2017 britt fc spring sports

BRITT NEWS-TRIBUNE

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2017 |

MARCH 29, 2017

C1

SPRING SPORTS 2017 Featuring the West Hancock Eagles and Forest City Indians high school track and golf teams

OFF AND RUNNING A supplement to

C2 | Wednesday, March 29, 2017

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

West Hancock boys to lean on depth BRITT — There never ‌ seems to be a shortage of athletes for West Hancock, and that’s the case again this Spring as the boys track and field team will lean on its experience and good numbers among the upperclassmen.

“We feel we will be more competitive this year as a team,” West Hancock coach Bob Sanger said.

The Eagles return 14 letter winners, including seven seniors from last year’s team which qualified three events for the Class 1A state track and field meet.

Among the returners is the entire 4x800-meter relay team, which brought home 14th place at state.

That includes Glen Smith, Dylan Eckels, Bennett Bruns and Nick Lemmon. The quartet finished in 8 minutes, 36.21 seconds.

The Eagles’ shuttle hurdle team, which finished 19th, has two members back in Jordan Weiland and MaCoy Yeakel.

After that, it’s the depth of the team they hope guides it through the season with the end goal of trying to better its finishes in the conference and district meets a year ago, and push more athletes down to Des Moines. West Hancock finished sixth in the Top of Iowa Conference West Division meet last season and was fourth place as a team in the district meet.

ALLISON ULLMANN, SPRING SPORTS 2017‌

Members of the West Hancock boys track team.

Schedule Thursday, March 30 at Algona 4:30 a.m.

Monday, April 3 home co-ed 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 4 at Eagle Grove 5 p.m.

Friday, April 7 at C-D-G 5 p.m.

Tuesday, April 11 at Iowa Falls-Alden 5 p.m.

Thursday, April 13 at Lake Mills 5 p.m.

Monday, April 17 at North Union 4:30 p.m.

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Tuesday, April 18 at Belmond-Klemme 5 p.m.

Tuesday, April 25 at GHV 4:30 p.m.

Friday, April 28 at Hampton-Dumont 5 p.m.

Monday, May 1 home co-ed TBD Thursday, May 4 TIC at NIACC 4 p.m.

Thursday, May 11 District Meet TBA

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Wednesday, March 29, 2017 | C3

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

West Hancock locked and loaded to defend state title ‌BRITT — Last year was an historic year for a number of reasons for the West Hancock girls track and field team.

The Eagles rolled their way through every major meet it ran in. They won the inaugural Top of Iowa Conference West Division crown, followed up with a district title and blazed their way to the school’s first state title in 20 years.

So what’s in store this year?

“We have a large group of girls this year and I think they are ready to compete,” coach Mark Sanger said. “With a great deal of returning talent and experience, I think this team will be highly competitive throughout the year.”

West Hancock returns 12 letter winners from that team, many of whom were major parts of each of those titles. They also have 20 freshman/newcomers on board.

Kaylee Hudspeth leads a talented group of returners. The senior placed seventh last year in the Class 1A 200-meter dash, anchored the 4x200 state champion relay and ran legs on the 4x400 and sprint medley, which each placed second.

In addition to Hudspeth, Brigid Smith and Kelly Leerar each return from the 4x200 team, Smith and Sydney Hudspeth are back from the 4x400 team, and all four girls—Faith Hammer, Leerar, Smith and Kaylee Hudspeth are back from the sprint medley.

Additionally, Smith,

ALLISON ULLMANN, SPRING SPORTS 2017‌

Members of the West Hancock girls track team.

Leerar, Hammer and Jade Oberhelman all return from the 4x100 team, which placed 13th.

“As every year, our team looks different in its makeup from the prior year but our goal will remain the same,” Sanger said. We look to improve at each meet and will put together a competitive team at conference and districts. If we can do these things, I think we can set ourselves up to be competitive at the state meet once again.”

Schedule Thursday, March 30 Monday, April 3 Thursday, April 6 Monday, April 10 Tuesday, April 11 Tuesday, April 18 Friday, April 21 Monday, April 24 Tuesday, April 25 Friday, April 28 Monday, May 1 Thursday, May 4 Thursday, May 11

at Algona home Co-ed at Eagle Grove at Bishop Garrigan at C-D-G at GHV at Belmond-Klemme at Lake Mills at Forest City at Hampton-Dumont home co-ed TIC at NIACC District Meet

4:30 a.m.

4:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

5 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

4 p.m.

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C4 | Wednesday, March 29, 2017

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

West Hancock golf teams ready for new season ‌RITT — This year’s B makeup of the West Hancock boys golf team is going to look a little different than in years past. While experience won’t be a problem this season for the girls golf team, but it comes down to dropping scores.

The boys golf team graduated four of their top six golfers from a year ago, which leaves new faces up to the task of carrying the Eagles, who placed fifth in the Top of Iowa Conference West Division last season.

Seth Weiland, who finished with the third-best average on the team last season, will lead the Eagles into 2017.

As a junior, Weiland averaged 47.3 per nine holes with a low round of 43.

