Nonpareil Winter Sports 2010-11

THE DAILY NONPAREIL Sunday, November 28, 2010

SportsmetricsTM is a comprehensive jumptraining program that combines plyometrics, strength training and flexibility. It has been scientifically proven to reduced the risk of knee injury.

Train with SportsmetricsTM to reduce your risk of injury AND enhance your performance.

EA TH REE - P T! 2009

2008

REEIILL LY NONPPAAR DAILY

DAILY AILY NONPAREIL

2010

928 8 Valleyy View w Drive e • Suite e7

PPAARREEIILL

LY NON DAILY

Mike Uhrlaub. PT

Mike “Sal” Salerno, PT

(712)) 256-1800

ST. ALBERT

2F Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Daily Nonpareil

Falcons seek third straight berth in state tournament O’Neill, Russell return as team moves back up to Class 2-A PATRICK DONOHUE Staff Writer pat.donohue@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5760

Staff photo/Cindy Christensen

St. Albert senior Steve O’Neill goes up for a layup during a recent practice. O’Neill led the Falcons in scoring last season with 15.9 points per game.

While St. Albert’s football program has been a model of success, the boys basketball program has also has made tremendous strides in recent years.

The Falcons will begin their quest for a third consecutive state-tournament berth when they kick off the basketball season Saturday against Atlantic.

Key members from last year’s team graduated in May. Three major contributors – Paul Johnson, Jake Waters and Andrew Brown – accounted for 27 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.

Those playmakers are gone, but St. Albert coach Dale Scott has ample veteran talent back in the lineup. Seven seniors and two juniors will be on the varsity roster this season, which will only benefit the Falcons as they move back up to Class 2-A

competition this winter.

“Senior numbers are good, and you expect to be a competitive team when you return seven seniors on your basketball team,” Scott said. “Five of those kids played quite a bit of varsity basketball, so you’ve got to like that commodity going into a season.”

Highlighting that returning talent is senior Steve O’Neill. He led the Falcons with 15.3 points a contest while shooting 42 percent from the field. Another senior, Mickey Russell, should help inside with rebounding on the heels of averaging eight points and three rebounds a game.

One individual who could have a significant impact on the lineup this season is junior Connor Thomas. A transfer from Abraham Lincoln, Thomas contributed 8.4 points a game for the Lynx last season. He must sit out 90 school days before he can participate in any athletics, meaning he’ll make his debut in early or mid January.

One element of the Falcons’ offense where Scott would like to see improvement

is near the basket. Seniors Collin McBride and Jesse Parks, who stand 6-foot-3 and 65, respectively, should provide a solid presence inside.

But the true identity of this team remains the same: speeding up opponents.

The Falcons have thrived while running the floor, and Scott doesn’t anticipate that changing this season.

“That’ll fit us pretty well as far as what we’re doing on the floor,” Scott said. “We’re hoping to get a little more post action this year with Collin and Jesse, but it’s yet to be seen if we can do that. We think the guard front is still where our strength is.”

And if the Falcons are able to find the necessary balance in their offense, they could find themselves back in Des Moines again.

“We have to be unselfish, spread the ball around and put the Ws ahead of anything else,” Scott said. “I think we’ve got to find some rebounds. That’s a big thing that we lost last year. We also need to find some balance within our offense.”

Saintes to be ‘more athletic’ PATRICK DONOHUE Staff Writer pat.donohue@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5760

To have big plans in mind for his St. Albert girls basketball team would have seemed logical for coach Gary Rindone.

After all, he lost only one senior from a young team that improved exponentially throughout the 2009 year, surprising many with a 7-13 season that ended with a competitive 58-50 postseason loss at Treynor.

However, a combination of injuries and transfers has left Rindone once again with a youthful roster. The Saintes have six new players on the squad who haven’t played one minute of varsity basketball. Those girls will be thrown into the fray immediately, but Rindone feels they’re up to the task.

“Overall, we’re a little more athletic this year,” Rindone said. “The freshman class has some good size.”

Among those players who do return are senior guards Hannah and Sarah Sneed and a pair of forwards, sophomore Nevada Meis and senior Karissa Herrington. Hannah Sneed led the Saintes with 10 points a game and 44 3-point field goals last season while running the point.

Rindone thinks that maintaining a gritty defensive effort most nights will

Staff photo/Cindy Christensen

St. Albert freshman Kylie Ferguson, left, goes up for a layup as Lexi McClung defends. translate into some offensive production for the Saintes.

“I think we want to establish being hard-nosed defensively,” he said. “We want

to be known as a scrappy team.

“Offensively, we’ve got some good shooters back. Hannah and Karissa are both good outside shooters, and we’ve got a nice incoming freshman in Kylie Ferguson.”

Rindone is excited about Ferguson’s skills, but she won’t be immediately available as she recovers from a broken finger.

When she’s healthy, Rindone plans on giving her plenty of minutes.

Sophomore power forward Nicole Rollins is also suffering from the injury bug. She’s recovering from a torn ACL and won’t be available until February.

Despite injury concerns and inexperience, Rindone feels optimistic about the state of his team. The girls are quickly picking up plays and concepts, which should make for a smooth transition on the court.

“It hasn’t taken nearly as long to put stuff in,” Rindone said. “The most difficult thing can be the speed of the game for the younger girls. It happens so fast, but they’re picking up on it. They’re smart and not afraid to ask questions.

“We really have to learn to play as a team. With a lot of underclassmen who are brand new to the program, we mesh together. I think we’ll get better. We’ve been supportive of each other, and I think if we keep improving, we’ll be happy with how that goes.”

We take most insurance & discount cards.

2201 W. Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA

325-8676

www.MedicapCB.com

LET’S GO

FALCONS! Our hometown service for our customers separates us from the rest!

127 Pearl St. Council Bluffs, IA

712-328-1823

Wrestlers hoping for big season EVAN BLAND Staff Writer evan.bland@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5758

Brennan McNitt has wrestled under the bright lights of the state meet. This time he’d like to bring the rest of his St. Albert team.

That goal has never been more attainable in McNitt’s four years as a Falcon – and maybe in the history of the program. For the first time in coach Jake Driver’s eight seasons, St. Albert will fill out all 14 weight classes. The squad returns one state qualifier in McNitt, two more district qualifiers and plenty of others who fell just short in sectionals.

“It’s more like a team sport now,” said McNitt, a senior.

“This year we might get (dual) wins for the first time in a long time.”

Last year’s group was competitive despite the numbers disadvantage. It placed third at its Class 1-A sectional – one spot away from advancing as a team to regional duals – and finished second at the city meet. Individually, McNitt took third at state at 119 pounds.

Senior Scott Moran and junior Marco Naughton also return after narrowly missing state berths at 189 pounds and heavyweight, respectively.

The road to state figures to be just as tough this year. The Falcons travel to Woodbine for sectionals in early February, and face tough draws in LoganMagnolia, Woodbine and

Underwood, among others.

St. Albert will play host to the district meet one week later.

“We just focus on taking care of ourselves and doing what we need to do,” Driver said. “The team stuff will fall into place. If we wrestle the way we’re capable of, sky’s the limit.”

Driver said McNitt would likely wrestle up at least to 125 pounds this year, possibly higher. McNitt had surgery last spring for a torn meniscus in his right knee, which the senior expects to hold at “75 to 80 percent” this season.

“It is senior year and I’m primarily a wrestler, so it’s all eggs in one basket,” McNitt said.

“Last go here.”

