Solid performances by local linkers were put on full display Tuesday at the Ewing Invitational.
West Holt (369 team score) edged out Norfolk Catholic (370) for the team title. Elgin Public/Pope John was fourth with 385 team score, Clearwater/Orchard took fifth with a 396, Elkhorn Valley was sixth with 415, Chambers/Wheeler Central/Ewing placed eighth with 481 and Niobrara/Verdigre finished ninth with a 490. OC’s Ryan Wilhelm was the top golfer after shooting an 81. Other local medalist from the area were EV’s Bryson Anderson took second with an 81, EPPJ’s Skylar Reestman placed seventh with an 89, West Holt’s Garrison Hansen was ninth with a 90, WH’s Jackson Caddawallade placed 10th with a 91, N/V’s Camden Eisenhauer was 11th with a 92, the Husky’s Max Roberts placed 12th with a 92 and EPPJ’s Hunter Reestman finished 13th with a 93. Other scorers for the Wolfpack were Cade Heithoff (101), Conor Ramold (102) and Adam Dreger (126). Blake Hoke and Rafe Grebin each shot a 98 for the Cyclones, while Spencer Kester recorded a 1191 and Hunter Klabenes had a 121. For the Falcons, Zane Richardson tallied a 107, Josiah Wriedt carded a 110, Derek Hahne accumulated a 117 and Ben Wilcox notched a 126. O’Neill’s Hunter Cullen tallied a 95, Justin Bees shot a 132 and Aaron DeWitt accumulated a 159. EPPJ, N/V, West Holt and O’Neill compete at the Plainview Invite Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Elkhorn Valley travels to Laurel Thursday at 10 a.m. CWC/E hosts a quad match, with OC, Monday at 4 p.m. The sun was shining and the weather was perfect for Tuesday's Neligh-Oakdale Invitational.
Three Antelope County track and field squads participated and saw success Tuesday. In the boy's standings, Osmond spoiled the Warriors' bid on a three-peat at their home invite. Tied at 141 heading into the final event, the Tigers placed first in the 4x400, while N-O was second. Osmond ended with 151 team points, followed by Neligh-Oakdale with 149, Elkhorn Valley with 82, Plainview with 64, Madison with 45, Humphrey/ Lindsay Holy Family with 21 and Niobrara/Verdigre with 9. Elgin Public/Pope John participated but did not score a team point. Cole Belitz had a big day for the Warriors, bringing home four first-place medals in the pole vault, 800, 1,600 and 3,200. Dawson Kaup recorded a personal-best heave in the discus with a toss of 130-3 to claim first. Julien Hearn placed first in the triple jump and high jump as well. Braedyn Ollendick led the Falcons with a first-place finish in the 100 hurdles and and third-place finish in the 300 hurdles. In the girls team race, H/LHF edged Plainview for the team crown with 120 points. The Lady Pirates collected 118 points, followed by EV with 83, Osmond with 72, N-O with 45, NV with 38, Madison 26 and EPPJ with 25. Hannah Ollendick was the top performer for the big green after taking first in the 300 hurdles and second in the 100 hurdles. Amber Miller won the pole vault with a vault of 9-6, while Carney Black finished second in the 1,600 and 300 hurdles. Lexi Bode led the Lady Wolfpack after placing first in the high jump, second in the 400 and fifth in the triple jump. Anna Heilhecker took fifth in the 1,600 and Faith Kinney was sixth in the triple jump. For the Lady Warriors, Claire Whitesel was the top competitor in the long jump and Emma Bixler won the 1,600. Elkhorn Valley returns to action Tuesday at the Wisner Boosters Invite at 4 p.m. Elgin Public/Pope John travels to the O’Neill Invite Tuesday at 9 a.m. Neligh-Oakdale heads to Hartington Monday for the Hartington-Newcastle Invite at 1 p.m. Girls Team Scores: 1. Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family 120, Plainview 118, Elkhorn Valley 83, Osmond 72, Neligh-Oakdale 45, Niobrara/Verdigre 38, Madison 26, Elgin Public/Pope John 25. Discus: 1. Chaney Konopasek, N/V, 97-10; 2. Kiera Moody, N/V, 86-5; 4. Alyssa Maughan, EV, 84-6; 6. Emily Parks, N/V, 76-7; Triple jump: 3. Claire Whitesel, N-O, 32-2.5; 4. Amber Miller, EV, 31-7.25; 5. Lexi Bode, EPPJ, 31-0; 6. Faith Kinney, EPPJ, 30-9.75; Shot put: 5. Kaylee Bacon, EV, 28.6; 6. Alyssa Maughan, EV, 28-5; High jump: 1. Lexi Bode, EPPJ, 4-11; 4. Andrea Sucha, N/V, 4-8; 5. Olivia Nall, EV, 4-6; 6. Emma Boggs, N-O, 4-6; Long jump: 1. Claire Whitesel, N-O, 15-5.5, 3. Chaney Konopasek, N/V, 15-3, 5. Sierra Rystrom, EV, 15-0.5, 6. Andrea Sucha, N/V, 13-11.25; Pole vault: 1. Amber Miller, EV, 9-6; 3. Paige Furstenau, N-O, 7-0; 4. Alisha Larsen, EV, 7-0. 1600 run: 1. Emma Bixler, N-O, 6:04.0, 2. Carney Black, EV, 6:25.27; 5. Anna Heilhecker, EPPJ, 6:36.0; 800 run: 4. Johannah Tasselmeyer, EV, 2:55.14; 6. Olivia Nall, EV, 2:57.46; 400 dash: 2. Lexi Bode, EPPJ, 1:09.63; 5. Erica Bacon, EV, 1:08.91, 6. Emerson Randa, N/V, 1:09.52; 100 hurdles: 2. Hannah Ollendick, EV, 17.4; 300 hurdles: 1. Hannah Ollendick, EV, 51.88; 2. Carney Black, EV, 53.57; 5. Bria Gale, EV, 56.43, 6. Chaney Konopasek, N/V, 56.97; 3200 relay: 2. EV, 11:20.0; 3. N-O, 11:25.7, 6. N/V, 12:31.5; 1600 relay: 4. N/V, 4:44.69, 5. EPPJ, 4:49.96, 6. EV, 4:52.23. 400 relay: 4. N-O, 56.56; 5. EV 57.63, 6. N/V, 1:01.02; 3200 run: 6. Taylor Hasebrook, EV, 16:12.2; 100 dash: 5. Claire Whitesel, N-O, 13.82. Boys Team Scores: 1. Osmond 151, Neligh-Oakdale 149, Elkhorn Valley 82, Plainview 64, Madison 45, Niobrara/Verdigre 9. Discus: 1. Dawson Kaup, N-O, 130-3; 2. Carter Rautenberg, EV, 113-4; 6. Prestin Vondra, EV, 100-6. Triple Jump: 1. Julien Hearn, N-O, 39-11.5; 2. Brandon Evans, EV, 38-0.5, 5. Dawson Kaup, N-O, 37-1.5, Mitchell Petersen, EV, 36-7; Shot Put: 6. Gavyn Clause, EV, 36-6; High Jump: 1. Julien Hearn, N-O, 6-2; 2. Dallas Snyder, N-O, 6-0; 4. Braedyn Ollendick, EV, 5-6; 4. Brock Schaecher, EV, 5-6; 6. Coltin Vargas, N/V, 5-4; Long Jump: 2. Hunter Howard, EV, 18-6; 4. Isiac Kurpgeweit, N-O, 18-5; 6. Thomas Johnson, N-O, 16-9.5; Pole Vault: 1. Cole Belitz, NO, 11-6; 2. Hunter Bennett, EV, 11-0; 3. 3. Adam Miller, EV, 10-6; 6. Kaleb Pofahl, NO, 9-6. 1600 run: 1. Cole Belitz, N-O, 5:15.2; 800 run: 1. Cole Belitz, N-O, 2:09.05; 4. Adam Miller, EV, 2:16.41; 400 dash: 5. Christian Carothers, N-O, 57.56; 100 hurdles: 1. Braedyn Ollendick, EV, 16.02; 3. Isiac Kurpgeweit, N-O, 16.64; 5. Kaleb Pofahl, N-O, 17.14; 300 hurdles: 2. Isiac Kurpgeweit, N-O, 43.89; 3. Braedyn Ollendick, EV, 45.38; 3200 relay: 3. N/V, 9:40.6; 5. N-O, 10:05.6, 6. EV, 10:25.1; 1600 relay: 2. N-O, 3:53.44, 4. EV, 4:01.25, 5. N/V, 4:08.95. 400 relay: 1. N-O, 46.7; 5. EV 48.66; 3200 run: 1. Cole Belitz, N-O, 10:54.1; 3. Hunter Bennett, EV, 11:14.0; 200 dash: 2. Cade Wilkinson, N-O, 24.34; 5. Dallas Snyder, N-O, 24.81. 100 dash: 2. Julien Hearn, N-O, 11.57; 3. Cade Wilkinson, N-O, 11.57.1; 5. Mitchell Petersen, EV, 12.14. With unsettling weather scheduled for Thursday, O’Neill track and field was forced to reschedule its invite.
