Star-Herald Spring Sports 2014

Carrying on tradition

Lingle-Ft. Laramie girls, boys track and field teams aiming to be in state title hunt once again Best Of Luck To All Area Teams!

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Spring Sports Preview

2 Thursday, March 27, 2014

Star-Herald

LFL seeking to add to title collection Dogger girls, boys track and field teams looking to be in the thick of the state title chase once again this season Morrill — but already Lashley sees signs that Star-Herald Sports Editor his teams are on track for another big, perhaps memINGLE, Wyo. — orable, finish.

Mike Lashley loves The girls team, for intalking about track and field. Always has, alstance, appears even stronways will. It doesn’t matter ger at this point compared if it’s September or March. to his last two squads – and Images of perfect relay both of those teams won exchanges, for example, or state titles. The Doggers athletes gliding gracefully have more state meet point over hurdles or kids giving scorers back this season their last ounce of energy – seven, to be exact – and as they cross the finish line they have more depth in a distance race never overall, with 17 athletes on seem to be too far removed the roster. Last year’s girls from his mind. team finished the season Lashley, to be sure, is with just 11 athletes. passionate about track and The Lingle-Ft. Laramie field. It’s the reason he’s girls have a nice mix of been putting his heart and quality upperclassmen and soul into the sport since he lowerclassmen. Leading started coaching track and the charge are three sefield at Lingle-Ft. Laramie niors – Kaylee Greenwald, High School 23 years ago.

Shaylee Rickard, and But he’s not alone. Plenty Becky Sutherland. Rickof people around Lingle-Ft. ard is the defending state Photo by JEFF FIELDER/Star-Herald Laramie – student-athchamp in the shot put and Lingle-Ft. Laramie’s Brody Lay (left) competes in the 4x800-meter relay last year in discus, and Greenwald was letes, fellow coaches and the Best in the West Classic at Bearcat Stadium in Scottsbluff. With a number of tal- a state runner-up finisher teachers, and other people ented returnees and newcomers, the Dogger boys and girls figure to be in the thick around the community – last year in the 400, 800, of the state championship hunt again this season. take great pride in what and high jump. happens on the track in The Dogger girls’ other “It’s like one unit,” Lash- or even celebrate. They title chase. And, of course, Doggerland. It’s been that returning state meet qualiapplaud the athlete who ley said. “We really don’t they couldn’t do it without way for years. doesn’t place but still sets a fiers are juniors Taylor Bevhave a girls’ team and a everyone being on board, You see, track and field er, Kody Walter, and GaPR, and they acknowledge boys’ team. We’re just striving not only to keep isn’t JUST another sport at goals high but to make sure Lingle-Ft. Laramie track brielle Wollert, and sophoone’s hard work, even if Lingle-Ft. Laramie. At least more Jessica Bebo. Lashley it doesn’t lead to getting and field. They celebrate expectations are met. it doesn’t seem that way. is also excited about his each other’s successes, and points for the team.

“It’s the culture that we The track and field season list of newcomers, which They also talk about the they help each other. They have,” Lashley said. “They there is special. Sure, there feature eight freshmen who true meaning of being a expect to go [to state], and hold blocks for each other, are other successful track will likely contribute a lot in champion. and they run sweats for they expect to compete for and field programs around the team scoring.

“You want to talk about each other during a meet. state championships.”

Wyoming, but not many, if Adding to the team’s championships and strivThere’s really no distinThe older, more expeany, compare to the one in bright outlook is that severguishing between the boys’ ing for the championship, rienced students-athletes Lingle-Ft. Laramie. al members have been part but there’s so many other team and the girls’ team.”

– seniors and juniors – on This place is like a track of successful teams in other victories along the way That all-for-one and oneLingle-Ft. Laramie’s teams and field factory, pumping sports. Lingle-Ft. Laramie, for the kids, things like for-all mentality could be have obviously played key out individual medalists in fact, is coming off a state character and work ethic,” seen by the Doggers at last roles in keeping the Dogand team champions at year’s state meet, when the Lashley said. “We talk a lot championship in girls basgers’ tradition going.

But a clip that’s hard to find ketball, and the Doggers about what it takes to be a girls team won a second anywhere else around Wyo- the younger kids – sophoalso celebrated a runner-up champion and that being straight championship ming. The Dogger girls, for mores and even freshmen finish last fall at the state a champion isn’t winning while the boys’ team came – have provided important example, have won 11 state volleyball tournament. gold medals.

In the grand up just short of winning championships – more than contributions, too, over the a title, setting for second “I don’t think this group scheme of things, that’s years. any other school in the of girls needs a whole lot of not what makes you a place.

At Lingle-Ft. Laramie, it state except for Class 4A motivation,” Lashley said. champion.

It’s the way you “The boys were disapdoesn’t take the younger Cheyenne Central, which conduct yourself; it’s being “They know what their popointed they didn’t win a students long to figure boasts 13 titles. We won’t state title. But there was no respectful to your teachers, tential is. They know how even get into all the confer- out what being a Dogger your teammates, and other the season could end up. track and field athlete is all bitterness or jealousy beence and regionals titles They know how special it is adults. It’s working hard, cause the girls did,” Lashthe Lingle-Ft. Laramie girls about. Even kids in middle to be at the top of that podiknowing that, ‘You know ley said.

“They were happy have piled up since Lashley school understand that um. And they know the way what, you might be one of for the girls. And the girls they’re part of a program joined the coaching staff you feel when you’re on the those kids that never does were disappointed for the where expectations are ranks. second rung of the podium. earn a medal, but you’re guys.

Everyone looked at it high and that the only way The Lingle-Ft. Laramie going to be out there every And they know that they’d as we were close to bringto meet those expectations boys, too, have a track and much rather be on the top ing home both titles. We’re day and you’re going to is to stay dedicated and field program that’s rich of it than on the second work and compete as hard all in this together.” driven. Again, it’s all part of in tradition. They’ve won rung.”

Some people might think as you can for improvethe Doggers’ track and field six state championships ment.’ It’s those types of As for the Lingle-Ft. that all the focus at Linculture. in school history, and like characteristics that make gle-Ft. Laramie is on winLaramie boys, they, too, “Lingle-Ft. Laramie, for the Dogger girls, they’ve you a champion. Gold med- bring back a strong group ning state championships, captured a number of other some reason, has always or at least being in the hunt als don’t make you a cham- from last year’s state meet. been more of a track and high finishes at state over pion. It’s an attitude.” each year. But while the Eight boys, in fact, were field school than maybe any Doggers do continually the years.

It’s early this season – part of the Doggers’ runother sport,” Lashley said.

So, how has Lingle-Ft. Lingle-Ft. Laramie’s first strive to be the best, that’s ner-up finish last season, “We talk to the kids a lot Laramie, a tiny Class 1A meet is this weekend at not all that they talk about including four seniors about the legacy that they school located about 10 leave behind after they miles northwest of Torgraduate and what they rington, developed such a want that legacy to be and respected, powerful track the example that they set and field program? for the young kids. When Lashley paused a few the young kids come in seconds when asked that and they see the seniors question, then stated simout there working really ply: “We’re blessed.”

It’s hard for even Lashley hard and everybody is working hard shoulder to to explain Lingle-Ft. Larashoulder, that just kind of mie’s high level of success in track and field in the last becomes contagious.”

The Doggers’ com25 years. It takes a little March 29 luck sometimes, he admits, mitment to excellence is to win a championship. But spread evenly between the April 5 boys’ and the girls’ teams. it also takes a lot of time April 12 and hard work – and deter- In fact, they don’t even April 8 Bayard Invite April April 17 think of themselves as bemination – by the athletes April 17 Bridgeport Invite April 26 ing two separate squads. and coaches to be in the April 22 Morrill Invite April 29

By JEFF FIELDER

L

TRACK & FIELD

BOYS’ GOLF

On the Cover The Lingle-Ft. Laramie girls and boys track and field teams are again loaded to make a run at a state championship this spring. The Doggers return a number of state qualifiers. Pictured in the front row (from left to right) are Jessica Bebo, Kaylee Greenwald, Gabrielle Wollert, and Taylor Bever.

Pictured in back are Brock Lay, Colten Peterson, Ian Duncan, and Brody Lay. — Photo by Randy Henry

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– Dylan Bonness, Ian Duncan, Joe Jackson, and Brody Lay. Duncan was a runner-up finisher in the 100 and pole vault, and Jackson was a second-place finisher individually in the long jump and the triple jump.

Also back from last year’s state meet are juniors Barry Greenwald, Chastin Hill, and Colten Peterson, and sophomore Brock Lay. Greenwald won a state title in the shot put.

The Lingle-Ft. Laramie boys have other key letter winners back from last season, and they also boast a talented group of newcomers, just like the girls.

“I think this team has the potential to score more points than it did a year ago,” Lashley said about his boys’ squad. “I definitely know that the group of senior boys that we have are determined to try to finish their high school career with a championship.”

Could Lingle-Ft. Laramie claim both the boys’ and girls’ team championships at the state meet in late May in Casper? It’s certainly a possibility. And if the Doggers do sweep the titles – their closest competitor appears to be the Cokeville boys and girls – it wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened in school history. In fact, Lingle-Ft. Laramie has won girls and boys state titles in the same season four times (1991, 1996, 1997, 2007).

Lashley, to be sure, knows that nothing is a guarantee this season, or any season, for that matter.

A lot can happen over the span of a track and field season, such as injuries, illnesses, or the athletes’ progress. But at least starting out this season, Lashley can’t help but smile when he thinks about his teams’ outlook and their chances of continuing the Dogger tradition at state.

“Both teams – boys and girls – are fully aware that they have a chance to win a state title,” Lashley said.

“They know who we have returning and what we’re capable of.

“Now, quite honestly, maybe we won’t win the state title. I don’t know. But going into the season, it’s exciting to know that we have the potential to be in the hunt – legitimately in the hunt.”

May May May May

Sidney Invite Bayard Invite Perkins County Grant Alliance Pine Bluffs Invite Best in the West @ Scottsbluff 3 MAC Track @ Chappell 9 Cheyenne Co. Invite @ Sidney 14 District @Morrill 23-24 State @ Omaha

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Girls Tennis Summaries Alliance

Nickname: Bulldogs Class: B Nickname: Bulldogs Last year’s dual reClass: B cord: 6-5 Schedule Conference: Western April 1 Triangular with Last year’s conference Scottsbluff and Gering placing: Second at Alliance Last year’s state tourApril 4 at North Platte nament: Tied for 15th April 5 North Platte Invite Head coach: Justin April 8 at Gering Reinmuth (2nd year) April 12 at Ogallala JV Returning starters: KaApril 17 Lexington Invite tie Collins, sr.; Marlee April 22 at Scottsbluff Lupher, sr.; Samantha April 26 Scottsbluff Invite Gutherless, jr.; SavanApril 29 at Gering JV nah Walker, sr.; Katlyn May 2 at McCook Wagoner, so.; AnnastaMay 8 at Kearney cia Cowan, so.

Catholic Top newcomers/transMay 13 at Scottsbluff fers: Carolyn Howton, May 22-23 State at jr.; Tegan Rahmig, fr.; Lincoln Allie Wilson, fr.; Annessa Escamilla, fr.; Alyssa Gering Dye, fr.; Lily Garcia, fr.;

Makayla Talavat, so.; Zoee Knaub, fr.

Season outlook: “We have a large number of returning players from last year,” coach Justin Reinmuth said.

“We also have a lot of new girls trying out the sport this year. Many of the teams that beat us last year are now on a rebuilding year due to seniors graduating last season. We look to come out and make some noise this season.”

Team strengths: “An almost entire varsity roster returning,” Reinmuth said. “Many of the returning players have participated in

winter leagues and have played year-round. We have a very solid number one singles and number one doubles team.”

Team goals: “To finish the season with a better team record and to make it to day two at the state meet,” Reinmuth said. “We have multiple players that can fill our number two positions this year and are looking forward to seeing what our final lineup will be.”

Other comments: Last season Collins had a 13-4 record; Walker went 7-7; and Gutherless went 7-8.

Last year’s highlights:

The No. 1 doubles team won the first state match in Gering’s tennis program.

Schedule April 1 Triangular at Alliance, Scottsbluff April 8 Triangular vs.

Alliance, Scottsbluff April 16 at Kearney, Kearney Catholic April 17 at Lexington Invite April 22 Triangular at Alliance, Scottsbluff April 25 McCook

Scottsbluff Nickname: Bearcats Class: B Head coach: Cassie Behnke Schedule March 25 Ogallala dual

April 1 Triangular at Alliance April 5 North Platte Invite April 8 Triangular at Gering April 16 vs. Kearney Catholic and Kearney at Kearney April 17 Lexington Invite April 22 Scottsbluff Triangular April 25 Gillette April 26 Scottsbluff Invite May 1 Hershey May 2 at McCook dual May 3 McCook Invite May 6 at North Platte dual May 10 GNAC at Hastings May 13 Double dual at Scottsbluff May 15 at Ogallala dual May 22-23 State at Lincoln

Girls Soccer Summaries Gering Nickname: Bulldogs Class: B Last year’s season record: 13-5 District: 6 Last year’s state tournament: Lost in first round; finished No. 6 in the state rankings Head coach: Lisa Freeburg (5th year) Varsity assistant coaches: Pedro Sulu, Laura Van Hausen Returning starters: Kelsea Prieels, sr., MF; Laettner Blanco, sr., MF; Shelton Blanco, sr., D Other returning letter winners: Morgan Smith, so., MF Top newcomers/transfers: Noemi Amaro, so., F Season outlook: “This is an exciting season.

We have a combination of girls who will be contributing to the team – returning starters, last year’s JV players, and newcomers,” coach Lisa Freeburg said. “We are looking forward to putting everything together and getting out on the field.”

Team strengths: “Returning leadership with a lot of experience!” Freeburg said. “Coachable players.”

Team goals: “Focus on fundamentals, play as a team, and enjoy the process,” Freeburg said.

Last year’s highlights: “Qualifying for state soccer,” Freeburg said.

Other comments: Last season Prieels had three goals and three assists; Laettner Blanco had five goals; Shelton Blanco had one assist; and Smith had three goals and one assist.

Former athletes competing in college: Brooke Satur, WNCC; Chanice Blanco, WNCC Schedule March 22 Green River March 25 at North Platte March 29 vs. Holdrege and Kearney Catholic at North Platte April 1 at Casper Kelly Walsh April 3 at Torrington April 5 vs. Northwest and Lexington at North Platte April 8 Cheyenne East April 11-12 GNAC at Scottsbluff

April 17 Newcastle April 21 Scottsbluff April 22 Torrington April 28 at Scottsbluff May 3 at Laramie May 5-8 Districts May 14 State

Scottsbluff Nickname: Bearcats Class: B Last year’s season record: 5-11 District: 8 Last year’s district tournament: Lost in the semifinal round Head coach: Chad Larson (8th year) Varsity assistant coaches: Bethany Conde, Ryan Larson Returning starters: Celeste Calderon, sr., D/MF; Micah Holloway, sr., D/MF; Aubree Ford, jr., F; Hannah Holloway, so., F; Livvy Michael, so., GK; Kayla Pierce, sr., D; Chloey Reifschneider, so., F/ MF; Rachel Weis, sr., D; Kelli Wentz, so., M/F Other returning letter winners: Katrina Fulk, so., M; Claire Holsinger, so., M/D Top newcomers/transfers: McKenzie Sanchez, sr., F/M; Courtney Wills, so., D; Alisha Gutierrez, fr., D; Mariah DeLosSantos, sr., M/F Season outlook: “We will be looking to build off of last season’s record with many girls returning with varsity experience,” coach Chad Larson said.

Team strengths: “Fun group of girls with a determined mindset and dedicated work ethic,” Larson said.

Team goals: “Improve on last year’s record and generate more offense than we’ve had the last couple of seasons,” Larson said.

Last year’s highlights: “Picking up a district win over GINW and finishing the season with constant improvement,” Larson said.

Former players competing in college: Abby Zach, College of St. Mary’s (soccer); Hattie Guzman, Chadron State (basketball); Marcie Sindt, Concordia (soccer); Makayla Westphal, Nebraska Wesleyan (volleyball)

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Schedule March 22 Sterling March 25 at Cheyenne East March 28 at Torrington March 29 vs. Kearney Catholic and Holdrege at North Platte April 3 Laramie April 5 vs. Lexington and GINW at North Platte April 11-12 GNAC at Scottsbluff April 15 Cheyenne Central April 21 Gering April 26 Torrington April 29 at Gering May 2 North Platte

Torrington Nickname: Blazers Class: 3A Last year’s record: 9-5-1 Last year’s conference record: 5-3-1 Regional: Southeast Last year’s state tournament: Did not place Head coach: Mary Perkins (8th year) Varsity assistant coach: Jeshua Arnusch Returning starters: Brittany Randall, sr., G; Elizabeth Chavarria, sr., CM; Tayler Baker, sr., F; JuliAnna Wakamatsu, sr., D; Alexandra Sutherland, sr., D; Maddy Werner, so., F; Yanni Saucedo, so., M; Stacy Gutierrez, so., F; Brittany Anderson, so., D Season outlook: “We have 15 freshmen,” Coach Mary Perkins said. “I am impressed with their attitude and approach to the first few

practices. My hope is some of these freshmen will see some varsity time. We are returning with strong senior leadership. We will have a tougher road to state, but the desire of these players to succeed is impressive.”

Team strengths: “I am looking forward to strong leadership from our core of seniors,” Perkins said. “This team is determined to leave an impression.

They are spirited and care about each as a

team. The desire to get better and work as a team is apparent.”

Team goals: “Never look back – only forward,” Perkins said.

“Support each other on and off the field. Our defense is focused and strong and ready to shut the attack down.

The mids and forwards will work on communication and movement on and off the ball.

Staying connected throughout the game and transitions will be a major emphasis.”

Other comments: Randall has moved to goalie this year. ...

