TEAM MEMBERS FOR THE WEBSTER CITY FOOTBALL TEAM are, front row (left to right): Jaxon Cherry, Shannon Sinclair, Landon Griffen, Keegan Hisler, Aiden Moothardt, Josh Stansfield, Jesse Crutcher, Brandon Lahr, Sam Youngdale, Camden Schultz, Trevyn Lyons, Luckie Sengphong and Briar Klaver. Second Row: Ryder Rees, Addison Punkham, Brian Alaniz, Max McGilligan, Tristan Mason, Jayden Weinzetl, Luke Estlund, Cael Nixon, Jacob Feldhaus, Carson Bertran, Brandon Newman, Beau Nohrenberg and Gabe Ruby. Third Row: Nolan Naso, Naythan Loughry, Cael Alexander, Hunter Vue, Cody Elliott, Nate Beaulieu, Jaxon Griffith, Gavin Wynkoop, Aiden Hrnicek, Dawson Bertran, Eli Estlund, Logan Wilson, Jake Rohmiller and Cole Nohrenberg. Fourth Row: Yerik Vasquez, Tristan Mason, John Wilwerding, Ayden Elliott, Salamon Inthisane, Brayden Gerdes, Alex Staley, Kaleb Hansen, Jackson Olmstead, Luke Blake, Brayden Babington, Coyce Bertran, Grant Arends, Zack Lahr, Efrian Calles-Arnaiz, Edwin Ramos Nolasco and Jack Randall. Fifth Row: Urban Espinoza and Kyle Holberg.
lynx ready to go full speed ahead
By DANA BECKER dbecker@messengernews.netLegendary head coach Bob Howard knows just how important being strong in the trenches is to having success.
Last year, Webster City was inexperienced up front, and some of that — along with playing playoff teams Humboldt and Waverly-Shell Rock — led to a 1-2 start, with questions beginning to surface outside of Lynx camp.
lynx eager to build on momentum
By DANA BECKER dbecker@messengernews.netThe Webster City volleyball team enters 2023 seeking a third consecutive 20-plus win campaign.
After going 22-12 in 2021, the Lynx finished third in the North Central Conference and went 21-16 overall, marking the first time they have won at least
20 matches in back-to-back seasons since 2012-13.
Now, the task of keeping that going falls into a strong senior class under head coach Jess Howard.
“Our obvious goals are to win the conference title and make it to state,” said Howard, who is entering her 17th season leading WCHS. “Things we want to do along the way is get better every time that we step
on the court whether we are competing or practicing, take one game at a time and push each other to get better on the court, as competition breeds success.”
Seniors Madison Babington, Delainey Bargfrede, Addyson Beaulieu, Bonnie Nohrenberg, Ava Peterson, Adeline Tesdahl and Ellie Weinschenk bring experience and leadership to the Lynx, as all seven will serve as captains this season.
They will also be counted on to help replace the loss of the Top-3 leaders in kills, as junior Olivia Gallentine is the only player back with at least 100 recorded last year.
Tesdahl recorded 42, with Peterson adding 23 and Bargfrede — who is coming off an all-state season on the diamond — added 22. Gallentine and Bargfrede
each had 10 assists with Bargfrede recording 15 aces and serving at 95 percent.
Cloe Savitski — another 11th-grader — played in all 37 matches in 2022, recording 172 digs and five aces while serving at an 81 percent clip. Gallentine, who hit on 91 percent of her serves, played in 32 matches and also tallied 68 digs.
Other returning players include Marissa Hedeen and Adysen Poppen.
“We have a lot of versatile players that are
capable of playing multiple positions and have a good understanding of the game,” Howard said. “This group works together as a team and does a great job of supporting each other through success and adversity.”
As a team last year, Webster City served at a 93 percent rate with 192 aces overall. They also had over 800 kills and 182 blocks as a collective unit.
