Summer sports 2014 fc bn

A SUPPLEMENT TO THE

MAY 28, 2014

SECTION C

2014 SUMMER SPORTS

Featuring: Forest City High School and West Hancock High School

C2 Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Forest City Summit & Britt News-Tribune • Summer Sports 2014

Eagles young, but still experienced Bob Link Sports‌

BRITT – With one senior, seven sophomores and three freshman the West Hancock High School baseball team appears to be very young. But veteran Eagles coach Paul Sonius is relieved to say, “We’re probably not as young as we look and we might have as much experience as a lot of the teams in the conference.”

Tim Smidt, the only senior on the team, is a three- year veteran. And at least three of the sophomores have solid varsity experience from last year, which was one of the better seasons the Eagles have had in a while. Connor Sonius, Nate Paulus and Nelson Barranca, all sophomores, make up the nucleus of the Eagles infield and have shared

Bob Link, Summer Sports Tab

West Hancock Baseball Team, front row (l to r) Levi Eden, Ben Eisenman, Lucas Collins and Johnathan Schruer. Back row, Assistant Coach John Paulus, Assistant Coach Tyler Jansen, Nate Paulus, Tim Smidt, Connor Sonius, Nelson Barranca, Dallas Pearson, Glen Smith, Vicente Gonzalez, and Head Coach Paul Sonius. pitching duties in the past.

The Eagles finished the season with a 10-11 record and won two tournament games – defeating Northeast Hamilton and Belmond-Klemme – before falling to West Bend

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Mallard 9-6 in the Class 1A district title game. Prior to last season, the most games the Eagles team won in the past five years was four games.

Smidt led the Eagles on the mound last season,

pitching 65 1/3 innings.

He finished with a 4-6 mark with a 3.86 earned run average. He walked 27 and struck out 60. In addition to pitching, Smidt has experience at short stop.

Sonius logged 49 2/3

innings and a 6-1 record.

He walked 28 and struck out 39, finishing with a 3.52 earned run average. Sonius also plays first and second base. Other top prospects on the diamond for the Eagles include outfielder

Dallas Pearson, who moved back to Britt this year after playing at Carroll, outfielder Dylan Eckels, Levi Eden and Glen Smith who will share catching duties, See WHBASE, C6

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Summer Sports 2014 • Forest City Summit & Britt News-Tribune

Wednesday, May 28, 2014 C3

Infield and pitching Indian foundation Bob Link Sports‌

FOREST CITY – After a 19-8 record in 2013 and a second place finish in the North Iowa Conference, the Forest City High School baseball team enters the 2014 season with some questions.

The team was hit hard by graduation as three veteran standouts are gone from last year’s team. Isaac Tuttle, Thomas O’Rourke and Nathan Friederich provided leadership on the mound, across the infield and behind the plate.

“We don’t have the overall varsity experience that we’ve had in the past,” said ninth-year head coach Jeff Jerome, “So we have a lot of unknowns at this point.”

This year’s team has five returning letter winners: three seniors, nine juniors, four sophomores

Bob Link photos. Summer Sports Tab

Forest City Indians Baseball front row (l to r) Tanner Thompson, Cedric Harris, Nick Bohnstengel, Chad Ullmann, Jacob Wilson, Daniel Happel, Jordan True, Micah Bang, Colton Shipman and Parker Albrant. Back row, Assistant Coach Mike True, Zarren Egesdal, Jeff Andersen, Ben Midtgaard, Mitch Lambert, Tyler Prescott, Jake Parks, Tyler Rasmussen, Logan West, Logan Hall, Riley Bruns, Mitch Krein and Head Coach Jeff Jerome. and five freshman.

Shortstop Jordan True; Tanner Thompson, who split time between third base and the outfield; pitchers Dan Happel and Jeff Anderson; along with second baseman Chad Ullmann, are among the returning letter winners.

“We will have a good

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core group of infielders back from the last couple of years,” said Jerome. “We also have two returning pitchers back, with others who pitched well at the junior varsity level last year.”