Chavarria missed the second half of last season with a broken foot. She was still named an all-conference honorable mention midfielder. ...

Wakamatsu was an all-conference honorable mention defender last year.

Last year’s highlights: “Winning the East Regional game to make it to state in Jackson,” Perkins said.

Best wishes... for a great season to student-athletes, coaches, parents, and fans.

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March 31 ..................................Perkins Co. April 8 .............................................. Bayard April 17 ...................................... Bridgeport April 22 .....................................Perkins Co. April 29 ..................................... Garden Co. May 1 ............................. MAC at Potter-Dix Mary 6 ........................... Storm Invite May 8 .............................................. Kimball May 13 .......................................Sutherland May 19 ...........................................Districts May 26 ................................................State

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March 22 ................. Chadron Indoor Invite March 29 ........ Red Raider Invite @ Sidney April 5 .............................. Sutherland Invite April 11 ....... Tri-State Invite @ Chappell April 15 ........... Storm Invite @ Chappell April 22 .......... Wallace Invite @ Sutherland April 29 ...... Best of the West @ Scottsbluff May 3 ............... MAC Meet @ Chappell May 6 ....Best of the Midwest @ Sutherland May 9 ............................. Bayard BCD Invite May (TBA) ......................Districts @ Morrill May 23-24 ..........................................State

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Boys Soccer Summaries Gering

Team goals: “To contend for the district title,” Nickname: Bulldogs Clark said.

Class: B Other comments: Last Last year’s season re- season Wetherington cord: 8-9 had 69 saves and a District: 8 two goals against per Last year’s district tour- game average. ... Smith nament placing: Fifth set a school record for Head coach: Justin goals in a season with Clark (13th year) 14. He had one assist.

Varsity assistant ... Wallace missed most coach: Jesus Duque of last season with a Returning starters: broken collar bone. ...

Dylan Wetherington, sr., Alex Clark had one goal GK; Gage Smith, sr., and two assists. He has MF; Brandon Wallace, signed to play soccer jr., MF; Alex Clark, sr., at Midland University.

MF; Brent Barge, so., ... Barge had two goals MF; Justin Brester, sr., and four assists. ...

D; Austin Robinson, sr., Wolfe had two goals. ...

D Mundell played last seaOther returning letter son for Torrington. winners: Brandon BerFormer athletes comnhardt, sr., GK; Matt peting in college: Joey Wolfe, jr., MF; Marcelino Rasnic, Dordt College Ramos, jr., F Schedule Top newcomers/trans- March 24 at Cheyenne fers: Travis Mundell, sr., Central F March 25 at North Platte Season outlook: “Ger- March 29 vs. Holdrege ing will look to a strong and Kearney Catholic at returning group of North Platte seniors to improve on April 3 Torrington last year’s 8-9 record,” April 5 coach Justin Clark said. vs. GINW and Lexington Team strengths: “A at North Platte solid core of two- and April 8 at Cheyenne East three-year starters,” April 11-12 GNAC Clark said.

Tourney at Scottsbluff

April 17 Newcastle April 19 at GICC April 21 at Scottsbluff April 22 at Torrington April 28 Scottsbluff May 3 Laramie May 5-8 Districts May 10 Sub-state May 15-20 State at Omaha

Scottsbluff Nickname: Bearcats Class: B Last year’s season record: 10-8 District: 6 Last year’s district tournament placing: Second Head coach: Nate Rock (7th year) Varsity assistant coach: Brad Wright Returning starters: Anthony Parra, sr., MF; Blake Wills, sr., D; Tristan Donelson, jr., MF; Jackson Hinze, jr., D; Owen Parra, so., MF; Jackson Thomas, so., MF; Eseah Ingram, so., F Other returning letter winners: Rico Cortez, jr., F; Edwin Delgado, so., F; Matt Mickey, jr., GK; Denzel Salazar, jr., F Top newcomers/transfers: Norawit Kongtana-

karun, sr., MF; Yonathan Lara-Robles, sr., F; Patrick Madden, so., MF; Jayson Marks, sr., MF; Mitch Miles, sr., F Season outlook: “Really strong down the spine,” coach Nate Rock said. “Good speed and athleticism all over the field and a deeper bench. We graduated a lot of goals in 2013, which we will have to replace quickly. We’re talented but young in some positions.”

Team strengths: “Speed and athleticism, work ethic, quickness of play, and depth,” Rock said.

Team goals: Rock said his team’s goals include winning district and state championships.

Last year’s highlights: Having a winning record and playing in the district championship match.

Schedule March 22 Green River March 25 Cheyenne East March 28 at Torrington March 29 vs. Kearney Catholic and Holdrege at North Platte April 3 at Laramie

tian Arnusch, jr., MF; Cole Brothwell, sr., MF; Jon Cummings, jr., D/ MF; Benjamin Loya, sr., D; Wyatt Somson, sr., D; Alex McAnelly, sr., GK; Michael Gottschim, sr., D Season outlook: “Optimistic,” coach Mark Perkins said. “All players have returned; we are able to pick up where we left off.”

Team strengths: “Experience,” Perkins said. “We have a lot of returning, experienced Torrington seniors.”

Team goals: “To imNickname: Blazers prove daily; to be better Class: 3A Last year’s season re- at the end of the season than we are now; and cord: 7-9 to compete with top-tier Last year’s regional teams,” Perkins said. placing: Second in Other comments: Last Southeast Quadrant season Bebo, Brothwell, Last year’s state tourand McAnelly earned nament placing: Sixth all-conference honorHead coach: Mark able mention honors Perkins (4th year at TorLast year’s highlights: rington; 8th overall) “Qualifying for state in Varsity assistant Jackson [and] beating coaches: Antonio Cody for the first time,” Velazquez, Dave CumPerkins said. mings Former athletes comReturning starters: peting in college: Josh Ty Brothwell, so., F; Ring, WNCC; Donavon Matthew Bebo, so., F; Dustin Back, sr., F; Kris- Valentine, WNCC

April 5 vs. Lexington and GINW at North Platte April 11-12 GNAC at Scottsbluff April 15 at Cheyenne Central April 19 vs. GICC and NLNE at Grand Island April 21 at Gering April 22 Newcastle April 26 Torrington April 28 Gering May 2 at North Platte May 5-8 Districts May 10 Sub-state May 14-20 State at Omaha

Boys Golf Summaries Alliance Nickname: Bulldogs Class: B Head coach: Ryan Waters (1st year) Returning state qualifiers: Nick Maser, sr.

Other returning letter winners: Parker Cyza, sr.; Logan Dietrich, jr.; Et h a n H a l s t e a d , j r. ; Colton Williamson, jr.; Anthony Hare, so.; Michael Gomez, so.

Top newcomers/transfers: Cole Randal, so.; Tyler Boyer, fr.

Season outlook: “This has potential to be a really good season,” c o a c h R y a n Wa t e r s said. “We have two seniors who should qualify for state along with a group of juniors and sophomores coming up that have really worked hard at rounding out their overall game. Many have gotten a lot better since the end of last year.”

Team strengths: “Good mix of talent at three different grade levels with quite a bit of young potential coming up being guided by two experienced seniors,” Waters said.

Team goals : “ To be c o m p e t i t i ve at e a c h event,” Waters said. “I truly believe that we have several guys that are capable of making it to the state tournament if they continue to work and develop over the course of the season.”

Last year’s highlight: One state qualifier Schedule March 27 Bridgeport Invite April 3 Bayard Invite April 8 Sidney Invite April 15 Mitchell Invite April 26 Alliance Invite April 28 Scottsbluff Invite May 2 Chadron Invite May 8 Gering Invite May 15 Ogallala Invite

May 19 May 28-29 Lincoln

Districts lower than last year,” icek (20th year) winners: Ethan Marx, Logan Linch, so.; Nate State at Roberts said.

Returning starters: Da- jr. ; L a n c e N o l te, jr. ; Schmunk, fr.; Trey JanSchedule kota Swires, sr.; Taylor Ty Weborg, jr.; Collin icek, fr.; Austin Hartmen, April 1 Alliance Quad Janicek, jr.; Cole Retch- Fellhoelter, so.; Ramiro fr.

April 3 Alliance dual at Bayard Season outlook: “I less, so.; Todd Widener, Martinez, sr.

Bayard Nickname: Tigers have a positive outlook Top newcomers/transApril 8 Bayard Invite so.

Class: C See GOLF, page 5 Other returning letter fers: John Pappas, so.; Conferences: Western April 15 Mitchell Invite April 17 Bridgeport Invite Trails and MAC Morrill Invite Last year’s conference April 22 April 26 Alliance Invite to u r n a m e nt p l a c i n g : April 28 S cottsbluff Invite First in WTC April 29 Garden Co. District: 5 Invite Last year’s district tournament placing: Fourth April 30 Best in the West it begins with Head coach: Jim Rob- at Sidney May 1 MAC at Sidney, erts (23rd year) R e t u r n i n g s t a r t e r s : hosted by Potter-Dix Trae Blanco, sr.; David May 3 WTC at Gordon Creek Valley Schuler, sr.; Joe Her- May 6 Invite nandez, sr.

Kimball Invite Top newcomers/trans- May 8 at Ogallala fers: Roman Konvicka, May 15 May 19 Districts at jr.

Season outlook: “We Kimball State at anticipate high finishes May 28-29 in most of our tourna- Kearney ments this year,” coach Jim Roberts said. “EvBridgeport erything we do will be Nickname: Bulldogs focused on our district Class: C A legacy of champions. performance.”

Conference: WTC Team strengths: “Our Last year’s conference t o p fo u r g o l fe r s a r e to u r n a m e nt p l a c i n g : deep in experience and Second should do well as a team District: 5 this year,” Roberts said.

Last year’s district tourfacebook.com/wncc.edu Te a m g o a l s : “ W i n nament placing: 10th meets, win district, go to state [and] develop our Head coach: Todd Janskills as our season progresses,” Roberts said.

Last year’s highlights: “We won most of our to ur n a m e nt s we e n tered,” Rober ts said. “ Then at distr i c ts at Ke a r n ey, w e p l a c e d fourth. We were very disappointed not to take a team to state. We are very determined not to let it happen again.”

Other comments: BlanSat., April 5 ........ 9am.............Bayard Invite co was a state qualifier last season. His best Thu., April 10 ... Noon ...........Mitchell Invite score last season was Thu., April 17 .... 9am........... Alliance Invite a 77. ... Konvicka is an Sat., April 26 ... 9am..........Chadron Invite exchange student from Sat., May 3 .....10am............... Panhandle the Czech Republic. “He has excellent golf skills Fri., May 9 ........8:30am .......... BCD Bayard and will help to propel Wed., May 14 .........................District Track our team score even

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TRACK & FIELD

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Thur/Fri, May 23 & 24 ............. State Track

BOYS’ GOLF

Tue., April 8 ............................ Bayard Invite Tue., April 15 ..... 9am.............Mitchell Invite Thu., April 17 ...............................Bridgeport Tue., April 22 ............................ Morrill Invite Sat., April 26 .....10am........... Alliance Invite Fri., May 2 .......... 9am...........Chadron Invite Tue., May 6 ....................... PAC Conference Thu., May 8 ........ 9am.............. Gering Invite Thu., May 15 .....9am.Crawford Scramble Mon., May 19 .............................District Golf Wed/Thur May 28 & 29 ................State Golf

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Spring Sports Preview

Star-Herald

Thursday, March 27, 2014 5

Boys Golf Summaries Continued Continued from page 4

on the season,” coach Todd Janicek said. “We return four letter winners from last year and other key newcomers.”

Team strengths: “Good work ethics [and] we return a fair amount of experience and depth to the team,” Janicek said.

Team goals: “Improve every week; work on our consistency and short game; [and] qualify for the state tournament,” Janicek said.

Other comments: Last season Swires placed first in two meets and third in two meets.

Last year’s highlights: Placing second at the B ay a r d a n d G a r d e n County Invites; placing s e c o n d i n t h e W TC Tournament; and placing third at the Creek Valley Invite.

Schedule April 8 Bayard Invite April 15 Mitchell Invite April 17 Bridgeport Invite April 22 Morrill Invite April 26 Alliance Invite April 29 Garden County Invite May 3 WTC at Gordon May 6 Creek Valley Invite May 8 Kimball Invite May 19 Districts at Kimball May 28-29 State at Lincoln

Chadron Nickname: Cardinals Class: B Conference: Western District: 4 Head coach : Randy Burk (2nd year) Returning star ters: Alec Burk, sr.; Jayden Stac k, so. ; Keenan Johnson, jr.

Other returning letter winners: Taylor Wild, jr.; Tyler Reitz, jr.; Cody Ray, so.

Season outlook: “After losing five seniors to graduation, we have a very young team, so we have a lot of holes to fill,” coach Randy Burk said. “ We have one senior returning and two other players with varsity experience.”

Team strengths: “Our top three golfers should lead our team and hopefully help our younger boys with the step up to varsity,” Burk said. “If we can get a couple of the younger golfers to contribute, we may have a good season.”

Team goals: “We hope to be competitive in all our tournaments this year and get a few medals along the way,” Burk said.

Other comments: Alec Burk is a three-year letter winner.

Last year’s highlights: “ Freshman Jayd en Stack shooting his best score at districts [and] picking up several medals at meets was also very nice,” Burk said.

Schedule April 1 Alliance Quad April 8 Sidney Invite April 15 Mitchell Invite April 18 Alliance dual at Alliance April 22 Morrill Invite April 26 Alliance Invite April 28 Scottsbluff Invite

April 30 Best in the West at Sidney May 2 Chadron Invite/ Western Conference at Chadron May 8 Gering Invite May 15 Ogallala Invite May 19 Districts May 28-29 State at Kearney

Crawford

Class: D Conference: MAC Last year’s conference to u r n a m e nt p l a c i n g : Second District: 5 Last year’s district tournament placing: Eighth Head coach: Cyd Hanson (23rd year) Va r s i t y a s s i s t a n t coach: Terry Osborn Returning star ters: Lane Godfrey, sr.; Cory Phillips, sr.; Wyatt McMillen, so.

Other boys participating: Alex Dexter, so.; Brett Godfrey, fr.; Ben Cabela, fr.; Joe VanWinkle, fr.; Austin Rowley, fr.; Michael Dietz, fr.

Season outlook: “We will work to improve each meet,” coach Cyd Hanson said. “We have so many new boys who have not golfed. We really won’t know where we stand until a few meets in.”

Team strengths: “We will look to our two seniors for leadership and to help our young kids along,” Hanson said.

Team goals: “We always work at winning our conference,” Hanson said. “Lowering our team scores and returning to state will also be goals.”

Other comments: Last season Lane Godfrey had two first-place finishes. He placed at every meet.

Last year’s highlights: “Lane placed at every meet and was our conference champ,” Hanson said. “He also qualified for the state meet.”

Schedule March 31 dual with Perkins County April 8 Bayard Invite April 17 Bridgeport Invite April 22 Perkins County Invite April 29 Garden County Invite May 1 MAC hosted by Potter-Dix May 6 Chappell Invite May 8 Kimball Invite May 13 Sutherland Invite May 19 Districts at Sutherland May 28-29 State at Kearney

Nickname: Rams Class: D Conference: Panhandle Last year’s conference to u r n a m e nt p l a c i n g : Second District: 5 Last year’s district tournament placing: Tied for fourth Head coach: Julie Micheel (9th year) Returning star ters: Layne Homrighausen, sr.; Colton Micheel, jr.; Blendon Olson, jr.; Haley Hanks, jr.

Top newcomers/transfers: BaLie Olson, so.; Jessee Underwood, so.; Caleb Harris, fr.

Season outlook: “Colton, Blendon, and Layne will be strong leaders that should post s o m e g o o d s c o r e s ,” c o ac h J u li e M i c h e e l said. “Colton finished last year with a personal-best score of 86 at state and hopes to place at more tournaments this season. Blendon and Layne are strong golfers that have a good short game. With practice this season, they should be close to placing at tournaments also. Haley Hanks is in her second year and started showing some real growth at the end of the season. She will hopefully help with our team score as the season progresses.”

Te a m s t r e n g t h s : “Colton Micheel is a two-time state qualifier,” the coac h said. She also noted that another strength is Legend Buttes Golf Course, “a great place for us to practice.”

Te a m g o a l s : Tr y to place first at the conference meet and place at least one golfer at 75 Gering percent of the tournaments.

Nickname: Bulldogs O t h e r c o m m e n t s : Class: B Colton is a t wo -time Conference: Western state qualifier. Last sea- Last year’s conference son he placed second to u r n a m e nt p l a c i n g : in the PHC meet at Alli- Fifth ance, and he was sixth District: 4 in the district tourna- Head coach: Keaton ment at Sidney.

Green (third year) Last year’s highlights: Placing second in the Panhandle Conference meet and Colton qualifying for state.

Schedule April 8 Bayard Invite April 15 Mitchell Invite April 17 Bridgeport Invite April 22 Morrill Invite April 26 Alliance Invite May 2 Chadron Invite May 6 Panhandle Conference meet at Morrill May 8 Gering Invite May 15 Crawford Invite May 19 Districts at Sutherland May 28-29 State at Kearney

Returning star ters: Bailey Hort, jr.; Austin Kaufman, sr.; Alex Lupher, jr.; Kraiger Ebbers, jr.; Mason Marsh, so.

Other returning letter w i n n er s : M ar k M o n tague, jr.; Nathan VanAnne, so.

Season outlook: “I am excited for the upcoming season,” coach Keaton Green said. “There should be eight or nine guys competing for the five varsity spots.

Five freshmen join the team this year, and I expect two or three of them to be competitive immediately because they c o me in with a lot of golf experience.

Bailey Hort and Austin Kaufman, both returning letter winners, should be competitive in each tournament.”

Team strengths: “Returning letter winners give the team a lot of experience,” Green said.

“To add to that, a few of the incoming freshmen join the team with quite a bit of golfing experience.