The Lynx finished 4-3 in NCC matches, tying
for third with Clear Lake and Algona, as ClarionGoldfield/Dows claimed the crown followed by Humboldt. They advanced to a Class 4A regional semifinal, falling to West Delaware. Webster City’s home opener will also be the first match of league play, as they host Humboldt on Aug. 31. A special cancer awareness game is set for Sept. 26 vs. Clear Lake, with senior night on Oct. 10 vs. Fort Dodge.
WEBSTER CITY CROSS COUNTRY
lynx looking forward to the future
By DANA BECKER dbecker@messengernews.netDerek Turner has worked to turn the Webster City cross country program into his own.
Now, in his fourth season as head coach, Turner is looking for everything to come together both on the course and off it.
“We need to focus not only on improving
our individual times, but start working on improving our team success,” he said. “Competing together and doing all the little things outside of practice and meets to help make that happen.
“We need to work together as a whole to help take this program back to where it has been in the past.”
Aiden Rahe is part of that experience with competing at the varsity level. Last
year, the senior raced to a Top-20 finish at a Class 3A state-qualifying meet to lead the Lynx, who finished 11th overall as a team — one spot ahead of North Central Conference rival Humboldt.
Webster City was also fifth overall at the NCC meet, with Rahe placing a team-best 20th.
Along with Rahe, Jack Barner and Justin Callahan
freshmen Leland Eggers and Erick Utera provide new legs to work with.
“Our strength, collectively, is though we haven’t been as successful as we would like in the past few years, we return a ton of experience,” Turner said. “Many of the runners on both boys and girls teams have been competing at the varsity level since
their freshman year.
“They know what to expect and know what they have to do in order to compete in our conference.”
For the Webster City girls, Karina Murray is back, while newcomers Rosemary Chamness, Izzy Grossoehme, Isabelle McNeil, Bria Wallerich and Lydia VanDeer are expected to fill out spots in the lineup.
“Izzy had a lot of success at the middle school level and looks to translate that to high school,” Turner said. “The other additions are new to the sport and I’m very excited to see how they compete this year.”
As for a way to grow, Turner has identified a key area that needs to be
WC
focused on in the preseason.
“We need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” he said. “Cross country is a sport that rewards the athletes that can persevere through the predictable discomfort that comes with this sport. We have a lot of talent on the roster and if we can embrace that discomfort and push through those barriers we are going to see a lot of growth when it comes to times, team points and such.”
The Lynx Invitational, which brings together many of the top teams in the area, takes place Aug. 28 from the Links Public Golf Course. The NCC meet takes place Oct. 10 at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge, which is also home to the state championships.
TEAM MEMBERS FOR THE SOUTH HAMILTON FOOTBALL TEAM are, front row (left to right): Owen Duns, Adley Peters, Dylan Oskvig, Jonathan Drake, Prestin Van De Pol, Carter Stolee, Tjerdan Johnson, Owen Renaud, Kaden Schwandt, Landon Greufe, Noah Gunderson and Ryland Ubben. Middle Row: Titus Herrick, Parker Stuck, Brody Harris, Kolby Hodnefield, Landon Sogard, Eric Friesen, Braden Young, Connor Deppe, Brock Zorn and Nick Severseike. Back Row: managers Ashlyn Erickson, Makena Galetich, Tanna Thompson, Xavier Ramirez, Clark Streight, Carter Nelson, Liam Ealy, Davien Henderson, Kaden Dean, Ryan Oskvig, Maddox Becker and Lyndon Johnson.
hawks thinking big on the gridiron
By DANA BECKER dbecker@messengernews.netThe South Hamilton football program has averaged seven wins a season for the past six years, including an 8-2 mark a year ago under head coach Paul Skartvedt.
Now, the Hawks look to take that next step after winning a postseason game and reaching the second round of the Class 1A playoffs.
South Hamilton was a scoring machine a season ago, surpassing the 40-point mark six times and the 50-point mark in five games, including three straight.
TEAMMATES FROM SOUTH HAMILTON celebrate a victory last season on the road. The Hawks were 8-2 overall in 2022 and reached the second round of the playoffs.
skartvedt takes over reins for hawks
By ERIC PRATT sports@messengernews.netShannon Skartvedt takes the reins of the South Hamilton volleyball program this season, and the new head coach is relying heavily on strong senior leaders to make a push toward a winning campaign.