The meet has been pushed back to April 16. The Nebraska School Activities Association voted on multiple changes which affect area boys basketball and football teams, along with a ruling on girls wrestling.
In Class C and D boys hoops, teams will have an option on when to play the district championship game. Next season, the 12 subdistrict champions, along with the four wild card teams, who advance to the district finals can choose when to play their district championship contest. Teams can select between Saturday, or the following Monday or Tuesday. This past season, all district title tilts were scheduled for Saturday Feb. 23, two days following the subdistrict finals. A blizzard forced games to be pushed back, plus coaches were already concerned with the quick turnaround from their subdistrict final's contests. The proposal passed but if the schools fail to mutually agree on a date or site, the district finals will be played on Saturday at a site selected by the NSAA. The board also approved the changing of the Class D-1 and D-2 football playoff schedules. In the past, playoff teams had a six days in between rounds before their next round matchup. The new tournament schedule for Class D-1 and D-2 resemble classes A, B, C-1, C-2 and six-man. In 2020, after the competition of the eight-game regular seasons, the 32 teams advancing to the D-1 and D-2 playoffs will play their first-round games on Thursday of week nine of the football season, the final week of the regular season for A, B, C-1 and C-2. The D-1 and D-2 second-round, quarterfinal and semifinal games will then be played on Friday the next three weeks, the same day as the first three rounds of the 11-man playoffs. The 2019 playoff schedule will be the same format as it has been in the past. First-round games this coming fall will be on Thursday, Oct. 31, second round on Wednesday, Nov. 6, the quarterfinals on Tuesday, Nov. 12, and semifinals on Monday, Nov. 18. One of the top agenda items at Friday’s meeting was the discussion and vote on girls wrestling becoming an official NSAA sport. The approval fell one vote short. Needing 30 votes, only 29 board members voted for girls wrestling. Girls wrestling is expected to be discussed and voted on again next year. With several state conventions pegged for this weekend, the Elkhorn Valley and Neligh-Oakdale linkers took to the links Thursday afternoon undermanned for a quad meet against Plainview and Pierce at the Plainview Country Club.
Pierce was the overall team winner with a 193 team score. Plainview and Neligh-Oakdale tied for second with a 206 and Elkhorn Valley did not record a team score. Bryson Anderson led the Falcons with a fourth-place individual finish after shooting a 47. Derek Hahne recorded a 66. The Warriors’ were paced by Garret Belitz and Neven Kline’s 49. Brock Kester shot a 51 and Jesse Green tallied a 59. Conner Klein led the EV junior varsity squad with a 63. Ashton Gullicksen notched a 65, Haiden Sleister carded a 75 and Tanner Sparr added a 77. Elkhorn Valley travels to the Ewing Invite Wednesday at 9 a.m. Neligh-Oakdale returns to Plainview April 13 for the Plainview Invitational at 8:30 a.m. Six Antelope County football players have been selected for the 7th Annual Northeast Nebraska All-Star Football Classic in Norfolk this summer.