Good leadership in our senior and juniors.”

Team goals: “Lower our team scoring average this year,” Green said. “ Increase number of medal winners at tournaments. Team qualification for state and individual qualifiers.”

Other comments: Last season Hor t placed eighth in North Platte and 10th in Gering. ...

Kaufman placed fourth

in the Gering Invite. He competed well on last summer’s Panhandle Junior Tour.

Last year’s highlights: Placing four th in the Gering Invite. Also, Bailey Hort had two top-10 finishes.

Schedule March 28 North Platte Invite April 8 at Sidney April 15 at Mitchell April 22 at Morrill April 24 at Gothenburg April 26 at Alliance April 28 at Scottsbluff May 2 Conference at Chadron May 8 Gering Invite May 12 at Cozad May 15 Ogallala Invite May 19 Districts at Cozad May 28-29 State at Grand Island

young talent. Not golfers yet, but good athletes that should have some proficiency soon.”

Team strengths: “Better numbers [and] good future prospects,” Badje said.

Team goals: “Fill a varsity team!” Badje said.

“We need at least four golfers to shoot under 110.”

Last year’s highlights: “ Reggie Strotheide’s s e c o n d c o n s e c u t i ve year at state as an individual,” Badje said.

Schedule April 8 Bayard Invite April 15 Bridgeport Invite April 25 Morrill Invite April 26 Alliance Invite May 2 Chadron Invite May 6 PHC May 15 Crawford Invite May 19 Districts

Hay Springs Nickname: Hawks Class: D Conference: Panhandle Last year’s conference placing: Second District: 6 Head c oac h : Jason Badje (4th year) Returning starters: Eli Badje, jr.

Other returning letter winners: Dakota Heiting, so.

Top newcomers/transfers: Drew Letcher, fr.; Zade Henry, jr.; Kobe Encinia, fr.; Tanna Badje, fr.; Sydney Tlustos, fr.

Season outlook: “Building year,” coach Jason B ad je s ai d. “ Lot s of

Mitchell Nickname: Tigers Class: C C o n f e r e n c e s : W TC and Western Last year’s conference tournament placings: Third in WTC; fifth in WC L a s t ye a r ’s d i s t r i c t to u r n a m e nt p l a c i n g : Seventh H ead c o ac h : B r o c k Ehler (4th year) Va r s i t y a s s i s t a n t c oac hes : Ri c k Rein, Russ Hamer Returning starters: Peyton Briggs, sr.; Bo McVay, sr.; Luis Panduro, sr.; Tristan Robles, sr.

See GOLF, page 6

BANNER COUNTY

WILDCATS Track

Mar. 29 ..........................Kimball Apr. 5 ................... Bayard (C-D) Apr. 11 ...... Tri-State Invitational Chappell Apr. 17 ....... Alliance Invitational May 3.... Mac Track at Chappell May 9........... Cheyenne County Invitational at Sidney May 8............................Districts

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Spring Sports Preview

6 Thursday, March 27, 2014

Star-Herald

Boys Golf Summaries Continued Continued from page 5

traveling together and visiting about how many Top newcomers/trans- hundreds of ways the fers: Dereon Betancur, game of golf relates to jr.; Seth Marcoe, fr. the roller coaster of life,” Season outlook: “The Ehler said. seniors are excited about this year,” coach Potter-Dix Brock Ehler said. “We have high expectations Nickname: Coyotes and want to compete Class: D with the top teams in Conference: Minuteour conference. The four man Activities seniors each started golf Last year’s conference when they were fresh- to u r n a m e nt p l a c i n g : men and have come a DNP long ways in the last four District: 5 Last year’s district touryears.”

Team strengths: “Team nament placing: DNP unity and a friendly com- Last year’s state tourpetitiveness within one nament: Potter-Dix had another,” Ehler said. “A one qualifier. desire to play the world’s Head Coac h : Kevin most educational sport.” Thomas (15th year) Team goals: “Top fin- Returning letter winish in the top teams of ners: None our conference and to Top newcomers/transbe playing our best golf fers: Austin Lewis, so. come district tourna- Season outlook: Potter-Dix has only one ment time,” Ehler said.

Last year’s highlights: g o l fe r o n i t s r o s t e r. “ H av i n g g r e at t i m e s Coach Kevin Thomas

said he hopes “to get [Lewis] prepared to be competitive.”

Goals: “Individually, place at the conference tournament and district,” Thomas said.

Last year’s highlight: “Kyle Gorsuch qualifying for the state tournament,” Thomas said.

Schedule April 8 Bayard Invite April 17 Bridgeport Invite April 22 Morrill Invite April 26 Alliance Invite May 1 MAC at Kimball (Potter-Dix is the host school) May 6 Chappell Invite May 8 Kimball Invite May 18 Districts at Sutherland May 27-28 State at Kearney

Last year’s conference tournament placings: First in Western; Fourth in GNAC Last year’s district tournament placing: First Last year’s state tournament placing: First Head coach : Mike Klein (Third year) Returning star ters: Curtis Welsh, sr.; Koy P o t t h o l f , j r. ; J o n a h Wright, so.

Other returning letter w in n er s : J are d Pilkington, so.; Sean Mercer- Smith, jr. ; Br yce Meier, jr.

Season outlook: “We have a good group of players back of f last year’s state championship team,” Coach Mike Klein said. “We need to work on being tough and consistent.”

Scottsbluff Team strength: “ExpeNickname: Bearcats rience,” Klein said.

Class: B Team goals: “Play our Conferences: Western best golf at the end of and GNAC the season,” Klein said.

Last year’s highlights: Winning districts and state Former athletes competing in college: Andrew Holloway, Creighton

Sidney Nickname: Raiders Class: B Conference: Western Last year’s conference to u r n a m e nt p l a c i n g : Second Last year’s district tournament placing: Fourth Head coach : Chuck Christensen (6th year) Va r s i t y a s s i s t a n t coaches: Jeff Yahn Returning star ters: Br an d o n Brow n, sr. ; Garrett Wamsley, so.; Brady Radclif fe, so. ; Ryan Birner, so.

Top newcomers/transfers: Nate Dvorak, fr.; Elliott Jones, fr.

Season outlook: “The team is very young and

ve r y w i l l i n g t o w o r k h a r d ,” c o a c h C h u c k Christensen said. “The underclassmen spent a lot of time on the golf course over the summer working on their game.

I believe this will help put them in a position to compete well on the varsity level.”

Team strengths: “Too young at this point to know how they will handle the pressure of the golf tourneys. The mental skills will have to match up with the physical, and if they do, we could be fairly tough by the end of the season,” Christensen said.

Team goals : “Go to state as a team or get a few of the kids qualified as individuals,” Christensen said. “Be competitive and improve ever y meet while we prepare for district competition.”

Girls Track & Field Summaries Alliance Nickname: Bulldogs Class: B Head coach: Hope Gillaspy Returning state qualifiers: Rylee Trout, 100 hurdles Others to watch: Jennifer Figeroa, sprints; Kelsey Adamson, distance; Madison Hiemstra, sprints, relays; Maggie Otto, relays; Hannah Swanson, sprints, relays; Emily Jensen, 400, relays; Morgan Johnston, sprints, relays Season outlook: “We have a small but strong group of athletes,” coach Hope Gillaspy said. “Most of our strong athletes are three-sport athletes, so staying healthy throughout the season is going to be our trial.”

Schedule March 22 CSC Indoor March 29 Sidney Invite April 5 Buffalo Bill Invite at North Platte April 10 Mitchell Invite

April 17 Alliance Invite April 25 Scottsbluff Twilight April 29 Best in the West May 3 Western Conference at Chadron May 9 BCD at Bayard May 15 Districts at Ogallala May 23-24 State at Omaha

Banner County Nickname: Wildcats Class: D Conference: MAC Last year’s conference meet placing: Fifth District: 11 Last year’s district meet placing: Eighth Head coach: Kari Gifford (4th year) Varsity assistant coaches: Sonja Lind, Bill Gifford, Chelsie Thurin Returning state qualifiers: Amanda Harrison, sr., 1,600, 3,200 Other returning letter winners: Taylor Evans, so., jumps, sprints; Ashlynne Hanan, jr., long

jump; Alyssa Matthews, jr., sprints; Abby Russell, so., throws Top newcomers/transfers: Maegan Coffman, sr., throws; Megan Gifford, so., throws; Danielle Flick, so., throws Season outlook: “The girls will have to stay focused and committed each and every day to see improvements and get where they want to be by the end of the year,” coach Kari Gifford said. “Interest in the throws will create good competition within the team and motivation to work hard to earn a spot. We’re short in numbers when it comes to all of the other events.”

Schedule March 29 Kimball Invite April 5 Bayard C-D Invite April 11 Tri-State Invite at Chappell April 17 Alliance Invite April 25 George Calvert Invite at Mitchell April 29 Best in the West

4x100, 4x400; Other returning letter winners: Aubyr Cottrell, sr., long jump, triple jump, sprints; Haley Sauer, sr., long jump, triple jump, sprints; Chellani Parriott, jr., hurdles, sprints; Kristina McGann, jr., long sprints; Hanah Schmall, so., Bayard middle distance; Tessa Nickname: Tigers Douglas, so., distance; Class: C Cassandra Mohrman, Conference: Western so., pole vault, hurdles, Trails Last year’s conference jumps Top newcomers/ meet placing: First transfers: Catie Baird, District: 11 fr., long sprints; Madi Last year’s district Schuller, fr., jumps, meet placing: First Last year’s state meet throws; Catherine Applegate, fr., long placing: 12th sprints; Sadie McGann, Head coach: Randy fr., throws; Elizabeth McKibbin Belford, fr., middle disVarsity assistant tance; Emily Doremus, coaches: Jordan Harifr., long hurdles; Lauren gar, Micki McKibbin, Petersen, fr., throws; Wade Kniss Returning state qualifi- Cassidee White, fr., ers: Miah Vera, so., long throws Season outlook: “We jump, 4x100; Megan want to practice and Stuart, sr., pole vault, perform like a team that 4x100, 4x400; Jessi Smith, so., 800, 1,600, is keeping Bayard’s Classic at Scottsbluff May 3 MAC meet at Chappell May 9 Cheyenne County Invite May 14 Districts at Morrill May 23-24 State at Omaha

tradition strong,” coach Randy McKibbin said.

Team strengths: “Great returning leadership, character, and work ethic,” McKibbin said. “We also have great community support.”

Team goals: “We always want to compete at the top of our conference(s) and district,” McKibbin said. “We are now part of the MAC conference as well.”

Other comments: Last season at state, Vera placed ninth in the long jump; Stuart was fifth in the pole vault; and Smith was second in the 800 (by .62 seconds).

Also, Bayard’s 4x100 relay was ninth, and the 4x400 relay was eighth.

Last year’s highlights: “A huge thank you to all that have helped us reach our goal of replacing the track at our athletic complex,” McKibbin said. “That is a huge part of our community and See GIRLS TRACK, page 7

Spring Sports Preview

Star-Herald

Thursday, March 27, 2014 7

Girls Track & Field Summaries Continued Continued from page 6

Bayard’s tradition. Also, we had good success throughout the season [and] we had great success at the state level and bringing home medals.” McKibbin also noted that another highlight was “working with great student/athletes as well as our other coaches.”

Schedule March 22 CSC Indoor March 29 Morrill Early Bird Invite April 5 Bayard C-D Invite April 11 Tri-State Invite April 17 WTC April 25 Mitchell Invite April 25 Twilight Invite May 3 MAC Meet May 9 Bayard B-C-D Invite May 15 District meet May 23-24 State at Omaha

be competitive in all the meets that we attend, and we hope to represent ourselves well,” Kraay said.

Former athletes competing in college: Nicole Callen, professional tri-athlete

Burns

Nickname: Broncs Class: 2A Conference: SEWAC Last year’s conference meet placing: Second Regional: East Last year’s regional meet placing: First Last year’s state meet placing: First Head coach: Brooks Hoffman (8th year) Varsity assistant coaches: Dan Clayson, Michelle Steinhoff, Marv Mirich Returning state meet qualifiers: Mardi O’Neal, Bridgeport jr., 100, 4x100; Ashley Nickname: Bulldogs Turner, jr., 100, 200; Class: C Celeste Morales, so., Conference: Western 3,200, 4x800; Alex McTrails Cart, jr., 300 hurdles, Last year’s conference high jump; Jessica meet placing: Second Malm, so., 4x100; TaDistrict: 11 mara McCart, jr., long Last year’s district jump; Chelsea Engel, meet placing: Fifth sr., shot put Last year’s state meet Other returning letplacing: DNP ter winners: Cianna Head coach: Glenn Schofield, jr., distance; Kraay Bri Bocox, jr., sprints/ Assistant coaches: jumps; Jasmine McCaCraig Johnson, Jerod rt, jr., sprints; Matison Dean, Jackie Rahmig Mikesell, so., middle disReturning letter wintance; Rebecca Smith, ners: Brooke Schneiso., middle to long disder, sr., middle distance tance; Olga Aguilar, jr., Top newcomers/transweights; Aimee Hass, fers: Brittani Wilson, fr., jr., weights; Kassiday throws, middle distance; Kildow, jr., middle disMorgan Griess, fr., tance; Lydia Cantu, so., throws, sprints; Mallory jumps, sprints; Jayden Ickes, fr., distance, midDe Cora, so., jumps, dle distance; Meghan sprints; AndreAnna Murphy, fr., pole vault, Ernest, so., hurdles; middle distance; Bri Marissa Widener, so., Stone, fr., sprints, distance throws; Kimber Purdum, Season outlook: “We so., middle distance; have 24 girls out, all Kelsey Faircloth, fr., with a good attitude distance; Katie Norris, and a good work ethic,” fr., hurdles, middle disCoach Glenn Kraay tance; Jordan Liley, jr., said. “We should be throws; Brittany Balls, competitive in all the jr., middle distance meets that we attend.”

Season outlook: “I am Strengths: “We will be excited to get going with diverse with athletes this year’s track and competing in the various field season,” Coach track and field events,” Brooks Hoffman said.

Kraay said.

“We had a great year Goals: “We hope to last year and gradu-

ated a number of top performers. It will be difficult to match last year’s performances, but with a very energetic and young team it will be a fun season to see them progress and develop as a squad. I feel that although they are young, they are highly competitive and will do well this season.”

Team strengths: “The girls are looking to keep a high level of performance from last year and develop with a younger squad,” Hoffman said. “They are a great group of girls and will lean on hard work

and determination to see them through the year.”

Team goals: “Continue to develop personal marks,” Hoffman said.

“If we can establish a solid base mark and keep working on that all season, I think that we will have a high level of success.”

Other comments: Last year at state, O’Neal and Malm were on the 4x100 relay that placed second. O’Neal placed fourth in the 100; Turner was first in the 100 and second in the 200; Morales was fifth in the 3,200 and seventh in

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Tuesday, April 8 ................................. Bayard Tuesday, April 15 ..........................Bridgeport Friday, April 25 .....................................Morrill Saturday, April 26 ..............................Alliance Friday, May 2....................................Chadron Tuesday, May 6 ............................. Pan. Conf Thursday, May 15............................Crawford Monday, May 19 ................................Districts Tuesday, May 28 ................................... State

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April 3 ...........................................Bayside Tri April 8 ................................................. Bayard April 15 .....................................Mitchell Invite April 17 .......................................... Bridgeport April 22 ........................ Perkins County Invite April 29 ..................... Garden County Invite May 1......................................................MAC May 3........................................ Kimball Invite May 6......................................... Creek Valley May 8.......................................St. Pat’s Invite May 13................................. Sutherland Meet May 19....................................... Golf Districts May 20............................................... Districts May 27................................................... State

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the 4x800 relay; Alex McCart was fifth in the 300 hurdles and fourth in the high jump; Tamara McCart was 15th in the long jump; and Engel was 14th in the shot put.

Last year’s highlights: Winning a state championship Former athletes competing in college: Shana Wilcoxson, University of Wyoming Schedule March 29 Morrill Early Bird Invite April 5 Bayard C-D Invite April 11 Tri State Invite at Chappell April 15 Creek Valley

Invite April 26 Pine Bluffs Invite April 29 Best in the West Classic at Scottsbluff May 1 Twilight at South May 2 Wyoming Track Classic at Casper May 3 Goshen County Invite at Torrington May 10 SEWAC at Pine Bluffs May 16-17 East Regionals at Torrington May 22-24 State meet at Casper

Creek Valley Nickname: Storm Class: D Conference: Minuteman See GIRLS TRACK, page 8

Track & Field

Saturday, March 29 .............Morrill Early Bird Saturday, April 5 ................Bayard C-D Invite Thursday, April 10 ...... Mitchell Twilight Invite Thursday, April 17 .......... Alliance Invitational Friday, April 25 ........................ Mitchell Invite Saturday, April 26 ...................Chadron Invite Tuesday, April 29 ................Best of the West at Scottsbluff Saturday, May 3 ............. Pan. Conf at Morrill Friday, May 9....................Bayard Invitational Wednesday, May 14.................D-11 Districts at Morrill Friday & Saturday, May 23 & 24 .State Track @ Omaha Burke

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TRACK AND FIELD

April 5 ................................... Bayard Invite April 12 .................... Perkins County Invite April 15 ..................................Creek Valley April 22 ............................... Chase County April 26 ............................... Hershey Invite April 29 .......................... Best In The West May 3................................................. MAC May 9.............................................. Bayard May 14...........................................Districts May 23............................................... State

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Spring Sports Preview

8 Thursday, March 27, 2014

Star-Herald

Girls Track & Field Summaries Continued 400, shot put Top newcomers/transLast year’s conference fers: Kenna Campbell, meet placing: Fourth fr., high jump, triple District: 11 jump, long jump; Josie Last year’s district Perez, fr., 800, discus; meet placing: Fifth Shania Freesman, fr., Head coach: William 400, 800; Carlee Hinn, Wilber (First year) fr., 200, 300 hurdles Varsity assistant Season outlook: “We coaches: Todd Westohave a nice mix of ver, Jessica Cabela upperclassmen and Returning state qualiyounger athletes,” Gering fiers: Summer Mueller, coach Joel Nelson said.