Looking at last year’s

Jake Parks of Forest City’s baseball team practices laying down a bunt.

See FCBASEBALL, C7

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C4 Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Forest City Summit & Britt News-Tribune • Summer Sports 2014

Experience, talent key for Eagles Bob Link Sports‌

BRITT – To say the West Hancock High School softball team has plenty of athletic talent may be an understatement.

For example, the day the Eagles were scheduled for a team photo with the local newspaper there were more girls missing the team photo than those who could make it and a big reason was because it was the day before the state track meet. The Eagle girls track team made it to state again this year.

First year West Hancock softball coach Derek Cornett lists 23 girls out for the sport – 10 who are returning letter winners. Only one is a senior on the list of top seven prospects.

The Eagles had a record of 16-11, tied for second in the North Iowa Conference last year.

The team had six players, all seniors, named to the all-conference team.

“One of our biggest strengths will be the experience that is returning,” Cornett said. “Some of our players have seen the game from different angles and been in some high pressure situations and it will help us throughout the season. We also have a great group of young talent that have the opportunity to make an impact in every game on the varsity and JV levels.”

Top returners include senior Paige Thompson at first base. Other infielders include junior shortstop Whitney Burgardt, third See WHSOFTBALL, C6

Bob Link, Summer Sports Tab

West Hancock Softball Team, front row (l to r) Kaitlin Smith, Megan Scheur, Courtney Ross and Bailey Eisenman. Back row, Assistant Coach Amanda Higgins, Kaitlyn Fearing, Alexis Thompson, Cara Francis, Britany Folkerts, Nicole Burgardt and Head Coach Derek Cornett. Not Pictured Paige Thompson, Michaela Andreasen, Whitney Burgardt, Mallory Becker, Macey Harms, Emily Leerar, Kealy Johnson, Kaylee Hudspeth, Bridgid Smith, Kelly Leerar, Sydney Burgardt, Ryann Hagen, Kaitlin Ohrt, Sydney Hudspeth and Sydney Zamago.

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Summer Sports 2014 • Forest City Summit & Britt News-Tribune

Wednesday, May 28, 2014 C5

Young players fill Indian lineup Bob Link Sports‌

FO R E ST C I T Y – O n e year ago the Forest City softball team finished the season with an 11-15 overall record and 8-6 record in the North Iowa Conference, tying for third place.

Gone from that team are three all-conference players and head coach Denny Gilbertson.

First year head coach Teresa Schwartz says it will likely take some time to organize her new team. Schwartz had been the head coach for Woden-Crystal Lake-Titonka High School before that district separated.

“It will take some time to find the right combinations of the players to be most successful,” said Schwartz.

Bob Link, Summer Sports Tab

Forest City Indians Softball front row, from left, Madeline Slater, Emily Koch, Rachel Koch, Lydia Schwartz, Nicole Skjeie, Amanda Gross, Magan Krein and Morgan Hobbs. Middle row: Becca Seglem, Sydney Olson, Carrie Brcka, Kaytlyn Anzivino, Emily Banken, Hanna Anderson, Sydney Pederson, Jana Robson, Mikaela Faught, Sarah Nordskog and Kelsey Ferch. Back row: Head Coach Teresa Schwartz, McKenzie Owen, Jane Walrod, Tory Sharp, Autumn Busta, Liz Springer, Anna Andersen, Halle Johnson, Callie McQuown, Caitlyn Owen, Assistant Coach Allyson Wilson and Assistant Coach Linda Keifer.

Leading the list of returning players is junior pitcher Autumn Busta who was the Indian’s

number one pitcher last year, finishing the season with an 8-8 record. Busta pitched 99 innings last

season, finishing the year with an earned run average of 3.39. She walked 54 batters and struck out 59.

Opponents hit just .247 off the young pitcher.

Madeline Slater, a sophomore, also brings

pitching experience. She pitched 23 See FCSOFTBALL, C7

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C6 Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Forest City Summit & Britt News-Tribune • Summer Sports 2014

WHSOFTBALL: Team returns experienced players From C2 baseman Cara Francis and second baseman Emily Leerar, both sophomores.