Area selections are Jake Long, Clay Thiele and Tommie Peed of Clearwater/Orchard; Austin Rice of Neligh-Oakdale, Josh McFarland of Elkhorn Valley and Hunter Reestman of Elgin Public/Pope John. The rosters were announced Wednesday by Mike Sunderman, president of the event’s board of directors. “We are proud of the coaching staffs we have chosen for this game and are excited about the players the coaches have selected for their teams," Sunderman said. "This is a great event for Northeast Nebraska and for the sport of football.” The football game will be played on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at Veteran’s Memorial Field in Norfolk. Kickoff is scheduled for noon. “We are very excited about the kids we were able to put together," Ron Beacom, head coach of the White NEN All-Star team, said. "We have a lot of very talented football players that can run and like to hit. We have a good complement of size and strength up front as well as some very athletic skill kids. It should allow us to be very diverse offensively and make us able to be very sound and quick to the ball defensively.” Beacom, Neligh-Oakdale's head coach, will be assisted by AJ Burki, head coach at Wisner-Pilger, Brendan Dittmer, head coach at Elkhorn Valley, Scott Morrison, head coach at Osmond, Dave Ridder, head coach at Guardian Angels Central Catholic, and Blake Wockenfuss, assistant coach at Norfolk High School. "I am really looking forward to coaching some of the best football players, not only in Northeast Nebraska, but in the entire state," Tom Allen, head coach of the Red NEN All-Star team, said. "We have put together a tremendous roster and the coaches and I are really looking forward to putting this talent together and playing a competitive game this summer." Allen, head coach at Crofton, will be assisted by Mike Hassler, head coach at Wakefield, Adam James, head coach at Winnebago, Zac Kliment, head coach at Creighton, Johnnie Ostermeyer, assistant coach at Crofton, and Corey Uldrich, head coach at Hartington-Newcastle. This year’s football officials, including position and hometown are Rich Rethwisch, referee (Wayne), Mark Reinke, umpire (Lincoln), Taylor Wyatt, head linesman (Lincoln), Lyle Ziems, line judge (Lincoln), and Joe Reinke, back judge (Lincoln). White Team Blake Anderson, West Point-Beemer Brenden Beierman, Boone Central Austin Bruzek, Norfolk High Weston Choat, Boone Central Connor Clayton, Norfolk High Conner Cowling, Norfolk High Spencer Davis, O'Neill Braden Freudenburg, Humphrey St. Francis Will Frey, Boone Central Justyn Hale, Oakland-Craig Tyson Harney, Oakland-Craig AJ Hawthorne, Battle Creek Anthony Heiman, Osmond Ty Heimes, Battle Creek Dylan Horejsi, Howells-Dodge Brady Hull, Logan View Jake Lingenfelter, Plainview Jacob Long, Clearwater-Orchard Ty Martinsen, Riverside Austin Marx, Battle Creek Robby Mayberry, Oakland-Craig Josh McFarland, Elkhorn Valley Jefferson McNeill, Oakland-Craig Jon Merten, Boone Central Jared Minnick, Guardian Angels Central Catholic Tommie Peed, Clearwater-Orchard Hunter Reestman, Elgin Public Pope John Nick Reikofski, Osmond Austin Rice, Neligh-Oakdale Nick Ronnfeldt, Bancroft-Rosalie-Lyons-Decatur Nick Sazama, Norfolk High Jadyn Smeal, Guardian Angels Central Catholic Clay Thiele, Clearwater-Orchard Seth Totten, Bancroft-Rosalie-Lyons-Decatur Ben Vander Griend, West Point-Beemer Jarrett Weidner, Humphrey St. Francis Red Team Romello Porter, Walthill Brad Tomasek, Crofton Evan Anderson, Ponca Grady Semin, St. Mary's Noah Scott, Randolph Esgar Godinez, Wakefield Matthew Becker, Cedar Catholic Landon Wieseler, Wynot Devan Roth, Pierce Izac Reifenrath, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Turner Korth, Hartington-Newcastle Juan Vergara, Wayne Gage McGill, Ponca Marcus Fertig, Wayne Jaydon Jump, Pender Ryder Fuchs, Pierce Kyle Smith, Allen Ghatlin Hegge, Wausa Marcus Echtenkamp, Lutheran High Northeast Brad Hartnett, South Sioux City John Klemmensen, South Sioux City Connor Wilcox, Lutheran High Northeast Luis Quezada, South Sioux City Michael Logue, Ponca Josh Pinkelman, Cedar Catholic Mitchell Mackeprang, Bloomfield Travis Tyler, Creighton Jakob Meier, Pierce Juan Popoca, South Sioux City Kaleb Anderson, Pierce Drew Buck, Wayne Kaden Kneifl, Wayne Cameron Tyler, Creighton Cole Richards, Ponca Jalen Robinson, Norfolk Catholic Jacob Kneifl, Emerson-Hubbard A strong performance by the Elgin Public/Pope John golf team guided the Wolfpack to a top team finish at Tuesday’s quad meet at Summerland Golf Course.
EPPJ shot a 208 to capture the best team score. Elkhorn Valley was second with a 212, followed by Chambers/Wheeler Central/Ewing with a 247 and Clearwater/Orchard with a 255. Wolfpack senior Hunter Resstman was the top golfer with a round-low of 43. Conor Ramold scored a 51, Skylar Reestman carded a 56, Adam Dreger had a 58 and Cade Heithoff recorded a 60. The EPPJ junior varsity squad was led by Grace Rittscher’s 50, followed by Allyson Wemhoff’s 53, Kyle Schumacher’s 60, Lane Bartak’s 64 and Luke Henn’s 68. Bryson Anderson paced the Falcons with a 44. Zane Richardson and Josiah Wriedt each shot a 54, Derek Hahne tallied a 60 and Ben Wilcox accounted for a 64. Haiden Sleister guided the EV JV squad with a 60. Matt Wood accumulated a 62, Conner Klein notched a 69, Ashton Gullicksen had a 71 and Tanner Sparr added an 81. The Cyclone’s Hunter Klabenes shot a team-low 54 to lead the way. Spencer Kester recorded a 62, followed by Andrew Pearson’s 69 and Erin Schwager’s 70. Hunter Tracy was the top linker for CWC/E, tallying a 54. Jordan Laetsch accounted for a 59, Cauy Duba accumulated a 65, Karsen Peterson notched a 69 and Kyra Farewell added a 79. The JV team was led by Cade Farewell’s 53, followed by Cole Hubel’s 61 and Logan Sanford’s 62. Elkhorn Valley travels to Plainview Thursday at 4 p.m. CWC/E hosts OC, EV and EPPJ Wednesday, April 10, at its home invite at 9 a.m. The Elkhorn Valley girls and the Neligh-Oakdale boys took top honors in the Antelope County Track Meet on Tuesday.
