2016 Spring Sports

SPRING SPORTS 2016

OFF AND RUNNING Featuring the Forest City Indians and West Hancock Eagles high school track and golf teams.

Photos by Bob Link

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016 FOREST CITY

BRI T T

A supplement to

SUMMIT & News Tribune

C2 • Wednesday, March 30, 2016 • 2016 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

FOREST CITY SUMMIT / BRITT NEWS-TRIBUNE

Sprinters, throwers to lead Indians BOB LINK

bob.link@globegazette.com‌

‌FOREST CITY — Four of the five runners on two relay teams that competed at last spring’s state track meet will be back on the running surface this season.

The team of Timmy Thompson, Richard Gildemeister, Tyler Anderson and Tanner Thompson finished 19th in the 4 x 100-meter relay at the state meet.

The 4 x 400-meter relay of Timmy Thompson, Gildemeister, Anderson and Brandon Finch finished in 20th place.

Anderson and Thompson are seniors, while Gildemeister is a junior and Finch a sophomore.

The team will have plenty of sprinters and will only be looking for one or two new faces to fill the short relays.

With 65 athletes out for track, 17 of the runners, jumpers and throwers have varsity experience.

“Of the 17 letter winners, I have five seniors,” said second- year head coach Brian Hovenga. “I have a great core of sophomores and juniors. That’s the bulk of our varsity.”

Throwers Colton Shipman and Kyle Brown, both juniors who scored points consistently last year, are back, and Hovenga feels the duo will continue

BOB LINK, SPRING SPORTS 2016‌

The Forest City Indians boys track team, from left, front row: Coach Grothe, Coach Gerhardt, Coach Taj, Easton Jacobs, Ryan Saarie, Cameron Thompson, Nick Bohnstengel, Noah Segerstrom, Dylan Albertson, Tyler Anderson, Timmy Thompson, Andrew Kuhn, Mitch Lambert, Colton Shipman, Kyle Brown. Row 2, from left: Riley Henken, Eli Johnson, Brandon Finch, Spenser Larson, Jericho Baker, Jacob Jurgensen, Brennen Hertzer, Ben Midtgaard, Ethan Alsop, Dylan Jenkins, Cameron Anderson, Richard Gildemeister, Caleb Hovenga. Row 3, from left: Coach Pink, jacob Olson, Seth Brock, Gabe Staudt, Randy Vaughan, Jaden Alaymsya, Jacob Welton, Matt Petersen, Zach Lehmann, Ryan Theel, Luke Johnson, Blaze Andersen. Row 4, from left: Coach Hovenga, Sterling Stecker, Tony Thomas, Brady Cantu, Chris Jermeland, Cody Lunning, Grady Hovenga, Wyatt Steffensen, Micah Lambert, Dylan Solbert, Jacob Trunkhill, Jon Loeschen, Isaiah, Monson, Tanner Welton, Cole Finch.

Row 5, from left: Dakota Rossiter, Benjamin Mata, Nick Engebretson, Christian Fuentes, Jacob Balsley, Mathew Rossmiller, Mitch Friesenborg, Caleb Barker, Chandler Stecker, Nate Bohnstengel. Not pictured: Pierce Gelhaus, Tristan Springer, Gus Walsh, Seth Gayther, Dylan Benitez, Zach Kramer-Kinyon, Jordan Spooner, their success.

“Our mid-distance and distance guys got baptized by fire last year,” said Hovenga. “I’m expecting good things from them this year. My distance guys were puppies last year. Now they’re going to run with the big dogs.”

Distance runners Caleb and Grady Hovenga, Noah Segerstrom, Ryan Theel and Brandon Finch all return with miles behind them.

Hovenga said the Indians will not have trouble

filling events. Chuckling, he said, “No, with 65 the trouble we’re going to have is not filling events; the trouble is going to be getting somebody in events.”

Garner-Hayfield-Ventura along with Eagle Grove and Bishop Garrigan will be tough in the Top of Iowa Conference Western Division, according to Hovenga.

“GHV, of course, has the distance runners along with good sprinters,” he said. “Eagle Grove also has good distance runners, and I would never count out

Bishop Garrigan.”

Forest City will host a couple of track meets this year, all at the Waldorf track. The first is scheduled for April 1.

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2016 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Wednesday, March 30, 2016 • C3

Eagles looking to be more competitive BOB LINK

bob.link@globegazette.com‌

‌BRITT—Hurdles and relays were a strength last year for the West Hancock boys track team.

The Eagles qualified their 4 x 800-meter and 4 x 100-meter shuttle hurdles relay teams, and Joey Dehart qualified in the 400- and 800-meter individual events.

