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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

• MEET THE 2013 WINTER SPORTS TEAMS • Hampton Chronicle • Sheffield Press • Pioneer Enterprise

Members of the 2013-14 Hampton-Dumont boys basketball team include, front row, from left: Brandon Westendorf, Trevor Eiklenborg, Aaron Meyer, Levi Pratt, Austin Poock, Kyle Kent, Ismael Rodriguez. Back row: Chace Klein, Bo Brass, Charlie Flickinger, Parker Claypool, Cole Miller, Alex Sackville, Brady Claypool and Drew Abbas. (Kristi Nixon/Hampton Chronicle)

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Seeking successful carryover

By Kristi Nixon HAMPTON – Four starters return for a Hampton-Dumont boys basketball team that finished 2-20 a year ago.

H-D boys basketball team has The experience is definitely there for the experience back after 2-20 Bulldogs, but head campaign coach Heath Walton is concerned that the will struggle to establish a post-presence. experience that his team Claypool will be the tallest player on has needs to be reinforced with a positive the squad. outlook.

Newcomers to the varsity this season “We have players returning but they have not had varsity success in will be juniors Chace Klein, Brady basketball,” Walton said, “so we will need Claypool, Alex Sackville, Brandon to learn how to mentally win because I Westendorf, Drew Abbas and seniors feel physically we will be ready to play.” Kyle Kent, Austin Poock, Ismael Among those returning starters are Rodriguez and Aaron Meyer.

Among contenders for the North senior guard Levi Pratt, junior guards Cole Miller and Trevor Eiklenborg and Central Conference listed by Walton are Clear Lake, Humboldt and Fort Dodge junior forward Parker Claypool.

Claypool, at 6-foot-3, is the lone St. Edmond.

“I think if we can score consistently, player returning that received North Central Conference honors with a third we can start to work our way back into the hunt of the top portion of the team selection after the season ended.

He averaged 9.3 points and 4.2 conference,” Walton said. “It will take a strong showing from us this year to work rebounds per game.

Other returning letter winners who back into the top half of the league.”

Among things the Bulldogs must do saw a considerable amount of playing time are juniors Bo Brass and Charlie in order to be successful according to Walton are improve the team’s field goal Flickinger.

If the football season, which many percentage and defend on the perimeter.

The Bulldogs shot 31.5 percent from of these team members played in, is any indication, the Bulldogs could carry over the field and were outscored 1,268-855. that success to the basketball court.

“We will have some depth and some “It will take a strong kids that want to be very good defenders,” showing from us this year Walton said. “I think they will be willing to work back into the top to buy into playing ‘D’ this year the way half of the league.” it will take to win games.”

Still, Walton is concerned whether or - Coach Heath Walton not his team can score consistently and

Hampton Chronicle • Sheffield Press • Pioneer Enterprise

• MEET THE 2013 WINTER SPORTS TEAMS •

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

3

Members of the 2013-14 CAL boys basketball team include, front row, from left: Juan Trinidad, Juan Gomez, Hunter Schleisman, Caleb Striegel, Logan Woolery and Daniel Sosa.

Back row: Assistant coach Sean Farmer, Oscar Castro, Austin Guerrero, Juan Carlos Calles, Mario Yanez and head coach Bradley Waddle. (Kristi Nixon/ Hampton Chronicle)

By Kristi Nixon LATIMER – Up until the last minute, CAL boys basketball coach Bradley Waddle has been working on putting his roster together for the 2013-14 season.

One of his projected starters opted to not go out this year, leaving the third year coach scrambling to decide who will be in his starting lineup.

“At the start of the season, we had some guys decide not to join the team who have been playing in years past,” Waddle said. “They gave it up for one reason or the other, for their own personal reasons, whatever they might be.

“There were (also) some younger kids who were coming up in the program decided not to come out for one reason or other, so we’ve got a group of 10 kids who want to come out and enjoy the game of basketball and I look forward to working with those kids throughout the course of the season.”

Considering, Waddle liked what he has seen so far after only a week of practice.

“We’ve got seven guys out who played the game of basketball,” Waddle said.

“We’ve also got three who have never played the sport before, so we’ve made some leaps and bounds. We need to play

Putting it together: CAL working to fill roster after 1-21 season well in February and that is where we strive for.

“There are a lot of questions being asked from some of the things we’ve done in the past we’re going to change up a little bit – we’re going to debut a whole new offense here at CAL and the kids have really taken a liking to it, so we’re really looking forward to that.”