Catcher Bailey Eisenman, outfielder Nicole Burgardt along with pitcher Mallory Becker, all juniors, lead the list of experienced players.

Cornett says the pitching duties will center on Becker, who had a 14-8 record last year. She pitched 145 innings last year, allowing 186 hits, walked just 38 and struck-out 83 batters. She finished the season with a

4.40 earned run average.

“I feel that Mallory has an opportunity to be one of the better pitchers in the conference,” said Cornett.

“She has pitched at the varsity level since being a freshman and knows how to handle the big game experience and will be a leader on and off the field.”

Cornett said fundamentals have been a huge part of the team’s workout early this season.

“As with every team in every sport it is the fundamental pieces of the game

West Hancock Assistant Coach Amanda Higgins (right) watches as Eagle players round the bases.

Bob Link, Summer Sports Tab

Connor Sonius of West Hancock fields a play at first base, ahead of runner Vicente Gonzalez during an Eagle infield drill.

WHBASE: Coach says team has experience From C2 a l o n g w i t h Ben Eisenman.

“With only 14 kids out, we won’t have a lot of depth,” said Sonius.

“So playing defense and hitting all the way through the lineup are a concern. We’re a little inexperienced in the outfield, so we will be moving some people

Bob Link, Summer Sports Tab

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that we need to work on,” Cornett said. “Throwing, catching, and hitting will be the things that keep us in games and then our knowledge of the situations will help us win.”

Cornett said he’s optimistic about the season.

“We have a team that has been together for quite some time along with some individuals who can come in and make an impact,” he said. “That is a good mix that I look forward to seeing develop over the season.”

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around. But returning nearly our entire pitching staff is a big thing.”

Sonius, who is in his 19th year coaching – 15 at Corwith-Wesley-LuVerne, and the last three at West Hancock, points to perennial power Newman Catholic and possibly, Belmond-Klemme as possible North Iowa Conference leaders.

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returns everybody from last year’s team,” he said. “So they could be pretty decent. Osage also has some people coming back – but other than that, we might have as much experience as anybody.”

The Eagles will be the hosts for the June 21 West Hancock Invitational Baseball Tournament.

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Summer Sports 2014 • Forest City Summit & Britt News-Tribune

Wednesday, May 28, 2014 C7

FCBASEBALL: Coach looking forward to season From C3

Bob Link, Summer Sports Tab

Forest City players take their cuts at the batting cage during an Indians practice session.

numbers, Andersen threw 26 2/3 innings and had a 2-1 record.

Offensively, True led the way with a .438 batting average with eight doubles, one triple and one homer. Hitting toward the top of the lineup, True led the Indians with 32 runs batted in.

Thompson was second on the Indians in batting average with a .400 mark. He had an on-base percentage of .510 and drove in 15 runs with four doubles and

one triple. Overall, Jerome said, the outlook is good.

“The kids have been working hard this year in open gyms and the pitchers have shown much improvement from last year. We’re looking forward to getting them into competitive situations.”

The Indians open the season with four home games. On June 7, Forest City will be in a tournament at Waterloo’s Riverfront Stadium.

The Indian’s first round opponent is Dubuque Hempstead.

FCSOFTBALL: Team returns veterans From C5 innings last year.

Other veterans returning for the Indians include Liz Springer, a senior catcher, who had 14 runs batted in and three doubles a year ago.

Junior Rachel Koch, a second baseman and outfielder, hit .302 a year ago.

She had nine RBIs and had a .420 on-base percentage.

Emily Koch, another sophomore, also brings back experience in the outfield.

The Indians start the season with five straight home games before playing their first road game June 6 at West Hancock High School in Britt. The Indians also play a tournament in Charles City on June 7 and are hosts in a June 28 tournament.

