Local sports shorts

WAHPETON, N.D. -- Heidi Dumpprope, a freshman defensive specialist, and Jill Mertens, a freshman middle hitter, both from Motley, completed a successful season for the North Dakota State College of Science Wildcats volleyball team.

The Wildcats finished the year nationally ranked, were second in the region tournament, and completed the season with a record of 32-10.

Dumpprope's role was as a defensive specialist. She was one of the Wildcats' top defensive players at every position.

Mertens was also a specialist in the front row. She led the team with a school-record hitting percentage of .299. Mertens also ranked second on the team for blocks (84) and third for kills (237).

Pillager sets ticket prices

Pillager's Class A quarterfinal football game against Warren-Alvarado-Oslo at Pillager begins at 7 p.m. Friday. Ticket prices are $4 for students and $6 for adults.

Johnson is coach of the year

Head football coach Craig Johnson of the Crosby-Ironton Rangers was named coach of the year for Section 7. Johnson led the Rangers to only their fourth section semifinal game. The Rangers finished with a 6-3 record.

NHRA champions crowned

ENNIS, Texas. -- Two NHRA Winston champions were crowned Saturday at the 15th annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec at the Texas Motorplex.

Gary Scelzi claimed his third Top Fuel NHRA Winston championship while Bob Panella Jr. earned his second career NHRA Winston Pro Stock Truck championship.

Cory McClenathan, John Force, Kurt Johnson and Steve Johns were winners at the $1.8 million race, the 22nd of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. McClenathan won in Top Fuel, Force won his 10th event this season in Funny Car, Johnson won in Pro Stock and Johns won in Pro Stock Truck.

Scelzi lost to eventual event runner-up Melanie Troxel in the semifinals but left with a 226-point lead over Larry Dixon to clinch the 2000 NHRA Winston Top Fuel championship.

Correction/clarification

In a photo published Nov. 2, Mike Schwanke of Pequot Lakes was incorrectly identified as Andrew Merritt.

In Sunday's Dispatch, Anthony Badger was incorrectly identified as Eric Shamp. The Dispatch regrets the errors.