Three starters return, though, including 5-foot-10 senior guard Juan Carlos Calles, who averaged 2.9 points and a steal per game, 5-10 junior guard Juan Gomez, at 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game and 6-3 senior center Hunter Schleisman at 2.1 points and 2.8 rebounds a game.

“Of the regular starters, we’ve got three coming back,” Waddle said. “They played 20-21 games last year and we look forward to them stepping up and playing some leadership roles. They’ve improved in their game in some of the areas I’ve asked them to; we’re looking forward to them being a good aspect for us down the stretch.

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“Everybody who didn’t start who is back had a lot of playing time because we had a short bench and so everybody did get experience at the varsity level, so I’m really pleased with what we’re looking at.

But as far as numbers go, we’re working with 10.”

Among newcomers to the program include 5-9 senior guard Mario Yanez, who took a year off from basketball.

Waddle said he is looking forward to his guard play.

The Cadets also have Austin Guerrero, a 5-8 junior guard who transferred from Hampton-Dumont, who, according to Waddle, has great ball-handling skills.

“He has great court awareness,” Waddle said. “He’ll make everyone around him better.”

CAL will also benefit from 6-1 sophomore post player Caleb Striegel, who is new to the team this year. He transferred in from Illinois when his father became activities director with the Cadets.

“He has a nice, big frame,” Waddle said of Striegel. “A soft touch on the ball.

He has basketball knowledge and will be a great asset to the team.”

Team strengths, Waddle said, will be his team’s attitude while actual basketball skills will be the team’s weaknesses.

“Heart, determination, we work well together and are conditioned,” Waddle said. “We have a never give up attitude. “(I’m concerned with) turnovers, taking care of the basketball, stopping the ball in transition and a lack of size inside.”

Among a tough Iowa Star Conference, Waddle said that his team will be able to play most teams as long as they stick to the game plan.

While he names Dunkerton, Tripoli and Janesville as the North favorites, he adds that he can see his team finishing in the middle to lower half of the conference.

“We must learn from our mistakes,” Waddle said. “If we play hard, stick together and get better and improve from the first game to the last – be students of the game.

“The most important thing is to have fun.”

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• MEET THE 2013 WINTER SPORTS TEAMS •

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

5

The 2013-14 West Fork boys basketball team includes, front row, left to right: Jayden Engebretson, Travis Fekkers, Josh Stevens, Rylan Fleshner, Brett Barkema, Noah Sparks, Dawson Zeitler, Christian Ames, Jacob Nierengarten, Cole Hall. Middle row: Jacob Eliason, Cody Wegner, Deven Heitland, Dustin Rader, Drew Engebretson, Collin Arndt, Austin Neff, Zachary Greimann, Markus Wogen, Hunter Myers, Kyle Schulz, Reese Halloran, Tyson Pillard. Back row: Assistant coach Randy Bohman, Spencer Halloran, Logan Plagge, Gunnar Myers, Evan Sprung, Sam Amsbaugh, Collin Jones-Smeby, Mitchell Robeoltman, Collin Schoning, Peyton Twedt, Alec Connelly, Jacob Kuhlemeier, head coach Frank Schnoes and assistant coach Dave O’Connor. Not pictured: Tanner Tuttle. (Jack Zimmerman photo)

By Kristi Nixon SHEFFIELD – Warhawk Nation had plenty of reasons to soar last year.

Even with the graduation of three-time all-state honoree Payton Plagge, West Fork’s boys basketball team has plenty of reasons to be successful this year with three returning starters and seven total letter winners back from a Class 2A state runner-up finish.

Reason No. 1: 6-foot-5 senior forward Sam Amsbaugh, who averaged 14.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game with a 62 percent field goal average. He earned

Expectations are high:

Twedt, Cody Wegner, Kyle Shulz, Logan Plagge, Reese Halloran and Gunnar Myers as newcomers who may be able to contribute. None of the players listed lack for height – the shortest player listed on the squad stands at 5-10.

That makes a very deep – and long – West Fork team. “(We have) plenty of varsity experience returning,” Schnoes said. “Good depth at all positions; good overall quickness and decent post size – rebounding should be a strength.”

Plus, West Fork has its 72-game Corn Bowl Conference win streak to maintain.

Schnoes says that his team should contend for the conference title yet again.

He lists his team first as the contender, followed by Rockford, NorthwoodKensett and North Butler. “(Our) emphasis being fundamentally sound,” Schnoes said. “(We want to) build team chemistry (have several players that will move up to varsity), players understanding their roles (each year roles change), improve our perimeter shooting and raise our team free throw percentage.”

State runner-up West Fork boys team return three starters, seven letter winners from 26-1 campaign

first team all-conference in the Corn Bowl.