Senior Cole Belitz put together a record-breaking performance in the 1,600 meter run to lead the Warriors. Belitz ran a 4:50.5 to capture the meet record which was previously held by Austin Miller of Elkhorn Valley, who ran a 5:01 in 2017. Jacob Long, a senior member of the Clearwater/Orchard team, tied the meet record in the boys high jump with a leap of 6-5. Other record holders at that height are Will Hardin of Neligh-Oakdale in 1995 and Chris Vacha of Pope John in 2003. Girls Team Scores: 1. Elkhorn Valley 215, 2. Neligh-Oakdale 133, 3. Elgin Public/Pope John 66, 4. Clearwater/Orchard 47. Discus: 1. Alyssa Maughan, EV, 79-1; 2. Haley Kerkman, NO, 79-1; 3. JoCee Johnston, OC, 74-6; 4. Kaylee Bacon, EV, 73-4; 5. Alyssa Burenheide, EPPJ, 67-1; 6. Meredith Wiseman, NO, 65-6. Triple jump: 1. Claire Whitesel, NO, 31-2.5; 2. Theanna Dunn, EPPJ, 31-0; 3. Lexi Bode, EPPJ, 30-11.75; 4. Faith Kinney, EPPJ, 30-8.25; 5. Haley Kerkman, NO, 30-7/5; 6. Bria Gale, EV, 30.5. Shot put: 1. Alyssa Maughan, EV, 28-3; 2. Alyssa Burenheide, EPPJ, 27-1; 3. Kaylee Bacon, EV, 27.5; 4. Maryssa Long, OC, 23-10; 5. Sydnee Schaecher, EV, 23-3.5; 6. Riley Martensen, NO, 21-7.5. High jump: 1. JoCee Johnston, OC, 5-0; 2. Lexi Bode, EPPJ, 4-11; 3. Amber Miller, EV, 4-10; 4. Alexis Larsen, EV, 4-4; 5. Emma Boggs, NO, 4-4; 6. Amanda Dietz, NO, 4-2. Long jump: 1. Sierra Rystrom, EV, 14-6; 2. Kristen Snodgrass, NO, 12-10; 3. Aleesha Bergman, NO, 12-8; 4. Bria Gale, EV, 12-3.25; 5. Brooke Frey, NO, 11-10.75; 6. Taelyn Switzer, OC, 11-2. Pole vault: 1. Amber Miller, EV, 9-0; 2. Paige Furstenau, NO, 7-0; 3. Taylor Hasebrook, EV, 6-0; 4. Alisha Larsen, EV, 5-6. 1600 run: 1. Emma Bixler, NO, 6:03.7, 2. Carney Black, EV, 6:17.2; 3. Kaci Wickersham, OC, 6:17.4; 4. Anna Heilhecker, EPPJ, 6:44.5; 5. Hailey Bixler, NO, 7:29.7; 6. Olivia Lindgren, EPPJ, 7:36.6. 800 run: 1. Kaci Wickersham, OC, 2:46.22; 2. Emma Bixler, NO, 2:47.28; 3. Olivia Nall, EV, 2:49.83; 4. Haley Kerkman, NO, 2:54.06; 5. Johannah Tasselmeyer, EV, 2:55.58; 6. Anna Heilhecker, EPPJ, 2:56.50. 400 dash: 1. Theanna Dunn, EPPJ, 1:08.9; 2. Erica Bacon, EV, 1:10.3; 3. Lexi Bode, EPPJ, 1:12.27; 4. Paige Furstenau, NO, 1:12.28; 5. Sydnee Schaecher, EV, 1:23.33. 100 hurdles: 1. Hannah Ollendick, EV, 17.78; 2. Haley Fleetwood, EV, 18.81; 3. Trinity Kurpgeweit, NO, 18.87; 4. Morgan Erhardt, OC, 20.62; 5. Aleesha Bergman, NO, 21.33; 6. Bria Gale, EV, 22.91. 300 hurdles: 1. Hannah Ollendick, EV, 51.36; 2. Carney Black, EV, 53.26; 3. Aleesha Bergman, NO; 4. Morgan Erhardt, OC. 3200 relay: 1. EV, 11:59.3; 2. NO, 13:38.4; 1600 relay: 1. EV, 4:49.10; 2. EPPJ, 4:51.38; 3. NO, 5:01.38; 4. OC, 5:33.96. 400 relay: 1. EV, 55.69; 2. NO, 56.51; 3. OC 1:02.1. 3200 run: 1. Taylor Hasebrook, EV, 15:29.69; 2. Alisha Larsen, EV, 17:40.20; 3. Sibley Malhoff, EV, 17:50.90; 4. Sydney Olson, NO, 19:09.35. 200 dash: 1. Amber Miller, EV, 28.92; 2. Claire Whitesel, NO, 29.51; 3. Mariah Hansen, EV, 30.62; 4. Theanna Dunn, EPPJ, 31.77, 5. Emma Boggs, NO, 31.94; 6. Sibley Malhoff, EV, 32.38. 100 dash: 1. Kristen Snodgrass, NO, 13.72; 2. Claire Whitesel, NO, 13.73; 3. Sierra Rystrom, EV, 14.12; 4. Erica Bacon, EV, 14.37; 5. Paige Furstenau, NO, 14.47; 6. Melany Mendoza, OC, 15.13. Boys Team Scores: 1. Neligh-Oakdale 182, 2. Elkhorn Valley 153, 3. Orchard/Clearwater 120, 4. Elgin Public/Pope John 6 Discus: 1. Dawson Kaup, NO, 111-3; 2. Carter Rautenberg, EV, 100-8; 3. Donnie Nolze, OC, 99-1, 4. Gavyn Clause, EV, 93-9; 5. Prestin Vondra, EV, 89-4; 6. Colton Wright, EPPJ, 81-10; Triple Jump: 1. Jacob Long, OC, 41-9; 2. Isaiac Kurpgeweit, NO, 40-6 1/4; 3. Brandon Evans, EV, 37-6; 4. Mitchell Petersen, EV, 36-1 1/2; 5. Reed Bennett, EV, 35-8 1/2; 6. Talon Krebs, NO, 34-0 3/4; Shot Put: 1. Donnie Nolze, OC, 38-7; 2. Gage Switzer, OC, 38-2; 3. Anthony Umphress, OC, 36-5; 4. Carter Rautenberg, EV, 35-7; 5. Caden Reikofski, EV, 34-9 1/2; 6. Prestin Vondra, EV, 34-8 1/2; High Jump: 1. Jacob Long, OC, 6-5; 2. Julien Hearn, NO, 6-2; 3. Dallas Snyder, NO, 5-10; 4. Brady Ollendick, EV, 5-6; 5. Brock Schaecher, EV, 5-6; 6. Carson Jones, NO, 5-0; Long Jump: 1. Jacob Long, OC, 19-6 3/4; 2. Hunter Howard, EV, 17-11; 3. Colby Sehi, NO, 17-10; 4. Isiac Kurpgeweit, NO, 17-2, 1/2; 5. Kolton Krick, EV, 16-9 1/4; 6. Thomas Johnson, NO, 16-5; Pole Vault: 1. Cole Belitz, NO, 11-0; 2. Hunter Bennett, EV, 10-0; 3. Kaleb Pofahl, NO, 9-6; 4. Talon Krebs, NO, 96; 5. Adam Miller, EV, 9-0; 6. Ashton Higgins, NO, 8-0. 100: 1. Houston Marino, OC, 11.33; 2. Cade Wilkinson, NO, 11.47; 3. Julien Hearn, NO, 11.7; 4. Mitchell Petersen, EV, 11.85; 5. Kolton Krick EV, 11.86; 6. Thomas Johnson, NO, 12.47; 200: 1. Houston Marino, OC, 23.81; 2. Cade Wilkinson, NO, 24.25; 3. Kolton Krick, EV, 25.34; 4. Carson Jones, NO, 25.39; 5. Colby Sehi, NO, 25.84; 6. Mitchell Petersen, EV, 26.31; 400: 1. Hunter Howard, EV, 56.69; 2. Christian Carothers, NO, 57.78; 3. Brandon Evans, EV, 59.17; 4. David Arroyo, OC, 59.31; 5. Dallas Snyder, NO, 1:00.03; 6. Gavyn Claus, EV, 1:00.83; 800: 1. Christian Carothers, NO, 2:18.22; 2. Adam Miller, EV, 2:21.26; 3. Donnie Nolze, OC, 2:22.46; 4. Isaias Juarez, NO, 2:30.90; 5. Layne Bollock, EPPJ, 2:36.62; 6. Ethan Gregory, NO, 2:45.57; 1,600: 1. Cole Belitz, NO, 4:50.5; 2. Hunter Bennett, EV, 5:16.5; 3. Eli Thiele, OC, 5:19.6; 4. Griffin Clausen, NO, 5:41.6; 5. Jordan Lindgren, EPPJ, 5:51.2; 6. Ashton Higgins, NO, 6:08.1; 3,200: 1. Cole Belitz, NO, 11:06.9; 2. Hunter Bennett, EV, 11:34.81; 3. Eli Thiele, OC, 11:46.94; 4. Griffin Clausen, NO, 12:02.52; 5. Damien Smith, EV, 13:07.31; 6. Ashton Krebs, NO, 13:07.94; 110 Hurdles: 1. Isiac Kurpgeweit, NO, 16:57; 2. Braedyn Ollendick, EV, 16.77; 3. Reed Bennett, EV, 48.82; 4. Harley Snyder, NO, 48.96; 5. Ty Rix, OC, 50.35; 6. Talon Krebs, NO, 52.75; 300 Hurdles: 1. Isiac Kurpgeweit, NO, 43.66; 2. Braedyn Ollendick, EV, 44.62; 3. Reed Bennett, EV, 48.82; 4. Harley Snyder, NO, 48.96; 5. Ty Rix, OC, 50.35; 6. Talon Krebs, NO, 52.75. 400 Relay: 1. Neligh-Oakdale 46.19; 2. Elkhorn Valley 47.93; 3. Orchard/Clearwater 56.14; 1600 Relay: 1. Elkhorn Valley 3:56.7; 2. Orchard/Clearwater 4:02.65; 3. Neligh-Oakdale 4:04.87; 4. Elgin Public/Pope John 4:30.57; 3200 Relay: 1. Orchard/Clearwater 9:55.6; 2 Elkhorn Valley 10:40.6; 3. Neligh-Oakdale 10:29.4. Several Antelope County senior cagers were tabbed to play in the Niobrara Valley Conference-North Central Nebraska All Star games on Friday, May 24 at O’Neill High School.