Nickname: Bulldogs sr., pole vault, 1,600; “We are hoping to show Class: B Hannah Schievelbein, improvement and be Conference: Western jr., discus competitive in a number District: 6 Other returning letter of meets this year.”

Last year’s district winners: Hannah BlackSchedule welder, so., 100, 4x100, meet placing: Fourth March 29 Sidney Invite long jump, shot put; Jer- Last year’s state meet April 5 Bayard C-D Invite ry Straber, sr., 100, high placing: 33rd April 12 Perkins County jump, triple jump, 4x100; Head coach: Randy Invite Plummer (27th year) Summer Mueller, sr., April 17 WTC 1,600, pole vault, 4x100; Assistant coaches: April 26 Chadron Invite Bill Bauer, Rick Marez, Chandra Smith, so., April 29 Best in the West triple jump, 100, 4x100; Randy Johnson, Jimmie May 9 Bayard B-C-D Rhodes, Gene Russell, Ashley Burr, sr., 800, Invite Roger Schmidt triple jump; Hannah May 15 Districts at Returning state meet Schievelbein, jr., shot Bayard qualifiers: Jerilyn Laws, put, discus May 23-24 State at Top newcomers/trans- so., 4x800 relay; Kali Omaha fers: Jessie Straber, fr., Rimington, 1,600, 4x800 relay high jump, 4x100, long Guernsey-Sunrise Other returning letter jump; Stefanie Mitchell, winners: Holly Grote, jr., high jump Nickname: Vikings Season outlook: “With sr., jumps; Allison WitClass: 1A cofski, sr., distance; Kathirty-one track memConference: SEWAC bers this year, we hope tie O’Boyle, sr., hurdles, Regional: East sprints; Julia Ybarra, jr., to finish higher in the Head coach: Glenn W. distance; Dakota Wade- Freeburg (37th year) standings,” Coach Wilman, jr., weights; Nicober said.

Varsity assistant lette Cook, jr., weights; Team strengths: coaches: Casey Moats, Brooke Doggett, jr., “Depth,” Wilber said.

Jeannette Christensen weights; Jade Riedel, Team goals: “With Returning state qualifiso., hurdles, sprints; higher numbers, we ers: Ashley Garhart, jr., Kaelyn Shaul, so., dishope to finish higher,” jumps, sprints tance; Lauren Shaul, Wilber said.

Other returning letter Other comments: Last so., distance winners: Viviana HollisNewcomers/transfers: ter, so., sprints season at state, Mueller placed sixth in the 1,600 Karlee Muth, sr., sprints; Top newcomers/transin 5:40.1 and 10th in the Rebecca Brenner, jr., fers: Vanessa Vasquez, jumps; Marisa Robles, pole vault with a height jr., jumps, sprints; so., distance; Shae of 9-6. Schievelbein Michelle Thompson, Kaus, fr., sprints; Hope was 20th in the discus. jr., sprints, middle disAbel, fr., distance; Britance; Tenisha Carr, fr., weights; Natalie Blaise, Garden County anna Eckerberg, fr., weights; Kaylee Bohnso., jumps Nickname: Eagles sack, fr., distance; Keltie Former athletes comClass: D Imus, fr., jumps, sprints; peting in college: Cori Conference: MinuteRebekah Rawlings, fr., Christensen, South man distance Dakota School of Mines Last year’s conference Season outlook: “We & Technology (hammer meet placing: Third have 43 girls out for and discus) District: 11 track,” Coach Randy Schedule Last year’s district Plummer said. “Our March 22 CSC Indoor meet placing: Third strength will be in the March 29 Morrill Early Last year’s state meet: middle and long disBird Invite DNP tance. We do have April 4 Wheatland Invite Head coach: Jamie some quality in most April 12 Guernsey Invite McColloch (8th year at every event. Our job as April 17 Alliance Invite Garden County) coaches is to get the April 25 Calvert Invite at Varsity assistant girls into the right events Mitchell coaches: Kim Colton, and coach them to be April 26 Pine Bluffs Invite Tiffany Rice successful.”

April 29 Best in the West Returning state qualifiers: Alisha Heelan, sr., Gordon-Rushville 400, 800, 4x100; Alicia Nickname: Mustangs Ehrlich, sr., 100, 200, Class: C LJ, 4x100; Anna McConference: Western Laughlin, so., HJ, 300 Trails low hurdles, 100 high Last year’s conference hurdles meet placing: Fourth Other returning letter District: 11 winners: Baily Davis, Last year’s district sr., hurdles, triple jump, meet placing: Eighth in 4x100; Kelsey VinB-6 cent, sr., throws; Katie Head coach: Joel NelParmenter, sr., 1,600, 3,200; Courtney Leach, son (4th year) Varsity assistant jr., throws; Ashley Heecoaches: Mike Fowler, lan, so., 400; Courtney Matt Stetson, Angie Stegman, so., throws; Mikayla Wiant, so., pole Hoagland Returning state qualivault, sprints Top newcomers/trans- fiers: Dani Wellnitz, jr., 3,200 fers: Megan Dormann, Other returning letter fr., 400 winners: Rachel JohnSeason outlook: “We son, sr., 800, 1,600; Dehave low numbers with nie Jacobson, jr., 1,600, some quality return3,200; Hali Sahr, jr., 100 ers,” Coach McColloch hurdles, 300 hurdles; said. “We should see Keelie Campbell, so., improvement from our shot put, discus; Robin throwers.”

Ferguson, so., 100, 200; Team strengths: Becca Wellnitz, so., Jumps, throws, middle

Continued from page 7

distance Team goals: “Win conference [and] district,” McColloch said.

Last year’s highlights: Garden County’s thirdplace finishes in both the conference and district meets were the Eagles’ highest in those meets in years.

fiers: Kaelia Nelson, jr., 1,600, 3,200 Other returning letter winners: Precious Campbell, sr., hurdles Season outlook: “A good, solid freshman class coming in and adding to all events,” coach Cindy Ahrens said.

Team strengths: “Hurdles, weights, distance,” Hay Springs Ahrens said.

Nickname: Hawks Team goals: “Work to Class: D improve and finish the Conference: Panhanseason with personal dle bests,” Ahrens said.

District: 11 Last year’s highlights: Head coach: Rachel “Kelsy Wood winning Mandelko (6th year) all-around trackster at Varsity assistant coaches: Val Bila, Rusty every meet including Best in the West two Belina, Cassie Barth Returning state qualifi- years in a row [and] Kelsy medaling in all four ers: None events at state,” Ahrens Returning letter winsaid. ners: Whitney Heiting, Schedule jr., long jump, triple March 22 CSC Indoor jump, 100 hurdles; CydMarch 29 Kimball Invite ney Jancik, jr., 100, 100 Bayard C-D hurdles; Brittany Fergu- April 5 son, jr., high jump, 400, April 10 Mitchell Invite April 17 WTC at Morrill 800; Jenn Scherbarth, April 26 Chadron Invite jr., 400, 800, 1,600; Katrena Ryan, so., long April 29 Best in the West May 3 PAC at Morrill jump, 100 May 9 Bayard B-C-D Top newcomers/transMay 15 Districts at fers: Steph Tlustos, sr., shot put, discus, sprints; Bayard May 23-24 State at Brooklyn Morrill, so., shot put, discus; Alexis Omaha Olson, fr., shot put, disHyannis cus Team strengths: “I beNickname: Longhorns lieve that our strengths Class: D are going to be in the Conference: Sandhills mid distances and hurHead coach: Chris dles,” Coach Rachel Kraus Mandelko said.

Varsity assistant Team goals: “To take coach: Janice Kraus three individual girls to Returning state meet the state track meet and qualifiers: Frannie place third at least in the Young, sr., 400; SavanPanhandle Conference,” na Jamison, sr., discus; Mandelko said.

Hannah Haney, sr., triple jump (as a freshHemingford man) Other returning letter Nickname: Bobcats winners: Shontell RoseClass: C berry, sr., sprints, relays; Conferences: PHC, Chelsea Nollette, sr., WTC Last year’s conference weights; Kaitlyn Ramsay, jr., distance; Isameet placings: Third in bele Safarik, jr., jumps, PHC; Sixth in WTC middle distance; Sierra Last year’s district Rediger, so., hurdles, meet placing: Sixth Last year’s state meet relays Top newcomers/transplacing: 10th fers: Madison Ramsay, Head coach: Cindy fr., distance, relays; Ahrens (23rd year) Brook Jamison, fr., hurVarsity assistant dles, relays coaches: Kate Jungck, Lisa Janssen Season outlook: “We Returning state qualihave some quality ath-

May 2 Wyoming Track Classic at Casper May 3 Goshen County Invite May 6 Lusk Qualifying Meet May 9 Wiseman Invite May 16-17 Regionals at Torrington May 22-24 State at Casper

letes and decent numbers out, so I’m hoping to be competitive,” coach Chris Kraus said.

“We need to get healthy and stay healthy. Hopefully, our younger girls develop and give us some depth in individual events and relays.”

Team goals: “Be competitive individually and as a team,” Kraus said.

“Qualify a relay team for state.”

Kimball Nickname: Longhorns Class: C Conferences: WTC, SPVA Last year’s conference meet placing: Fifth District: 11 Last year’s district meet placing: Third Head coach: Gene Mohr (3rd year) Varsity assistant coaches: Jim Reeves, Dane Wardeman, Wade Brasheer Returning state qualifiers: Brooke Hager, sr., 4x100; Shelby Vogel, sr., 4x100; Kelly Green, sr., 4x100; Madison Biesecker, so., 4x100, 300 hurdles; Alisha Hunsaker, so., 400 Other returning letter winners: Laura Flores, sr., 1,600, 3,200; Jessica Hanks, jr., shot put, discus; Danika Daum, so., shot put, discus; Mikayla Fiehtner, so., 100 hurdles; Brianna Jones, sr., shot put Top newcomers/transfers: Kimball has nine freshmen out.

Season outlook: “Twenty-four out for track is an improvement in number,” Coach Mohr said. “Good mix to fill most of the events.”

Team strengths: “The shot and discus should score a lot early in the meet,” Mohr said. “Vogel should score in the triple jump. Green and Fiehtner will score in the 100 and high hurdles.

Biesecker and Husaker will score in the 300 hurdles and 400. All the relays should score.

Overall, we should be scoring throughout the meet.”

See GIRLS TRACK, page 9

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Spring Sports Preview

Star-Herald

Thursday, March 27, 2014 9

Girls Track & Field Summaries Continued Continued from page 8

meet,” Craig said.

Other comments: Kimball will try to qualify its 4x100 relay to state for the fourth straight year. ... Flores qualified for state two years ago.

Team goals: “Place in the top three in all the meet [and] send more athletes to state,” Mohr said.

Last year’s highlights: “Winning the Pine Bluffs meet by one point,” Mohr said.

Schedule March 29 Kimball Invite April 5 Bayard C-D Invite April 10 Creek Valley Invite April 17 WTC at Morrill April 25 Mitchell/Morrill April 29 Best in the West May 2 SPVA at Grant May 9 Bayard B-C-D May 15 Districts at Bayard

Lingle-Ft. Laramie

Nickname: Doggers Conference: SEWAC Last year’s conference meet placing: First Regional: 1A East Last year’s regional meet placing: First Last year’s state meet placing: First Head coach: Mike Lashley (23rd year), jumps, sprints, and relays Assistant coaches: Pat O’Connor (weights), Brandon Gifford (distance), Shaylee Mortimore (hurdles), Robb Nicolay (pole vault) Returning state meet qualifiers: Kaylee Greenwald, sr., 400, 800, high jump, 200; Shaylee Rickard, sr., discus, shot put, 4x100; Becky Sutherland, sr., 3,200, 1,600, 4x800; Leyton Taylor Bever, jr., 100, Nickname: Warriors 200, 400, 4x400; Kody Class: D Walter, jr., 800, 4x100, Conference: Minute4x400, 4x800; Gabrielle man Wollert, jr., 100 hurdles, Last year’s conference 4x100, 4x400, 4x800; meet placing: First Jessica Bebo, so., 100 District: 11 hurdles, 300 hurdles, Head coach: Jodi 4x800 Craig Top newcomers/transVarsity assistant fers: Samantha Garvie, coach: Rob Shoopman fr., discus, distance; Returning state qualifiMakenna Greenwald, fr., ers: Kassandra Harris, triple jump, pole vault, sr., discus; Kaitlyn Berner, jr.; Shaela Jenkins, jr. hurdles; Morea Shipley, fr., long jump, sprints; Other returning letter Georgia Wollert, fr., high winners: Dani McKay, jr., discus, 400; Kristine jump, long jump, hurBarnett, so., long jump, dles; Johanna Church, triple jump, 400; Natalie fr., discus, shot put; Cruise, so., discus, shot Kaylynn Jefferson, fr., jumps, sprints; Rebecca put; Katy Ernest, sr., Goeken, fr., shot put, discus, 800; Jessica discus; Rhylea Horejs, Houk, so., 100, 200 Newcomers/transfers: fr., shot put, discus Season outlook: “With Abbe Draper, fr., hurmore than 15 girls out dles, high jump; Taylor Berner, fr., hurdles, 400; for track, our numbers Hope Dykman, fr., triple will be a little larger than last year,” coach Mike jump, long jump, disLashley said. “Included cus; Cheyenne Nickel, in this group are six allfr., 200, 400; Autumn Hartwig, fr., discus, long state performers and one other state qualijump; Kelsey Miller, fr., fier. We will put a very 800 experienced group of Season outlook: “We athletes on the track will be a young group this year, but have great and in the field events.

We also have a very leadership in our upstrong group of freshperclassmen to show them the ropes,” coach men joining the team who will score points in Jodi Craig said. “We several events. These have a nice number of ladies understand what girls out, allowing for team challenges and an it takes to be successful, as they have won opportunity to put girls in various events to see three state championwhere they will succeed. ships and finished state runner-up three times We will be competitive in volleyball, basketball, in our conference and and track during the last district.” couple years.”

Team strengths: “We Team strengths: “I have great leadership believe we will be very from upperclassmen well-balanced in the and experience in several events,” Craig said. field events and on the track,” Lashley said.

“Many of these girls “It is difficult to single have had success for out a specific area, as consistent seasons, so we have the ability to that experience should score in every event. be beneficial.”

Team goals: “To place We should be very deep in the hurdles and the in the top three in MAC and districts [and] to get jumps, and we should be able to put together personal bests as the some solid relays.” season progresses,” Team goals: “Our main Craig said.

Other comments: Last goal every season is to compete for a state year at state, Harris championship and this placed sixth in the discus with a throw of 113- year will be no different. We will also look 9. Harris, whose personal best in the discus to defend the SEWAC conference championis 118-7, is a three-time state qualifier. Berner is ship and the 1A East Regional championship a two-time state qualiwe won last year.” fier.

Other comments: Last year’s highlights: “Having three girls Lingle-Ft. Laramie has qualify for state [and] won 11 girls state track winning the MAC track and field meet cham-

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discus, shot put; Shanti Suhr, sr., 800, 1,600 Schedule March 29 Kimball Invite April 5 Bayard Invite April 11 Creek Valley Invite April 17 Alliance Invite April 25 Mitchell Invite May 3 Creek Valley Invite May 9 Kimball Invite May 14 Districts at Morrill May 23-24 State at Omaha

Last year’s state meet placing: 10th Head coach: Sandra Johnson (4th year) Varsity assistant coaches: Jim Lyons, Dennis Zowada, Ron Nelson Returning state qualifiers: Hailey Bruegger, sr., sprints, high jump; Jessica Bruegger, sr., hurdles; Kristy DeGering, sr., distance; Rishell Lizasuain, sr., jumps; Kassidy Miller, sr., throws; Jayci Shoults, sr., pole vault, Mitchell sprints; Lexie BlackMorrill Nickname: Tigers burn, so., pole vault, Nickname: Lions Class: B relays Conferences: Western, Class: D Other returning letter Conferences: Western Western Trails winners: Rachel LashLast year’s WTC meet Trails and Panhandle mett, so., throws Last year’s conference placing: Second Season outlook: “Remeet placings: Seventh District: 6 turning seniors are all in WTC; Fourth in PAC Head coach: Michelle four-year letter winners District: 11 Peters (3rd year) and will hopefully lead Last year’s district Varsity assistant this team to a top-four meet placing: Eighth coaches: Glen EberHead coach: Terry Mill- finish at state,” coach specher, Joe Yauney, Sandra Johnson said. er (2nd year) Mike Harriger, Jayson Team strengths: “Six Varsity assistant Gregory seniors returning this coaches: Rick Sides, Returning state qualyear, all with state track Nicole Fredrickson, ifiers: Taylor Peters, experience and strong Bobby Wiegel sr., 800, 1,600, 4x400; leadership,” Johnson Returning letter winAspen Reifschneider, said. jr., 200, long jump, triple ners: Sabrina Austin, Team goals: “Top-four jump, 4x400; McKenna sr., sprints, long jump finish at regionals and Season outlook: “MorZulkoski, jr., 400, 100, state,” Johnson said. rill has a young team 4x400 looking to make its mark Other comments: Last Other returning letyear at state, Hailey in our conference and ter winners: Morgan Bruegger placed fourth district,” coach Terry Michael, sr., shot put, in the 300 hurdles; Jesdiscus; Kady Lower, jr., Miller said. sica Bruegger was third Team strengths: “We shot put, discus; Elysha in the 300 hurdles and believe our strengths Foster, jr., distance; fifth in the 100 hurdles; Barbara Pieper, jr., shot this year will be in our DeGering was seventh throwing and jumping put, discus; Madison in the 3,200; Miller was events,” Miller said.