Reason No. 2: 6-1 senior guard Spencer Halloran, another Corn Bowl first team honoree, who scored 9.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game with a 50.3 field goal percentage.

Reason No. 3: 6-2 senior guard H u n t e r M y e r s , honorable mention allconference at 6.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

And that

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is just for starters.

“Sam Amsbaugh, Spencer Halloran and Hunter Myers return as starters,” West Fork coach Frank Schnoes said.

“Others vying for starting spots include Evan Sprung, Drew Engebretson, Austin Neff, Collin Schoning, Tanner Tuttle and Jacob Kuhlmeier.

“There is a lot of competition for varsity spots to back up the starters. The underclassmen had a lot of success on the JV team last year, so that has made for competition at all positions.”

Other returning letter winners who averaged at least one point per game include Sprung, Engebretson, Tuttle and Neff.

Schnoes lists Schoning, Kuhlmeier, Markus Wogen, Dustin Rader, Zach Greimann, Jacob Eliason, Peyton

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• MEET THE 2013 WINTER SPORTS TEAMS • Hampton Chronicle • Sheffield Press • Pioneer Enterprise

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Members of the 2013-14 AGWSR High School boys’ basketball team include, front row, from left: Jacob Morris, Jake Starr, Jared Haupt, Derek Schipper, Austin Heitland, Evan Janssen, Owen Abkes, Trevor Bakker. Second row: Landon Sanders, Dylan Heetland, Brent Janssen, Ryley Reiken, Tate Hofmeister, Sully Hofmeister, Jake Willems, Dalton Schipper, Cody Lyons. Third row: Josh Balvanz, Reece Reiken, Tyler Rose, Austin Rekward, Mason Eilderts, Caleb Bartling, Jay Janssen. Fourth row: Jeremiah Stull, Drew Cooper, Grant Sicard, Austin Ubben, Jer Clemons, Nathan Karsjens, Tim Zacharias and Travis Haupt. (John Jensen photo)

AGWSR boys to use depth and size to their advantage this season

By Patti Rust ACKLEY – Depth and size are two key strengths AGWSR head boys’ basketball coach Russ Banzhaf sees in this year’s Cougar team.

The Cougars return eight letter winners and three starters from a 201213 team that finished 16-8 overall last season, 10-4 in the NICL West to take the third place spot in the division behind Gladbrook-Reinbeck and West Marshall.

“We have six to seven players who saw extensive playing time last year and that should pay off,” Banzhaf said. “Practices should be very competitive because of the depth as well. We will be about as big in terms of size and strength as we have ever been in recent history, and I believe defensively we have a chance to be very good as well. I also think we will be pretty balanced on the offensive end.”

Areas Banzhaf is still looking for answers are: who will step up and fill the role of outside shooter, and who will be the “go-to guy” when the team needs a basket at crucial points.

“I think we have some options in that area, but we have to find out,” he said.

“That is what makes each season exciting and challenging.”

This year’s returnees include starters seniors Austin Heitland, Evan Janssen and Derek Schipper. Heitland was a second team all-conference selection last year who averaged 9.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Janssen earned honorable mention all-conference honors and averaged 9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. Schipper averaged 5.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.

Other returning letter winners include seniors Trevor Bakker, Jared Haupt, Owen Abkes, and Jacob Starr and junior Sully Hofmeister.

Though he expects GladbrookReinbeck and West Marshall to be top conference contenders again this season, Banzhaf feels the Cougars will stack up

against the competition very well.

“I know we can compete with anyone on our schedule,” he said. “Will we win every game? Probably not, but I believe this team will play very hard and if we do that we will be in good shape.”

Banzhaf indicates the Cougars’ goals will be the same this season as in the past. AGWSR will be aiming to capture the conference title, and to be playing their best basketball at the end of the year in order to make a run at the state tournament.

“I believe we can be a contender for the conference title if we can continue to improve like we did this past summer,” he said. “I thought we make great strides from the beginning of June to the end of July in our summer program. A big key for us will be if we can pick up where we left off.

“I also believe our conference from

top to bottom will be stronger this year. Teams like Grundy Center, South Hardin and BCLUW will all be improved.

South Tama being a (Class) 3A school and having a new coach will be somewhat of an unknown, and East Marshall always gives us challenge no matter what type of team we have, especially at their place.”

The keys to a successful season, according to Banzhaf, will be staying healthy, injury-free and consistent throughout the long season.

“By its nature the basketball season is longer than any other high school sport,” he said. “I think the best teams are the ones that are mentally tough and able to withstand some ups and downs that always occur during the season.”