This year’s all-star games has split seniors from the NVC, Lewis & Clark Conference, Mid-State Conference and Southwest Conference into two teams. Elkhorn Valley’s Brendan Dittmer and Ewing’s Greg Appleby will lead the girl’s red squad, while Chambers/Wheeler Central’s Lauren O’Malley and West Holt’s Mike Pardun will guide the white team. Ainsworth’s Sean Sterkel and Boyd County’s Matt Korkow coach the boy’s red team against Neligh-Oakdale’s Ethan Larsen and Wausa’s Tim Schindler. EV’s Hannah Ollendick and Sierra Rystrom will be joined by Elgin Public/Pope John’s Allyson Wemhoff on the red team. EV’s Amber Miller and Clearwater/Orchard’s Katie Stearns will represent the white team. On the boy’s red team, EPPJ's Kyle Schumacher, OC’s Ryan Wilhelm, N-O’s Cole Belitz and Austin Rice face the white team consisting of N-O’s Isiac Kurpgeweit and OC’s Jacob Long and Blake Hoke. There is a short introduction of players and parents at 4:40 p.m. followed by the girls game at 5 p.m. A 3-point contest will follow the girls contest and the night will conclude with the boy’s game. The Neligh-Oakdale golf team lost Monday’s dual to O’Neill.
The Eagles recorded a team score of 186, while the Warriors had a 209. Austin Rice led N-O with a 51. Garret Belitz accumulated a 52, while Neven Kline and Brock Kester each accounted for a 53. Caleb Payne shot a 56, Hunter Charf carded a 60, Jesse Green had a 69 and Gage Dawson added a 76 for the Warriors’ junior varsity. Neligh-Oakdale returns to the links Thursday at Plainview at 4 p.m. The Clearwater/Orchard golf team competed well against some stiff competition at the Crofton Invite Monday at Lakeview Course.
Crofton won the team title with a 370 team score. West Holt was second with 392, Clearwater/Orchard took fifth with a 439 and Niobrara/Verdigre recorded a 568 to claim seventh. Santee only had two golfers and did not register a team score. Connor Dahl was the top golfer Monday after scoring a match low 89 for the Crofton Warriors. OC’s Gage Clifton placed third with a 90. Ryan Wilhelm and Blake Hoke each shot a 99, Rafe Grebin accounted for a 117 and Avery Cheatum added a 136. The Cyclones return to the course Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Ewing. The Warrior and Falcon track teams got off to a promising start as they kicked off their season with the Warrior Relays in Neligh on Friday.
Neligh-Oakdale cruised to first place in the boys division and the Elkhorn Valley girls finished in second. Girls results: Shot put: 1. Elkhorn Valley 108-6, 2. Niobrara/Veridgre 90-6, 3. Bloomfield 85-0, 4. Neligh-Oakdale 60-5. Triple jump: 1. Neligh-Oakdale 87-3.75, 2. Elkhorn Valley 81-10.5. Long jump: 1. Niobrara/Verdigre 40-6.5, 2. Neligh-Oakdale 37-9.75, 3. Elkhorn Valley 35-11.5, 4. Bloomfield 11-6.25. Pole vault: 1. Bloomfield 21-6, 2. Elkhorn Valley 10-6, 3. Neligh-Oakdale 7-0. Discus: 1. Bloomfield 231-5, 2. Niobrara/Verdigre 228-9, 3. Elkhorn Valley 201-0, 4. Neligh-Oakdale 189-4. High jump: 1. Neligh-Oakdale 12-5, 2. Niobrara/Verdigre 4-7, 3. Elkhorn Valley 4-5. Shuttle hurdle relay: 1. Elkhorn Valley 46.7, 2. Neligh-Oakdale 47.3. 4x800 Relay: 1. Bloomfield 11:41.53, 2. Elkhorn Valley 11:37.78, 3. Neligh-Oakdale 12:37, 4. Niobrara/Verdigre 13:17.99. 4x200 Relay: 1. Neligh-Oakdale 2:01.31, 2. Elkhorn Valley 2:09.07, Niobrara/Verdigre 2:19.5. Distance medley relay: 1. Bloomfield 15:26, 2. Elkhorn Valley 16:17.33, 3. Neligh-Oakdale 16:18.83, 4. Niobrara/Verdigre 17:09.34. Sprint medley relay: 1. Bloomfield 5:09.38, 2. Elkhorn Valley 5:14.28, 3. Neligh-Oakdale 5:23.35, 4. Niobrara/Verdigre 5:30.09. Field event relay: 1. Niobrara/Verdigre 1:04.01, 2. Elkhorn Valley 1:05.27, 3. Neligh-Oakdale 1:08.94. 4x100 Relay: 1. Bloomfield 57.25, 2. Neligh-Oakdale 58.52, 3. Elkhorn Valley 1:01.44. 4x400 Relay: 1. Bloomfield 4:42.33, 2. Niobrara/Verdigre 4:52.83, 3. Neligh-Oakdale 5:12.09, 4. Elkhorn Valley 5:15.93. Team standings: 1. Bloomfield 49, 2. Elkhorn Valley 47, 3. Neligh-Oakdale 44, 4. Niobrara/Verdigre 31. Boys results: Shot put: 1. Bloomfield 109-0, 2. Elkhorn Valley 103-0, Niobrara/Veridgre 94-0, 4. Neligh-Oakdale 92-2. Triple jump: 1. Neligh-Oakdale 112-5.75, 2. Elkhorn Valley 104-5.5, 3. Bloomfield 92-0, 4. Niobrara/Verdigre 31-6.5. Long jump: 1. Elkhorn Valley 52-2.5, Bloomfield 51-11.5, 3. Neligh-Oakdale 48-0, 4. Niobrara/Verdigre 31-6.75. Pole vault: 1. Neligh-Oakdale 29-0, 2. Elkhorn Valley 26-0, 3. Bloomfield 15-0. Discus: 1. Bloomfield 305-6.5, 2. Elkhorn Valley 278-6.5, 3. Neligh-Oakdale 258-7.5, 4. Niobrara/Verdigre 245-3. High jump: 1. Neligh-Oakdale 17-0, 2. Elkhorn Valley 15-6, 3. Bloomfield 9-8, 4. Niobrara/Verdigre 5-2. Shuttle hurdle relay: 1. Neligh-Oakdale, 41.5, 2. Elkhorn Valley 46.06. 4x800 Relay: 1. Neligh-Oakdale 9:27.4, 2. Niobrara/Verdigre 9:54.19, 3. Elkhorn Valley 10:18.44, 4. Bloomfield 10:29.06. 4x200 Relay: 1. Neligh-Oakdale 1:40.27, 2. Bloomfield 1:40.89, 3. Elkhorn Valley 1:46.22, 4. Niobrara/Verdigre 1:53.09. Distance medley relay: 1. Neligh-Oakdale 12:33.84, 2. Elkhorn Valley 13:35.28, 3. Niobrara/Verdigre 13:53.16, 4. Bloomfield 14:14.44. Sprint medley relay: 1. Bloomfield 4:11.25, 2. Niobrara/Verdigre 4:19.41, 3. Elkhorn Valley 4:22.63, 4. Neligh-Oakdale 4:44.53. Field event relay: 1. Bloomfield 51.18, 2. Neligh-Oakdale 57.12, 3. Elkhorn Valley 55.25, 4. Niobrara/Verdigre 59.38. 4x100 Relay: 1. Neligh-Oakdale 46.2, 2. Bloomfield 47.01, 3. Elkhorn Valley 49.16, 4. Niobrara/Verdigre 55.19. 4x400 Relay: 1. Bloomfield 3:50.09, 2. Neligh-Oakdale 4:00.27, 3. Elkhorn Valley 4:08.88, 4. Niobrara/Verdigre 4:15.68, 5. Neligh-Oakdale "B" 4:23.84. Team standings: 1. Neligh-Oakdale 62, 2. Bloomfield 50, 3. Elkhorn Valley 46, 4. Niobrara/Verdigre 20. A familiar face walking the sidelines will be absent next football season as Elkhorn Valley head football coach Brendan Dittmer stepped down at last week’s school board meeting.