Kuxhausen, so., disseventh in the shot put; Team goals: “Our team tance; K’Lee Hasse, goal is to continually im- and Shoults was fifth in so., sprints; Maddie prove our performances the pole vault.

Holstein, so., distance; Former athletes comJessie Nelson, so., dis- through the year and peting in college: Sami build a quality groundtance Starkey, Black Hills Top newcomers/trans- work for future teams,” State (pole vault) Miller said. fers: Celeste Cardona, Schedule Schedule fr., middle distance; March 22 CSC Indoor March 22 CSC Indoor Devin Beaver, fr., disMarch 29 Morrill Invite tance; Madison Watson, Meet April 3 Speedgoat March 29 Morrill Early fr., distance Classic at Newcastle Bird Invite Season outlook: “Our April 5 Bayard C-D Invite April 12 Guernsey Invite roster includes many April 17 Tony Lehner talented individuals in all April 10 Mitchell Invite Invite at Glenrock events,” coach Michelle April 17 WTC at Morrill April 25 Douglas Invite Peters said. “We return April 25 Calvert Invite at April 29 Best in the West Mitchell three state qualifiers April 29 Best in the West Classic at Scottsbluff Minatare from individual events.

May 2 Wyoming Track Classic Nickname: Indians With strong leadership Classic at Casper May 3 Panhandle Class: D and hard work, we will May 3 Goshen County Conference Meet Conference: Minutecompete well this seaInvite man Activities son. We bring in a very May 9 Bayard B-C-D May 6 Tiger Qualifier at Invite District: 11 talented group of ninth May 14 Districts at Lusk Head coach: Matt Kor- grade athletes that will May 10 SEWAC at Pine Morrill kow (1st year) have a positive impact May 23-24 State at Bluffs Varsity assistant on our team right away.

May 16-17 Regionals at Omaha coaches: JJ Ozuna, Pat We also have some Torrington Horner very disciplined kids State at Niobrara County May 22-24 Returning letter winthat are determined to Casper ners: Briana Regester, improve their times and Nickname: Tigers jr., long jump, triple are chasing school reClass: 2A Pine Bluffs jump, 100, high jump cords this season.”

Conference: SEWAC Nickname: Hornets Top newcomers/ Team strengths: “Team Last year’s conference Class: 2A transfers: Franki Doty, strengths include depth meet placing: Third Conference: SEWAC fr., 800, 1,600; Patty and talent in all events Regional: East Last year’s conference Cinocco, jr., discus, 100, [and] committed individLast year’s regional 200; Amber McNees, fr., uals who work hard to meet placing: Third See GIRLS TRACK, page 10

pionships (1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013). Only Cheyenne Central, with 13 state titles, has won more state championships than LFL. Last year’s highlights: “In 2013, the Lady Doggers won their eighth regional championship in the last nine years, and captured their seventh Wyoming state track championship in the last nine years. We also had several athletes end the season among the top performers in the region. With the success of last season under their belts, we are excited to see how our athletes will perform in 2014.”

Former athletes competing in college: Candace Wollert, a 2010 LFL graduate, is having a solid senior season at the University of Wyoming, Lashley said.

She placed fourth in the 800 at the Mountain West Conference Indoor Championships.

She is the UW indoor record holder in the 800 (2:10.52) and also holds the second-best outdoor 800 time in UW history (2:08.30).

Schedule March 22 CSC Indoor March 29 Morrill Early Bird Invite April 5 Bayard C-D Invite April 10 Mitchell Invite April 12 Guernsey-Sunrise Invite April 19 Alliance Invite April 25 West Nebraska Twilight in Scottsbluff April 26 Pine Bluffs Invite April 29 Best in the West Classic at Scottsbluff May 2 Wyoming Track Classic at Casper May 3 Goshen County Invite at Torrington May 10 SEWAC at Pine Bluffs May 16-17 1A East Regional at Torrington

be successful,” Peters said. “We also return a strong 4x400 relay team.”

Team goals: “Win WTC and have a good showing at districts,” Peters said.

Other comments: Last year at state, Taylor Peters placed sixth in the 800 in 2:21. She was the district runner-up.

Last year’s highlights: “Qualifying six athletes for the state meet,” Peters said.

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Spring Sports Preview

10 Thursday, March 27, 2014

Star-Herald

Girls Track & Field Summaries Continued Continued from page 9

Hilpert (sixth year) Varsity assistant coaches: Amee Hicks, Dale Frerichs, Robyn Hicks Returning state meet qualifiers: Kate Woten, sr., 3,200; Regyn Hicks, so., high jump, 100 hurdles Other returning letter winners: Morgan Wolff, sr., middle distance; Tiffany Lewis, sr., middle distance; Ryley Hicks, jr., pole vault, distance; Hope Shepard, jr., sprints; Kinley Vowers, jr., long jump, sprints; Sara Gingerich, so., long jump, sprints; Courtney Lewis, so., shot put, discus; Savannah Shaw, so., sprints, middle distance Top newcomers/transfers: Alexus Rozelle, jr., shot put, discus; Dawson Sharman, fr., pole vault, middle distance; Lanie Thies, fr., distance Season outlook: “We compete in some tough meets, but we hope to improve individually with each meet and hope to develop some strong relays,” coach Robert Hilpert said.

Team strengths: “We will have quality athletes in every event,” Hilpert said.

Team goals: “We hope to improve on our second-place finishes at both conference and districts,” Hilpert said.

The Coyotes also hope to qualify several athletes for the Best in the West Classic and the state meet.

Other comments: Ryley Hicks placed third at districts last season in both the pole vault and 1,600. Lewis placed third in the shot put at districts. ... Rozelle, Sharman, and Thies all excelled in junior high track and field last season.

Last year’s highlights: Placing second at the conference and district meets.

Former athletes competing in college: Taylor Holz, University of Wyoming

meet placing: Fifth Regional: East Last year’s regional meet placing: Sixth Last year’s state meet placing: 12th Head coach: Dustin Lee (7th year) Varsity assistant coaches: Leland Ostrander, Dale Gilbert, Lisa Gilbert, Pat Walter Returning state qualifiers: Austin Asay, sr., 800, 1,600, 3,200, 4x800; Sam Hanson, sr., sprints, pole vault, long jump; Andrea Baker, sr., weights; Celestial Jackson, so., distance; Brooke Darden, so., sprints, long jump Top newcomers/transfers: Montanna Chrystal, fr., sprints; Melissa Fornstrom, fr., throws Season outlook: “This year’s girls team will have some great talent,” coach Dustin Lee said.

“Unfortunately, we are senior and freshman dominant for our numbers. There aren’t a lot of 10th and 11th graders on the team this year.

I will be looking to my seniors to mentor our young girls. I really don’t know what to expect from the team this year, but I think we can make some ripples in the conference this year.”

Team strengths: “This year’s strength will be the seniors,” Lee said.

“There are primarily three girls who have three separate talents and a lot of experience between them. All three have participated at the state meet since they were freshmen. I will rely on these gals to bring the team along this year.”

Team goals: “Our team goals this year will be to get better each week, and know your body’s nutritional needs. I also look for the team to place well in the conference.”

Other comments: Asay is coming off another superb cross country season. She figures to contend for state titles in the 1,600 and 3,200.

Asay plans to run track Scottsbluff at Gillette College next Nickname: Bearcats school year.

Class: B Last year’s highlights: Conferences: Western “Improving our team’s and GNAC finishes at most meets Last year’s conference [and] bringing home meet placings: First in the third-place trophy at Western; Sixth in GNAC state,” Lee said.

District: 6 Last year’s district Potter-Dix meet placing: Second Last year’s state meet Nickname: Coyotes placing: 15th Class: D Head coach: Jim BarkConference: Minuteer (2nd year) man Varsity assistant Last year’s conference coaches: Shelby meet placing: Second Aaberg, Mike Burda, District: 11 Warren Osborn, Todd Last year’s district Menghini, Aaron Carmeet placing: Second Head coach: Robert rizales, Linda Meininger,

Rachel Birtles, Megan Schneider, Katy Burton Returning state meet qualifiers: SteaVen Becker, sr., discus; Shayleigh James, so., 4x800; Taylor Muncie, jr., 3,200, 1,600, 4x800 relay; Shanell Primes, so., 100, 4x100 relay; Chesney Walker, so., 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, 4x100 relay Other returning letter winners: Kyra Willats, jr., hurdles; Sierra Betancur, jr., throws, weights; Lexi Lynn, jr., pole vault; Ruby Fernandez, so., sprints; Kai Didier, so., hurdles Season outlook: Scottsbluff has 35 girls out for track and field, more than last season.

Five girls have state meet experience. “We will be a very competitive team throughout the season,” Coach Jim Barker said.

Team strengths: Barker said Scottsbluff has solid depth in many events both on the track and in the field. He added that the team’s work ethic and conditioning level is much improved, and he likes the academic excellence and leadership on the team. He noted that the squad has a “fantastic coaching

staff.”

Team goals: “Continue to get better weekly and remain injury free,” Barker said. He would also like the Bearcats to qualify 10 or more athletes for the state meet and “save our best performances for the state meet.” The Bearcats hope to finish in the top five at state.

Other comments: Last year at the state meet, Muncie placed fourth in the 3,200 and seventh in the 1,600. Walker was fifth in both hurdles races, and she and Shanell Primes were on the 4x100 relay that placed ninth.

Last year’s highlights: Winning the Western Conference championship, placing second at districts and the “outstanding 2013 state meet performances” by Chesney Walker and Taylor Muncie.

Former athletes competing in college: Aubree Worden, University of Arkansas; Jen Maag, Hastings College; Zoey Rada, Nebraska Wesleyan Schedule March 22 CSC Indoor Meet March 29 Binfield Invite April 5 Buffalo Bill Invite

at North Platte April 11 Broken Bow Invite April 17 Alliance Invite April 25 Western Nebraska Twilight at Scottsbluff April 29 Best in the West Classic May 3 Western Conference at Chadron May 8 GNAC at North Platte May 15 Districts May 23-24 State at Omaha

Sidney Nickname: Red Raiders Class: B Conference: Western Last year’s conference meet placing: Second District: 6 Last year’s district meet placing: Third Last year’s state meet placing: 30th Head coach: John Ganser (10th year) Varsity assistant coaches: Roger Gallaway, Beau McConnell, Matt McKay, Tony Neels, Teresa Rolls, Pat Welch Returning state qualifiers: Alli Jay Ehler, jr., middle distance/distance; Genessa Schilz, so., middle distance; Abby Heller, so., high

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jump, sprints, middle distance; Jami Flores, so., pole vault; Gabbie Addleman, jr., sprints; Savanna Rosenbaum, jr., high jump Other returning letter winners: Erin Lineman, so., middle distance/ distance; Jasmine Jallen, so., pole vault; Mia Hernandez, so., distance; Preslie Allen, so., middle distance; Sara VonSeggern, jr., sprints Top newcomers/transfers: Abbey Mills, fr., sprints; Abbie Fraas, fr., throws; Annaliese Letcher, fr., throws; Hannah Rapp, so., high jump; Jolene Olievrius, fr., sprints; Megan Rapp, fr., sprints; Sami Kaus, fr., throws Season outlook: “We graduated a lot of quality points from a year ago and are young this year,” coach John Ganser said. “There are 25 girls out this year, and we have a lot of growing to do, but we do have some quality girls we can build around.”

Team strengths: “Middle distance and some field events will be the strongest areas of our team,” Ganser said.

Team goals: “To grow

Sat., Mar. 22 ...............................................CSC Indoor Meet – 9AM Sat., Mar. 29 ................................................. Sidney Invite Sidney Invite – 9AM Sat., Apr. 5 ...............................................Ogallala Invite Ogallala Invite – 11AM Thu., Apr. 10 ............................................Mitchell Invite Mitchell Invite – 11AM Thu., Apr. 17 .............................................. Alliance Invite Alliance Invite – 9AM Fri., Apr. 25 .............................Scottsbluff Twilight Scottsbluff Twilight – 12PM Sat., Apr. 26 ........................Chadron Invite Chadron High School – 9AM Tue., Apr. 29 ......................................Best of the West @ Scottsbluff – 4:30PM Sat., May 3 ..............West. Conf. @ Chadron Chadron High School – 9AM Fri., May 9 ............................................................Bayard Invite B•C•D – 8:30AM Thu., May 15 ............................................................. District Track @ Ogallala Fri., May 23 & Sat., May 24 ................................. State Track @ Omaha Burke

Home Meets Are Listed In Bold

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BOYS GOLF

Tue., Apr. 1 ............... Alliance Quad – 4PM Tue., Apr. 8 ................ Sidney Invite – 9AM Tue., Apr. 15 .............Mitchell Invite – 9AM Thu., Apr. 17 .Alliance HS/Chadron Dual @ Chadron High School – 4PM Tue., Apr. 22 ...............Morrill Invite – 9AM Sat., Apr. 26 .................Alliance Invite 9AM Mon., Apr. 28 .......Scottsbluff Invite – 9AM Wed., Apr. 30 ..Best of the West @ Sidney Fri., May 2 Chadron Invite/West. Conf.

Chadron High School 9AM Thu., May 8 .................Gering Invite – 9AM Thu., May 15 .............Ogallala Invite – 9AM Mon., May 19........... District Golf – Cozad Wed. May 28 & Thu., May 29 ... State Golf @ Kearney

Arby’s

Spring Sports Preview

Star-Herald

Thursday, March 27, 2014 11

Girls Track & Field Summaries Continued Continued from page 10

Sioux County

and learn and put ourselves in the best possible position come district time,” Ganser said.

Last year’s highlights: “Winning the Sidney Invite, Ogallala Invite, Mitchell Invite, and Bayard B-C-D,” Ganser said. “We had some quality performances at the Best in the West as well. Our girls did set four new school records last year.”

Former athletes competing in college: Kaitlyn Wells, UNK; Kali Robb, Concordia; Morgan Lieneman, UNK; Karissa Segelke, Concordia; Leah Uhlir, Chadron State

Nickname: Warriors Class: D Conference: Panhandle District: 11 Head coach: Dan Valenta Varsity assistant coach: Carrie Edmund Girls and boys roster: Seniors–Lindsay Dunn, Hannah Grote, Josh Kling, John Murphy, Phillip Parker, Connor Rodenbaugh, Levi Wilson. Juniors–Riley Ellis, Jeremiah Fink, Kate Kling. Sophomores– Maddy Rodenbaugh.

Freshmen–Casey Osantowski.

Season outlook: Sioux County has only 12 members on the girls

and boys teams combined. Kate Kling, a junior, hopes to qualify for state in the 300 low hurdles.

Team strengths: “Senior leadership ... athletes willing to work hard but keep life and track in the proper perspective,” Coach Dan Valenta said. “Fun bunch of coachable kids.”

Schedule March 29 Morrill Early Bird Invite April 5 Bayard C-D Invite April 10 Mitchell Invite April 12 Guernsey Invite April 17 Alliance Invite April 25 George Calvert Invite at Mitchell May 3 PHC Meet at Morrill May 9 Bayard B-C-D

Invite May 14 Districts at Morrill May 23-24 State at Omaha

Torrington Nickname: Blazers Class: 3A Head coach: Dean Sims Last year’s regional meet placing: Second Last year’s state meet placing: Fourth Returning state qualifiers: Taylor Troxel, discus; Sabrina Juma, 200, triple jump, long jump, 4x800 relay; Avery Madden, long jump, triple jump, 4x100 relay, 4x400 relay; Allison Marsh, 100, 300 hurdles, 4x100 relay, 4x400

relay; Faith Mayadag, 4x100 relay Other returning letter winners: Kady Covalt, jr., 100 hurdles Top newcomers: Tallie Coon, fr., shot put, discus; Callie Firmingare, fr., distance; Kalli Johnson, fr., distance; Delaney Powell, fr., shot put, discus; Shelbey Prusia, fr., sprints, jumps; Machayla Ringle, fr., sprints, jumps; Pamela Pierce, fr., shot put, discus; Savanna Woodruff, fr., shot put, discus; Sarandan K., fr., sprints, jumps, vault; Dantia Palmer, fr., sprints, jumps; McCayla Smith, fr., shot put, discus Season outlook: Torrington has a young

team overall but does have several talented athletes back this season.

Other comments: At last year’s state meet, Allison Marsh placed second in the 300 hurdles and fifth in the 100 and was part of the 4x100 relay that placed third and the 4x400 relay that placed first.

Avery Madden was second in the long jump and triple jump and was on the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Sabrina Juma was eighth in the 200, fifth in the triple jump, seventh in the long jump, and fifth in the 4x800 relay. Faith Mayadag was on the 4x100 relay team.