The Cougars were scheduled to see their first competition at Hampton on Monday, Dec. 2, followed by their home opener in Ackley against Hudson on Tuesday, Dec. 3, and a road game at Grundy Center on Friday, Dec. 6.

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• MEET THE 2013 WINTER SPORTS TEAMS •

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

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Members of the 201314 CAL girls basketball team include, front row, from left: Karter Miller, Jenna Johnson, Amber Zewert. Middle row: Bri Pals, Sidney Turner, Stephanie Thielen, Emily Quinones, Rachael Arnold, Dianna Porzio. Back row: Assistant coach Mikyla Hefti, Stina Lehne, Kaylea Rew, Katlyn Arthur, manager Hannah Lohrbach and head coach Ashley Sears. (Kristi Nixon/ Hampton Chronicle)

Smaller CAL squad to rely on speed

By Kristi Nixon LATIMER – What CAL’s girls basketball team lacks in size, it must make up for with quickness.

Without a true post player, the Cadets will have to use a run-and-gun style if they want to improve on their second-tolast conference finish from a season ago.

The two tallest players in the CAL stand at 5-foot-9 – senior Jenna Johnson and freshman Stephanie Thielen.

“Before we put in some offensive movements – a lot of them hadn’t played before which is kind of surprising – a lot of them had a natural ability to make a cut and definitely some surprises from the newcomers,” head coach Ashley Sears said. “I think we’re going to be a running team this year – we don’t have big sets in the post, mostly defense and scoring off fast break sort of deals.”

Among the newcomers to the squad are

juniors Rachael Arnold and Stina Lehn as well as freshmen Bri Pals, Stephanie Thielen, Kaylea Rew and Katlyn Arthur.

Though she said she isn’t sure who the starting lineup will be from gameto-game despite a talented roster, Sears lists contenders for starting positions to start the season as guards Karter Miller, Sidney Turner, Dianna Porzio and forwards Johnson and Amber Zewert.

“We have lots to work on, but we’re coming together as a team real well,” Johnson said. “We have three girls coming back that started so I think that’s a positive. We’re going to keep on hustling, keep on working and keep on getting better.”

Among the returning starters from last season are Johnson, Miller and Turner.

The Cadets had a scrimmage in which Miller said she saw things the team must work on in order to improve.

“I think our offense needs a little shaping up,” Miller said. “Our newbies are doing a good job, learning quickly – but our defense definitely needs improvement and just working on being scrappy at all times since we don’t have height to our team.”

With a 3-19 finish a season ago, 6-16 the year before that and 5-15 her freshman season, Miller has set high goals for herself and the team. She is 229 points away from reaching the 1,000-point mark for her career.

“My goal is to go .500 this season, hopefully, getting a winning record,” said Miller. “It would be the first time in

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my high school career to get a winning record.

“I have a goal of hitting the 1,000-point mark, but it’s more about the team this year. Hard work and dedication hopefully pays off.”

Prior to the season’s start, both Colo-Nesco and Janesville entered the pre-season rankings at third and fifth, respectively.

“We still have a lot of work to do – on fundamentals, catching up with teams in our conference – we’ve got some teams that are ranked so we definitely have some competition,” Sears said. “But it will be good to see some other teams.

“We will struggle playing with the majority of the teams in our conference.

Realistically, we can probably play with only one or two of our conference teams.”

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Business as usual: Bulldog girls basketball expects to rise to top

By Kristi Nixon HAMPTON – Two starters, six regular players and nine total returning letter winners for the North Central Conference co-champions should equal success for the Hampton-Dumont girls basketball team.

After a season that saw the Bulldogs finish 19-4 overall and 16-2 in the NCC, expectations are high.

“We should be quick and have some experience with our starters,” H-D coach Chad Johnson said.

Among the starters back for Johnson’s squad are 5-foot-11 senior Paige Wragge, who led the NCC in rebounding the last two seasons, and fellow senior Katie Brolsma, at 5-8, who started every game for H-D at guard but will be moving to forward.

“My expectations are definitely to lead the conference in rebounding,” Wragge said. “I really think that would be a good goal for me to set and I’d like to see my team win the conference again this year.”

Wragge returns as a third team allconference selection.

Also returning with some starting experience is 5-6 sophomore guard Jessica Speake. She and fellow 5-6 sophomore guard Jordan Prantner

Members of the 2013-14 Hampton-Dumont girls basketball team include, front row, from left: Paige Wragge, Katie Brolsma, Lexi Sorenson.

Middle row: Payton Miller, Mallory Wohlford, Jordan Prantner, Jessica Speake.