“The main reason I chose to step away from football at Elkhorn Valley is family,” stated Dittmer. “For 18 seasons, as either a head coach or assistant, I devoted part of my summer and all of the fall to football. I just feel now is as good of time as any to choose more time with my family over a sport I love, with my daughters being young and getting into activities of their own. I’m already trading in my worn-out whistle for a tee-ball visor.” After a rough first two seasons, Dittmer helped the Falcons turn the corner in 2018 and collect their most wins since 2015. “I hope that I can proudly look back on my time with the Elkhorn Valley football program as having a positive impact on the athletes that have come through,” Dittmer added. “I certainly only carry positive memories of the teams I’ve coached and the time I’ve spent on the sidelines. I want to thank the coaches and players I’ve had the honor to work with throughout my tenure.” The administration kept the hiring in house as defensive coordinator Brandon Black was promoted to head coach. “Mr. Black has been an assistant for the team the past three seasons, serving as the defensive coordinator,” noted current EV principal Darin Hahne. “We had explored other options for head coach, since Mr. Black will also be our new elementary principal. However, when Mr. (Rusty) Rautenberg agreed to come back to coaching and serve as an assistant, having that experience made it an easy choice to have Mr. Black serve as head coach. Coach Black has the desire and work ethic to balance his new duties as head coach with his duties as our new principal.” Black is excited for the new opportunity. “It feels great,” commented Black. “I’m really excited to work with our boys and coaching staff. We have a good group of kids, and a coaching staff that has a lot of experience with football.” A big reason for Black’s hiring was his experience with Elkhorn Valley football. “Hiring from within the staff we currently have has a huge upside,” Hahne spoke. “Mr. Black has already established a working relationship with the assistants and the kids know his coaching style. Bringing coach Rautenberg back into the fold will bring a wealth of experience for coach Black to draw from when needed.” Black joined Dittmer’s staff three years ago, when Dittmer became the head coach. Black has helped guide the Falcons’ defense, but will now be more involved on the offensive end. “As a head coach, you have to know where people’s talents are and let them excel,” Black continued. “While I have an overall vision of what I want the team to look like, I plan to do just that. Heath Broekemeier will be my offensive coordinator this year. He has volunteered his time the last three years and has worked closely with coach Dittmer on the offense. Heath also brings a great deal of football knowledge from his experience playing in college. He and I have had a good conversation of what we have liked and what we want to emphasize from the last few years using coach Dittmer’s system. He and I are on the same page as far as what we want to run offensively. Plus, Rusty Rautenberg is a championship coach who has come out of retirement (from coaching football) to assist. His knowledge of football in general, but specifically the running game, will be invaluable. On top of that, Curt Qualset has been coaching in the program for nearly 10 years.” The new gridiron mentor hopes to continue Elkhorn Valley’s upward swing that Dittmer got rolling this past season. “We are going to continue our progress through hard work,” Black said. “We had a great group of seniors last year that really set the tone for how you practice. I just had a meeting the other day to get an idea for numbers and told them that no matter what we are doing, I expect them to work hard. Our effort needs to continue to improve so we can get better every day.” Although a new face is leading the Falcons, Black still has the same goals and schemes set in place by his predecessors. My goals are pretty simple, have fun, get better everyday so we can compete and teach these guys how to be respectable men,” Black concluded. “I’m not a win and loss guy. Hard work and preparation will take care of that. I want to be a tough, efficient football team. I think you can do that running any scheme. However, you have to have something you are good at. My plan is to identify the skill set of our team and design our scheme around them. Once we have an idea on what exactly that is, we are going to rep the living tar out of it until we can do it in our sleep. Our kids are going to know what we are good at and have confidence we can execute it. We have some talented kids coming back that can cause some headaches for people.“ After wrapping up one of the most successful careers in Elkhorn Valley girls basketball history, senior Hannah Ollendick is not yet ready to hang up the sneakers.