After Weiland is senior Jonathan Hernandez, who golfed in 10 meets for the Eagles a year ago with an average 56.75 per nine holes and had a low round of 49.

The rest is up to others to fill the void.

West Hancock returns Bryce Baker, Caleb Eden, Josh Mehsikomer, Dalton Subject, Keifer Carlson, Ian Gobeli and Jayden Johanson.

Last year’s top two golfers by average are back in junior Steph Melohn and sophomore Abby Melohn for the girls golf team.

Steph Melohn led the Eagles, who finished eighth at

Schedule‌ April 7—Boys and Girls Varsity Home Triangular vs. Garner-Hayfield-Ventura, North Union, 4:15 p.m.

10—Boys and Girls Varsity Triangular at Bear Creek Golf Course, 4:15 p.m.

11—Boys and Girls Varsity Home Triangular vs. Bishop Garrigan, Lake Mills, 4:15 p.m.

17—Boys and Girls Varsity Triangular at Belmond Country Club, 4:15 p.m.

21—Boys and Girls Varsity Home Triangular vs. Belmond-Klemme, Forest City, 4:15 p.m.

24—Boys Varsity Home Triangular, 4:15 p.m.

25—Boys and Girls Varsity Home Triangular vs. Eagle Grove, North Iowa, 4:15 p.m.

27—Boys and Girls Varsity Triangular at Spring Valley Golf Course, 4:15 p.m.

29—Boys Varsity Home Invitational, vs. Belmond-Klemme, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows, Eagle Grove, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura, Lake Mills, 8 a.m.

29—Girls Varsity at Clarmond CC, 8 a.m.

MICHELLE KRONEMANN PHOTOS, SPRING SPORTS 2017‌

Members of the West Hancock boys golf team.

May 1—Boys and Girls Varsity Triangular at Garner Golf Course, 4:15 p.m.

6—Boys Varsity Invitational at Hampton Country Club, 10 a.m.

8—TIC West Boys Varsity at Belmond Country Club, 10 a.m.

the Top of Iowa Conference West Division meet, with a nine-hole average of 61.4 and a low round of 54. She also secured a top-15 finish in the conference with a 108 in the conference meet.

Abby Melohn finished with a 62.3 average and a low round of 53.

After those two, it gets a little more unclear who will fill the void for the Eagles to try to improve their placement this season. Bailee Leerar, Rylee Horstman and Alexis Klepoch each played a handful of rounds last year and Leerar was the team’s No. 6 in the conference meet. Members of the West Hancock girls golf team.

8—TIC West Girls Varsity vs. Belmond-Klemme, Bishop Garrigan, Eagle Grove, Forest City, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura, Lake Mills, North Iowa, North Union, 10 a.m.

9—TIC rain date 12—Boys and Girls Varsity Sectionals at Spring Valley Golf Course, 10 a.m.

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Wednesday, March 29, 2017 | C5

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

Forest City’s Emily Banken hits a tee shot during a triangular at Bear Creek Golf Course last year.

FILE PHOTOS‌

State Champions – The West Hancock girls track team displays its Class 1A 2016 State Championship trophies and banner.

Running to the front, West Hancock’s Glen Smith runs with the lead pack in the 800 meter run last year.

Forest City’s Colton Shipman competes at the Iowa High School Track and Field Championships in Des Moines.

West Hancock’s Seth Weiland watches his ball approach the green during triangular action last year.

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Forest City’s Hannah Buffington starts the final leg of the distance medley relay. Buffington received the handoff from Ryleigh Lillquist.

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C6 | Wednesday, March 29, 2017

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

ALLISON ULLMANN, SPRING SPORTS 2017‌

Members of the Forest City boys track team.

Forest City boys poised for another big year ‌FOREST CITY — It was a banner year for the Forest City boys track and field team last year.

The Indians used a deep team to run to the inaugural Top of Iowa Conference West Division title, and

then followed that up with a district meet that nearly everything went right in as they rolled to another title.

Plenty of experience returns from that team and the Indians are excited to

see where they end up this time around.

“It’s always exciting to see where the team will go under our senior leadership,” coach Brian Hovenga said.

Forest City qualified

eight events for the state meet — two shot put throwers, Colton Shipman and Kyle Brown, Tyler Anderson in the long jump and the Indians will be represented in every relay except the shuttle hurdle –

Schedule Friday, March 31 Tuesday, April 4 Friday, April 7 Tuesday, April 11 Thursday, April 13 Tuesday, April 18

at Waldorf University at Eagle Grove at C-D-G at Clear Lake at Waldorf University at Charles City

4:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

Thursday, April 20 Friday, April 21 Monday, May 1 Tuesday, May 2 Thursday, May 4 May 18-20

at North Iowa at North Butler at GHV at Algona TIC at North Iowa State

5 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

4 p.m.

Des Moines

the 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, 4x800 and medley relay.

Only the medley relay team of Timmy Thompson, Caleb Hovenga, Richard Gildemeister and

Grady Hovenga placed (8th), but the Indians return 20 letter winners from that team, which could mean more success is on the way.