Back row: Shelby Tidman, Brooklyn Plagge, Kennedy Wohlford and Madison Mason. (Kristi Nixon/Hampton Chronicle)

were often two of the first off of the bench for Johnson’s squad.

Speake, a second team all-conference pick, was among the top five in the NCC in assists, steals and scoring.

Johnson calls Prantner a great point guard who can shoot the ball from the three-point line.

Among others returning with experience are 6-3 junior Kennedy Wohlford, who was fourth in the conference in blocks despite limited playing time; senior guard Lexi Sorenson, who played a good amount of minutes throughout the season, as well as juniors Shelby Tidman, Brooklyn Plagge and Madi Mason.

Add to the returning players sophomore 5-8 guard Mallory Wohlford, and the Bulldogs have the potential to go 10 deep as they did a year ago.

Still, Johnson said that the bench will be

one of his team’s weaknesses, but that is still tempered with enthusiasm for the group.

“Our bench is inexperienced,” Johnson said, “but they have the potential to be very good.”

H-D did lose 1,000-point scorer and first team all-stater Taryn Barz, who took her basketball talents to Simpson College, but rather than rebuild, it looks like the Bulldogs are reloaded.

Six out of the top eight scorers for HamptonDumont return.

“Our team should be very competitive in the NCC,” Johnson said. “I think that Clear Lake and St. Edmond will be very good in our league.

If we stay injury-free, we should have a chance to contend for the title once again.”

In the pre-season rankings, Hampton-Dumont was unranked while the Lions start the season at No. 9 in Class 3A and St. Edmond is sixth in 2A. “I mean, we’ve always been OK with being the underdog,” Wragge said. “Last year, people expected us to be pretty good, but we kind of came out of nowhere and showed everybody what we had and I think we can do that this year, too.

“I feel like they (Clear Lake and St. Edmond) could be the favorites, but there’s no doubt that we can beat them. I’m really excited for the first game – I can’t wait.”

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• MEET THE 2013 WINTER SPORTS TEAMS • Hampton Chronicle • Sheffield Press • Pioneer Enterprise

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

The 2013-14 West Fork girls basketball team includes, front row, left to right: Anne Jorgensen, Sydney Shreckengost, Taylor Logan, Kaitlyn Liekweg, Courtney Larson.

Back row: Assistant Coach Brian Wogen, Cailey Weaver, Mickee Guritz, assistant coach Abbee Gappa, Kalynn Washington, Kelsey Nierengarten, Madison Shreckengost, and head coach Rodney Huber. (Jack Zimmerman photo)

Experience abounds for West Fork

By Kristi Nixon SHEFFIELD – All five starters return to a West Fork team that finished close to .500 a year ago, leading an optimistic look for the Warhawk girls basketball squad.

Courtney Larson, Madison Shreckengost, Taylor Logan, Sydney Shreckengost and Lindsey Peterson are all back with good averages on a team that finished fourth in the Corn Bowl Conference last basketball season.

“We are very, very athletic and fast,” West Fork coach Rodney Huber said. “We will be hard to guard with a lot of players that are quick and can handle the ball. Very experienced as well.

(We will be) much improved shooting the ball.”

Larson, a 5-foot-7 junior and two-year letter winner, finished with a 6.8 points per game average, 80 rebounds, 35 assists and 57 steals at the point guard position. She earned honorable mention all-conference last year.

Logan, meanwhile, led the team with 71 steals and 64 assists from the shooting guard position.

She is a 5-6 senior guard who also received honorable mention in the Corn Bowl and was a two-year letter winner.

Huber called Madison Shreckengost the team’s best three-point shooter after averaging 5.6 points per game in 2012-13.

And Peterson, a 5-8 senior forward/center, was the team’s leading rebounder a year ago with 84 boards. She also scored at an average of 5 points per game and finished with 37 steals.

The only area of concern for Huber is the team’s lack of height.

“We are not tall,” Huber said, “so we have to concentrate on being fundamental when boxing out, and make it difficult to get the ball in the post.”

West Fork is also returning 5-8 senior letter winner Kelsey Nierengarten and junior 5-8 forward Mickee Guritz, another letter winner.

Add newcomers Anne Jorgensen, Cailey Weaver, Kaitlyn Liekweg and Kaylynn Washington to the mix and the Warhawks will be a tough team to contend with.

Still, North Butler, Rockford and NorthwoodKensett were teams Huber listed as leading contenders for the Corn Bowl title. The Bearcats have won the conference title nine years running, but he said he could see the Warhawks finishing

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“I feel like we again have a team that can compete for the top spot,” Huber said. “We need to stay healthy and concentrate on any game. We let a few get away from us last year.”

