with Bishop Gorman.
The Bulldogs topped the Gaels 74-60 in the Sunset Region championship at Palo Verde, securing a spot in the four-team state championship tournament at the Orleans Arena next week. Gorman now must defeat the loser of the Sunrise Region championship during a play-in game Monday for the right to join Centennial at state.

Team embraces middle school wrestler with Down syndrome

Friday, Feb. 20, 2009

Billy Wolfbrandt can't stop smiling as he goes through wrestling practice with the rest of his Faith Lutheran Jr/Sr High School teammates.
It doesn't matter if he is conditioning, stretching or learning new moves, if he makes a mistake, his teammates tell him. If Wolfbrandt, an eighth grader with special needs, requires more time to learn moves, the coaches work with him. When he scores points, cheers and high fives are aplenty.

Centennial star inks commitment to UNLV

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

Centennial girls soccer player Julie Owens has been compared to a quarterback of a high-scoring football team by her coach.
The senior midfielder surveys the field, finds holes in the defense and hits teammates with precision passes that fuel the Bulldogs offense.

Former Centennial principal going into NIAA hall

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

Whether it was coaching, building athletic programs or hiring quality coaches, Carol Leavitt was highly involved in Southern Nevada high school sports during her 35 years with the Clark County School District.
Leavitt was Centennial High's first principal, hiring the Bulldogs' initial coaching staff and helping build a strong athletic tradition at the school. She retired in June 2002.
For her efforts, Leavitt will be inducted into the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Orleans Arena on Feb. 26.

Palo Verde rallies late to advance to Sunset Regional semifinals

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009

Top seeds aren't supposed trail a visiting opponent at halftime in the opening round of the playoffs.
But rather than panic when faced with that situation Tuesday, the Palo Verde boys' basketball team, the Northwest region's top seed, stayed calm and proceeded to blow out Western, the No. 4 seed from the Southwest, 64-47.

Senior transfer becomes leader in first season at Palo Verde

Friday, Feb. 13, 2009

When D.J. Stennis was recently assigned to write a poem for his English class, deciding on a topic did not take long.
Stennis, a Palo Verde senior, has a one-track mind these days — playing point guard for the Panthers' basketball team.

Cimarron's 'Quack' not ducking duties

Friday, Feb. 13, 2009

Just like most basketball fans do not refer to Magic Johnson by his real name, those involved with the Cimarron-Memorial hoops program do not address Brayden Quackenbush by what is on his birth certificate. To the Spartans, their senior shooting guard is simply known as "Quack."

Meadows' brothers win wrestling championship

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009

Pat Kenny's fourth 2A Southern League wrestling championship ended up being the sweetest yet.
That is because The Meadows senior was able to win it along with his younger brother Mike Kenny, a freshman at the school.

Bishop Gorman grad making immediate impact at Texas

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009

When she steps on the court for home games, there are a minimum of 4,000 fans in the stands — sometimes double that for rivalry games.
But the pressure of major college basketball has not affected Ashley Gayle. The 2008 Bishop Gorman graduate has already made an impact competing for No. 16 Texas, averaging 15 minutes per game as a freshman.

Arbelaez soccer coaching legacy ends at Bishop Gorman

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009

Nick Arbelaez has resigned as the boys soccer coach at Bishop Gorman.
Arbelaez, 28, took over the Gaels in 2006 for his ailing father, Victor Arbelaez, who lost a battle with cancer in October 2007.

Recruiting frenzy kicks off for pair of Gorman defenders

Monday, Feb. 9, 2009

Bishop Gorman juniors Alex Turner and Evan Palelei watched the school's national signing day ceremony on Feb. 4 with particular interest.
That's because, a year from now, they expect to be inking their own letters of intent with a major Division I university.

Cimarron cruises to Sunset title

Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009

Cimarron-Memorial's wrestling team was expected to roll to a Sunset Region team championship Saturday, and it didn't disappoint.
The Spartans had the top spot of the tournament all but wrapped up entering the championship round and put an exclamation point on their performance by earning four individual region champions, twice as many as any other school.
Cimarron ended with 249.50 points, while host Bonanza was second with 173 and Sierra Vista was third with 133.50.

Bonanza senior hitting career highs on court

Friday, Feb. 6, 2009

After four years of starting for Bonanza's girls basketball team, it is hard for Christin Figgins to believe her time in a Bengals jersey is almost finished.
But the senior point guard has saved the best basketball of her career for last.

Knights lose to San Diego by narrow margin

Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009

The Las Vegas Knights used Saturday's game against the San Diego Fusion as a measuring stick.
The Knights, a semi-professional indoor soccer team based out of the Las Vegas Sports Park in Summerlin, narrowly lost to the Fusion, 9-8. The Fusion have won three Premier Arena Soccer League championships in the last seven seasons.