Joey DeHart, one of the more successful track athletes at West Hancock in recent history, was a strong leader and also a part of the 4x800-meter relay team.

Head coach Bob Sanger, now in his 46th year, likes the athletes that return for the Eagles.

Vicente Gonzalez, Dylan Eckels and Glen Smith return from the 4x800-meter relay. Sam Smith and Jordan Weiland are back from the shuttle hurdle relay.

Eckels run the 400and 800-meter events.

Gonzalez, who is rehabing a football injury, is a strong middle distance runner.

Sam Smith has also been successful in the high jump, while Weiland throws the shot put and Glen Smith throws the discus.

Other returners from last year’s team are Connor Sonius, Nick

BOB LINK, SPRING SPORTS 2016‌

The West Hancock boys track team, from left, front row: Assistant Coach Matt Welp, Dylan Eckels, Vicente Gonzalez, Sam Smith, Connor Sonius, Ben Eisenman and Head Coach Bob Sanger. Second row: Josh Kreitlow, Nick Lemmon, Connor Tvedt, Jordan Weiland, Nick Hunt, Bryce Buren and Glen Smith.

Third row: Chase Eisenman, Austin Brouwer, Hunter Hagen, Colton Francis, MaCoy Yeakel, Jacob Luedtke and Clayton Brown. Back row: Peyton Luse, Gavin Becker, Caleb Eckels, Santiago Garcia-Lopez, Reed Brown, Bennett Bruns, Jacob Hlavacek and Colton Cheever. Not pictured: Lucas Weiland, Jordi Rodriguez-Ocotlan.

Lemmon, Colton Francis and Huter Hagen.

“We feel we’re going to be more competitive this year as a team,” said Sanger. “We’ll be better, but we still have a ways to go.”

Sanger feels that with the good nucleus of

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the team bringing good experience, his younger athletes can learn and grow. The Eagles have 29 athletes out for track.

In addition to the three seniors, the Eagles have 10 juniors, nine sophomores and eight freshmen.

Sanger points to Garner-Hayfield-Ventura and Forest City as favorites in the Top of Iowa Conference Western Division.

The Eagles will open the season when they host the Bob Sanger Relays.

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C4 • Wednesday, March 30, 2016 • 2016 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

FOREST CITY SUMMIT / BRITT NEWS-TRIBUNE

Indians girls track has numbers, potential BOB LINK

bob.link@globegazette.com‌

‌FOREST CITY—After qualifying their 4 x 400and 4 x 800-meter relay teams six out of the last seven years, Forest City girls track coach Scott Jackson has a starting point for the new season.

Two standout runners, Maggie Mathiasen and Emily Koch, will lead a group of 47 athletes on the track this spring.

Jackson has 26 athletes who return with varsity experience.

Mathiasen, who has qualified for the last three state track meets, competed in three events, the 4 x 400, 4 x 800 and the medley relays, last year.

She will continue to run middle distance events and run in different relays.

The Indians have eight seniors, eight juniors and 13 each in the sophomore and freshman classes.

“I think our strength will be in the middle distances,” said Jackson. “We will be more experienced in our sprints, and we have some of the younger girls working on the distances events.”

Another senior who didn’t compete last year but who has been successful in the past, Alana Olson, is expected to be a strong competitor in the hurdles.

“With the good numbers, you’ll see us put together a full rosters and

BOB LINK, SPRING SPORTS 2016‌

The Forest City girls track team. Front row, from left: Morgan Hobbs, Caitlin Fjeld, Estrella Mata, Thone Golwitzer, Brea Dillavou, Hannah Anderson, Ryleigh Lillquist, Kyra Boeckholt, Makayla Kingland and Carena Lechuga. Second row: Paris Reimann, Emily Koch, Maranda Lunning, Alannah Olson, Josilin Dillavou, Maggie Mathiasen, Abbey Staudt, Gabby Formanek, Hannah Niederkofler, Macie Redmond and LaQuesha Harris. Third row: Maddie Walter, Hannah Buffington, Shyenne Dunning, Dee Bruns, Sarah Nordskog, Halle Jo Johnson, Kalin Knudtson, Emma Segerstrom, Kelsey Koch and Natalie Moore. Back row: Coach Scott Jackson, Alyssa Buffington, Caitlyn Owen, Haley Lappe, Kaitlyn Krones, MaKenzie Brock, Madi Korthals, Marissa Hecks and Becca Seglem. we’ll be able to compete,” said Jackson. “We will be maneuvering girls around to find the best fit.”

Some additional veterans who finished strong last year include Josilin Dillavou, Hannah Buffington, Kelsey Koch, all 400- and 800-meter runners; Thone Golwitzer

“We’ve talked a lot about competing with confidence,” said Jackson.