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Bob Link, Summer Sports Tab

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C8 Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Forest City Summit & Britt News-Tribune • Summer Sports 2014

FOREST CITY AND WEST HANCOCK SCHEDULES FOREST CITY SOFTBALL SCHEDULE May 27 May 29 June 2 June 3 June 4 June 6 June 7 June 9

vs. Emmetsburg Community School vs. Estherville/Lincoln Central vs. Newman Catholic vs. St. Ansgar vs. North Union at West Hancock at Charles City Tournament vs. Osage

FOREST CITY BASEBALL SCHEDULE May 27 May 29 May 30 June 2 June 4 June 5 June 6 June 7

vs. Hampton-Dumont vs. St Ansgar vs. Estherville/Lincoln Central vs. Newman Catholic at Waverly-Shell Rock at Webster City vs. West Hancock at Waterloo Tournament

WEST HANCOCK SOFTBALL SCHEDULE May 28 May 29 June 2 June 6 June 7 June 9

at Emmetsburg vs. Rockford and CAL vs. Garner-Hayfield-Ventura vs. Forest City at Lake Mills at Belmond-Klemme

WEST HANCOCK BASEBALL SCHEDULE May 28 June 2 June 3 June 6 June 9

at Northwood-Kensett vs. Garner-Hayfield-Ventura vs. Bishop Garrigan vs. Forest City at Belmond-Klemme

June 10 June 11 June 12 June 13 June 14 June 16 June 17 June 18

at Charles City at Lake Mills at Algona vs. Garner-Hayfield-Ventura atBelmond-Klemme Tournament at North Iowa, Buffalo Center vs. Iowa Falls-Alden at Belmond-Klemme

June 19 at Humboldt June 20 at Newman Catholic June 23 vs. West Hancock June 24 at Central Springs June 25 at Osage June 27 vs. Lake Mills June 28 Forest City Tournament includes BelmondKlemme, Webster City and Charles City

June 30 atGarner-Hayfield-Ventura July 2, vs. North Iowa July 3 vs. Belmond-Klemme July 8 Regional Tournament begins – sites to be announced.

vs. Dubuque Hempstead first round June 9 vs. Osage June 10 at St. Ansgar June 11 at Lake Mills June 13 vs. Garner-Hayfield-Ventura June 16 at North Iowa, Buffalo Center June 17 vs. Iowa Falls-Alden June 18 at Belmond-Klemme

June 19 June 20 June 23 June 24 June 25 June 26 June 27 June 30

vs. Clear Lake atNewman Catholic vs. West Hancock atCentral Springs atOsage atAlgona vs. Lake Mills atGarner-Hayfield-Ventura

July 1 vs. Clarion-Goldfield July 2 vs. North Iowa July 3 vs. Belmond-Klemme July 8 atMason City July 9 vs. North Union. July 12, 15, 19 and 22 Tournament Games – sites to be announced. July 25 State Tournament begins.

June 10 June 11 June 13 June 16 June 17 June 18

at West Bend-Mallard vs. North Iowa vs. Newman Catholic at Lake Mills vs. Clarion-Goldfield vs. Osage

June 20 June 21 June 23 June 25 June 27 June 28

at Garner-Hayfield-Ventura West Hancock Tournament atForest City vs. Belmond-Klemme atNorth Iowa Buffalo Center atHampton-Dumont

June 30 atNewman Catholic July 1 vs. Eagle Grove July 2 vs. Lake Mills July 3 atOsage July 15, 16, 18 and 21 Tournaments – sites to be announced. July 28 thru Aug. 1 State Tournament.

June 11 June 13 June 16 June 17 June 18

vs. North Iowa, Buffalo Center vs. Newman Catholic at Lake Mills vs. Clarion Goldfield vs. Osage

June 20 June 21 June 23 June 25 June 27

at Garner-Hayfield-Ventura West Hancock Tournament atForest City vs. Belmond-Klemme atNorth Iowa

June 30 July 1 July 2 July 3 July 8

atNewman Catholic vs. Eagle Grove vs. Lake Mills atOsage vs. West Fork

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