Boys Track & Field Summaries Alliance

Other comments: Last year at state, Berglund Nickname: Bulldogs placed second in the triple Class: B jump and fifth in the 4x100; Conference: Western Lehl was first in the 4x400; Last year’s conference Kamerzell was second in meet placing: Second both hurdles races; and District: 6 Robinson was fifth in the Last year’s district meet 4x100 and first in the 4x400. placing: Third Last year’s highlights: Last year’s state meet Placing fourth at state and placing: Fourth Head coach: Bubba Kram- having nine athletes place in six events. the 4x400 er (5th year) relay team won the Class B Varsity assistant coachstate title. es: Steve Nelson, Greg Schedule Friesen, Chris Seebohm, March 22 CSC Indoor Mike Spargo Sidney Invite Returning state qualifiers: March 29 April 5 Buffalo Bill Invite at Jason Berglund, sr., triple North Platte jump, long jump, 4x100; April 10 Mitchell Invite Gaige Lehl, sr., 4x400, 4x800; Trevor Kamerzell, April 17 Alliance Invite sr., 110 high hurdles, 300 April 25 Scottsbluff Twilight intermediate hurdles; Cody April 29 Best in the West Robinson, jr., 4x100, 4x400; May 3 Western Conference DJ Weare, jr., 4x800 at Chadron Other returning letter winMay 9 BCD at Bayard ners: Tristan Stephenson, May 15 Districts at Ogallala sr., 110 hurdles, 300 hurMay 23-24 State at Omaha dles; Brady Shimp, sr., pole vault; Josh Ellis, jr., sprints; Banner County Kyle Krantz, jr., throws Top newcomers/transfers: Nickname: Wildcats Moses Ash-Dawn, so., Class: D throws; Brody Brennan, Conference: MAC fr., sprints; Tyler Trout, fr., Last year’s conference middle distance, distance; meet placing: Fourth Trevor Ridenhour, fr., high District: 11 jump Last year’s district meet Season outlook: “We placing: Fourth have a great team potential Head coach: Kari Gifford this year,” Coach Bubba (4th year) Kramer said. “We return a Varsity assistant coaches: lot of points from last year’s Sonja Lind, Bill Gifford, team that finished fourth Chelsie Thurin at the state meet, and we Returning state qualifiers: have a good group of unTyson Dahlgrin, jr., 110 hurderclassmen. Our numbers dles, 300 hurdles are down a bit from the Other returning letter previous few years, but the winners: Kadan Huber, jr., quality is still very good. We high jump; Ben Hostetler, need to stay focused on sr., triple jump, 300 hurdles; improving each and every Mike McKown, jr., 400, 200; week. If we do this, I feel Wyatt Nielsen, sr., shot put, very good about where discus; Brenton Soule, sr., we will be at the end of the 1,600 season.”

Top newcomers/transfers: Team strengths: “We Cole Carey, so., jumps; should be very strong in Roby Fonseca, jr., throws the jumps and hurdles this Season outlook: “Individyear,” Kramer said. “We should be very competitive ually, the boys are working for medals and qualifying in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. I feel good about our marks to earn a trip to state,” coach Kari Gifford throws this year as well.”

said. “It will take hard work and dedication for them to reach their goals, and they seem eager to get started.”

Schedule March 29 Kimball Invite April 5 Bayard C-D Invite April 11 Tri-State Invite at Chappell April 17 Alliance Invite

April 25 George Calvert Invite at Mitchell April 29 Best in the West Classic at Scottsbluff May 3 MAC meet at Chappell May 9 Cheyenne County Invite May 14 Districts at Morrill May 23-24 State at Omaha

TRACK & FIELD Saturday, March 29 Sidney Track Invite Saturday, April 5 Bayard C-D Invite Thursday, April 10 Tri-State Invite at Chappell Tuesday, April 15 Storm Invite (Twilight) at Creek Valley Friday, April 25 Morrill Invite Saturday, May 3 MAC at Chappell Friday, May 9 Cheyenne County Meet at Sidney Wednesday, May 14 District Track at Morrill Friday & Saturday, May 23 & 24 State Track

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BOYS GOLF

Tue., Apr 8 ................................ Bayard Invitational Thu., Apr 17 ....................... Bridgeport Invitational Tue., Apr 22 ..............................Morrill Invitational Tue., May 6 .........................Panhandle Conference @ Morrill High School Thu., May 15 .........................Crawford Invitational Mon., May 19 ..............................................Districts Thu., May 29 .................................. State @ Kearney

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Bayard

Nickname: Tigers Class: C Conferences: WTC and MAC Last year’s conference meet placing: Sixth District: 11 Last year’s district meet placing: Fifth

Head coach: Wade Kniss (3rd year) Varsity assistant coaches: Micki McKibbin, Jordan Harriger Returning state qualifiers: Jadon Smith, sr., 4x100, 4x400 See BOYS TRACK, page 12

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TRACK

Sat., Mar 29 ............ 11am ..... Kimball Invitational Sat., Apr 5 .............. 11am ....... Bayard Invitational Thu., Apr 10 ........... 11am .....Mitchell Invitational Thu.,Apr 17 ............ 11am ......Western Trails Conf @ Morrill High School Sat., Apr 26 ............ 11am ....Chadron Invitational Tue., Apr 29 ........... 3pm ....Scottsbluff Invitational Sat., May 3 ............. 11am .Panhandle Conference @ Morrill High School Friday, May 9 ......... 11am ....... Bayard Invitational Wed., May 14................................................ District Friday, May 23 & Sat., May 24 ....................................................... State

Spring Sports Preview

12 Thursday, March 27, 2014

Star-Herald

Boys Track & Field Summaries Continued Continued from page 11

Other returning letter winners: Zac Rice, sr., 4x400, 800, 4x800; Phil Schuller, so., long jump, 4x100, 4x400; Jacob Hoff, so., long jump, triple jump, 4x400; Trenton Applegate, sr., shot put Top newcomers/transfers: Tyler Fiscus, jr., high jump; Michael Alfaro, sr., long jump, sprints; Joe Ferrero, fr., sprints Season outlook: “Look to finish in the top half of every meet,” coach Wade Kniss said. “We have a good core of athletes that want to improve from last year.”

Team strengths: “We should have some competitive athletes in the field events – more so than in recent years,” Kniss said.

“The 4x100 and 4x400 should do well again this year. We lost a couple of seniors last year that will have some big shoes to fill.”

Team goals: “Finish in the top half of the WTC and districts [and] win the MAC meet,” Kniss said.

Last year’s highlights: “The 4x100 and 4x400 relays were our strength last year,” Kniss said. “We look to keep that going while also getting the members to score in individual events as well.”

Schedule March 22 CSC Indoor March 28 Morrill Early Bird Invite April 5 Bayard C-D Invite April 10 Chappell Tri-State April 17 WTC at Mitchell April 25 Mitchell/Morrill Invite; Twilight Invite May 3 MAC at Chappell May 9 Bayard B-C-D Invite May 15 Districts at Bayard

Bridgeport Nickname: Bulldogs Class: C Conference: Western Trails Last year’s conference meet placing: Second District: 11 Last year’s district meet placing: Second Last year’s state meet placing: 11th Head coach: Glenn Kraay Assistant coaches: Craig Johnson, Jerod Dean, Jackie Rahmig Returning state qualifiers: Brandon Nichols, sr., 4x800 relay, 3,200; Quentin Baxter, so., high jump; Jaime Gonzales, sr., long jump; Trevor Benevides, jr., 4x800 relay Returning letter winners: Travis Albertz, jr., weights; Anthony Barrett, so., hurdles, sprints; Logan Linch, so., jumps; Andrew Nelson, so., middle distance; Lawrence Schneider, so., hurdles Season outlook: “We have 23 boys out and should be very competitive,” Coach Glenn Kraay said. “They have a great attitude and have been working hard.”

Strengths: “We are diverse and should be competitive in most of the track and field events,” Kraay said.

Goals: “We want to place well in the meets we attend and represent ourselves well,” Kraay said.

Former athletes competing in college: Cody Franklin, Chadron State

Joe Ritzen, fr., pole vault, triple jump; Marc Fernandez, fr., triple jump, high jump, long jump, hurdles; Brendihn Sayaloune, fr., long jump, sprints; Marquis Burwell, fr., throws Season outlook: “We are a very young team with a Burns nice group of freshmen,” Nickname: Broncs Coach Clint Fernandez Class: 2A said. “We will be limited on Conference: SEWAC being able to score points Head coach: Cole Manbut are confident that our love (17th year) young kids will show imLast year’s regional meet provement throughout the placing: Third year. Jackson Dickerson Last year’s state meet should make a move to beplacing: 11th ing one of the top sprinters Season outlook: “A strong in the district as well as Phil team with five seniors, two Duncan in the mile and two juniors, and one sophomore mile. Tanner Kickland is returning that placed in the showing good improvement state track meet last year,” in the throws after injuring Coach Cole Manlove said. his shoulder in an accident “Great senior/junior group last year.” this year. We would like to Team strengths: “We don’t place in the top three at have a lot of strengths as state this year. a team, but individually we “We need to place in some have a few athletes who field events if we want to should be able to compete finish in the top three at our with the top kids in their restate meet. Our underclass- spective events.” men really need to step up Team goals: “Improve to be a strong team.” each week and continue to Top returnees: Rowan work hard and grow,” FerFichtner, so., pole vault, nandez said.

4x800; Wyatt Berg, jr., 400, 4x100, 200, triple jump; Creek Valley Taylor Kirkbride, jr., 4x400, Nickname: Storm 4x100; Travis Romsa, jr., Class: D shot put; Payden Wilson, Conference: Minuteman 300 hurdles, 110 hurdles Last year’s conference meet placing: Sixth Chadron District: 11 Nickname: Cardinals Last year’s district meet Class: B placing: Ninth Conference: Western Head coach: William WilDistrict: 6 ber (First year) Head coach: Clint FernanVarsity assistant coaches: dez (6th year) Todd Westover, Jessica Varsity assistant coaches: Cabela Returning letter winners: Eric Calkins, Clete Budler, Mason Low, sr., shot put, John Girard, Kim Davis discus; Keegan Michel, Returning letter winners: Jackson Dickerson, jr., 100, sr., 400, high jump, 4x100; long jump; Phil Duncan, sr., Nash Leef, so., 3,200; Cody long distance; Tanner Kick- Simmons, so., 200, 4x100 Top newcomers/transfers: land, jr., shot put Top newcomers/transfers: Sean Richadson, fr., Keith

Everitt, so.; Roy Knech, jr.; Colin Brott, so.; Shayne Kimbrough, jr.

Season outlook: “With thirty-one track members out this year, we hope to place higher,” Wilber said.

Team strengths: Relays and sprints

Garden County Nickname: Eagles Class: D Conference: Minuteman Last year’s conference meet placing: Second District: 11 Last year’s district meet placing: Second Last year’s state meet placing: 26th Head coach: Jamie McColloch (8th year at Garden County) Varsity assistant coaches: Kim Colton, Tiffany Rice Returning state qualifiers: Layne McCarthy, sr., 4x100,

300H; Matthew McCarthy, so., 4x100, TJ Other returning letter winners: Dustin Bleidt, jr., throws, pole vault, 4x100; Jerry (Ryan) Smith, jr., 400, 4x400, 4x100 Top newcomers/transfers: Chris Wheeler, so., middle distance, throws; Tate Coss, fr., distance; Aaron Wheeler, fr., sprints, LJ, throws; Logan Douglas, jr., throws Season outlook: “Low numbers [but] hard workers,” Coach McColloch said.

Team strengths: Throws, hurdles Team goals: “Win conference [and] district,” McColloch said.

Last year’s highlights: Jesse Bleidt won a state championship in the discus.

Former athletes competing in college: Jesse Bleidt, Chadron State; Frantzlee

LaCrete, Chadron State

Gering Nickname: Bulldogs Class: B Conference: Western District: 6 Last year’s district meet placing: Sixth Last year’s state meet placing: 26th Head coach: Randy Plummer (27th year as head coach) Assistant coaches: Bill Bauer, Rick Marez, Randy Johnson, Jimmie Rhodes, Gene Russell, Roger Schmidt Returning state meet qualifiers: Ryan Schwartzkopf, sr., 400, 4x400 relay; Dillon DeMott, sr., 300 hurdles, 4x400 relay; Aaron Pierce, sr., 4x400 relay; Austin Dolberg, so., 4x400 relay Other returning letter See BOYS TRACK, page 13

Track

Mar. 29 ........................................... Kimball Apr. 5 ......................................................... Bayard CD Apr. 10 .................................................... Creek Valley Apr. 17 ...................................................Mitchell WTC Apr. 25 ........................................Morrill/Mitchell G.C. Apr. 29 .........................Scottsbluff (Best of the West) May 2 ........................................Perkins County SPVA May 9 .................................................... Bayard B-C-D May 17 ................................................... Districts TBA May 23-24 ............................................ Omaha Burke

Boys’ Golf

March 29 .......................................... Kimball Apr. 5 ................................................................Bayard Apr. 10 ..................................................... Creek Valley Apr. 17 ..................................................... Morrill WTC Apr. 25 .........................................Mitchell/Morrill G.C. Apr. 29 ........................... Scottsbluff, Best of the West May 2 .........................................Perkins County SPVA May 9 ........................................................Bayard BCD May 17 ....................................................Districts TBA May 23-24 ............................................. Omaha Burke

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Thu., March 27 4PM ...........................Bridgeport Thu., April 3 ..... 4PM ...............................Bayard Tue., April 8 ..... 9AM ..................... Sidney Invite Tue., April 15 ... 9AM .................... Mitchell Invite Sat., April 26... 10AM ...............Alliance Invite Mon., April 28 .. 9AM .................Scottsbluff Invite Friday, May 2... 9AM ....................Chadron Invite Thu., May 8 ..... 9AM .......................Gering Invite Thu., May 15 ... 9AM ..............................Ogallala Mon., May 19.................................. District Golf Tue. & Wed. May 28 & 29 ................. State Golf

GIRLS’ TENNIS

Tues., April 1 .. 2PM ............Scottsbluff/Gering Fri., April 4 ....... 4PM ................CDT North Platte Sat., April 5 ...... 9AM ......CDT North Platte Invite Tue., April 8 ..... 2PM ................................ Gering Sat., April 12 ................................. Ogallala (JV) Thu., April 17 ... 9AM CDT .........Lexington Invite

GIRLS’ TENNIS (CONT.)

Tue., April 22 ... 2PM .......................... Scottsbluff Sat., April 26 .... 9AM .................Scottsbluff Invite Tue., April 29 ... 2PM .........................Gering (JV) Fri., May 2 ....... 1:30PM ................ CDT McCook Thu., May 8 ..... 9AM CDT .......Kearney Catholic Tue., May 13 ... 10AM ........................ Scottsbluff

TRACK

Sat., March 22 . 10AM ....CSC Indoor @Chadron Sat., March 29 . 8:30AM ................. Sidney Invite Sat., April 5 ...... Noon CDT Buffalo Bill @N. Platte Thu., April 10 ... Noon .................. Mitchell Invite Thu., April 17.. 9AM...................Alliance Invite Fri., April 25 ..... Noon .......... Scottsbluff Twilight Sat., May 3 ...... 9AM .....West. Conf. @ Chadron Fri., May 9 ....... 8:30AM ................Bayard B-C-D Thu., May 15 ..................................B-6 Districts Fri. Sat. May 23 & 24 .... State Track @ Omaha

Spring Sports Preview

Star-Herald

Thursday, March 27, 2014 13

Boys Track & Field Summaries Continued Continued from page 12

winners: Edmond Liu, sr., distance; Kelsey Hutson, sr., distance; Dan Olmstead, sr., pole vault; Caleb Geary, sr., hurdles, jumps; Arich Knaub, sr., distance; Blake Frye, sr., weights; Isaiah Wilson, sr., weights; Alex Closson, jr., weights; Justin Esparza, jr., weights; Spencer Powell, jr., pole vault; Esai Hernandez, jr., weights; Keenean Fogle, jr., distance; Mitchell Marietta, jr., weights; Quentin Timblin, jr., jumps; Jacey Shaul, so., distance; Antonio Murillo, so., hurdles; Sonny Salazar, so., sprints, jumps Newcomers/transfers: Steven Juarez, sr., distance; Nate Ferreyra, sr., jumps; Collin Ryan, sr., weights; Brian Doll, sr., distance; Jeff Schmidt, jr., sprints, hurdles; Joey Godinez, jr., sprints, relays; Deion Contreras, so., sprints, jumps; Dalton Scott, fr., sprints; Dylan Radzymski, fr., sprints; Christian Rogers, fr., jumps; Riley Grote, fr., jumps Season outlook: “We have 50 boys out [in grades 9-12] and several who have been successful in track in the past,” coach Randy Plummer said. “We should be strong in the middle and long distance races and relays. We have a few quality jumpers, hurdlers, and throwers. Our goal, as always, is to get the most out of the athletes we have out for track.”

Other comments: Last season at state Gering’s 4x400 relay team placed fifth in Class B. All four runners are back this season.

Gordon-Rushville Nickname: Mustangs Class: C Conference: Western Trails Last year’s conference meet placing: Third District: 11 Last year’s district meet placing: Eighth in B-6 Head coach: Joel Nelson (4th year) Varsity assistant coaches: Mike Fowler, Matt Stetson,

Angie Hoagland Returning letter winners: Cody Campbell, sr., long jump, triple jump; Ben Wegner, jr., shot put, discus; Lex Haller, jr., high jump; Micah Sherbarth, jr., 400, 800; Shane Child, so., 100, 200; Rhett Conroy, so., 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles Top newcomers/transfers: Juan Sanchez, fr., 1,600, 3,200 Season outlook: “We have a nice mix of upperclassmen and younger athletes,” coach Joel Nelson said.

“We are hoping to show improvement and be competitive in a number of meets this year.”

Schedule March 29 Sidney Invite April 5 Bayard C-D Invite April 12 Perkins County Invite April 17 WTC April 26 Chadron Invite April 29 Best in the West May 9 Bayard B-C-D Invite May 15 Districts at Bayard May 23-24 State at Omaha

Guernsey-Sunrise Nickname: Vikings Class: 1A Conference: SEWAC Last year’s conference meet placing: Second Regional: East Head coach: Glenn W. Freeburg (37th year) Varsity assistant coaches: Casey Moats, Jeannette Christensen Returning state qualifiers: Wesley Sturdivant, sr., 800, 1,600, 3,200; Treasure Hollister, jr., triple jump, sprints, relays; Hunter Bye, jr., long jump, sprints, relays; Forest Foos, so., relays, weights; Austin Quynn, jr., sprints, relays; Jonathan Martinez, so., weights Top newcomers/transfers: Jacob Barnes, jr., pole vault, middle distance; Dustin Green, jr., sprints, middle distance; Shane Tidwell, so., sprints; Chad Quynn, fr., sprints; Seth Frederick, fr., sprints, relays; Nat Urbanek, so., sprints; Sean Malcom, fr., sprints, weights Season outlook: “We have lots of new athletes out this year and hope to fill the re-

lays and improve from week to week,” Coach Glenn W. Freeburg said.