“We lost a great group of seniors last year, and it will be tough to fill their shoes. And I feel we have some seniors that are working with our younger girls and establising themselves as leaders.”

in the high jump; Shyenne Dunning in the sprints; Abbey Staudt in the throwing events; and Morgan Hobbs in hurdle events.

Among the new faces who are showing strong potential in the early season are Kalin Knudson and Natalie Moore.

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FOREST CITY SUMMIT / BRITT NEWS-TRIBUNE

2016 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Wednesday, March 30, 2016 • C5

Eagles keeping an eye on titles Looking to be conference and district contender

The West Hancock girls track team.

First row, from left: Maria Gonzalez, Emma Chizek, Emily Leerar and Kaitlin Smith. Second row: Kaylee Hudspeth, Faith Hammer, Anna Chizek, Natalie Wood, Madison Daniels, and Coach Mark Sanger.

Third row: Sydney Hudspeth, Ryann Hagen, Kelly Leerar, Sydney Burgardt, Brigid Smith, Kaylee Martin and Sydney Zamago. Fourth row: Coach Jordanger, Gabby Bell, Brooklyn Buren, Payton Daniels, Natalie Lemmon, Jade Oberhelman, Coach Dodge.

BOB LINK

bob.link@globegazette.com‌

‌BRITT – In the last five years, the West Hancock girls track and field team has won its district four times. The one year it didn’t claim first, the Eagles finished second.

Last year, the Eagles finished second to Northwood-Kensett.

The Eagles had seven girls qualify in nine events at last year’s state track meet. Seventh-year head coach Mark Sanger welcomes five state qualifiers back this season, including Maria Gonzalez, a threeyear state qualifier.

Gonzalez is one of four seniors on the team. The team’s three juniors—Anna Chizek, Faith Hammer and Kaylee Hudspeth—are also among the state competitors from a year ago. Brigid Smith, another state runner, leads a group of five returning sophomores.

Gonzalez placed fourth in the long jump and fifth in the high jump, an event she placed in the last three years at state. She also ran legs on two state-qualifying relays and the individual 800-meter dash.

During the regular

BOB LINK, SPRING SPORTS 2016‌

season, Gonzalez cleared 5 feet, 5 inches in the high jump, breaking a school record that stood for 33 years.

Chizek qualified in the discus, Hammer was on the 4 x 400-meter relay, and Hudspeth was on one relay team, ran the open 400-meter hurdles and the 400-meter dash.

Smith, a freshman last year, ran two state events, completing legs on both the 4 x 100-meter

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dash and the 4 x 400meter event.

“We look at being competitive in every meet,” said Sanger. “As we put the work in during the year, the common goal that we pursue is the conference title. Our goals for this year will remain high.

We are looking at competing for both a conference and district title again this year.”

Other returning athletes from last year include

seniors Miriam GarciaLopez and Emily Leerar; and sophomores Sydney Burgardt, Ryann Hagen, Kelly Leerar and Sydney Zamago.

New faces on the Eagle varsity will include Kaitlin Smith, Madison Daniels, Natalie Wood, Sydney Hudspeth, Kaylee Martin, Gabby Bell, Brooklyn Buren, Payton Daniels, Natalie Lemmon and Jade Oberhelman.

“Our underclassmen

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this year are very talented and have yet to see what they are capable of in track and field,” said Sanger.

“Couple that with the

senior leaders that we have on our team this year, and I believe that we have a good formula for success as a team.”

C6 • Wednesday, March 30, 2016 • 2016 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

FOREST CITY SUMMIT / BRITT NEWS-TRIBUNE

BOB LINK PHOTOS, SPRING SPORTS‌

The Forest City boys golf team, from left; front row, Isaiah Monson, Jordan Spooner, Chance Manship, Avery Busta and Andrew Rust. Second row, Mike Nielsen, Jacob Tendall, Mitch Solberg, Zach Pardoe, Ethan Torkelson and Tristan Rollefson. Back row, head coach Mallory Ziesmer, Jacob Wilson, Jordan Cantu, Garrett Northrup and Jason Mielke. Not pictured: Shaden Tweeten, Will Kirschbaum and Eric Hamilton.

The Forest City girls golf team, from left: front row, Cameron Lowry, Summer Wilson, Sydney Olson and Peyton Skjeie. Back row, Ellie Reece, Emily Sichanthongthip, Savanah Thomas, Emily Banken and head coach Tom Pauley.

Indians golf squads very experienced Andrew Rust, the Indians’ golfer who placed 13th at the state tournament and ‌FOREST CITY—The was named Second-Team Forest City golf boys and All-State in golf. girls teams have good Rust won medalist experience this year, and honors at four regular they hope to be conseason tournaments. In tenders in their respecthe postseason, he shot 76 tive divisions. which tied him for second The Forest City boys have 18 golfers this spring, individually at the Sectional Golf Tournament with seven players who at Rice Lake Golf Course. have varsity experience.