On Friday, surrounded by her family, coaches, teammates and classmates, Ollendick signed her letter of intent to continue her basketball career at Northeast Community College in Norfolk. The Lady Falcon exchanges her green and white for red and black as she joins a Lady Hawks team coming off a 16-11 record. “Hannah has a lot of versatility and had a wonderful career in high school,” commented NECC women’s basketball coach Matt Svehla. “She has a lot of experience in basketball. She has a lot of varsity experience. Her overall ability to play the game has us excited.” Ollendick is the first Lady Falcon cager to continue her basketball career at Northeast, and is on a short list of collegiate basketball players coached by EV mentor Brendan Dittmer. “I had a couple go off to Concordia and a few to Midland, but no one has ever gone to Northeast,” Dittmer noted. “It will be fun because maybe we can get to a couple of games next year.” Ollendick had numerous accomplishments during her playing days at Elkhorn Valley. The senior Lady Falcon ended her career with a program record 1,455 points and helped EV break a seven-year state tournament drought, helping big green place fourth at the Class D1 state tournament. “From freshman to senior year, a lot of things have changed with the team and everyone has gotten better,” Ollendick spoke. “That’s what helped me make my accomplishments. I owe my team and coaches a lot. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them. We always wanted to go to state and it was nice we could make it in my last year.” Dittmer fully expects Ollendick to carry her success to the college level. “Katie Rich, who she surpassed on the all-time scoring list, is a pretty special player to pass because she had a pretty successful college career,” Dittmer said. “I expect the same from Hannah. She’ll go out, have fun playing and has a lot of good years left.” Ollendick’s offensive ability and versatility made her a key recruit for Svehla. Her extensive experience also stood out for the NECC coach, which may help ease the transition between high school and college basketball. “It’s always a different level when you go JV to varsity and varsity to college,” Svehla remarked. “Any experience they have at the high school level helps. Hannah had a lot of varsity experience, played in the state tournament and played against good players from Northeast Nebraska. I think all that will pay dividends down the road for her.” It was always a dream for Ollendick to continue her basketball career after her playing days at Elkhorn Valley were done. “I’ve always thought about playing college basketball,” Ollendick stated. “Towards the end of my high school years, I was debating whether I could play because I didn’t know if I was going to start nursing school right away or what my plan was. I debated on it, but then coach (Svehla) called me and told me about the program and offered me a scholarship that was pretty big. I decided to go play too.” The future Lady Hawk was enticed to Northeast, but not only for its basketball program. “I’ve always thought about Northeast because it was closer to home, a smaller school and I heard they had a good nursing program,” Ollendick concluded. “I’ve met a lot of people who have talked highly of that program. That helped make me lean that way.” Ollendick intends on participating in NECC’s nursing program and looks forward to playing at the next level. The Clearwater/Orchard golf squad opened up the 2019 campaign at Summerland Golf Course against Santee and Niobrara/Verdigre Tuesday.
The Cyclones were the top team with a 213 team score, followed by the Cougars who shot a 268. Santee did not record a team score. Gage Clifton led all golfers with a 38. Rafe Grebin tallied a 47, Avery Cheatum notched a 63, Hunter Klabenes had a 65 and Spencer Kester recorded a 76. For N/V, Camden Eisenhauer led the way with a 47, Jordayn LaPlante accounted for a 70, Rane Vesely accumulated a 75, Max Hollman contributed a 76 and Angel Grant scored a 92. Mato Thomas was the Warriors lone golfer and shot a 79. All three teams compete at Crofton Invitational April 1 at 10 a.m. The Neligh-Oakdale Club Wrestlers came away with five state medalists at the NE USA State Tournament on March 9 in Grand Island
Skylar Thomas placed 5th, Corbin Hoefer was 8th, Levi Drueke earned 3rd, Aiden Kuester was 3rd and Kaleb Pofahl earned 6th. They all competed in up to 32 man brackets in which there were no classifications. There were 259 teams competing with a total of 1,866 wrestlers. The wrestlers qualified for NE National Middle School dual teams. The first dual tournament is set for April 5-7 in Danville, IL. The second dual tournament for the Middle School kids is the Heartland Duals that takes place at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, April 12-14. Neligh-Oakdale's Club Wrestling program is led by Coach Trent Hoefer with assistance from Heath Snodgrass, Jeremy Martensen, Ben Zegers and Matt Henery. The Clearwater/Orchard powerlifting team had a strong showing at this past weekend’s Class D state championship at Harvard.
The Cyclones brought home the boys’ team title with 76 points. Five OC lifters also captured individual crowns. Larissa Thomson (123 pounds), Anthony Ferris (114), Rafe Grebin (123), Derek Maxwell (165) and Anthony Umphress (198) each claimed top honors in their respective weight classes. Houston Marino (165), Tyler Bellar (181) and Donaven Nolze (220) earned a silver medal. Andrew Pearson (198), Riley Fisher (242) and Logan Mueller (275) took third, Jacob Behnk (198) was fourth, Gaven Gilsdorf (165) claimed fifth, while Trevor Thomson (148), Wyatt Shabram (88) and Gunnar Shabram (181) competed in the exhibition lifters and earned medals as well with personal best performances. Grebin and Larissa Thomson were named the outstanding male and female lifters of the meet, respectively, based on their weight divided by the amount of weight lifted. Grebin lifted 770 pounds, while Thomson lifted 585 pounds. OC hosts the Orchard AAU Powerlifting meet April 13 at 9 a.m. Although the local sports schedules show the bulk of the spring seasons set to begin this week, it looks like athletes have to suffer through another week of cabin fever as meets are postponed due to weather.
The spring preseason was already off to a rocky start with the excessive amounts of snow and bitter cold temperatures. Add in a historic flood it makes things even more difficult for spring athletes. “It is very unique,” stated Neligh-Oakdale golf coach and athletic director Ron Beacom. “We haven’t been able to go to a golf course yet and probably a couple weeks away from being able to that. We’re supposed to have our first meet next Thursday and I don’t think we’ll even be on the course by next Thursday.” Golf, along with track and field athletes, have been forced to train indoors, which has been an hindrance on their preseason preparation. “We haven’t had a lot of practices so keeping the team upbeat has not been an issue,” commented Elgin Public/Pope John track and field coach Sandi Henn. “We have been able to get outside a couple days for conditioning so that has helped in breaking up the monotony of being in the gym.” Already an uphill battle with the long winter, last week’s flood did not help matters by canceling school for about a week. “This has been a whole new ball game,” Beacom noted. “You know going into the spring that it’s going to be a crap-shoot, especially early. You just really don’t know. We’re just trying to ride it out.” Both coaches said they have had to tweak their workouts to make sure their athletes are still adequately getting ready for the season. “Being indoors has allowed us to condition more and do some strength training,” Henn continued. “Hopefully, as soon as we can get up to the track, we can focus our practices on field events. We will try and work on some events in the gym like foot work, but with the flooding, we missed another few days of practice.” Beacom and the Warriors have also been focusing more on the strength portion. The linkers took advantage of the extra indoor time by attending an important rules clinic as well. “We’ve done a lot of lifting,” Beacom said. “It’s not something that we think is going to change our golf game a whole lot, but it at least keeps us active and in shape. We went to a rules seminar. With the game of golf, it’s really important to have a good understanding of the rules and how you can utilize those rules for the betterment of your game. There’s not a whole lot we can do.” The Neligh-Oakdale AD also has to deal with rescheduling issues for upcoming track and golf meets. “This year has been a different deal and something I’ve never seen before,” Beacom added. “You expect to make up a few things, but with golf and track, it’s going to be about a six to seven week season where we’re going to try to get all of our stuff in. A lot of your meets are going to include multiple teams and schools. It’s not like a football or basketball or volleyball game where you only have one team you are matching up a schedule with. For example, the Warrior Relays was supposed to be this Thursday and you got seven different schools and a starter that we’re trying to match schedules with so we can make it all happen. Ultimately, you end up making a decision like we did and we’re going to host that meet Friday, March 29, and hope for the best on getting everyone there.” The coaches hope they can salvage the season as the nicer weather looks to be on the horizon in the upcoming week, but know they are already a step behind. “It’s especially hard for our younger tracksters who have not competed at the high school level,” Henn said. “We will go to our first meet with minimal practice, but all the other teams will be in the same boat as us at the first meet.” The Elkhorn Valley girls track and field team has been hard at work preparing for the season.