Sophomore Jake Lewis, who made noise at sectionals last year at 135, will probably go at least at 145 this time around.

Roughly half of St. Albert’s 19 wrestlers are freshmen – a good sign for the future, Driver said.

Naughton enjoyed a solid sophomore campaign last year.

The 285-pounder plans to reach state individually, and would like to make a second trip to eastern Iowa with the rest of the team for the state duals.

“A lot of the meets we lost last year were because we were giving up three or four weight classes,” Naughton said. “People were switching weights every week so we could fill the weight. Now that we’re a full team, it’s going to be a lot better.”

322-0291

Campbell

INSURANCE

Agency, Inc.

All Types of Insurance

712-328-3975

103 North Ave., Council Bluffs, IA

Pyles Photography Sundee & Trisha “The e Picture Chicks” Capturing School & Sports Memories

Staff photo/Cindy Christensen

Team leaders Brennan McNitt, left, and Marco Naughton have high expectations for their St. Albert team this season.

11 Westlake Village Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-366-1106 or 402-680-1234 pyles@pic.omhcoxmail.com

SPORTS

FANS:

You can view exclusive local sports photos at

www.nonpareilonline.com Buy framed photos or put your photo on a mousepad, t-shirt, mug and much more!

EPCO LTD., INC. Architectural Specialty Products for General Contractors

STEVE & JOANN EPPERSON

(712) 322-0308

1159 E. Pierce St., Council Bluffs, IA 51503

THOMAS JEFFERSON

The Daily Nonpareil

Sunday, November 28, 2010

3F

New coach Weber hopes to build winning tradition Yellow Jacket roster loaded with fresh faces PATRICK DONOHUE Staff Writer pat.donohue@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5760

For the first time in 11 years, the Thomas Jefferson boys will have a new mentor on the sidelines.

Curtis Weber takes over the Yellow Jackets after spending the last six years as the junior varsity coach at Omaha Benson.

Although T.J.’s 5-19 record last season was full of struggles, the Jackets played well down the stretch, surprising many by finishing a win shy of the Class 4-A state tournament.

However, every individual with meaningful minutes on that squad is gone. Weber is essentially starting from scratch, and he’s doing his best to implement his system and coaching philosophies before the Jackets open the season against Glenwood Nov. 30.

“I’m kind of looking to see who will step up and earn those minutes,” Weber said.

“Previously, I didn’t have the ability to have the guys I wanted to play because they were playing varsity (at Benson).

But you get to know the guys over Fallet the course of the season. We’ll have our bumps in the road, but I think those will kind of work themselves out a little.”

T.J. fans will see a squad of fresh faces. Weber indicated that only one member of his projected starting five – Cory Cavalarro – is a senior.

Junior Nick Lambrith and freshman Brian Collinson will be the two guards. Zach Burgett, who was on the var-

“I’m kind of looking to see who will step up and earn those minutes” – Curtis Weber T.J. boys basketball coach

sity roster last year but saw limited action, also should factor into the lineup.

Weber said he’s been especially impressed with the preseason work of junior Wyatt Fallet. Like Burgett, Fallet didn’t get much varsity time as a sophomore. But Weber has been pleased with Fallet’s athleticism.

Beyond those five, however, are many question marks. Weber is trying to figure out the right rotations to help with the Jackets’ depth.

“We’re starting fresh and we’ll have to learn as we go,” Weber said. “You want experience and someone out there when things get rough. When it’s a tie game and the crowd

is roaring, you have to have someone step up and make a play. We’re kind of relying on each other to step up and work through it together as a team.”

And if they are able to mesh together, Weber hopes his squad can turn some heads this season.

“Success is relative and an ongoing process,” Weber said.

“Being able to reach that full potential that by the end we have a product out there that’s consistent and can scare some folks and have a chance at beating some teams we shouldn’t. We want to develop and grow as a basketball program and compete night in and night out.”

Staff photo/Cindy Christensen

Curtis Weber takes over at T.J. after spending six years as the junior varsity coach at Omaha Benson.

Vetter expects better results PATRICK DONOHUE Staff Writer pat.donohue@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5760

There’s nowhere to go but up for the Thomas Jefferson girls basketball team.

The Jackets endured all kinds of struggles last season, finishing 0-21.

Despite those bad fortunes, T.J. coach Nicole Vetter has reason for optimism. Vetter returns four seniors, including leading scorer Amanda Coffelt, who averaged 10.8 points a game. Point guard Mandy Ethen also is back to lead the Jackets’ offense, along with Shyla Heistand and Emily Storey.

“We have the majority of our scoring back, and we’ve got our point guard back with a year under her belt,” Vetter said.

“Things should also open up a little more for Amanda.

“Last year was a disappointing year, but we were in so many more games than our record would indicate. They kept improving, and they fought for everything they had.”

Vetter and her squad had their opportunities to win

Staff photo/Cindy Christensen

Senior guard Amanda Coffelt is T.J.’s top returning scorer. games last year. However, finishing out contests was often a problem. With the amount of reliable talent on the roster, the

eighth-year coach thinks the Jackets are capable of turning a corner to not only compete but also finish games in the win

column.

“I would like them to know as a team they can do things,” Vetter said. “Last year, they didn’t always work as a team, and so far this year, they’ve all put the team first and are trying to work together more.”

One element of the Jackets’ offense that should get some help is its post play. Vetter indicated that 6-foot-1 sophomore Sarah Neighbors should provide a solid presence inside.

Her size will also be beneficial on the defensive end. Although Neighbors is somewhat inexperienced, Vetter said she’s willing to listen and has plenty of room for growth.

“She’s somewhat raw, but she’s a difference maker,” Vetter said.

While T.J. has the necessary tools to improve, Vetter knows that means nothing unless her girls are willing to put in the work to mesh as a unit and succeed.

“I’m setting pretty high expectations to have them work as a team,” Vetter said.

“There’s really no place to go but up from here. It’s not going to come down to wins and losses; it’s going to be how we improve as the season goes on.”

T.J. grapplers boast deep roster PATRICK DONOHUE Staff Writer pat.donohue@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5760

August Manz enters his sixth season as Thomas Jefferson’s wrestling coach with one of his deepest rosters to date.

Although Manz’s only state qualifier from a year ago, Duane Richardson, has graduated, enough talent is back in his lineup, leaving him optimistic about the possibilities.

“We’ve been talking a lot, and some of our goals are to build on what we accomplished last year as a team,” Manz said.

“We have a lot of returning lettermen coming in this year.

This is the most depth and experience I’ve had as a whole.

Dual-wise, we’re looking to get into the upper double digits in wins.”

Manz said that sophomores Jeff West and Charles Weaver, junior Mike Wallace and senior Derek Scott will compete for the three weight positions between 125 and 135 pounds.

Wallace, who suffered a rib injury during football season, probably won’t return until the Christmas holiday.

Junior Jake Morgan (171)

and senior Cody Hammers (160) also should make positive impacts this season.

Pleasing Manz more than anything was the Jackets’ offseason dedication. Whether it was summer camps or just a workout session on the mat, strides were taken by many T.J. athletes to better prepare themselves for the winter wrestling season.

“Sometimes in the past it’s been like pulling teeth to get guys to do stuff in the offseason,” Manz said. “Instead, it was, ‘When’s the next time I can get on the mat, Coach?’ It was really nice to hear them really craving it, wanting to get better. It was a nice change of pace.

“You see them in practice not just going through the motions; they’re pushing each other to go to the next level. You know that’s coming from the time they spend on the mat and the knowledge they’ve picked up being a student of the sport.”