Skartvedt has a quartet of 12th-graders —
Tanna Thompson, Ashlyn Erickson, Grace Neuberger and Kailyn Northrop — who are setting the tone with their leadership and experience in the early going.
“We have a great group of senior girls who have been leading well,” said Skartvedt, a former Central College volleyball standout.
“All of the girls are demonstrating good work ethic, attitudes, and willingness to improve and work on skills.
“I anticipate our chemistry to continue to grow throughout the season, as we are showing great promise of this already.”
Thompson, Erickson, Neuberger and Northrop all played in every set last season,
as the Hawks went 13-19 overall. Thompson had 214 assists, 148 digs and a serve percentage of .905 as a setter; Erickson finished with 69 kills and 22 blocks as a middle hitter; Neuberger, a middle hitter, tallied a team-best 32 blocks; and Northrop,
a defensive specialist and libero, served at a 91-percent efficiency rate.
Skartvedt will insert a number of newcomers into the rotation to replace the services of graduated senior standouts Kate Barkema (setter), Hallee Feaker (outside hitter) and Zoey Duns (outside hitter).
Seniors Taylor Swanson Savanaha Runge and Lauren Vold head the list of other lineup candidates.
“We are adding some underclassmen to the lineup, and we will need to work on chemistry and playing next to one another,” said Skartvedt, whose daughter, Lily, was
a South Dakota State volleyball recruit after graduating from South Hamilton. “The main goal is to have a winning record and compete well in the conference.”
The Hawks, who last produced a winning season in 2019, opened their season earlier this week at Roland-Story and BCLUW. They head to Clarion-Goldfield/Dows for an invitational this weekend.
The first home match for Skartvedt’s squad is Sept. 14 versus Greene County.
high hopes ahead for hawk harriers
By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@messengernews.netNathan Ferrie is still infusing his own style into the South Hamilton boys cross country program, and in his second year as head coach, Ferrie has a strong group of returning competitors.
Meanwhile, Emily Bochmann will guide the Hawk girls program, led by two seniors.
Ferrie has seniors Pete Coburn, Eli Ralston and Bobby Tapper leading the way.
“I’m expecting our three seniors to be among our top runners, but more importantly, to fill in the leadership roles,” Ferrie said. “We had a couple of great leaders on the team last year that have since graduated, so time will tell who steps up and takes on that role.”
A handful of juniors that will be key to the
SH boys lineup as well.
“We have a couple of juniors that have shown up this season ready to make an impact,” Ferrie said. “We also have some freshmen who are really showing their determination.”
After his first season coaching the Hawks in 2022, Ferrie made a few tweaks.
“This is my second year of coaching at South Hamilton, so there are adjustments
for everyone,” Ferrie said. “I looked at my first year of coaching and was able to make changes to some of the things that didn’t work, as well as building on the things that did.
“Our team has done an incredible job of having my back throughout the process and giving 100 percent with everything that I ask
“We know the areas that we need to improve on and we have made those changes. Most of those are in the way we practice and approach meets.”
Ferrie sees the squad believing in each other more with each passing day.
“The team chemistry is still developing. When you lose a few runners that were great leaders, the team no doubt has a different look and feel, but the effort from everyone has been amazing so far,” Ferrie
SOUTH HAMILTON CROSS COUNTRY
said. “As this team starts to develop their own personality, it will be very exciting to watch. Everyone has their own goals, which will add up to our team direction.
“I think having top runners, medals and championships are always a goal for any program, but I really want this team to enjoy the process and the season in front of us. I want them to have fun running and spending time together. To have a sense of brotherhood and belonging. If these kids can get 25 years down the
road and look back on this season with great memories and stories to tell their kids or grandkids, it will be a successful season.”
For Bochmann, seniors will be Val Wagner and Anna Holm. Returning for the Hawks are Olivia Beaune, Bianca Seaton, Kayley Zanker, Vivan Swenson, and McKenna Miller.
