Hometown Heroes

Colony grad grabs TD in college opener

By JEREMIAH BARTZ-Sports editor

Prior to the beginning of the 2003 college football season Cole Magner was tabbed as "arguably the best overall athlete in the Mid American Conference" in the Bowling Green State University football prospectus.

Magner, a former Colony High School star and current standout for the Division I Falcons, showed last year and is always showing this season why he is considered one of the top athletes in the conference.

The 2000 Colony graduate was an all-purpose threat for the Ohio school. Magner caught 26 passes for 374 yards and two touchdowns, averaged 7.4 yards per rush and threw three touchdown passes.

In BGSU's season opener on Thursday, a 63-13 romp over Eastern Kentucky, Magner started his junior campaign off right catching six balls for 71 yards and a score.

Magner hauled in a 23-yard grab during the contest and also posted a 9-yard touchdown reception.

The game could be a good sign of things to come for Magner and BGSU as the Falcon pass-happy offense registered 422 yards through the air. Magner also has the luxury of quarterback Josh Harris, a Heisman Trophy candidate, to get him the ball.

The Falcons, who are the preseason favorites to win the MAC, travel to West Lafeyette, Indiana next week to take on Purdue.

The contest is one of two dates for BGSU against a team from the Big Ten Conference.

The Falcons travel to Columbus to take on the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes on Sept. 20.

Football:

Cole Magner (Colony 2001) is beginning his junior season with the Division I Bowling Green State (Ohio) Falcons. Magner started all 12 games for the Falcons last season and remains at the top of the depth chart at the slot position. Magner had 26 receptions for 374 yards and two touchdowns. He also was 3-for-5 passing with three touchdowns … James Watts (Wasilla 2001) begins his sophomore season with Western Oregon University. Watts was third on Wolves last season with 33 rushes for 157 yards. Watts, a 5-10, 180-pound running back will be one of the top reserves in the WOU backfield this season … Justin Buzby (Wasilla 2000) is in his junior season with the University of Minnesota-Crookston. Buzby has earned the starting strong safety spot… John Fillman (Colony 2001) is a junior defensive lineman with UMC … Jake DeBuck (Colony 2003) is a redshirt freshman tight end with UMC … James Winter (Colony 2001) begins his sophomore season with Minnesota State-Moorehead. The 5-8, 258 pounder is expected to start at nose guard this season. Winter is also the varsity heavyweight on the Dragon wrestling team … Ali Larijani (Palmer 2003) is in his first season with Valley City State University (ND). Larijani will play linebacker … Sam Widmer (Wasilla 2003) is in his first season with the University of Mary (S.D.). Widmer will play linebacker.

Volleyball:

Emily Sakis (Palmer 2003) is in her first season with Northeastern Junior College. Sakis is a middle hitter for the Colorado team … Brianna Johnson (Palmer 2003) is in her first year with Wartburg College. Johnson is currently on the Iowa school's junior varsity team … Diana Gordon, formerly Diana West, is now a member of the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. Gordon transferred from BYU-Hawaii … Lisa Thomas (Palmer 2001) is in her junior season with Portland State University. Thomas was named to the Big Sky all-academic team last year for the Division I school … Leisa Rosen (Wasilla) is in her fourth season as an assistant coach for the University of Michigan … Stefanie Farris (Wasilla 2002) is a sophomore middle hitter for the Citadel.

Cross-country

running:

Eric Strabel (Colony 2000) enters his senior season with UAA. Strabel placed 13th in the West Region Championships last year … Aaron Dickson (Palmer 2003) and Drew Dickson (Palmer 2003) are freshmen with the Seawolves … Sarah Hanson (Colony 2001) is a junior with UAA … Dominique Colberg (Colony 2003) is a freshman with the University of Montana … Diana Heimerl (Colony 2001) is a junior with Alaska Fairbanks … Renae Moore (Susitna Valley 2002) is a sophomore with UAF … Pat Egelus (Palmer 2000) is a senior with Eastern Oregon University.

Swimming:

Dirk Craft (Palmer 2000) is in his junior season with the University of South Dakota. Craft helped lead USD to a ninth-place finish last season in the Division II swimming and diving championships.