Manz has told his grapplers the importance of capitalizing on that offseason work. The addition of Sergeant Bluff-Luton to the Missouri River Activities Conference will make the regular season even more competitive.

T.J. also will host the city duals on Jan. 18.

But more than anything, Manz wants his kids to better themselves every time they step on the mat so they hit their peak once the postseason begins in February.

“When districts come around, I want to see a team

that’s performed at every tournament and competed,” Manz said. “When we’re at districts, I want to see guys battling it out as best they can so they can get that top two and go to state. When we get done with our schedule, they’ll be battle tested and ready for the district tourney.”

Proud Sponsor sponsor of of Southwest Southwest Iowa Iowa Athletics F tball

Pyles Photography Sundee & Trisha “The e Picture Chicks” Capturing School & Sports Memories 11 Westlake Village Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-366-1106 or 402-680-1234 pyles@pic.omhcoxmail.com

LET’S GO

JACKETS! Campbell

INSURANCE

Agency, Inc.

All Types of Insurance

712-328-3975

103 North Ave., Council Bluffs, IA

322-0291

We take most insurance & discount cards.

2201 W. Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA

325-8676

www.MedicapCB.com

Our hometown service for our customers separates us from the rest!

127 Pearl St. Council Bluffs, IA

712-328-1823

Heating & Air Conditioning We Service All Makes & Models.

323-5305 • 323-5303 3406 2nd Avenue

“Our customers are some of the coolest people in Council Bluffs”

SPORTS

FANS:

You can view exclusive local sports photos at

www.nonpareilonline.com Buy framed photos or put your photo on a mousepad, t-shirt, mug and much more!

It’s Hard to stop a Trane.

MEMBER

BBB of the Heartland

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

4F Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Daily Nonpareil

A.L. to guard against depth Perimeter play, team speed will be key for success PATRICK DONOHUE Staff Writer pat.donohue@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5760

The Abraham Lincoln boys enter the basketball season with a mix of question marks and reliability.

The Lynx lost their top three scorers from last season. Collin Crowl and Nick Milner each graduated while Connor Thomas transferred to St. Albert.

Those three accounted for 29 of the 58 points A.L. averaged last season.

Still, A.L. coach Jay Sealer returns enough talent to give the Lynx a shot.

Seniors Alex Olsen, Jamison Lalk and Dan Hopper have played significant varsity minutes for two years. Junior Alex Crowl asserted himself as a consistent offensive option last year, and senior Nolan Webster returns to the A.L. lineup after not playing last season.

Olsen is one player to monitor this

year. Sealer plans on using him as the starting point guard, and his 6-foot-4 frame should create mismatches on the perimeter.

“We’re going to leave our options open with him, and hopefully we’ll get a big year out of him,” Sealer said.

“We’ll need him to be successful.”

While Sealer acknowledges he’s been blessed with talented perimeter shooters each of the last three seasons, he adds that consistent offensive success will need to be provided closer to the basket this winter.

“Our main focus will be getting the ball inside a little more and making our possessions count,” Sealer said. “I think in the past we just shot it when we’re open. We’ve been an outside-oriented team, but this year it’ll be different.”

The primary difference this fall will be the speed of the Lynx offense. Historically, guard play has been the identity of Sealer-led squads, but depth concerns have made the fourth-year coach change those philosophies. He feels he has players capable of filling roles off the bench, but he also acknowledged a more conservative offensive and defensive approach will slow the game down and keep players on the court for longer periods of time.

“We’d like to win games 40-35,” Sealer said. “It’ll lengthen our posses-

“We’d like to win games

40-35. It’ll lengthen our possessions a little bit and tighten down the defense.”

– Jay Sealer Abraham Lincoln coach

sions a little bit and tighten down the defense.

“Depth will definitely be a concern.

We need more than we have now.”

Among those who could fill those needs are seniors Alex Dixon and Connor Reynolds. Each played sparingly last season but should assume larger roles this winter.

But for a winning attitude to prevail, the Lynx must buy into a winning philosophy each time they step on the court.

“In the games we play in the regular season, we have to have an understanding that we can compete with those teams,” Sealer said. “The realistic part of the whole season is that Sioux City East will be in the (substate) finals, and, hopefully, we’ll be the other team in the finals. We only have to beat them once this year.”

Staff photo/Cindy Christensen

Abraham Lincoln will rely heavily on senior point guard Alex Olsen, who tallied 7.5 points per game last season.

Girls look to take another big stride Veteran Lynx top reasons for optimism PATRICK DONOHUE Staff Writer pat.donohue@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5760

Staff photo/Cindy Christensen

A.L.’s Amie Vorthmann is one of three seniors returning to the starting lineup this season.

Slowly but surely, Chad Schaa has turned the Abraham Lincoln girls into a competitive squad on the basketball court.

The third-year coach followed up a one-win campaign in his first year at the school with a 10-12 record last season.

The Lynx not only played with more consistency but also found new ways to produce results, finishing last winter as the fourth-best rebounding team in Class 4-A. The upcoming season provides Schaa with even more optimism. All but two members from last year’s roster return, and that includes first team All-City selection Jordan Gillenwater, who led the Lynx in scoring with 12.8 points a game. Schaa also

brings back starters in seniors Amie Vorthmann and Taylor Powers.

Veteran experience is a relatively new commodGillenwater ity for Schaa, and he hopes to use last year’s success as a springboard for more accomplishments this winter.

“We knew we’d have some success last year, but we’ve got two girls coming back with three years starting experience, and one girl has four years of starting experience,” Schaa said. “We feel like this is the next step for us.”

While leading rebounder Chelsea Colpitts graduated, A.L. shouldn’t struggle significantly in that department.

Schaa said that 6-foot sophomore Olivia Leisinger and 6-1 junior Jasmyn Flynn should figure prominently into the playing rotation.

Coupled with the experienced guard play from Powers and junior Mackenzie Bolton, along with sophomore Ali Heithoff, who played valuable min-

Young wrestlers settling in for challenge Team to capitalize on experience PATRICK DONOHUE Staff Writer pat.donohue@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5760

For a season in which A.L. wrestling coach Mat Daniels returned only four letterwinners, the 2009-10 year showed signs of progress.

Now a year later, Daniels wants to capitalize on an extra year of experience.

The Lynx return 14 letterwinners to the 2010 roster, and lost only one wrestler in state qualifier Jake Harris.

The amount of added depth will only benefit the Lynx. Daniels returns a pair of seniors in Zach Hankins and Luke Thallas. Hankins, who will wrestle at 112 pounds, compiled a 22-8 record in his junior campaign, while Thallas (189) ended his season just one victory shy of the state tournament to an opponent he had defeated three times during the regular season.

Junior Jordan Easton (119) also returns, but will make a big adjustment a year after wrestling at 103 pounds.

“We’ll be pretty solid through the lineup,” Daniels

said. “We’ll be able to field a full lineup, which is always an advantage. We won’t have that inexperience we had a year ago. Everyone in the lineup will probably have had some varsity experience.”

The future also looks bright for the Lynx. All but one of the 17 freshmen that competed last year return, giving Daniels another year to mold that younger talent.

“I’m excited about that,” Daniels said. “There’s a big difference between the freshman and varsity levels. That experience will help them in terms of how to prepare and what to expect moving forward.”

The Lynx can also hone their skills in a new room. A.L. now has a new practice facility at the school, which will focus attention solely on wrestling and not on outside distractions.