“This group seems to be a close-knit group,” Bochmann said. “They are willing to work hard and have fun.”
Cici Herrick, Isabel Swenson, Laurel Johnson, Kaylen Trask, Brooklyn Doolittle and Anna Holm are all in the mix as well.
“I know our girls would like to get better with each race they run,” Bochmann said. “They want to have fun and hopefully win some meets.
“The big goal we have each year is to run our best at districts and hopefully make state, as it has been a few years since the Hawks have competed in Fort Dodge.”
Howard and Webster City answered their critics with a vengeance, winning five of six to once again qualify for the playoffs before falling to Iowa City Liberty.
“In 2022, we had to replace all seven across the offensive front,” Howard said. “This year, we have four returning offensive linemen, along with two or three sophomores who could play.
“That makes our offensive line a strength.”
Add in the return of senior all-stater Jaxon Cherry and a move back to Class 3A, and the Lynx are looking primed for another winning season on the gridiron.
Under Howard, Webster City has won 113 games, recording at least five wins each of the past 15 years. They have averaged seven victories a season over the last four with multiple playoff berths during that time.
Setting the tone this fall will be Cherry, as the featured back is “bigger and faster,” according to Howard. Last year, he ran for 1,804 yards with 31 touchdowns, averaging 8.4
WEBSTER CITY FOOTBALL
yards per carry.
Cherry was first in Class 4A in yards, touchdowns and carries (216). He also had the best average among those with over 140 attempts while also recording 61 tackles with 8.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks.
“We have good depth at running back with all of them gaining experience last year,” Howard said. “We also have our split end and tight end returning from 2022.”
Cherry enters his senior season with 2,868 yards rushing
on 359 carries, scoring 52 touchdowns. He has also caught four passes for 140 yards with two more TDs to go along with recording 130.5 tackles on defense.
Cael Nixon, a junior, ran for 264 yards and two scores, while classmate Jayden Weinzetl added 155 yards and a TD. Senior Camden Schultz also rushed for 54 yards and four the end, as did Luke Estlund.
“We have more size than we have had in the past three years. We have good speed and team strength, but we need to replace the interior of our defense and our quarterback.”
BOB HOWARD Webster City football coach
But it all starts up front along the line where senior starters Josh Stansfield, Sam Youngdale, Landon Griffin and Brandon Lahr will be tasked with clearing holes. Youngdale checks in at 275 pounds, while Griffin is 270.
Sophomores Cole Nohrenberg, Beau Nohrenberg and Eli Estlund are all over 200 pounds. Senior Shannon Sinclair adds depth.
“We have more size than we have had in the past three years,” Howard said. “We have good speed and team strength, but we need to replace the interior of our defense and our quarterback.
“We also need to stay healthy and will work hard to develop depth
WEBSTER CITY FOOTBALL
during those first four non-district games.”
Hisler was constantly disrupting offenses from his linebacker position, recording 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Luke Estlund and Lyons combined for 46 solo tackles and four turnovers, and Weinzetl had 20 stops.
Nixon will return to his spot at safety after making 25 tackles with two sacks last year with several others looking to fill holes on the defensive side of the ball.
“Our linebackers will be strong, along with our defensive backs,” Howard said.
Webster City opens the year at home with former district rival and
Class 4A member Fort Dodge. They follow that up with Spencer before returning home to face North Polk. The final non-district game will see Webster City travel to Manchester to take on West Delaware. Last year, those four non-district opponents won a combined 24 games, with North Polk and Spencer each reaching the postseason.
Among those competing with the Lynx for district bragging rights will be familiar opponents Algona, Humboldt, Clear Lake and Hampton-Dumont/CAL. All five call the North Central Conference home in other sports, with Charles City concluding the league slate.
During that final run, they sent out the senior class with a commanding 62-8 victory over district rival South Central Calhoun.
“We had a lot of people working in the weight room hard trying to get bigger, faster and stronger (in the offseason),” Skartvedt said. “We had a chance to go to Simpson College for a team camp and got to go up against some strong competition to see where we were before fall practices started.”