Other comments: Last year at state, Sturdivant placed fourth in the 3,200 and sixth in the 1,600; Bye was fourth in the long jump; Hollister was seventh in the triple jump; and Foos earned a fourth-place medal in the 4x800 relay.

Schedule March 22 CSC Indoor March 29 Morrill Early Bird Invite April 4 Wheatland Invite April 12 Guernsey Invite April 17 Alliance Invite April 25 Calvert Invite at Mitchell April 26 Pine Bluffs Invite April 29 Best in the West May 2 Wyoming Track Classic at Casper May 3 Goshen County Invite May 6 Lusk Qualifying Meet May 9 Wiseman Invite May 16-17 Regionals at Torrington May 22-24 State at Casper

Hay Springs Nickname: Bobcats Class: D

Conference: Panhandle District: 11 Head coach: Rachel Mandelko (6th year) Varsity assistant coaches: Val Bila, Rusty Belina, Cassie Barth Returning state qualifiers: Jordan Encinia, jr., 3,200 Other returning letter winners: Joey Johnson, sr., triple jump, long jump, 4x100, 4x400; Jordan Houser, sr., 400, 300 hurdles, 4x100, 4x400; Chris Ray, jr., triple jump, 4x100, 4x400; Jordan Encinia, jr., 3,200, 1,600, 800, 4x400; Kolten Marx, jr., shot put, discus, 100; Jake Johnson, so., long jump, 1,600, 800; Austin Reed, so., discus, 100 Top newcomers/transfers: Levi Ray, jr., 400, 1,600; Garrett Weyers, fr., long jump, triple jump, relays Season outlook: “I believe that our jumps and relay teams are going to score us the most points at meets this year,” Coach Rachel Mandelko said. “We have a lot of kids with good experience and drive to compete.”

Team strengths: Relays

and jumps. “We have many boys on our team that just got done at state wrestling so they are ready to go back to state,” Mandelko said.

Team goals: “Take two relay teams to state, win the Panhandle Conference, and take at least four individuals to state,” Mandelko said.

Last year’s highlights: “Last year’s highlight, I would have to say, is the 4x400 relay team coming in second at districts,” Mandelko said. “We did not think we would even come close, and we did. It was a very exciting moment, even though they did not make it to state, it gave these boys a drive to want to win it this year.”

Hemingford Nickname: Bobcats Class: C Conference: Western Trails/Panhandle Activities Last year’s conference meet placing: First in the PAC District: 11

Last year’s district meet placing: Sixth Head coach: Randy Hiemstra (1st year) Varsity assistant coaches: Cindy Ahrens, Lisa Janssen, Kate Jungck, Jake Brummer Returning state qualifiers: Ethan Skinner, jr., 400 Other returning letter winners: Blake Hansen, sr., throws; Wyatt Stricker, sr., triple jump, middle distance; Brady Turek, jr., sprints, relays; Colt Foster, jr., multiple events; Matthew Wood, throws; Asa Carlson, jr., throws; Joseph Rozmiarek, jr., distance; Cody Laursen, so., sprints, hurdles; Johnny Manning, so., distance; Jason Randolph, so., distance; Tanner Benge, so., throws Top newcomers/transfers: Jameson Forgey, sr., jumps; Jon Mazanec, so., distance; Gavin Kersley, so., distance; Jameson Wood, fr., sprints, relays; Austin Wobig, fr., hurdles, relays; Eylan Ernesti, fr., sprints, jumps, relays; Tarin See BOYS TRACK, page 14

Bayard BOYS GOLF Tue., April 1 ...........................Alliance Quadrangular Thu., April 3 ..............Alliance Dual @Bayard 4PM Tue., April 8 ............................... Bayard Invite 9AM Tue., April 15 ............................... Mitchell Invite 9AM Thu., April 17 ...........................Bridgeport Invite 9AM Tue., April 22 ..................................Morrill Invite 9AM Mon., April 28 ..........................Scottsbluff Invite 9AM Tue., April 29 ......Garden Co. Invite @Oshkosh 9AM Thu., May 1 ....MAC @Sidney (Potter-Dix host) 9AM Sat., May 3 ......... West. Trails Conf. @ Gordon 9AM Tue., May 6 ......Creek Valley Invite @Chappell 9AM Thu., May 8 ..................................Kimball Invite 9AM Thu., May 15 ........................................ Ogallala 9AM Mon.-Tue., May 19-20 .......................... District Meet Tue.-Wed., May 28-29 ............................State Meet

BOYS AND GIRLS TRACK Sat., April 5 .......................... Bayard C-D Invite Fri., April 11 ............... Tri-State Invite @Chappell Thu., April 17 ............ Western Trails Conference Fri., April 25 .......... Mitchell/Morrill Invite @Morrill Fri., April 25 ......Scottsbluff Twilight @Scottsbluff Tue., April 29 ... Best of West Invite @Scottsbluff Sat., May 3 ............... Goshen Invite @Torrington Fri., May 9 ............................Bayard BCD Invite Thu., May 15 ........................ NSAA District Meet Fri-Sat., May 23-24 ........................... State Meet @Omaha Burke

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4/08 4/15 4/17 4/22 4/26 4/28 4/30 5/02 5/03 5/08 5/08 5/19 5/20 5/28

BOYS’ GOLF

Bayard Invite Mitchell Invite Home Bridgeport Meet Morrill Meet Alliance Meet Scottsbluff Meet Best of the West @ Sidney Chadron & WC Meet WTC Meet - Gordon-Rushville Kimball Invite Gering Invite Districts Districts STATE

3/29 4/05 4/10 4/17 4/25 4/29 5/03 5/09 5/15 5/23 5/24

TRACK

Kimball Meet Ed Moore Track Meet - Ogallala Mitchell Invite WTC Meet - Morrill George Calvert @ Mitchell Best of the West (Scottsbluff) WC Meet @ Chadron Bayard Meet - B/C/D Districts STATE STATE

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Spring Sports Preview

14 Thursday, March 27, 2014

Star-Herald

Boys Track & Field Summaries Continued Continued from page 13

Hyannis

Jespersen, fr., throws, middle distance, Denton Payne, fr., throws Season outlook: “We’re excited about our potential to put together a quality track and field team,” Coach Randy Hiemstra said. “We hope to be well rounded in our events and emphasize our relay teams as well as score points with our individual performances.”

Team strengths: “We have very good athletes who are willing to work to be successful; that is obviously the biggest plus for us. Team depth should be pretty decent with our numbers, and we will compete to do the best we can in each event.”

Team goals: “We want to compete for conference and district championships, qualify as many kids as we can for the state meet, and represent our school, community, and Bobcat Nation in a fashion they can be proud of us for our accomplishments and our attitude and demeanor on and off the playing surface,” Hiemstra said.

Other comments: Last year at state, Sinner ran the 400 prelims in 52.6 seconds.

Last year’s highlights: “Winning PAC and sending Ethan Skinner to Omaha,” Hiemstra said.

Former athletes competing in college: Kelsy Wood, Chadron State Schedule March 22 CSC Indoor March 29 Kimball Invite April 5 Bayard C-D April 10 Mitchell Invite April 17 WTC at Morrill April 26 Chadron Invite April 29 Best in the West May 3 PAC at Morrill May 9 Bayard B-C-D May 15 Districts at Bayard May 23-24 State at Omaha

Nickname: Longhorns Class: D Conference: Sandhills Head coach: Chris Kraus Varsity assistant coach: Janice Kraus Returning state meet qualifiers: None Returning letter winners: Travis Hoover, sr., hurdles; Brett Menuey, jr., distance; Emmett Hoover, so., weights; Blake Johnson, jr., weights Season outlook: “We are fairly young, and our numbers are down, so it will be tough to compete for team titles,” coach Chris Kraus said. “We do have some individual talent that could develop and turn into state qualifiers in May.” Team goals: “Develop our younger athletes and improve throughout the season,” Kraus said.

Kimball Nickname: Longhorns Class: C Conferences: WTC, SPVA Last year’s conference meet placing: Sixth District: 11 Last year’s district meet placing: Seventh Head coach: Gene Mohr (1st year) Varsity assistant coaches: Jim Reeves, Dane Wardeman, Wade Brasheer Returning state qualifiers: None Returning letter winners: Dakota Jefferson, sr., jumps; Benjamin Sauter, jr., shot put, discus; Damien Rutledge, jr., shot put, discus; Ryan Muneio, jr., 400; Justin Mohr, jr., 300 hurdles, pole vault; Trent Rutledge, jr., pole vault; Miguel Flores, jr., 400, 800; Jacob Reader, sr., 4x100, 4x400 Top newcomers/transfers: Mitchell Shields, sr., 1,600, 3,200; Colton Stull, jr., 100,

200; A.J. Spicer, jr., shot put, discus; Jonathon Withrow, jr., 200, 400 Season outlook: “Numbers are much higher this year,” Coach Gene Mohr said. “We also have some of our top athletes back out for track. Dakota Jefferson will score in the jumps.

Damien Rutledge and Sauter will score in the weights.

Trent Rutledge and Mohr will approach 12 feet in the vault. Muneio and Flores can score in several of the running events. Adding Stull, Withrow, Land, and Shields should add points in the running events.”

Team strengths: “Balanced team in all the events,” Mohr said.

Team goals: “Get five events to state,” Mohr said.

Last year’s highlights: “Austin Pile making it to state in the pole vault,” Mohr said.

Schedule March 29 Kimball Invite April 5 Bayard C-D Invite April 10 Creek Valley Invite April 17 WTC at Morrill April 25 Mitchell/Morrill April 29 Best in the West May 2 SPVA at Grant May 9 Bayard B-C-D May 15 Districts at Bayard

Leyton Nickname: Warriors Class: D Conference: Minuteman Activities Last year’s conference meet placing: Seventh District: 11 Last year’s district meet placing: Eighth Head coach: Glen Lipska (3rd year) Varsity assistant coach: Rob Shoopman Returning state qualifiers: none Other returning letter winners: Brennen Cruise, sr., 300 hurdles, 400; Lane Rathman, sr., discus, shot

put; Zane Lineback, sr., 400, 800, 1,600, 3,200; Seth Schuessler, sr., 400, 800; Cody McKay, jr., long jump, 400, triple jump; Jeff Deal, so., 1,600; Jacob Ernest, so., shot put, discus; Teghan Osborne, so., 400, long jump, triple jump; Jaedon Wann, so., 1,600, 3,200 Top newcomers/transfers: Rhett Dye, so., 1,600, 3,200 Season outlook: “I just want our athletes to be competitive, improve on individual bests each week, and enjoy the moment,” coach Glen Lipska said.

Team strengths: Middle distance and distance runners Team goals: “Improve on personal bests ... athletes qualify for state,” Lipska said.

Lingle-Ft. Laramie Nickname: Doggers Conference: SEWAC Last year’s conference meet placing: First Regional: 1A Last year’s regional meet placing: First Last year’s state meet placing: Second Head coach: Mike Lashley (23rd year), jumps, sprints, and relays Assistant coaches: Pat O’Connor (weights), Brandon Gifford (distance), Shaylee Mortimore (hurdles), Robb Nicolay (pole vault) Returning state meet qualifiers: Dylan Bonness, sr., shot put; Ian Duncan, sr., 100, 200, pole vault, 400; Joe Jackson, sr., long jump, triple jump, 4x100, 4x400; Brody Lay, sr., 4x800, 4x400, 800, 1,600; Barry Greenwald, jr., shot put, discus; Chastin Hill, jr., 100, 200, 4x100; Colten Peterson, jr., 4x100, 4x400; Brock Lay, so., 3,200 Other returning letter winners: K.C. Henry, so., shot

put, discus; Colten Gilchriest, so., middle distance Top newcomers/transfers: Bradley Green, so., shot put, discus; Evan Engelbrecht, fr., pole vault; Dallen Fleenor, fr., long jump, sprints; Tyler Hunt, fr., shot put, discus; Jared Shepardson, fr., sprints; Taylor Wagner, fr., pole vault, hurdles; Blain Prado, so., shot put, discus Season outlook: “We should have close to 20 boys out for track, providing us with good event coverage and good depth,” coach Mike Lashley said. “We return seven state placers and several more athletes with valuable experience.

These young men have had a good year athletically, and we should have a very successful track season.”

Team strengths: “We return our entire sprint crew and are adding more depth with some young sprinters,” Lashley said. “We should also be fairly solid in the throws and the jumps. We will have a young distance crew that has great potential. I am excited to see what they are able to accomplish by the end of the season.”

Team goals: “Our major goal this season is to win a state championship,” Lashley said. “We finished ten points short of the championship last year and are determined to win it this year.

We also aim to repeat as both SEWAC conference

March 29 April 5 April 11 April 17 April 25 May 3 May 9 May 14 May 23,24

champions and 1A East Regional champions. There is much work to do between now and the end of May, but I believe that we are capable of achieving these goals.”

Other comments: Lingle-Ft. Laramie has won six boys state track and field championships (1973, 1982, 1991, 1996, 1997, 2007). ... Last season at state, Greenwald placed first in the shot put and third in the discus; Bonness was third in the shot put; Duncan was second in the 100, third in the 200, second in the pole vault, and fourth in the 400; Jackson was second in the long jump, triple jump, 4x100, and 4x400; Brody Lay was first in the 4x800, second in the 4x400; Hill was second in the 4x100, fifth in the 200, and seventh in the 100; and Peterson was second in the 4x100 and third in the 4x400.

Last year’s highlights: “2013 was a very successful track season for the Doggers,” Lashley said.

“We were crowned SEWAC conference champions, 1A East Regional champions, and Wyoming state runner-up. Our athletes improved each week and worked hard to prepare themselves for the state meet. We expect that same type of effort this season.”

Former athletes competing in college: Hank Jackson, See BOYS TRACK, page 15

TRACK

Kimball Invite Bayard C-D Invite Tri State Invite, Chappell Alliance Invite George Calver Invite, Mitchell MAC Track Meet, Chappell Cheyenne Co. Invite, Sidney Districts, Morrill State, Omaha

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Spring Sports Preview

Star-Herald

Thursday, March 27, 2014 15

Boys Track & Field Summaries Continued Continued from page 14

300 hurdles, 4x100, 4x400; Yovan Perez, so., 100, 200, Chadron State track and 4x100, 4x400; Chance field.

McAllister, jr., discus, shot Schedule put, 4x400; Marc Cinocco, March 22 CSC Indoor jr., 800, 1,600, 4x400; Nate March 29 Morrill Early Bird Andrew, fr., 300 hurdles; Invite Zach Gibbons, fr., 110 hurApril 5 Bayard C-D Invite dles; Jonathan Prouty, jr., April 10 Mitchell Invite 1,600; Josh Cinocco, fr., April 12 Guernsey-Sunrise 100, 200, 4x100, 4x400 Invite Season outlook: “We have April 19 Alliance Invite a really strong boys track April 25 West Nebraska team this year,” Coach Matt Twilight in Scottsbluff Korkow said. “We have all April 26 Pine Bluffs Invite returning boys from last April 29 Best in the West year and a huge increase Classic at Scottsbluff with newcomers this year.

May 2 Wyoming Track I do believe that we will be Classic at Casper competitive at every track May 3 Goshen County Invite meet this year. I can’t wait to at Torrington see how they perform and May 10 SEWAC at Pine the areas where we need to improve in.”

Bluffs Team strengths: “We have May 16-17 1A East Regional a lot of sprinters this year, at Torrington so we will be very strong in this area,” Korkow said.

Minatare “We have our hurdler back Nickname: Indians from two years ago, so we Class: D will become more comConference: Minuteman petitive in those events as Activities well. Also, we have a state Last year’s conference qualifying thrower back this meet placing: Third year, so we have huge exDistrict: 11 pectations from him in both Last year’s district meet throwing events. The bigplacing: Third gest strength that our team Head coach: Matt Korkow has is the willingness to (1st year) sacrifice to become a better Varsity assistant coaches: team, whether it is doing JJ Ozuna, Pat Horner events that they do not like Returning state qualifiers: to do to get points for the Tylor Grumbles, sr., discus; team or pushing each other Mario Sanchez, jr., 100, in practice to better them.”

200, 4x100 Team goals: Try to finish Other returning letter winin the top three at districts ners: Robert Ellis, sr., 800, again this year.

4x800, 4x400; Miguel MarLast year’s highlights: “We tinez Jr., jr., discus, shot put; had four students qualify Jerrick Ross, jr., 800, triple for state last year,” Korkow jump, 4x800; Tyler Koke, jr., said. “We have two of those 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, students returning this year.” triple jump, high jump Schedule Top newcomers/transfers: March 29 Kimball Invite Juan Garfio, jr., 110 hurdles, April 5 Bayard Invite

April 11 Creek Valley Invite April 17 Alliance Invite April 25 Mitchell Invite May 3 Creek Valley Invite May 9 Kimball Invite May 14 Districts at Morrill May 23-24 State at Omaha

Mitchell Nickname: Tigers Class: B Conferences: Western, Western Trails Last year’s WTC meet placing: First District: 6 Head coach: Michelle Peters (3rd year) Varsity assistant coaches: Glen Eberspecher, Joe Yauney, Mike Harriger, Jayson Gregory Returning state qualifiers: Levi Avila, sr., 800, 1,600, 4x800; Adam Schlotthauer, sr., triple jump, long jump; Tate Harvey, sr., 4x800, 1,600, 3,200 Other returning letter winners: Garret Braman, sr., high jump; Chris Armstrong, jr., pole vault; Drew Gilliland, so., hurdles; Zach Pieper, sr., weights; Cole Beaver, sr., high jump; Colby Eberspecher, so., weights; Edward Grentz, so., distance Top newcomers/transfers: Christian Perez, fr., sprints, long jump; Abe Hernandez, fr., 400, 800; Chase Watson, so., distance Season outlook: “We return some strong individuals and a lot of experience,” Peters said. “We should be very competitive in all areas. We will also have depth in multiple events. This group is very hard-working and competitive. We also have some talented incoming freshmen that will help to score points for us this season.”