“We finally got a practice room for the first time since A.L. has been opened, and that helps a lot,” Daniels said. “We’re in there by ourselves, and we can get some tunes going. It’s just a little better mindset for the kids, not having to worry about other (non-wrestlers) and what they’re doing.

“We’re just making sure everyone is up to speed and in good condition.”

They’ll have to be because of the rigors they’ll face during the season. None of the 15 meets on the Lynx’s schedule are at home. With all com-

petition taking place on the road, A.L. won’t be able to rely on the support of its home fans.

But with the experience Daniels returns, he still feels his guys can compete and push for a number of state

utes as a freshman, the Lynx should enjoy a nice mix they haven’t had in Schaa’s tenure.

“We’ve got size and speed this year, and we’ve never had that combination before,” Schaa said. “Our girls are really buying into the system.

They believe working hard will definitely get us to places that we want to go. They’re doing an outstanding job in the preseason just trying to get the little things right. They can’t let up because we don’t want to go back to the norm; we want to keep going up.”

In order to do that, the Lynx will need to navigate through a difficult schedule.

Schaa feels this team is built to compete every night, but they have to bring a winning mindset to the gym. If they don’t, this season could take on an unwanted theme.

“You’ll see a style of game we haven’t been able to do the last two years,” Schaa said. “Hopefully, if we can execute our plays, we’ll be tough; if we get lackadaisical, it’s like that 1-22 season, and they know that.”

LET’S GO

L NX! Our hometown service for our customers separates us from the rest!

127 Pearl St. Council Bluffs, IA

712-328-1823

berths.

“My ultimate goal would be to get four guys to the state tournament, especially for how young we are,” Daniels said. “We just need to work as a team and make sure everybody is on board.”

322-0291

Campbell

INSURANCE

Agency, Inc.

All Types of Insurance

712-328-3975

103 North Ave., Council Bluffs, IA

Pyles Photography

FREE* Walk-In Sports Injury Clinic Monday-Friday 9-10am (All year) Saturdays 8:30-10am (During the school year) thru April 16, 2011 Note: Closed on Holidays *Initial Evaluation is FREE. Charges may apply for x-rays, supplies & follow-up visits.

Sports Injury Physicians: Daniel Larose, MD • Thomas Atteberry, MD • Roy Abraham, MD

Free Sports Injury Clinic T-Shirt at first office visit.

One Edmundson Place, • Suite 500 Council Bluffs, IA • 712-323-5333

Sundee & Trisha “The e Picture Chicks” Capturing School & Sports Memories 11 Westlake Village Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-366-1106 or 402-680-1234 pyles@pic.omhcoxmail.com

SPORTS

FANS:

You can view exclusive local sports photos at

www.nonpareilonline.com Buy framed photos or put your photo on a mousepad, t-shirt, mug and much more!

LEWIS CENTRAL

The Daily Nonpareil

READY TO STEP UP PATRICK DONOHUE Staff Writer pat.donohue@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5760

Chris Hanafan’s record book in recent years has more than triple the number of wins over losses. However, the big postseason appointment has eluded him.

Over the last three seasons, the Lewis Central coach has guided the Titans to a 5415 record. Throughout that time, L.C. has hovered around the top of the Hawkeye Ten Conference standings.

Despite the success, Simmons the Class 4A No. 10 Titans haven’t been to a state tournament in five years, and if they want to change their fortunes in March, Hanafan said one ingredient must be a constant.

“For this team in particular, for us to achieve or even overachieve, it’ll come down to team chemistry,” Hanafan said. “That’s something we’ve talked about already as a group, and I’ve put a lot of this on our seniors, probably more than I have in the past.

It’s going to be their team, and it’s going to be how they want to handle it. I always say you’ve got to have leaders, and you’ve got to have people willing to be led to be successful.”

Senior Kyley Simmons will shoulder much of that leadership responsibility. A Missouri recruit and twotime Daily Nonpareil City Player of the Year, Simmons

Staff photo/Cindy Christensen

Junior Delaney Higgins is one of three returning staters for Lewis Central this season. feels a personal sense of urgency to make her final prep season one to remember. While Simmons knows much of her team’s success hinges on her performance, she’s also aware that she has reliable teammates surrounding her on the court who can have a positive impact on the season.

“Senior leadership is really going to tie in this year,” Simmons said. “We’ve got three great seniors, and we just really want it. Practices are looking great right now. Everyone is working hard and talking, but we just can’t let that die. We need the

team chemistry this year. We can’t lose that throughout the season.”

In addition to Simmons, Hanafan returns starters in sophomore Aubrey Norville and junior Delaney Higgins.

That trio accounted for 34 points a game last season.

Norville especially developed throughout the year, earning valuable playing time while leading the Titans in rebounding.

Two other seniors, Haley Higgins and Kayla Hardiman, will figure more prominently into Hanafan’s rotation.

The returning talent

excites Hanafan, but he knows it means nothing unless this team can mesh together and perform as a unit.

“Everyone has to accept a role and play it out,” he said.

“That all builds into the chemistry. When you get to practice, we want you to get better, but also make your teammate better as well.

There’s a lot of competition there.

“Maybe in years past we haven’t done it the right way, and that kind of hurt us a little bit. I really think at this level if you can get 10-12 girls to truly believe in what you’re trying to do, good things will happen.”

L.C. has finished one win shy of the 4-A state tournament the last four seasons. To better prepare themselves for postseason opponents, the Titans beefed up their schedule. They open the season Nov. 30 at Sioux City East, and they’ll face an especially tough stretch in January when they play 3-A No. 13 Harlan, West Des Moines Valley, Glenwood and 4-A No. 15 Johnston.

“Our schedule got a whole lot tougher, which is what we wanted,” Hanafan said. “We were trying to go out and get some 4-A competition, maybe somebody we would see around district time.”

Perhaps that will be just what L.C. needs to attain its ultimate goal.

“I just want to make the state tournament this year,” Simmons said. “I don’t care what we do when we get to the state tournament. I just want to make it there. Anything can happen once you get there. This year, it just feels like everybody wants it.”

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Norville headlines deep L.C. roster PATRICK DONOHUE Staff Writer pat.donohue@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5760

It’s a problem Lewis Central coach Dan Miller doesn’t mind facing.

With nine players who played meaningful minutes returning to the Titans’ lineup this winter, Miller’s roster is as deep as any he can remember in his tenure at the school.

The only problem? Finding ways to get all those players significant game experience.

“The biggest thing for us is going to be finding playing time for everybody,” Miller said. “We’ve got more depth than I’ve ever had here because the competition is fierce for playing time. “(In the past) I’ve felt like sometimes in some of our games against 4-A people that we’d be OK one through five, but once we subbed, it wasn’t that guys weren’t playing hard, it’s just they were a little better than we were.”

Miller’s unsettled feelings have now been replaced with confidence. L.C. did graduate The Daily Nonpareil’s City Player of the Year in Tyler McGrain, but every other significant contributor returns, including senior Luke Norville, who led L.C. in scoring last season with 19.5 points per game. Also back in the starting lineup are seniors Nate Connealy, Zach Larrison and Eric Toole.

While much of the Titans’ lineup looks familiar, their schedule doesn’t. L.C. significantly improved its regular-season schedule. The Titans again open the season against Class 4-A power Sioux City East and also will see West Des Moines Valley and Johnston at various points in the season.

As the only 4-A school in the Hawkeye Ten Conference, Miller said the new regular-season games were added to help prepare

Numbers boosting swim team

Staff photo/Cindy Christensen

Senior Luke Norville was an All-City selection last season. the Titans for their 4-A postseason matchups.