Two of the three players who went over 700 yards rushing are back in senior Noah Gunderson and junior Nick Severseike, along with contributors Kolby Hodnefield, Tjerdan Johnson and Prestin Van De Pol.
As a team, the Hawks rushed for 3,610 yards and scored 57 rushing touchdowns, averaging almost eight yards per carry.
That helped ease the load on Johnson, as the starting quarterback attempted just 32 passes during the year, but
SOUTH HAMILTON FOOTBALL
“We have a good senior group that has a lot of leadership ability and have good experience from the past year. With that class, you sprinkle in some talented younger players that want to see the field this fall that should feed intou our strengths on offense and defense.”
PAULaveraged almost 18 yards per completion. Owen Renaud is the most experienced receiver back after catching a teamhigh four passes for 81 yards with a score.
“We have a good senior group that has a lot of leadership ability and have good experience from the past year,” Skartvedt said. “With that class, you sprinkle in some talented younger players that want to see the field this fall that should feed into our strengths on offense and defense.”
On defense, Gunderson recorded a team-leading 54.5
tackles with 5.5 for loss. Hodnefield, Johnson, Severseike, Renaud and Owen Duns all had over 20 tackles, while Landon Greufe, Van De Pol, Dylan Oskvig, Ashton Williams, Jose Babcock, Carter Stolee and Kaden Schwandt saw time.
South Hamilton was also an effective team at taking the ball away, recovering 13 fumbles while picking off 14 passes. Greufe and Gunderson each had three interceptions.
SOUTH HAMILTON FOOTBALL
Friday, Aug. 25
South Hardin at South Hamilton
Panorama at ............................................. West Central Valley
Mount Ayr at .................................................. Nodaway Valley
Grand View Christian at Martensdale-St. Marys
Ogden at ....................................................................... ACGC
Friday, Sept. 1
West Marshall at ............................................. South Hamilton
West Central Valley at Shenandoah
Nodaway Valley at ......................................... Central Decatur
Colfax-Mingo at ...................................... Grand View Christian
Manson Northwest Webster at .................................... Ogden
Friday, Sept. 8
South Hamilton at ...............................................Roland-Story
West Central Valley at Red Oak
Shenandoah at ............................................... Nodaway Valley
Southwest at .......................................... Grand View Christian
Ogden at ......................................................................... Perry
Friday, Sept. 15
South Hamilton at .................................... West Central Valley
Nodaway Valley at Woodward-Granger
Grand View Christian at ............................................... Ogden
Friday, Sept. 22
Nodaway Valley at South Hamilton
SH FOOT , Continued from Page 15
Greufe was key in the return game, averaging 32.4 yards per kickoff with a touchdown and 17 yards on punt returns. Brayden Young is back to handle kickoff duties.
“With the size of school we are in Class 1A (fourthsmallest in 1A football) a concern we will have again this year is keeping everyone healthy,” Skartvedt said. “We do not have 11 players that can back up 11 starters on both sides of the ball right now.
“We have some young kids that can grow into a backup role but they need some reps in practice and in games to give them some confidence and experience to be a strong backup for us.”
The season ended with a heartbreaking 38-30 loss to Pella Christian, as the Eagles used 16 fourth-quarter points to secure the win and advance. The only other loss suffered by South Hamilton came at the hands of West Marshall, which also reached the second round and went 9-1.
West Marshall is back on the schedule, as the Hawks
host them in Week 2 after opening with South Hardin at home. Back-to-back road games follow at Roland-Story and West Central Valley before returning to Taylor Field for Homecoming on Sept. 22 vs. Nodaway Valley.
South Hamilton concludes the year at Ogden; back home vs. Woodward-Granger; and at Grand View Christian.
“Our goals are always wanting to win as many games as possible, which makes it fun,” Skartvedt said. “But winning is not everything; wanting to win and not giving up and never letting up or never being satisfied with where we are at each day is a goal for South Hamilton football. We have put a big emphasis also on leadership this offseason and now that we are into fall practice.