One week later, he qualiWhile the girls team has eight players, six who were fied for state, finishing fourth in the District Golf on the team last year.

The boys team has three Tournament with a 77 at the American Legion Golf seniors, including senior BOB LINK

bob.link@globegazette.com‌

Course in Marshalltown.

At state, Rust made his way to the leaderboard in the first day of action at the Ames Golf and Country Club. Rust shot 38-38 for an 18-hole score of 76, placing him in seventh.

On the second day of the tournament, Rust shot rounds of 44-39 for an 83, placing him in 13th place.

Head Coach Mallory Ziesmer says Rust will be the team leader and several veteran will prime the team to be a contender at regular season tournament

and in the post season.

Jacob Wilson, Jordan Cantu, Jason Mielke and Mitch Solberg return with varsity experience.

Second-year players include Ethan Torkelson, Mike Nielsen, Will Kirschbaum, Shaden Tweeten, Zach Pardoe and Chance Manship.

Tom Pauley’s girls team welcomes back Payton Skjeie, Sydney Olson and Sevenah Thomas, Emily Banken, Emily Sichanthongthip and Summer Wilson. Freshman

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“We’ve got some experience,” said Pauley. “And with some good outings, we could be competitive.

Our big thing will be confidence. We’re capable of playing good rounds, but if they have a bad hole, it sometimes gets the best of them and we have trouble getting back on stride.”

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2016 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Wednesday, March 30, 2016 • C7

BOB LINK PHOTOS, SPRING SPORTS 2016‌

The West Hancock boys golf team, front row: Colton Ruter, Alex Hartwig, Brice Kudej, Dakota Peterson and Levi Eden. Middle row, Dalton Subject, Josh Mehsikomer, Caleb Eden and Jonathon Hernandez. Back row, Chandler Schuver and Seth Weiland. Not pictured: Nick Lemmon and Connor Sonius.

The West Hancock girls golf team, front row: Brianna Lehoe, April Robbins, Alyssa Klepoch and Cassie Engstler. Middle row, Alexis Klepoch, Andi Robbins, Stephanie Melohn, Rylee Horstman and Bailee Leerar. Back row, Amber Klepoch. Abby Melohn, Harley McNeese and Jennifer Alonso Lopez.

Eagles golf program still growing BOB LINK

bob.link@globegazette.com‌

‌BRITT—WhenTroy Hobscheidt took over the golf program at West Hancock three years ago, he started with a handful of guys and one girl.

Last year, Hobscheidt had 14 boys and five girls out for the sport. This year, there are as many girls as boys.

“We’re still rebuilding,”

said Hobscheidt. “But our numbers are better, especially on the girls team.”

Hobscheidt has always had an assistant in the program, and this year Melinda Tremmel is the assistant coach, who will work specifically with the girls.

“She is considered the girls coach,” said Hobscheidt. “And we will work together with both teams.”

Tremmel played golf in

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high school at HamptonDumont and was a statequalifer for the Bulldogs.

She also bring golf coaching experience to the team.

Hobscheidt said this year’s numbers include some experienced golfers. Colton Ruter had the team’s top scorers throughout the season last year, while Alex Hartwig also had top scorers. Other veterans include Brice

qualifiers.”

Kudej, Levi Eden and On the girls team, Alexis Seth Weiland.

Connor Sonius and Nick Klepoch, April Robbins, Lemmon will compete in both track and golf.

“We’re excited about the good numbers,” said Hobscheidt. “This year, we have some players who are very capable, and we’d like to be more competitive in the conference and district, as well has possibly having some individual state

Cassie Engstler and Alyssa Klepoch are among the veterans.

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C8 • Wednesday, March 30, 2016 • 2016 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

FOREST CITY SUMMIT / BRITT NEWS-TRIBUNE

Spring-time workouts

‌ thletes from Forest City and West A Hancock have been busy training, both inside the gym and outdoors, as they prepare for the upcoming seasons.

RIGHT: The practice green was a popular place for the Forest City boys golf team.

BELOW: Forest City golfers Sydney Olson and Emily Banken discuss the next shot as they approach the green.

BOB LINK PHOTOS, SPRING SPORTS 2016‌

The West Hancock girls stretch inside where it’s warm, before heading outside where it’s colder.

TOP RIGHT: Forest City track coach Brian Hovenga, right, demonstrates a leg movement while his team practices starts.

RIGHT: Members of the West Hancock boys track team do some early-season sprinting last week at Bob Sanger Field last week.

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