“We feel like this gives us a great test, night in and night out,” Miller said. “But this also gives us another opportunity to step outside and prepare us for tournament time as well.”

Tweaks are also coming within conference play. Starting this season, the Hawk-10 is being divided into a North and South Division.

L.C. joins the North Division, along with Atlantic, Harlan, Denison-Schleswig and Carroll Kuemper, while Creston, Glenwood, Red Oak, Clarinda and Shenandoah make up the South Division.

Traditionally, each conference member has played the other nine teams twice in the regular season, but starting this season, L.C. will play Clarinda, Red Oak and Shenandoah just once, which totals 15 conference games. Next season, North teams will play each other twice, and will play South teams only once.

“That allows us two more games to schedule some other opponents, and it also allows those other schools to play some of the teams they want to play, too,” Miller said. “I think it’s a good thing, and I’m really pleased with it.”

LET’S G

TITANS!

CHIP OLSEN Staff Writer chip.olsen@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5760

Bruce Schomburg will guide his Lewis Central boys swim team through uncharted water this season.

The longtime coach has a roster deep with swimmers, many of whom he’s still getting to know three weeks into practice.

The Titan team, about 25 swimmers total, is a combination of half a dozen southwest Iowa high schools, including St. Albert, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson. City schools teamed up with Lewis Central this year after the C.B. Board of Education decided to close the swimming pool at Kirn Junior High, the facility the cooperative A.L. team once used.

Schomburg also has athletes commuting to Lewis Central from as far away as Red Oak and Glenwood.

“It’s quite a commitment but they don’t have an opportunity to swim in their high schools,” he said.

The season will begin in Sioux City on Dec. 2.

And the coach is impressed so far by what he’s seen.

“This makes our varsity program much stronger,” he said. “They’ve been practicing hard.”

Lewis Central’s Matthew Howell and Abraham Lincoln’s Cory Brietzke and Ryan Branigan – all seniors – will provide the team with leadership.

Howell is a three-time state qualifier and is expected to be competitive in the coming weeks. And Brietzke and Branigan bring their combined varsity experiences to the team.

The coach also expects St. Albert’s Ben Kurz, a junior, and sophomore Jimmy Hawk to have productive seasons. Both swimmers reached state last year.

5F

Pyles Photography Sundee & Trisha “The e Picture Chicks” Capturing School & Sports Memories

11 Westlake Village Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-366-1106 or 402-680-1234 pyles@pic.omhcoxmail.com

Staff photo/Cindy Christensen

Lewis Central returns six state qualifiers from last season. The Titans open their season on Dec. 2.

Hildreth leads loaded Titans EVAN BLAND Staff Writer evan.bland@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5758

Jay Hildreth’s toughest wrestling match last year was the one he watched.

Sitting in the stands during championship night in Des Moines, the Lewis Central standout witnessed Sioux City North’s Chad Ryan win the Class 3-A title at 130 pounds. A day earlier, Hildreth had fallen 1-0 in the semifinals. It denied him the chance at a rematch with an opponent he beat at districts a week earlier.

“It’s probably the most devastating thing I’ve had to do so far in wrestling,” said Hildreth, who finished third overall. “I never want to have that feeling again.”

There is a similar sentiment among many of Hildreth’s teammates. Though Lewis Central boasted eight state qualifiers, it fell short of its own lofty standards as no Titan won an individual title for the first time in 12 years. L.C. also missed out on the state duals for the third time in its last four tries.

Six returning qualifiers –

including three seniors – lead a group determined to start its own legacy this winter. Of course, the Titans also have a city championship and tournament title in the Hawkeye Ten Conference to defend.

“This team is going to have a lot of emotion, and they’re going to be attacking,” L.C. coach Trevor Carritt said.

“They’re going to have a little bit of attitude because there are a lot of seniors on this team, and they’re going to have confidence.”

The upperclassmen with the most experience include Hildreth, Tyler Feller and Kyle Putnam. Hildreth, a University of Nebraska at Omaha recruit, will likely wrestle at 135 pounds this year. Feller moves up to 125 after finishing fifth at state last season at 119, and Putnam glides up a weight to 171.

Nick Sulentic, at 119, figures to set the tone for what should be a strong lineup of middle weights. He took eighth at state as a freshman at 112.

The other returning qualifiers are junior Zeb Wahle (152) and sophomore Zach Renshaw (215).

As if that weren’t enough, Derek Jenkins (130), Ben Schwery (145) and Tommy Grimes (heavyweight) had legitimate shots at joining their teammates in Des Moines last February. And, as usual, there figures to be plenty of competition for the remaining spots.

“Pretty much every single senior has taken a leadership role; everyone’s itching to get going,” Feller said. “It’s the same routine, just a little more focus. Hopefully that turns into state duals and more state qualifiers.”

That goal took a big blow when Elijah Sullivan – a reigning state finalist at 140 pounds – informed the team in August that he was moving to Iowa City. The senior enrolled at traditional wrestling power Iowa City West.

Lewis Central begins its season Dec. 2 at Shenandoah in a double dual that also includes Clarinda. For many of the Titans, getting back on the mat has been a long time coming.

“We want to reach our goal this year and peak right at state,” Hildreth said. “I think we’re going to be just as good as last year, or even better.”

Campbell

INSURANCE

Agency, Inc.

All Types of Insurance

712-328-3975

103 North Ave., Council Bluffs, IA

322-0291 Our hometown service for our customers separates us from the rest!

127 Pearl St. Council Bluffs, IA

712-328-1823

SPORTS

FANS:

You can view exclusive local sports photos at

www.nonpareilonline.com Buy framed photos or put your photo on a mousepad, t-shirt, mug and much more!

AREA BOYS BASKETBALL

6F Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Daily Nonpareil

Area boys hope to peak at tourney time A-H-S-T The A-H-S-T boys basketball team finished last year with a 16-9 record and was fourth in the Western Iowa Conference, but it lost four starters from that team. It returns 6-foot senior guard Tyler Twilley, who started nearly every game last season.

Todd Schmidt, a 6-1 junior forward, played significant minutes last year as a sophomore and is back this year as well. Coach Pete Schmidt also mentioned four other players who he thinks will be in the rotation: 6-0 senior forward Billy Sievers, 6-0 senior forward Pat Rohwe, 6-0 freshman guard Drew Young and 5-11 sophomore guard Tyler Robinson.

“We lack some depth and are fairly inexperienced,” coach Pete Schmidt said. “We have a good attitude and will play good defense, though.”

Coach Schmidt said a big key to his team is staying healthy because of a lack of depth, as he has four players who are still dealing with injuries from football.

He expects Treynor, TriCenter and Underwood to figure into the equation for the conference championship.

“I want us to play well as a team and play as hard as we can each time out,” he said. “We have to stay within our abilities and have good shot selection.”

Glenwood The Glenwood boys basketball program is coming off a season where it finished 11-11 and fifth in the Hawkeye Ten Conference. The Rams look to build off some of their successes from last season, returning four starters.

All four of the players with starting experience are seniors: 6-foot-1 forward Drake Ruth, 58 guard Kyle Wheeler, 6-2 guard Cole Darrow and 6-2 forward Taylor Kaufman. Grant Stivers, a 5-9 junior guard, came off the bench last year and will likely do the same this winter.

Coach Curt Schulte also mentioned four other seniors who will likely be in the rotation and possibly the starting lineup. Those players are 6-4 center Michael Lawler, 6-2 forward Ian Eflin, 6-2 forward Matt Schulz and 5-9 guard Eliot Lincoln.