Team strengths: “Team strengths include depth and talent in all events [and] committed individuals who work hard to be successful,” Peters said.

Team goals: “Win WTC and have a good showing at districts,” Peters said.

Other comments: Perez and Hernandez both won four events at the 2013 state junior high track and field meet.

Last year’s highlights: “Qualifying five athletes for the state meet [and] winning WTC,” Peters said.

Morrill Nickname: Lions Class: D Conferences: Western Trails and Panhandle Last year’s conference meet placings: Seventh in WTC; Second in PAC District: 11 Last year’s district meet placing: Eighth Head coach: Terry Miller (2nd year) Varsity assistant coaches: Rick Sides, Nicole Fredrickson, Bobby Wiegel Returning letter winners: Matt Hessler, jr., shot put, discus; Jorge Lara, jr., pole vault, sprints; Justus Peterson, so., 1,600, 3,200 Top newcomers/transfers: Richie Blackmon, jr., shot put, discus; Bryan Ashton, fr., sprints; Josh Harvey, so., long jump, sprints; Jacob Hoffman, jr., pole vault, sprints; Darius Mews, sr., 1,600, 3,200; Jordon Rohde, so., shot put, discus; Steve Sanchez, so., shot put, discus Season outlook: “Morrill has a young team looking to make its mark in our conference and district,” coach

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Tue., April 8 ........................................Bayard Invite 9AM Tue., April 22 ...................................... Morrill Invite 9AM Sat., April 26 ..................................... Alliance Invite 9AM Sat., May 3 ............. WTC @ G-R (Gordon C.C.) 9AM Thu., May 15 ................................... Crawford Invite 9AM Mon., May 19................................... Districts @ Kimball

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3/25/14 Douglas High School 3/28/14 Scottsbluff High School 3/29/14 Lander Valley High School 4/03/14 Gering High School 4/04/14 Newcastle High School 4/11/14 Buffalo High School 4/15/14 Rawlins High School 4/22/14 Gering High School 4/25/14 Lander Valley High School 4/26/14 Scottsbluff High School 5/01/14 Newcastle High School

Niobrara County Nickname: Tigers Class: 2A Conference: SEWAC Last year’s conference placing: Second Regional: East Last year’s regional meet placing: First Last year’s state meet placing: Second Head coach: Dennis Zowada (27th year)

Varsity assistant coaches: Ron Nelson (throws), Sandra Johnson (high jump), Jim Lyons (pole vault, distance) Returning state qualifiers: Dakota Clark, sr., sprints, long jump, 4x100; Hunter Dockery, sr., long jump, triple jump, 200, 4x100; Kolby Eddy, sr., long jump, sprints, relays; Matt VandeBossche, sr., long jump, triple jump, 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles; Martin Fitzwater, jr., shot put, discus; Adam Kraft, jr., middle distance, long jump, triple jump; Shawn Thompson, jr., shot put, discus; Derick VandeBossche, jr., high jump, hurdles, 400; Logan Lamar, so., long jump, triple jump, sprints, relays Other returning letter winners: Brawk Cole, so., sprints, 300 hurdles; Justin Robinson, jr., distance, middle distance, pole vault; David Seaman, so., distance, middle distance; Alex Starkey, so., distance Season outlook: “We’re very optimistic to repeat as 2A East Region champions and be competitive at the state meet,” coach Dennis Zowada said. “We have a solid crew of seniors and juniors, plus a few possible sophomores that can help.

We have most of the top See BOYS TRACK, page 16

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TRACK

TRACK & FIELD

Sat., March 29 ...............................Sidney Invite 9:30AM Sat., April 5 .........................................Bayard Invite 9AM Sat., April 12 ..........................Perkins County Invite 9AM Thu., April 17 ...................................WTC @ Morrill 9AM Sat., April 26 .................................... Chadron Invite 9AM Tue., April 29 .....Best of the West @ Scottsbluff 3:30PM Fri., May 9 ..........................................Bayard BCD Invite Thu., May 15 ..................................... Districts @ Bayard Fri., Sat., May 23-24 ....................State @ Omaha Burke

Terry Miller said.

Team strengths: “We believe our strengths this year will be in our throwing and jumping events,” Miller said.

Team goals: “Our team goal is to continually improve our performances through the year and build a quality groundwork for future success,” Miller said.

Schedule March 22 CSC Indoor Meet March 29 Morrill Early Bird Invite April 5 Bayard C-D Invite April 10 Mitchell Invite April 17 WTC at Morrill April 25 Calvert Invite at Mitchell April 29 Best in the West Classic May 3 Panhandle Conference Meet May 9 Bayard B-C-D Invite May 14 Districts at Morrill May 23-24 State at Omaha

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5/02/14 Rawlins High School 5/09/14 Douglas High School 5/10/14 Laramie High School 5/16/14 Worland High School (Soccer Qualifier) 5/17/14 Worland High School (Soccer Qualifier) 5/22/14 State Soccer 5/23/14 State Soccer 5/24/14 State Soccer

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3/25/14 Douglas High School 3/28/14 Scottsbluff High School 3/29/14 Lander Valley High School 4/03/14 Gering High School 4/04/14 Newcastle High School 4/11/14 Buffalo High School 4/15/14 Rawlins High School 4/22/14 Gering High School 4/25/14 Lander Valley High School 4/26/14 Scottsbluff High School 5/01/14 Newcastle High School 5/02/14 Rawlins High School 5/09/14 Douglas High School 5/16/14 Worland High School (Soccer Qualifier) 5/17/14 Worland High School (Soccer Qualifier) 5/22/14 State Soccer 5/23/14 State Soccer 5/24/14 State Soccer

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3/28/14 Natrona County High School (Natrona Invite) 4/03/14 Newcastle 4/10/14 Mitchell Invitational 4/12/14 Wheatland Invite 4/17/14 Glenrock (Tony Lehner Invite) 4/25/14 Douglas Track Invitational 4/29/14 Scottsbluff (Best of the West Track Meet) 5/01/14 Cheyenne (South Twilight) 5/02/14 Natrona County (Wyoming Track & Field Classic)

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5/03/14 Southeast High School (Goshen County Invite) 5/09/14 Wiseman Invite Home 2:00PM 5/16/14 Rawlins (Regional Track) 5/17/14 Rawlins (Regional Track) 5/22/14 State Track Meet in Casper 5/23/14 State Track Meet in Casper 5/24/14 State Track Meet in Casper

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Star-Herald

Boys Track & Field Summaries Continued Continued from page 15

Head coach: Dustin Lee (3rd year) athletes at NCHS on the Varsity assistant coaches: roster, most of which are Leland Ostrander, Dale coming off a second-place Gilbert, Lisa Gilbert, Pat finish in football and an Walter appearance at state basReturning state qualifiers: ketball. We have great stuPreston Thurin, jr., sprints, dent-athletes to work with.” long jump, triple jump; Scott Team strengths: “Throws Gross, jr., weights; Jorge with returning state chamGarcia, so., distance; Wyatt pion Martin Fitzwater in Norman, pole vault, hurdles the shot put, and coming Season outlook: “Once along in the discus, jumps, again we graduated some hurdles, 4x100, and 4x400,” talent last season,” coach Zowada said. “We have a Dustin Lee said. “Howevnumber of returning tracker, we once again have a sters that can do multiple large freshman class with events, which should help some potential talent. So, us to score in most events.” the rebuilding will continue Team goals: “To be comjust as it did last year. My petitive at the state meet,” goal for the team this year Zowada said. is to continually get better Other comments: Last each week. I feel we will be year at state, Dockery competitive again within our placed fifth in the 400 and conference.” sixth in the triple jump; Matt Team strengths: “Our VandeBossche placed third strengths will be in many in the triple jump, seventh areas this year,” Lee said. in the long jump, and eighth “We have a few kids that in the 110 high hurdles; are going to shine in their Fitzwater placed first in the respective events. I foresee shot put and sixth in the dis- scoring coming from both cus; Derick VandeBossche track and field alike.” placed fourth in the high Team goals: “Our team jump; and Lamar placed goals this year will be to fourth in the long jump. get better each week and Last year’s highlights: Niknow your body’s nutritional obrara County won the 2A needs. We also hope to be East Regional championa top conference team.” ship and earned runner-up Other comments: One of finishes in the state meet Gross’ goals this year is to and SEWAC meet. break his father’s school Schedule and state records in the March 22 CSC Indoor discus (172-9). The younger March 29 Morrill Invite Gross’ top distance coming April 3 Speedgoat Classic at into this season is 151-2.

Newcastle ... Pine Bluffs has a large April 12 Guernsey Invite freshman class.

April 17 Tony Lehner Invite Last year’s highlights: at Glenrock “Watching the ninth and April 25 Douglas Invite tenth graders improve,” Lee April 29 Best in the West said. “They will be heavily Classic at Scottsbluff relied on this year with May 2 Wyoming Track another year’s experience Classic at Casper under their belt.”

May 3 Goshen County Invite May 6 Tiger Qualifier at Potter-Dix Lusk Nickname: Coyotes May 10 SEWAC at Pine Class: D Bluffs Conference: Minuteman May 16-17 Regionals at Last year’s conference Torrington May 22-24 State at Casper meet placing: First District: 11 Last year’s district meet Pine Bluffs placing: First Nickname: Hornets Head coach: Robert HilpClass: 2A ert (sixth year) Conference: SEWAC Varsity assistant coaches: Last year’s conference Amee Hicks, Dale Frerichs, meet placing: Fourth Robyn Hicks Regional: East Returning state meet Last year’s regional meet qualifiers: Bryant Knigge, placing: Sixth sr., pole vault, 4x800 relay; Last year’s state meet Jake Johnson, jr., 1,600, 4x800 relay; Cooper Hicks, placing: 12th

jr., 110 hurdles, 4x800 relay; Cameron Purcell, jr., 4x400 relay, 4x800 relay; Kelsey Rozelle, so., 4x400 relay Other returning letter winners: Coby Hicks, so., pole vault, 110 hurdles; Trace Sharman, jr., middle distance Top newcomers/transfers: Sam Gingrich, jr., shot put, discus; Sam Bogert, so., high jump Season outlook: “We compete in some pretty tough meets, but we hope to improve individually with each meet,” coach Robert Hilpert said. The Coyotes don’t have a lot of depth, Hilpert said.

Team strengths: “The four returning state qualifiers should finish strong in individual events and also be strong in the 4x800 and 4x400 relays,” Hilpert said.

Team goals: “Try to repeat as conference champions and district champions,” Hilpert said. The Coyotes also hope to qualify as many kids as possible for the Best in the West and state meets.

Other comments: Last season Knigge set a school record in the pole vault.

Jake Johnson set a school record in the 1,600. ... Coby Hicks placed third in both the pole vault and 110 hurdles at districts last year. ... Trace Sharman missed most of last season with an injury.

Last year’s highlights: Winning the conference and district meets

Scottsbluff Nickname: Bearcats Class: B Conferences: Western and GNAC Last year’s conference meet placings: First in Western; Fifth in GNAC District: 6 Last year’s district meet placing: First Last year’s state meet placing: Second Head coach: Jim Barker (7th year) Varsity assistant coaches: Shelby Aaberg, Mike Burda, Warren Osborn, Todd Menghini, Aaron Carrizales, Linda Meininger, Rachel Birtles, Megan Schneider, Katy Burton Returning state meet qualifiers: Matthew Barraza, jr., 4x800 relay; 3,200, 1,600; Shane Burkey, jr., 3,200;

Ben Heggem, so., 400, 4x400 relay; Brendan Taedter, sr., 3,200, 1,600; Ben Willis-Teff, sr., 4x800 relay, 800, 4x400 relay Other returning letter winners: Andrew Aratani, sr., throws; Brian Johnston, jr., jumps; Traceten Halley, so., hurdles; Eli Hutt, jr., distance; Collin Maag, so., middle distance; Trevor Garcia, so., pole vault Season outlook: Scottsbluff has 35 boys out for track and field. Five boys have state meet experience. “We will be a very competitive team throughout the season,” Coach Jim Barker said.

Team strengths: Barker said Scottsbluff is strong in the middle distance to long distance events (800-1,6003,200). He added that the Bearcats have solid depth in a number of events, and he said the team’s work ethic and conditioning level is much improved. The Bearcats’ coaching staff is also a team strength.

Team goals: “Continue to get better weekly and remain injury free,” Barker said. He would also like the Bearcats to have a solid district meet and qualify 10 or more athletes for the state meet and “save our best performances for the state meet.” The Bearcats hope to finish in the top five at state.

Other comments: Last year at the state meet, Barraza placed fourth in the 3,200 and fifth in the 1,600; Wilis-Teff was fourth in the 800; and Willis-Teff and Barraza were on the 4x800 relay that placed first.

Burkey placed ninth in the 3,200.

Last year’s highlights: Winning the district championship and placing second at state and the first-place performance at state by the 4x800 relay team.

Former athletes competing in college: Matt D. Klein, Chadron State; Isaiah Castellaw, Chadron State; Warren Eubanks, Doane; Brock Loseke, Buena Vista; Devvin Hayden, Limestone College; Tayler James, UNK; Luke Worden, University of South Dakota Schedule March 22 CSC Indoor Meet March 29 Binfield Invite April 5 Buffalo Bill Invite at North Platte April 11 Broken Bow Invite

April 17 Alliance Invite April 25 Western Nebraska Twilight at Scottsbluff April 29 Best in the West Classic May 3 Western Conference at Chadron May 8 GNAC at North Platte May 15 Districts May 23-24 State at Omaha

Sidney Nickname: Red Raiders Class: B Conference: Western District: 6 Last year’s district meet placing: Third Last year’s state meet placing: 28th Head coach: John Ganser (10th year) Varsity assistant coaches: Roger Gallaway, Beau McConnell, Matt McKay, Tony Neels, Teresa Rolls, Pat Welch Returning state qualifiers: Lucas Rosenbaum, sr., pole vault, 400; Logan Lewis, sr., shot put, 100, 200; Nick Conger, sr., high jump; Hayden Linnemann, jr., 800 Other returning letter winners: Brendan Holly, sr., high jump, triple jump; Brenner Keane, so., middle distance; Brian Rolls, jr., discus; Chance Anglin, jr., sprints; Colby Dickman, so., hurdles; Garrett Deer, jr., triple jump, 400; Hunter Secrest, so., sprints; Jacob Wiedeburg, jr., distance; Jacob Schaub, so., distance; Jake Heeren, so., throws; Logan Uhlir, so., middle distance; Manjesh Mogallapalli, jr., distance; Michael Muggli, jr., sprints; Michael Deaver, sr., pole vault; Domingo Blume, jr., middle distance; Ian Wagner, jr., pole vault John Bramer, so., sprints; Kane Taylor, jr., throws Top newcomers/transfers: Alec Lienneman, fr., jumps, middle distance; Brody McKnight, jr., middle distance; Jarod Luptek, fr., jumps; Ryan Aurich, fr., distance; Tyler Wintholz, so., jumps; Kevin Jurgensen, jr., throws Season outlook: “We should be competitive in most of the meets we go to,” coach John Ganser said. “We have the ability to score in every area of a meet.”

Team goals: “To show steady improvement as the season progresses so we can be at our competitive

best at the district meet,” Ganser said.

Other comments: Last season at state, Rosenbaum tied for third in the pole vault; Lewis was eighth in the shot put; and Conger tied for seventh in the high jump.

Last year’s highlights: “Some quality performances at the Best of the West, a good showing at the B-6 district meet, and Lucas Rosenbaum tied our school record in the pole vault,” Ganser said.

Former athletes competing in college: Brandon Segelke, Chadron State; Barrett Browne, Chadron State

Sioux County Nickname: Warriors Class: D Conference: Panhandle District: 11 Head coach: Dan Valenta Varsity assistant coach: Carrie Edmund Girls and boys roster: Seniors–Lindsay Dunn, Hannah Grote, Josh Kling, John Murphy, Phillip Parker, Connor Rodenbaugh, Levi Wilson. Juniors–Riley Ellis, Jeremiah Fink, Kate Kling.

Sophomores–Maddy Rodenbaugh. Freshmen–Casey Osantowski.

Season outlook: Sioux County has only 12 members on the girls and boys teams combined. The Warrior boys are reloading their 4x400 relay to make another run at state. Levi Wilson hopes to challenge the leaders in the 1,600.

Team strengths: “Senior leadership ... athletes willing to work hard but keep life and track in the proper perspective,” Coach Dan Valenta said. “Fun bunch of coachable kids.”

Last year’s highlights: Competing in just his first year of track and field, senior Nick Skavdahl qualified for state in the 800.

Schedule March 29 Morrill Early Bird Invite April 5 Bayard C-D Invite April 10 Mitchell Invite April 12 Guernsey Invite April 17 Alliance Invite April 25 George Calvert Invite at Mitchell May 3 PHC Meet at Morrill May 9 Bayard B-C-D Invite May 14 Districts at Morrill May 23-24 State at Omaha

Boys’ Golf March 28 Apr. 8 Apr. 15 Apr. 17 Apr. 24 Apr. 26 Apr. 28 May 2 May 8 May 12

Invitational River Sidney Mitchell Hastings Gothenburg Alliance Scottsbluff Chadron Gering Cozad

May 15 May 19 May 20 May 28-29

Deaver Tire Co. Stitt Monument & Funeral Planning LLC www.gehrigstittchapel.com

Ogallala Tournament TBD District Tournament State Tournament, Kearney

Track & Field Mar. 22 Mar. 29 Apr. 5 Apr. 10

Chadron Invite Sidney Ogallala Mitchell

Holechek Funeral Home

Apr. 17 Apr. 25 Apr. 29 May 3 May 9 May 15 May 23-24

Gothenburg Scottsbluff Scottsbluff Best of the West Chadron Bayard District Meet TBD State Meet, Omaha

Home Games Listed In Bold

Central Garden & Pet

Adams Bank and Trust