Another contender for a starting position with the Warhawks this season is Guritz, who Huber called ‘very-improved.’

Guritz didn’t play varsity until late last season. “(She’s a) good shooter,” Huber said.

In order to have a successful season, Huber said that the team must finish games.

“We lost three or four games in the last minutes due to poor clock management and free throw shooting,” Huber said.

“We will be better this year.”

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Members of the 2013-14 AGWSR girls basketball include: front row, left to right: Becca Wiarda, Kim Ellingson, Madi Fryslie, Alexa Johnson, Taylor Risius. Middle row: Abbie Young, Morgan Kappel, Megan Marlette, Jessica Lippert, Rachel Frazier.

Back row: Alana Groninga, Brenna Bonewitz, Cortnie Nederhoff, Addi Johnson, Maddie Brandt and Bethany Lippert. (Kristi Nixon/Hampton Chronicle)

AGWSR girls hoops continue quest for success in 2013-14

By Patti Rust ACKLEY – Head coach Laurie Gann and the AGWSR Cougar girls’ basketball players look to build upon last year’s success and contend for a top spot in the NICL-West this season.

The Cougars improved from a 4-18 showing in 2011-12 to 14-8 overall and 10-4 in conference play, good for a third place finish in the NICL-West in 2012-13.

This year’s Cougar roster include five seniors led by two four-year varsity players, Madi Fryslie and Kim Ellingson.

Ellingson led the team with 45 assists last season, while Fryslie, an honorable mention all-conference selection, was second in steals with 35. Other returning seniors include Taylor Risius, Morgan Rose and Alexa Johnson.

“We hope that the seniors will have strong leadership to continue our quest for success,” Gann said. “We will need some new players to step into more of a scoring role than they had the past season for us to have continued success.

“Our (senior) guards will play key roles because of their experience and Alexa Johnson will anchor the post position with her experience. We have a lot of young talent that will continue to develop as the season goes

on once they gain more experience.”

Gann expects returning letter winner Becca Wiarda, a junior, to have an increased role as a guard this season and also anticipates some of the younger players will contribute.

Morgan Kappel, Cortnie Nederhoff and a few freshmen will likely make an impact before the season is over.

The Cougars will bring quickness and athleticism to the court this year, with a good combination of experienced guards who can shoot the ball and newcomers who will compliment them well, according to Gann. Their game plan is likely to change a bit from last year to capitalize on the team’s quickness and to make up for their lack of height.

“We continue to build upon what we implemented last year,” Gann said. “Because of our quickness we will be doing a few more things defensively to utilize that strength. We will continue to work on rebounding as we are overall shorter than we have been in the past.”

Looking at the 2013-14 schedule Gann expects Hudson and Hampton-Dumont to be the top teams AGWSR will face and anticipates that Grundy Center

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“Being Class 1A we hope to make a push in the postseason as we only play class 2A and 3A schools during the season,” she said.

The Cougars were scheduled to start the season on the road at Hampton on Monday, Dec. 2, followed by their home opener against Hudson on Tuesday, Dec. 3, and a road game at Grundy Center on Friday, Dec. 6.

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• MEET THE 2013 WINTER SPORTS TEAMS • Hampton Chronicle • Sheffield Press • Pioneer Enterprise

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

The 2013-14 Hampton-Dumont wrestling team includes, front row, from left: Carter Barkema, Kendrick Suntken, Gunner Martin, Illiana Bartsch, Grant Lehmann, Jarred Robinson, Mario Peña. Middle row: Trevor Craig, Cade Parks, Corbin Jobe, Logan Chipp, Max Lehmann, Caleb Chaney, Trevor Grefe, Isaiah Noelck, Alex Gonzalez, Jonny Victor. Back row: Jacob Grefe, Jesse Irons, Levi Paine, Johnny Guerrero, Gus Jacome, Isaac Shelton, Fernando Garcia, Kainan Braun and Jose Cornejo. Not pictured: Tylor Jondal and Pablo Gonzalez. (Kristi Nixon/Hampton Chronicle)

By Kristi Nixon HAMPTON – Considering HamptonDumont’s wrestling team has four returning state qualifiers – three of which were place winners – adding two more to the mix isn’t too much to ask for.

Coach Nick Bretz’s squad wants six, as proclaimed by the team’s poster, at the Wells Fargo Arena come late February when the state wrestling tournament commences.

If that happens, two more will join seventh-place finishers Grant Lehmann (160-170) and Mario Peña (285), eighthplace finisher Carter Barkema (113-120) and state qualifier Kendrick Suntken (220) for a return trip.

