Saxony's new programs get started on right foot

At Saxony Lutheran High School, winning has already become the norm for the young athletic program.

The Crusaders have won consecutive state titles in boys cross country, own a state relay title in track and are headed for their third straight winning season in boys basketball.

Saxony Lutheran's newest program, girls basketball, recently finished its inaugural season 9-8 playing a junior varsity schedule. The Crusaders finished the season with a four-game winning streak under coach Steve Fritzler.

"I was really proud of the girls for stepping up to the challenge of starting a program from scratch," Fritzler said. "These girls not only hadn't played together, but they hadn't played high school basketball [before]."

The team consisted of five freshmen, two sophomores and one junior, although Saxony finished with just seven players after losing a player to injury.

Included on the schedule this past season for the Crusaders were Kelly, St. Vincent, Notre Dame, Delta and Farmington among others.

Saxony Lutheran will begin varsity play next year.

"We hope to have a full team ready to go for varsity and JV," Fritzler said.

In the spring, the Crusaders will debut their softball program, which will begin as a spring offering instead of a fall sport. Saxony Lutheran plans to play all of its home softball and baseball games on campus this season as its fields should be ready by the start of the season.

Another new sport is on the horizon for the school, as plans for a boys soccer team were recently announced. The team would begin in the fall.

Saxony Lutheran athletic director Larry Cleair said he feels the various athletic programs at Saxony Lutheran help further develop its students.

"I think all our programs are good quality, and not just based on wins and losses," he said. "The kids are hopefully growing in the programs."

Ellison signs with Union

Notre Dame senior Eden Ellison signed with Union College, an NAIA school in Barbourville, Ky., to play softball next season.

Ellison hit .263 for the Bulldogs her senior season with 12 RBIs. The Bulldogs finished runner-up in Class 3 this past season, and Ellison had a pair of hits in the state championship game.

College notes

• Central Missouri State's women's basketball team scored an upset Saturday with a 63-60 win over Emporia State, ranked No. 3 in the South Central region in NCAA Division II. CMS (17-7) is currently in the middle of a seven-game winning streak. Notre Dame graduate Ashley Millham grabbed six rebounds and added five assists in the win. The Jennies lost by 20 points the last time they played Emporia. Millham, a junior, is averaging 5.1 points, 4 assists and 4.3 rebounds a game for the Jennies, and leads the team in assists.