Jackson still has an alum in Big 12

Jackson High School's presence in the Big 12 still may be felt this year after all.

While running back Mario Whitney's stay at Missouri was short-lived, Jackson High School teammate Travis Dambach has climbed to No. 2 on the depth chart after red-shirting last season at the University of Kansas. Dambach, at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, is behind senior Danny Lewis at the right tackle position.

Dambach was an all-state lineman for Jackson's semifinal team in 2001.

Dukes joins a winner

After back-to-back quarterfinal defeats, Central all-state linebacker Jeremiah Dukes is finally on a championship squad.

Dukes is entering his freshman year at Joliet Junior College, the defending junior college national champions. Joliet is No. 5 in the preseason top 25 poll entering this season. Dukes should see plenty of action at linebacker as he works behind a group of talented sophomores.

Locals to help Murray St.

Murray State University's volleyball team, picked as co-favorites to win the Ohio Valley Conference regular season crown, will be counting on a pair of local talents to chip in this season.

Holly Jansen, the 2002 Southeast Missourian player of the year, signed with Murray State after leading Leopold to a Class 1 state title last season. Jansen will look to add to a group of talented up front players and could be a key blocker for the team.

Danielle Sutterer, a St. Vincent graduate, transferred to Murray State after two seasons at Shawnee Community College. Sutterer is a talented blocker who set the single-season blocks record at Shawnee with 276.

Central graduate Vicki Wilson, who will compete in both track and volleyball, will likely redshirt in volleyball this season. Wilson is expected to participate in track.

An expanded role?

Central graduate Jon Mark Thompson begins his fight for increased playing time for the preseason's 12th-ranked soccer team as Notre Dame takes on St. Louis University in an exhibition game tonight at St. Louis.

Thompson played in eight games as a freshman, recording two shots. The Fighting Irish advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament and bring back nine starters from last season's squad. Thompson is behind a group of talented upper classmen at midfield led by senior three-time captain Greg Martin.

If Thompson does well in the exhibition season and practice, he could see extended playing time this season.

"Jon is good technically and a good athlete," Notre Dame coach Bobby Clark said. "After one year, he knows what college soccer is about, and he knows that he can play here. He has to step up to the plate and make some things happen."