“We have a lot of experience coming back and with a large incoming freshman group that gets after it in the wrestling room and are very athletic,” Bretz said.

“We have four wrestlers with experience at the state tournament, two of which

No time to get greedy: Bulldogs aim for more state qualifiers competed nationally (Suntken and Peña) in the spring. They are also carrying over some confidence gained during the (successful) football season.”

In addition to the returning state qualifiers, Bretz has seven more returning varsity letter winners, including Trevor Grefe (138-145), Alex Gonzalez (138145), Max Lehmann (145), Logan Chipp (182), Joe Schall (132-138) and Trevor Craig (126).

Among newcomers Bretz points to who can contribute are 160-pound senior Jarred Robinson, who he says has wrestled well on JV the last three seasons and is now ready to step into the varsity lineup and 195-pound soph-

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Others who may contribute include freshmen Caleb Chaney (132), Isaac Shelton (132), Jacob Grefe (106-113), Gus Jacome (120), Johnny Guerrero (152) and Kainan Braun (126).

The amount of young wrestlers on his team is a concern to Bretz.

“While also a strength, we could have up to six spots filled with freshmen,” Bretz said. “I am, however, confident in their ability to battle because of the training they received in basement bunch and in our middle school program.”

Barkema is the returning leader in falls

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(30), takedowns (58) and nearfalls (26) while Peña had the most escapes with 40 a year ago. All of the returning state qualifiers were among the top statistical leaders for the Bulldogs.

H-D must also stay healthy – the Bulldogs are two-deep at each weight.

“We need our starters to compete without injury,” Bretz said. “Staying positive (is key). The first half of our season is extremely competitive.”

In a tough North Central Conference, also, Bretz said to not count his team out.

“My guess would be that Humboldt or Webster City would be favored for the conference title, but the NCC is tough this year, that there are probably five teams that could win the conference and we are one of them,” Bretz said. “We want to improve our position from last season. We only won two conference duals last year and we want to double that total, if not more, for this season.”

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13

The 2013-14 West Fork High School wrestling team includes, front row, from left: Devlynn Sasse, Colton Rowe, Austin Steil, Morgan Steenhard, Jacob Hansen. Back row: James Vestweber, Matt Ries, Jarel Arbegast, Tanner Shreckengost and Devyn Brady. Not pictured: Justin Anderson. (Jack Zimmerman photo.)

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By Kristi Nixon SHEFFIELD – Jared Arbegast inherits five returning letter winners to a wrestling team that is still relatively new at West Fork.

The first season of the program began in 2008-09 and it is still a work in progress to establish itself.

“We are a young team but working hard to learn, improve and get some wins,” Arbegast said.

Returning for the Warhawks are Devlynn Sasse, Colton Rowe, Austin Steil, James Vestweber and Tanner Shreckengost.

The best record among those returning letter winners is 132-pound senior Colton Rowe, who finished 7-10 overall last year.

Steil, a junior who will likely wrestle at 145 pounds, saw a lot more matches a season ago and finished 6-25.

They will be joined by two freshmen who will likely make an impact on West Fork’s growing program. The first is Jacob Hansen, who is projected to weigh in at

120 pounds.

Hansen competed with the Hampton-Dumont wrestling team at the Luther College camp this past summer and among the H-D wrestlers, four of which are returning state qualifiers, it was Hansen who was named wrestler of the day by camp instructors.

The other freshman who will step in and compete for the Warhawks is the coach’s son, Jarel Arbegast, who will wrestle at 138.

Rowe, Steil, Hansen and Arbegast were listed as the team’s top prospects by the new coach.

Since West Fork had only nine wrestlers and some were held out due to injuries, the Warhawks had their share of struggles and were winless in the dual season in 2012-13.

Coach Arbegast said his hope is to try to get some dual wins in the Corn Bowl Conference, which is as competitive as ever.

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

• MEET THE 2013 WINTER SPORTS TEAMS • Hampton Chronicle • Sheffield Press • Pioneer Enterprise

Members of the 2013-14 AGWSR High School wrestling team include, front row, from left: Nolan Clemons, Dakota Schwebke, Kolton Fryslie, Austin Dolleslager, Lucas Schumacher, Ian Heetland, Eonn Springer and Levi Stockdale. Back row: Isaiah Nazario, Miguel Reyes, Clay Meinders, Cruz Vera, Brandon Johnson, Tery Rummans, Caleb Meinders, Michael Young and Valentin Bourgois. (John Jensen photo)

AGWSR wrestling lineup to include strong returnees and newcomers

By Patti Rust ACKLEY – A core group of winning returnees combined with an incoming class that has found success in their prehigh school years adds up to a season full of potential for the AGWSR wrestling team in 2013-14.