Kim Frey, Amber Miller, Hannah Ollendick, Sierra Rystrom, Sibley Mollhoff, Alisha Larsen, Carney Black, Johannah Tassemeyer, Olivia Nall, Bria Gale, Alexis Larsen, Kaylee Bacon, Erica Bacon, Sydnee Schaecher, Mariah Hansen, Alyssa Maughan, Taylor Hasebrook and Haley Fleetwood are set to guide the Lady Falcons this year. Jeff Meyer will be tasked with leading EV this season. The Lady Falcons opens their season at the Neligh-Oakdale Warrior Relays Friday at 3 p.m. The Elkhorn Valley boys track and field team has been gearing up for the upcoming season.
Members of the teams include Michael Glynn, Hunter Bennett, Conner Larson, Reed Bennett, Dylan Wright, Walter Furstenau, Adam Miller, Colten Rystrom, Kolton Krick, Damian Smith, Carter Rautenberg, Hunter Howard, Mitchell Petersen, Gavyn Clause, Caden Reikofski, Brock Schaecher, Braedyn Ollendick, Brandon Evans and Prestin Vondra. Jeff Meyer is set to lead the Falcons this season. EV opens its season at the Neligh-Oakdale Warrior Relays Friday at 3 p.m. The Neligh-Oakdale boys tracksters are primed and ready for the 2019 campaign.
Members of the team include Jackson Snyder, Isaias Juarez, Ashton Higgins, Cade Wilkinson, Ayden Donaldson, Ethan Gregory, Carson Jones, Talon Krebs, Kaleb Pofahl, Cole Belitz, Andrew Jacobsen, Harley Snyder, Conor Dempsey, Christian Carothers, Jayden Arehart, Isiac Kurpgeweit, Dallas Snyder, Colby Sehi, Dawson Kaup, Cameron Wiseman, Julien Hearn, Griffin Claussen and Thomas Johnson. Rick Eickholt, JJ Wagner and Kali Bohling are set to guide the Warriors to a successful year. The Lady Warriors open their season at the Warrior Relays at 3 p.m. March 29. The Neligh-Oakdale girls track and field squad has been hard at work gearing up for the year.
Haley Kerkman, Kristen Snodgrass, Riley Martensen, Emma Bixler, Hannah Schrader, Amanda Dietz, Hailey Bixler, Emma Boggs, Evelyn Marrufo, Brooke Frey, Paige Furstenau, Aleesha Bergman Trinity Kurpgeweit, Claire Whitesel, Meredith Wiseman and Sydney Olson will take the track for the Warriors. Coaches Terry Trautman, JJ Wagner and Kali Bohling will be tasked with leading N-O this season. The Lady Warriors open their season at the Warrior Relays at 3 p.m. March 29. The Clearwater/Orchard track and field team has been getting ready for the upcoming season.
Members of the Lady Cyclones squad include Taelyn Switzer, JoCee Johnston, Cassidy Bearinger, Kaci Wickersham, Maryssa Long, Keara Summers, Melany Mendoza, Morgan Erhardt and Lizett Marino Members of the boys team are Wyatt Chipps, Tyson Rix, Mason Hoke, Gage Switzer, Houston Marino, Jacob Long, Eli Thiele, Keagan Smith, Anthony Umphress, James Kester, Gabriel Gamez, David Arroyo, Donnie Nolze and Anthony Marino. Coaches Shannon Schumacher, Abbey Schwindt and Jeff Shabram will be tasked with leading OC. The Cyclones open their season April 2 at the Antelope County meet, at Neligh, at 2:30 p.m. The spring season has not even had its first meet and the schedule is already being tinkered with.
The Warrior Relays, hosted by Neligh-Oakdale, was originally scheduled to be run this week. However due to the flooding and travel ban in some areas, the school was forced to push the meet back. The Warrior Relays now take place Friday March 29 at 3 p.m. Three Antelope County seniors made sure they ended their careers on a high note for the 2018-19 winter season.
Elkhorn Valley’s Josh McFarland and Hannah Ollendick and Clearwater/Orchard’s Blake Hoke were selected as the winter sports’ captains for their respective teams. McFarland ended his spectacular wrestling career this past season. The senior Falcon ended with more than 150 wins, four state qualifications and three state medals - including a state title in 2018 and runner-up finish this year. But in McFarland’s eyes, his best accomplishments were team-related. “Making state duals for three years and for the first time in school history my freshman year,” McFarland stated were his proudest accomplishment. “When we made it the first time my freshman year, we really set a base. We got fifth my freshman year, sophomore year we didn’t place and last year we got second. We were successful and over the years that was one of the major things that stood out for me.” A key to McFarland’s successful career has been his mentality every time he takes the mat. No matter who was standing across from him, the 160 pounder gave it his all and stayed fundamentally sound. “Staying clean and as polished as possible against kids that aren’t as good is going to get you in the right mindset,” McFarland added. “It helps with your natural muscle memory. That’s the method to my madness.” McFarland is not the only senior to go down as one of the best at his trade in school history. Ollendick shined on the hardwood for the EV girls basketball team. This past season, Ollendick became the all-time leading scorer in Lady Falcon history. “I didn’t know until he (coach Brendan Dittmer) told me,” Ollendick admitted. “It was exciting. I didn’t know that was going to happen. I wasn’t aiming for it, but it did. It’s exciting to have a record at Elkhorn Valley. When I come back I’ll see my name and everyone else will see it too.” Ollendick, along with her senior teammates Amber Miller and Sierra Rystrom, helped end Elkhorn Valley’s seven-year state tournament drought. “Freshman year when we were younger we had the leadership, but we were scared to show it because of all the upperclassmen,” Ollendick commented. “We didn’t know how to handle that with them and it took us a little bit to have our own confidence and be leaders. I think that helped a lot in the past couple of years.” Across the county another senior cager was putting up big numbers for his team. Hoke helped lead the Cyclones to a runner-up finish in a tough Niobrara Valley Conference tournament. Along with being OC’s top scorer, Hoke was also second on the team in assist and helped facilitate his teammate’s scoring output. “Getting my teammates started on scoring and getting them hot made it easier for the team and me to score,” Hoke spoke. “Once one guy got going, it was contagious. Getting them going helped me a lot.” A big key to Hoke’s stellar offensive season, which helped him break the record for most 3-pointers in a season and a career, was his stifling defense. Hoke led the squad in steals with three per contest and credits his offensive output with his strong defensive play. “My family has always told me ‘It starts with defense and defense wins championships and offense wins games’,” Hoke concluded. “Working hard on defense is something I can control. Sometimes the ball wouldn’t fall on offense, but we can control our effort on defense. In the D League, a summer league, helped me with my finishing. I learned some new techniques and worked hard on finishing, which is something I haven’t done since this summer. Finding a jump shot and learning to finish better really helped.” Everyone at ACN would like to congratulate these three seniors, and all of the winter sports athletes, on a fantastic season. |
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