Clinic gives Southern Nevada umpires first-hand training

Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009

More than 60 baseball players, managers and fans gathered at Russell Road Park on Jan. 31 to learn an aspect of the game new to them — being an umpire.

Bishop Gorman star stays true to Oklahoma

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009

It has been nearly a year since Justin Chaisson decided he wanted to be an Oklahoma Sooner. Bishop Gorman's hulking defensive end made it official Wednesday, signing a letter of intent to continue playing football in Norman, Okla.

Former Cimarron-Memorial football coach dies

Friday, Jan. 30, 2009

Greg Spencer, Cimarron-Memorial’s first football coach who led the school to two state championships in 1998 and 1999, died of throat cancer Friday morning, Cimarron Principal Karen Stanley said.

Super Bowl rekindles fond memories for Faith Lutheran coach

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

Not many people have experienced catching a pass from a quarterback who has started three Super Bowls.
Faith Lutheran football coach Jake Kothe has.
Kothe played wide receiver with Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner at Northern Iowa in the early '90s, and the two remain in contact.

Teen hockey star excels on national stage

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009

Jason Zucker has put on many different hockey jerseys in his life, but none were more special than the one he's skating with this season.
That's because instead of representing one team, club or sponsor, Zucker's new sweater represents a nation.
The 17-year-old Peccole Ranch resident and former Bonanza student is the first player from Nevada to be selected for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.

Two pairs of local siblings medal at national fencing competition

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009

Two pairs of local siblings enjoyed successful weekends while competing for the Fencing Academy of Southern Nevada on Saturday and Sunday

Cimarron grappler eyes third state title

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009

Every time Britain Longmire walks into the Cimarron-Memorial wrestling room, a giant list on the wall reminds him of the many state champions that have gone through the program.
After winning state titles at 103 pounds as a sophomore and 112 pounds as a junior, Longmire is one of nine wrestlers in the school's history to have won at least two championships.

Fans bowl with PBA's best at TOC pro am

Week-long tourney concludes with today's televised finals

Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009

Red Rock Lanes became a bowling fan’s dream Saturday.

Many of the 50 greatest bowlers in the history of the Professional Bowlers Association, as well participants in this week’s H&R Block Tournament of Champions, all gathered at the facility to participate in three pro-ams events.

Centennial senior set on Southern Utah

Friday, Jan. 23, 2009

Centennial senior Matt Holley had already verbally committed to Southern Utah's football program before taking a recruiting visit this weekend.
Once he arrived at the Cedar City, Utah, school on Friday, he knew he made the right decision.

Cimarron grad tries to regain stride at St. Cloud State

Friday, Jan. 23, 2009

Gabe Suarez's first season of college wrestling at St. Cloud State in Minnesota went better than he expected.
The Cimarron-Memorial graduate entered the Division II national tournament ranked No. 8 in the country at 141 pounds and finished the season with a 32-6 record.

Jerry Tarkanian's granddaughter continues hoops legacy

Bishop Gorman senior heading to Northwestern

Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009

Dannielle Diamant has gotten used to growing up with a celebrity in her family.
The Bishop Gorman senior basketball player's grandfather is former UNLV men's coach Jerry Tarkanian, who led the Rebels to four Final Four appearances and an NCAA championship in 1990. Though Tarkanian hasn't coached in Las Vegas since 1992, Diamant is still often associated with her grandfather.

Bishop Gorman girls blast Bonanza

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009

Just when the Bonanza girls' basketball team was beginning to look like a contender for the 4A state title, Bishop Gorman gave it a hard look at reality.

Lady Luck Invitational draws national crowd

Las Vegas' Brown's Gymnastics hosts South Point competition

Monday, Jan. 19, 2009

For local athletes from Brown's Gymnastics, competitions typically involve traveling out of state, staying in hotels and performing at a strange venue.
But this past weekend the gymnasts had the rare opportunity to compete before friends and family in their hometown as Brown's Gymnastics hosted the Lady Luck Invitational at the South Point.
More than 1,200 gymnasts from the novices of level 3 through the highly-advanced level 10 gathered for the event.

Summerlin resident named Junior Golf Leader of the Year

Monday, Jan. 19, 2009

One of the founding fathers of junior golf in Southern Nevada has been honored for more than 30 years of contributions.
Joe Kelly, the president of the board of directors for the First Tee of Southern Nevada, was named the Junior Golf Leader of the Year for the southwest section of the PGA last month.

Nigerian wrestler excels on mat for Palo Verde

Friday, Jan. 16, 2009

Olamide Ojo had never seen a wrestling match before moving to Summerlin from Nigeria last summer.
Never one to shy away from a physical challenge, the Palo Verde senior decided to give the sport a shot before he was even well versed in the rules.

Bonanza bowlers strike up friendly competition

Friday, Jan. 16, 2009

Bonanza's top male and female bowlers are looking to beat the best the state has to offer and win the state championships.
But first, they'd like to top each other.