“Our junior class provides the depth we need,” AGWSR head wrestling coach Chad Gerbracht said. “We have two district qualifiers and one state place winner coming back this year and six guys with 20-plus win seasons last year.”

Junior Clay Meinders returns after achieving a 37-9 record in the 195-pound weight class last season, including a conference championship and a seventhplace finish at the state tournament.

Miguel Reyes returns after earning all-conference honors last year with a third place finish at the NICL meet and a 28-13 record at 120. Other returnees with winning seasons in 2012-13 include senior Dakota Schwebke (27-18), juniors Brandon Johnson (24-18) and Kolton Fryslie (24-10), and sophomore Levi Stockdale (30-15).

Gerbracht notes that a number of promising young wrestlers are also likely to take places in the Cougar lineup this year, several of whom have found success in the AAU wrestling arena.

Freshman Caleb Meinders was a 2011 AAU state champion and finished as runner-up in 2013. Three other Cougar freshmen, Braden Kappel, Tery Rummans and Lucas Schumacher were all AAU

state qualifiers, as was sophomore newcomer Cruz Vera.

Gerbracht indicates the Cougars will be looking to grow their middle weights this year, as the wrestlers in those spots gained some valuable varsity experience.

The Cougar team is looking to improve upon their dual meet record of 12-13 and seventh place finish at the NICL conference meet last season, with their sights set on a top-three finish in the conference in 2013-14.

The AGWSR wrestlers are scheduled to take to the mat for the first time this season in a quad at Conrad on Thursday, Dec. 5, followed by a Saturday tournament at Gilbert on Dec. 7.

The AGWSR Cougars return a number of young but experienced wrestlers from last season, including 12 returning lettermen and four district qualifiers. Gerbracht expects to build from last season’s success, as well as its shortcomings. The team is looking to improve on its 2011-12 dual record of 9-12.

“Our team last year was young with eight freshmen in the line-up on a regular basis,” Gerbracht said. “We did manage to qualify six guys on to districts, just missing qualifying for team duals by a couple of points. Of the six qualifiers we return four of them. We have set team goals to bring home a tournament trophy this season, qualify for team state and qualify multiple guys to districts and state. We will have a winning dual record

this season. Expectations are high for our young guys over the next few years.”

This season will mark Gerbracht’s 15th year of coaching wrestling and his 13th at AGWSR. He knows first-hand what it takes to build a successful team, having been a member of the 1996 Wartburg College wrestling team, the first team in the school’s history to win a wrestling national championship. Individually, he was a two-time NCAA qualifier and an All-American in 1996.

About 20 athletes are participating in Cougar wrestling this season, and among that group coach Gerbracht feels he has several strong leaders. His enthusiasm is evident as he shares information about this year’s team.

Austin Williams, a senior and threetime letter winner, was a district qualifier last year, and is a team captain this year.

“He works hard every day and does whatever is asked of him,” Gerbracht said of Williams.

Meinders is the team captain.

“He is a true student of the sport, very athletic,” Gerbracht said.

Schwebke was an all-conference selection last season and leads the team in career wins going into the season.

Reyes was a district qualifier last year as a freshman.

Cody Williams, another sophomore, was also a freshmen district qualifier last season.

“He really has a nice skill set,” Gerbracht said. “He can go toe to toe with

anyone in the state.”

As for Johnson, “He never misses an opportunity to get better, gets the team ready to go, and leads by example,” he said.

Newcomers will include Ian Heetland, a freshman who will see some time at 106 pounds, Stockdale, a “very solid sophomore, the most athletic kid on the team” who will see a lot of mat time at 152/160, and Michael Young, a freshman who was an AAU state champion as an eighth grader. Young will fill a longstanding void at heavyweight for the Cougars. There are also two seniors who are new to the team this year.

“Simon Halut, at 170, is a foreign exchange student from Belgium who will add an extra drill partner for the big guys,” Gerbracht said, “and Dylan Wiess, at 160-170, has limited experience but works hard in the wrestling room.”

The Cougars’ regimen includes addressing mental toughness on a daily basis. Self-confidence on the mat is emphasized. And they are always working toward team unity.

“We took 15 of these guys to team camp this summer and had a great time,” Gerbracht said. “It’s a new year so we have a lot to prove before sectionals roll around. I really like the nucleus of this team. They work harder than any group we have had go through here and they hang together on the mat and off the mat.”

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

• MEET THE 2013 WINTER SPORTS TEAMS • Hampton Chronicle • Sheffield Press • Pioneer Enterprise