“We are definitely going to be senior-dominated,” Schulte said. “We are pretty athletic and should have some good perimeter play.”

Schulte feels that usual suspects Harlan, Lewis Central and Denison will be near the top of the conference this season, as well as Carroll Kuemper, which returns all five starters.

“We are hoping to be in the mix,” Schulte said. “We have to improve in the post and keep games up-tempo, which lets our athletes succeed in the open floor.”

Schulte wants his team to be able to pressure teams both in the half court and the full court, which fuels that fastpaced offense.

“We are concentrating on our post play, though,” Schulte said. “We just don’t have a lot kids with varsity time down there.”

Logan-Magnolia Steve Nixon returns for this 13th season as the Panthers head coach, coming off a 12-11 record from last year, but returning his two leading scorers, senior Levi Ettleman and junior Nate Fender.

“We will be looking for Levi and Nate to step up this year and be our leaders on the court,” said Nixon. “We don’t have a lot of experience coming back, and these two guys need to step up big for us this year.”

Ettleman, a 6-foot-4 forward, returns after averaging a double-double last season – 21.3 points, which was sixth in Class 2-A, and 12.7 rebounds, which was second in 2-A. Some other key returners

for the Panthers will be sophomore Paul Hutson, a 6-3 forward, and junior Zack Powley, a 5-9 guard.

Dom Snyder was lost for the year due to an injury during football season.

“Dom is a great kid and it’s hard to see him not be able to play this year,” said Nixon.

“Some of the younger guys will need to step up and fill some roles for us this year. If we can get some scoring around Ettleman and Fender, then we can do some damage in the postseason.”

Nixon feels his team can finish in the top three of the South Division of the Western Valley Conference, with Boyer Valley and IKM-Manning being there with them.

Missouri Valley Coach Travis Maasen has a tough task as coach of the Missouri Valley boys basketball team this year, having to replace four starters and multiple bench players.

He does return 6-2 senior point guard Jole Miller, however, who led the team in nearly every statistical category.

The Big Reds finished last season with a 7-12 record and placed sixth in the Western Iowa Conference. They need players like 6-0 senior forward Corey Chapin and 5-10 senior guard Alex Amato to step up to be successful.

Maasen also expects 5-10 senior guard Dillon Stueve, as well as three sophomores – 5-9 guard Sam Schmitz, 6-0 forward Ryan Gochenour and 510 forward Michael West – to figure into his rotation at this point.

“We lack a little size and strength; our biggest player will be our point guard,” Maasen said. “We do have some quickness and a couple of kids that shoot the ball pretty well.”

Maasen thought he would have John Paul Petersen, a 511 guard, back as well, but he sustained an ACL injury and will not be back until at least districts.

“We just have to stay positive, as some of these kids just went through a frustrating football season,” Maasen said.

“We need a good start to get some confidence early.”

Maasen said he thinks Treynor has all the pieces to be very good this year, and TriCenter and Underwood should be very capable teams as well.

“We are going to have get used to playing together and take baby steps to get better,” Maasen said.

consistent and improve on its outside shooting.

Shelangouski is optimistic that the Bulldogs can finish higher than seventh in the Western Iowa Conference this year. Treynor, Tri-Center and Underwood are the teams Shelangouski feels will be in the top of the conference.

“Whatever team shows up, they are all beatable,” he added. “Another goal for us is to come together as a team, both on and off the court. I trust our coaches and our team to put our best showing on the court.”

Treynor Treynor hopes to contend again for the Western Iowa Conference championship it has won each of the past two years.

Fifth-year head coach Scott Rucker will be assisted by Todd Gordon, Thad Nelson and Travis Castle.

The Cardinals finished 19-4 overall last year and 13-1 in the conference. Their season ended with a district-final loss to St. Albert.

Treynor returns two starters from last year: 6-foot-1 senior guard/forward Cole Rath, who averaged 11 points, and 6-2 junior guard Chris Zimmerman, whose averaged 10 points.

Other top returners include 6-4 junior forward Connor Meis, 5-10 senior guard Eddie Fisher, 6-2 senior guard Tyler Woods, 5-9 junior guard Cole Chapin and 6-2 sophomore guard Alec Sorenson.

Senior Jordan Lammert, who started for the Cardinals last year, will be unable to play this year because of an injury.

But 6-5 senior Brock Meis, who missed last season with an injury, returns and will be a key player for the Cardinals.

“We have a pretty unselfish group,” Rucker said. “They don’t care who gets the points.”

Treynor hopes to utilize its good team size and athleticism this year. Rucker also wants his team to become mentally stronger.

“We’ve got size at every position,” Rucker said. “We are an experienced and talented group and return a lot of kids who have played. We need to stay focused on improving day by day, game by game.”

Not wanting to make any predictions for conference contenders, Rucker said his Cardinals would work on getting better every day.

“We know we have a target on our back in our league,” he said. “But we will prepare every day to be the best we can and not run from anyone.”

Rucker hopes his team can develop depth throughout the year and that it will be playing its best ball when the tournament starts.

“Any time you have the talent and experience we have, any coach would be excited to coach this team,” he said. “We will play hard, but when the tournament starts, let the chips fall where they may.”

Tri-Center Tri-Center hopes to improve on its 14-8 record last year and third-place finish in the Western Iowa Conference.

Chad Harder returns for his third season as head coach, and he will be assisted by Julius Michalik and Gene Johnson.

The Trojans lost secondteam all-state player Josh Calhoon, who averaged more than 18 points a game, to graduation and will have to fill the void left with his departure.

Returning starters for TriCenter include 6-foot-1 senior guard Austin McMahon, who had 94 assists last year and averaged eight points a game; 6-5 senior forward Jesse Harman, who averaged over 10

LET’S GO

BOBCATS! Our hometown service for our customers separates us from the rest!

127 Pearl St. Council Bluffs, IA

712-328-1823

Riverside Riverside hopes to improve on last year’s 9-14 record as it returns all of its starters and key bench players.

Coach Jason Shelangouski is back for his second season and will again be assisted by Liz Graves and Dennis Gunderson.

Returning starters include 6-foot-7 sophomore center Ricky Williams, who averaged 15 points a game last year and was the Bulldogs’ leading rebounder and shot blocker; 5-8 senior guard Tanner Todd; 6-1 junior forward Deven Moore; 61 sophomore forward Ean Patrick and 6-0 junior guard John Gunderson.

Other key returners are 6-2 senior forward Michael Bentley, 6-3 junior forward Cody Stowell, 5-10 senior guard Alex Gleaves and 6-2 junior forward Jessie McMillin.

The freshman class should also give the Bulldogs a boost as their eighth-grade team went undefeated last year. This group is led by 5-9 point guard Brady Ryun, who could factor into the varsity mix this year.

“We’re keeping our eye on the prize,” said Shelangouski.

“Our main goal is to win the conference and hopefully get to the state tournament.”

Shelangouski thinks Riverside’s post play and overall inside game will be its main strength this year, along with good upperclassman leadership and the desire to win. He also hopes his team can stay

rebounds a game; and 5-8 senior guard Kellon Ausdemore, who connected on 32 3-point shots.

Also back for the Trojans are 6-1 sophomore point guard Britton Barrier, 5-8 junior guard Cameron Eckmann, 6-2 junior forward Ryan Messerschmidt and 6-0 junior guard Austin Eckrich.