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Wednesday, March 29, 2017 | C7

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

Forest City girls seeking improvement on the track ‌FOREST CITY — It was a bit of a down year for the Forest City girls track and field team last season as the Indians had no entrant into the Class 2A state meet. This year, they’re out to change that.

Kelsey Koch just missed out on a trip to state as she finished third at district in the long jump.

After that, it was a stretch for any other event as the best finish was fifth.

With Koch back, plus a good haul of talent spread across other events, the Indians will be seeking that improvement.

They return three girls—Koch, Josilin Dillavou and Hannah Buffington from the 4x800 relay team which won a Top of Iowa Conference West Division title. Koch added a second-place finish in the long jump and was third in the 800.

Hannah Anderson, Haley Lappe and Madi Korthals add three more returnees who showed flashes of good things last season, especially on relays. Lappe and Anderson also were solid in sprint events, and Anderson was the Indians’ best thrower in the shot put.

Mix in some promising freshman and the Indians could find that right mix to the success they Members of the Forest City girls track team. are looking for.

ALLISON ULLMANN, SPRING SPORTS 2017‌

Schedule Tuesday, April 4 Friday, April 7 Monday, April 10 Tuesday, April 11 Thursday, April 13 Monday, April 17 Tuesday, April 18

at Clear Lake at Ballard at Bishop Garrigan at at C-D-G at North Iowa at Gilbert at GHV

4:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

5 p.m.

5 p.m.

5 p.m.

5 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

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Friday, April 21 Tuesday, April 25 Friday, April 28 Monday, May 1 Thursday, May 4 May 18-20

at E-LC home meet at H-D at GHV TIC at North Iowa State

5 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

4 p.m.

Des Moines

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C8 | Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Britt News-Tribune

Experience to guide Forest City boys and girls golf teams ‌FOREST CITY — There’s no shortage of scoring experience coming back for the Forest City boys golf team.

While the Forest City girls golf team played through last year’s season without a senior on the roster. Now the Indians are hoping that experience comes to fruition.

The Forest City boys return four of their top six golfers, all of whom are capable of rounds in the mid-40s. It’s that kind of team which could do some damage if scores drop just a little bit lower.

The boys team finished second in the Top of Iowa Conference West Division tournament last year, 21 strokes behind Bishop Garrigan. Of the four who scored, two are back in sophomores Avery Busta and Jordan Spooner.

Spooner finished second on the team with a ninehole average of 45 last season and a low round of 38.

Senior Jacob Wilson wasn’t too far off as he recorded an average of 45.13 per nine holes and carded a low round of 36.

Busta finished fourth with a 46.88 average for 9, and Jason Mielke, who is a senior this year, averaged 49.

If the Indians can find two more consistent scorers, watch for them to compete for a conference title once again.

Schedule‌ April 3—Boys, Girls Varsity Triangular at Spring Valley Golf Course, 4:15 p.m.

10—Boys, Girls Varsity Home Triangular vs. North Iowa, West Hancock, 4:15 p.m.

13—Boys, Girls Varsity Triangular at Belmond Country Club, 4:15 p.m.

17—Boys, Girls Varsity Triangular at Rice Lake Golf and Country Club, 4:15 p.m.

21—Boys, Girls Varsity Triangular at Britt Golf Course, 4:15 p.m.

22—Boys Varsity at Golf: Boys Varsity at Algona High School, 9 a.m.

24—Boys and Girls Varsity Home Triangular vs. Bishop Garrigan, Lake Mills, 4:15 p.m.

ALLISON ULLMANN PHOTOS, SPRING SPORTS 2017‌ 28—Boys and Girls Varsity Triangular at Eagle Grove CounAbove: Members of the Forest City boys golf team. Below: Members of the Forest City girls try Club, 4:15 p.m. golf team.

The Forest City girls shot their way to fifth place in last year’s Top of Iowa Conference West Division tournament.

Peyton Skjeie was the leading scorer after averaging 56.83 per nine hole with a low round of 54.

Emily Banken was second with a 57.86 average, Emily Sichanthongthip was third at 58.86 and Sydney Olson was fourth at 62.5.

Summer Wilson, Sevanah Thomas, Cameron Lowry and Ellie Reece were also in the lineup at various times and all return this season.

Freshmen Erin Caylor, Jessa Loges and Audrey Skjeie could also be in the mix.

May 1—Boys and Girls Varsity Triangular at Gruis Recreation Center, 4:15 p.m.

6—Boys Varsity at Hampton-Dumont High School, 9 a.m.

8—TIC West Boys Varsity at Belmond Country Club, 10 a.m.

8—TIC West Girls Varsity at Britt Golf Course, 10 a.m.

9—TIC rain date 12—Boys Varsity Sectionals at Lake Creek Country Club, 10 a.m.

12—Girls Varsity Home Invitational vs. Algona, Charles City, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows, Clear Lake, Mason City, New Hampton, Newman Catholic, 2 p.m.

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