“I have a lot of kids that are great leaders on the field and I want them to carry that over into the school day and in the community. My expectation is to help build great football players that are tough football players and even better people.”
Grand View Christian at ........................... West Central Valley
Ogden at Woodward-Granger
Friday, Sept. 29
South Hamilton at ........................................................ Ogden
West Central Valley at .................................... Nodaway Valley
Woodward-Granger at ........................... Grand View Christian
Friday, Oct. 6
Woodward-Granger at .................................... South Hamilton
Ogden at West Central Valley
Grand View Christian at ................................. Nodaway Valley
Friday, Oct. 13
South Hamilton at Grand View Christian
West Central Valley at ..............................Woodward-Granger
Nodaway Valley at ....................................................... Ogden
DFJ file photo
WEBSTER CITY’S Jaxon Cherry scores for the Lynx against Fort Dodge last year. Cherry, a first team all-stater, is back for his senior season.
THE CREDITS
The Fan Fall Preview Edition was a combined effort of the DFJ and Messenger sports and advertising departments.
Messenger Sports Editor Eric Pratt and Assistant Sports Editor Chris Johnson designed, assembled and edited the tab. Staff members Pratt, Johnson and Dana Becker gathered information and wrote stories. Photos were taken by Patrick Coons and Angela Hewitt Nick Manwarren designed the cover.
We would like to take this time to thank each and every coach for their cooperation leading up to the release date. Best of luck to all Lynx and Hawk programs this season. Please report results to us at sports@messengernews.net or (515) 573-2141, ext. 435, 436 or 438.
LYNX SCHEDULE
Aug. 25 ........................................................ Fort Dodge
Sept. 1 .......................................................... at Spencer
Sept. 8 .......................................................... North Polk
Sept. 15 ............................................. at West Delaware
Sept. 22 ........................................................ Clear Lake
Sept. 29 at Hampton-Dumont
Oct. 6 at Charles City
Oct. 13 Algona
Oct. 20 Humboldt
Friday, Aug. 25
Spirit Lake at ........................................................ Algona
Spencer at ...................................................... Humboldt
Fort Dodge at ............................................. Webster City
Charles City at Oelwein
Clear Lake at ..................................................
Forest City
Hampton-Dumont/CAL at Iowa Falls-Alden
Friday, Sept. 1
WEBSTER CITY FOOTBALL
CLASS 3A, DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE
Forest City at ........................................................ Algona
Humboldt at ......................................................... Ballard
Webster City at ..................................................Spencer
South Tama County at Charles City
New Hampton at ............................................ Clear Lake
Hampton-Dumont/CAL at Clarion-Goldfield/Dows
Friday, Sept. 8
Algona at ................................................... Estherville-LC
Van Meter at ................................................... Humboldt
North Polk at .............................................. Webster City
Charles City at ........................................... Waterloo East
Clear Lake at ......................................... Iowa Falls-Alden
West Marshall at Hampton-Dumont/CAL
Friday, Sept. 15
Algona at Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley
Humboldt at ...................................................North Polk
Webster City at ....................................... West Delaware
Mason City at ...............................................Charles City
Waverly-Shell Rock at .................................... Clear Lake
Nevada at .................................. Hampton-Dumont/CAL
Friday, Sept. 22
Charles City at Algona
Hampton-Dumont/CAL at .............................. Humboldt
Clear Lake at .............................................. Webster City
Friday, Sept. 29
Humboldt at .................................................Charles City
Algona at ........................................................ Clear Lake
Webster City at ......................... Hampton-Dumont/CAL
Friday, Oct. 6
Webster City at ............................................Charles City
Humboldt at Algona
Hampton-Dumont/CAL at ............................. Clear Lake
Friday, Oct. 13
Algona at .................................................... Webster City
Clear Lake at ................................................... Humboldt
Charles City at ........................... Hampton-Dumont/CAL
Friday, Oct. 20
Hampton-Dumont/CAL at Algona
Humboldt at ............................................... Webster City
Clear Lake at Charles City