“Our size is not as good this year,” Harder said. “But we will make up for that with quickness.”

Harder plans to play at a faster tempo this year and utilize his team’s outside shooting skills while still crashing the boards.

“We need to outwork and out-rebound our opponent,” Harder said. “That is something we can control.”

Harder thinks Treynor, Underwood and Riverside will provide the toughest competition in the conference, but adds that Missouri Valley should also be a contender.

“We have great kids who are great students,” Harder said.

“The fun part is seeing the team come together. If we play well together, we could be pretty tough.

“We want to improve and progress every day, and play our best ball at the end of the year.”

Underwood Andy Vanfossan returns for his fifth season as the Eagles head basketball coach and is looking to rebuild after losing five seniors off the 16-5 squad from last year.

“We are in a transition phase,” said Vanfossan. “We will be looking for some underclassmen to step up this year, along with our seniors to show some leadership.”

The Eagles lost their top three scorers from last season to graduation, but will be led by a group of three seniors: Brandon Forrester, a 6-2 forward; Andrew Bonnet, a 6-3 forward; and Dillon Robinson, a 6-1 guard.

Athleticism and size are going to be the two biggest assets this year, which should help overcome inexperience on the court.

“This is going to be a slow and steady process with some growing pains along the way,” said Vanfossan. “Once guys get on the same page, we can do some great things as a team.”

The coach expects the conference to be a dogfight until the end and hopes to finish in the top three at season’s end.

He also expects Treynor and Tri-Center to be there also.

– Compiled by DeAnn Fritsch, Spencer Fritsch and Matt Gubbels.

Nelson’s Mini Mart

Shell Gas & Complete Convenience

STORE INCLUDES DELI 904 N. Walnut, Avoca 712-343-2550

LET’S GO

VIKINGS! NIEMANN

REAL ESTATE 131 N. Elm, Avoca

343-6316

Dave Robinson

LANDMARK INSURANCE AGENCY Shelby County State Bank

544-2628

Pauly Jones Funeral Home

322-0291

Campbell

203 N. Walnut • Avoca

343-2453

INSURANCE

Agency, Inc.

All Types of Insurance

712-328-3975

Home - Auto - Commercial - Farm - Crop - Life “Protecting Your Future”

103 North Ave., Council Bluffs, IA

SPORTS

FANS:

You can view exclusive local sports photos at

www.nonpareilonline.com Buy framed photos or put your photo on a mousepad, t-shirt, mug and much more!

SPORTS

FANS:

You can view exclusive local sports photos at

www.nonpareilonline.com Buy framed photos or put your photo on a mousepad, t-shirt, mug and much more!

AREA WRESTLING

The Daily Nonpareil

Sunday, November 28, 2010

7F

Grapplers look to take down state spots A-H-S-T The A-H-S-T wrestling program struggled in duals last season because of a lack of numbers but still had a state placewinner in Gabe Fell, and two other district qualifiers as well. Fell graduated, but the two district qualifiers – senior Bryant Griffen and junior Alex Long – were set to return before separated shoulders in football ended their seasons.

“We will just continue to work towards individual placewinners in tournaments because there are duals that we enter that we can’t win from the start because of our lack of numbers,” coach Matt Prieto said.

Prieto returns five starters from last season in senior Robert Fauteaux (135/140), senior heavyweight Dustin Maassen, junior Cody Munyon (140), junior Dylan Zornes (160/171) and sophomore Jake Larsen (171).

Prieto also has four newcomers who will likely see significant time on the mat in junior Cray Weinrich (160/171), sophomore John Behrens (125/130), freshman Austin Fink (140/145) and freshman Kyle Bauerkemper (152).

“Not having (Long) and (Griffin) will hurt a lot but those two freshmen will figure into the lineup and we will need them,” Prieto said.

Although Tri-Center has dominated the conference, Prieto said Underwood could give the Trojans a battle.

“Despite somewhat glum prospects as far as duals, this is the hardest-working group I have ever had,” Prieto said. “I would not trade these kids for anything and I think we will have good individual success and would like to take a couple more kids to state.”

Glenwood

The Glenwood wrestling program has nine returning starters who were part of last year’s 10-7 dual team, including state qualifiers in sophomore Sam Jameson and junior Nate Harms.

Coach Matt Dyer thinks that Jameson will move up from 103 pounds last season to either 112 or 119 this year and Harms will move up from 125 pounds to 135 or 140.

Dyer also returns senior Joe Blankenship (189/215), senior Steve Gutschenritter (140/145), senior Jon Williams (171/189), junior AJ Clark (125/130), junior Cody Crouch (145/152), sophomore Hunter Hoffman (189/215) and sophomore Jesse Bendt (119/125).

“We have three returners with state meet experience,” Dyer said. “We have good depth in the middle weights and look to be strong in the lower weights as well.”

Dyer feels that his team – along with Lewis Central, Atlantic and Creston – will be battling it out for the Hawkeye Ten Conference title.

Dyer said his team will be dealing with a little bit of inexperience this year, though.

“A lot of these guys have been wrestling a lot of JV over the last two years and not a lot of varsity,” Dyer said. “We have a very tough schedule that will test these wrestlers.”

Logan-Magnolia Kent Kersten returns to coach the Panthers in his 29th season after a 26-3 dual campaign last year. He will have plenty of experience on the mat this season with four state qualifying senior wrestlers: Nolan Oviatt at 140 pounds, Dillon Lorentzen at 130, Marrick Loftus at 160 and Evan Mikels at 215.

“It’s great to have the experience that we have this year,” Kersten said. “We have a lot of state and district qualifiers, as well as letterwinners, many of which are multiple letterwinners.”

Oviatt comes back after being a state qualifier the last three years, including a thirdplace result at 130 and a 50-1 record last year. He will have to bounce back after suffering an injury during football season this fall.

“It was sad to see his football career end the way it did,” Kersten said. “Nolan is an excellent wrestler and we’re glad to see him healthy heading into the season.”

Some other key returners

for the Panthers are senior Zach Hatcher (135), senior Travis Jones (152/171), senior Dillon Miller (152), senior Troy Sodders (145) and junior Quinton Doiel (119). Some of the newcomers will be freshman Ridge Meeker (103) and junior Ethan Reynek (112).

The Panthers have won sectional, district and regional dual meets the last nine years and are looking to make it to the state duals 10 straight years.

“We have a lot of talent and senior leadership on this team,” Kersten said. “If we can stay healthy and injury-free, we will be a solid team this year and do some things at state, both individually and as a team.”

Missouri Valley A bit of a new era is beginning with the Missouri Valley wrestling program this year as the Big Reds will combine their program with West Harrison.

That will add some extra wrestlers to a team that finished last year with a 9-17 record.

The Big Reds return state placewinners in 112-pound sophomore Brett Marcum, who finished eighth last season, and 119-pound junior Walker Marshall, who finished fifth. Missouri Valley also has seven other returning starters, including two from West Harrison.

Those athletes are: senior Colton Neill (125), junior Ty Dugdale (130), senior Brian Dougherty (145), junior Dan Waterhouse (152), senior Gared Gatrost (171), junior John Wohlers (215) and senior Zach Wheeler (heavyweight).

Coach Keefer Jensen also sees senior heavyweight Jake Howell battling for a spot and some freshmen filling in because of needs. Jensen said the conference race will be much more wide open this year, with Tri-Center and Underwood leading the field.

“We have a lot of competition in the room with bigger numbers,” Jensen said. “We have a lot of motivated kids that want to get better.”