Professional Bowling lands at Red Rock Resort

Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009

The world's greatest bowlers will soon be convening in Summerlin.

Bishop Gorman dedicates soccer field in memory of coach

Friday, Jan. 9, 2009

More than 100 friends, family members and former players of Victor Arbelaez, the late Bishop Gorman soccer coach gathered Friday to witness the dedication of the school’s new soccer field named in his honor.

Centennial trio sets sights on Dixie State College

Friday, Jan. 9, 2009

After four years of playing varsity basketball together, three members of the Centennial's girls squad are not ready to part ways. Guard Rashawnda Gray and forwards Johnna Brown, Deanna Daniels — the only three seniors on the Bulldogs' roster — all signed letters of intent last month at Dixie State College.

Father helping push Cimarron son to state

Friday, Jan. 9, 2009

Aaron Garcia has been a part of the Cimarron-Memorial wrestling program since about the time he could walk.
With his father, Mike Garcia, currently coaching his 15th season at the school, Aaron Garcia has frequented Spartan dual meets, tournaments and practices nearly his whole life. Now a junior competing in the 189-pound weight class, Aaron Garcia hopes to earn an individual state championship for the school he grew up at, and for his father.

Faith Lutheran sophomore shines on court

Friday, Jan. 9, 2009

While most sophomore high school basketball players are just growing into their bodies, Brett Lubbe is adding to his.
Though he's regularly one of the younger players on the court, the Faith Lutheran forward is also one of the biggest and strongest. Not coincidentally, he is has also been the focus of the Crusaders' offense, leading the team with 16.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.

City park debuts rock wall, zip line and tight ropes

Friday, Jan. 9, 2009

For those weary of run-of-the-mill activities like bowling or miniature golfing, the Las Vegas Sports Park in Summerlin recently debuted a new attraction unlike any other in the city.
The park opened a challenge course in late October. The course includes a rock wall, 220-foot zip line, trapeze and tight ropes among other apparatus.

Palo's Zurowski earns 'Go For Broke' award

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009

Playing with four running backs that have Division I potential in a rush-heavy offense like Palo Verde's trademark double wing isn't an ideal scenario for a quarterback.
But that was the task given to senior Kelly Zurowski during the 2008 season, and the senior willingly accepted it. Zurowski ended up making the most of his opportunities to throw when he got them, completing 57 of his 94 attempts for 1,135 yards as Palo Verde finished 14-1.

Henderson gymnast to take mat for Junior National team

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009

The time has finally arrived for Asi Peko.
The 14-year-old Henderson resident kicks off what she expects to be a busy year of gymnastics by participating in the 2009 Lady Luck Invitational Saturday at the South Point. It will be Peko's first competition since qualifying for the USA Junior National team at the Visa U.S. Championships in Boston last June.

Local fencers qualify for Junior Olympics

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009

They have competed against the best from the state, and now they'll compete against the best in the country.
Twelve Southern Nevada fencers have qualified for the Junior Olympics Feb. 13 to 16 in Albuquerque.

Gorman senior returns to goal after fighting injury

Friday, Jan. 2, 2009

Alex Holland had warmed up for hundreds of soccer games in her life. Little did she know this warm-up would end in disaster.

Famous coach returns to gymnastics after playing tunes for nightclub patrons

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008

Marcelo Figueiredo is the Bela Karolyi of Brazil.
The Southwest Las Vegas resident was his native country's national gymnastics team coach for 15 years. He trained Brazil's finest female gymnasts to three Olympic games, two Pan American Games gold medals and 10 South American Games championships.
But unlike Karolyi, the former United States coach who worked with notables like Mary Lou Retton and Dominique Moceanu, gymnastics isn't all that defines the 40-year-old Figueiredo.

Centennial uses tournament loss as a learning experience

Monday, Dec. 29, 2008

No one enjoys a 15-point loss.
But if it comes during the semifinals of a 32-team winter break tournament to a skilled out-of-state opponent, then the experience gained is more important than the final score.

Agassi patriarch inducted into Nevada Tennis Hall of Fame

Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008

In the backyard of Mike Agassi's posh Spanish Hills home lies a custom-made tennis court dug deep into the ground. Ball return machines, boxes of rackets and hundreds of tennis balls are everywhere, waiting for anyone who wants to come use them.
Just ask him, and the father and former coach of tennis legend Andre Agassi is happy to bring anyone interested into his home for a free tennis lesson.

New soccer team packs sports park

Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008

The Las Vegas Knights indoor soccer team appears to be a hit in Southern Nevada.

LPGA star draws crowd to event at Aliante Golf Club

Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008

The long line of people with cameras in hand and their heads on a swivel indicated it wasn't an ordinary Saturday morning at Aliante Golf Club.
But the course's guest for the day, LPGA star and Henderson resident Natalie Gulbis, isn't your average golfer.