Jensen also mentioned that the big keys to the season will be keeping kids out and making them as tough as they can, along with the dedication of the inexperienced wrestlers that will have to start.

“We want to get kids to wrestle their best and continue to improve,” Jensen said. “I just want a group that fights day in and day out and would like to pick up a few more dual wins and get a couple more kids to state.”

Riverside Riverside graduated six seniors from its wrestling team that finished with a 21-13 record in dual action last year, and will look to rebuild this year. Mitch Anderson enters his 16th year as head coach of the Bulldogs. He will be assisted by Alex Oliver and Aaron Gordon.

Missing for the Bulldogs this season are last year’s state champion Quinn Wilson and state runner-up Jason Frain.

Returning starters for Riverside this year are junior Collin Applegate (103), who finished fourth at districts last year, and junior Dallas Dietz, who placed third at districts at 119. Dietz will likely wrestle at 130 this year. Also returning are junior MacKenzie Housman at 189 and sophomore Clay Harris at 125.

The Bulldogs have 20 wrestlers out for the team this year, including 12 freshmen, who Anderson describes as being ready to go. “The enthusiasm is higher than it’s ever been,” Anderson said.

“Our freshmen want to get better and if they are willing to stand in there and take their lumps, who knows how far they will get or where they are going to be?

“We are fighting for our identity this year. We don’t have a go-to guy for leadership, but we will work on being a balanced team.”

Anderson hopes to fill most of the weight classes, probably with some freshmen, and knows it will be an uphill battle to get positive results.

Underwood, Tri-Center, Audubon and Griswold are the teams Anderson feels will be toughest competition in the conference this year.

Although the Bulldogs lack experience, Anderson said the

enthusiasm and hustle are there.

“I’m excited about the kids,” Anderson said. “The want is there and we’ll see how the work ethic is. We hope to get at least two or three state qualifiers.”

Treynor Treynor returns two district qualifiers from last year’s 10-16 squad. Gary Schuler is back for his 13th season as head coach and will be assisted by Shawn Isaacs.

Senior Alex Severn, who compiled a 28-9 record last year and finished third at districts, and junior Lawrence Pace, who finished at 27-8 and fourth at districts a year ago, will lead the Cardinals. Severn will wrestle at 171 or 189 pounds this year and Pace will compete in the heavyweight class.

Other returning starters for Treynor include sophomore Braxton Mittan at 140, junior Trenton Geer at 189 or 215, junior Nick Carolus at 130 or 135, and sophomore Brandon Graber at 112.

Schuler has five promising freshmen out for the team this year and is looking for improvement from all of them.

“Our upper weights will be very good,” said Schuler. “But we are young and inexperienced in the lower weights, so we’ll see how things pan out.”

Schuler would like to see his Cardinals be competitive and wrestle to their potential. He’d also like to see someone advance to the state tournament.

The Cardinals will be relying heavily on their upper classmen to provide direction for the younger kids on the team, and are hopeful that they will stay strong and injury-free.

“It will be an interesting year,” Schuler said. “We are young and don’t have a lot of depth, but we have good senior leadership in Alex (Severn) and Adam Schmidt. Hopefully, their leadership will pull the younger kids through to achieve what they can. We need to stay healthy because injuries and illness will deplete us.”

Schuler pegged Tri-Center and Underwood as the conference’s teams to beat.

“We hope to be competitive this year, learn a lot, and have fun,” Schuler said. “When we get to sectionals, hopefully everyone will be doing what they are supposed to be doing.”

Tri-Center

The Tri-Center wrestling team will be anchored by three returning state qualifiers this year. Twelfth-year head coach Andy Hensley also returns along with assistants Shane Baker and Heath Lamp.

Senior heavyweight Caleb White (44-8), who finished in

World-Herald News Service/Chris Machian

Nashua-Plainfield’s Caleb Wilken, left, pushes Tri-Center’s Caleb White out of bounds in a Class 1-A heavyweight match at the state tournament last February. White figures to lead a strong Trojan team again this season. fourth at state the past two years, state qualifier sophomore Darrian Irlbeck (39-13) and sophomore Loren Williams (46-11), who placed third at state last year, will lead an experienced Trojan team.

White will stay at heavyweight, while Irlbeck moves from 103 to 125, and Williams advances to 145 from 135.

Also returning is senior Scott Manhart (30-18) at 152, who qualified for districts last year and finished fourth, senior Jim Pierson at 112, sophomore Ethan White at 130, junior Trevor Paulson (38-7) at 135, senior Jeremy Biggs at 140, senior Jacob Kramer (29-17) at 189, and senior Robert Kinney at 215.

Freshman Ben Wellman at 160 should also be a factor.

Hensley cites leadership as being one of the Trojans’ strong points this year.

Tri-Center finished 22-3 in dual meets last year and will look to win its sixth consecutive WIC crown. It also placed 21st as a team at the state tournament a year ago and hope to finish higher this season.

“We need to stay focused and work hard,” Hensley said. “The kids are not afraid to work hard and the leadership we have will keep the guys going in the right direction.”

Underwood Joe Stephens returns for his second season as the head coach of the Eagles. He is coming off a 14-15 dual record last

year and is looking to improve.

“The guys experienced some success last year,” Stephens said. “We had a couple qualify for the state tournament with some others on the verge. We may be young once again, but the guys are hungry and want to taste more of the success that came last year.”

Underwood returns four state qualifiers in sophomore Andrew Foutch (103), junior Mike Novotny (135), junior Drake Fanslau (140) and senior Landon Eberl (145). Foutch captured sixth place in Des Moines last year.

The Eagles also return district qualifiers in junior Taylor Curtis (112), senior David

Athey (152), junior Blake Gunderson (189) and senior Travis Kephart (171).

Stephens is excited about newcomer David Holcomb, who will fill the heavyweight slot.

“If the guys stay focused on our goals,” Stephens said, “then there’s no limit to the success we can have this year.

“Everyone put in a lot of work this summer to get ready for this season. Andrew and Drake have been wrestling all year and are very focused. We are looking for some promising things from those two especially.”

– Compiled by DeAnn Fritsch, Spencer Fritsch and Matt Gubbels.

LET’S GO

BULLDOGS! How can we make you smile?

CALL 681-2078 “ YOU CALL - WE HAUL!”

LET’S GO

CARDS! Today.

Tomorrow.

Together.

Treynor • (712) 487-3000 Macedonia • (712) 486-2424 HyVee Mall of the Bluffs (712) 323-2000 Member FDIC

treynor ag supply, inc.

31001 Hwy. 92

487-3366

Rural Sanitation Services, Inc.

36498 Lombardy Rd., Oakland, IA 51560 402-250-4521 Roadside Serving Southwest IA Rural, Commercial, Garbage Pickup and Residential Garbage needs. $12/mo.

All sizes of dumpsters available.

Disposal by week, month or as needed.

ARBOR B ANK

Same Name & Quality Service Since 1881

TeleBank 482-6611 Online Banking-csboak.com Oakland, Iowa • Nebraska City, NE • Omaha, NE Member FDIC

D’ANGELO TAX & ACCOUNTING SERVICE “GO BULLDOGS!” 100 Linden Street • Oakland 482-6454 Fax 482-3418

Dan’s Auto

Mechanical Repair & “Any Brand Tire Sales” Oil & Lube ~ Exhaust ~ Battery Install ~ Tire Repair

10 West Main • Treynor

487-3477

Dan’s Pressure Washing: (712) 308-1185

CARSON

BODY SHOP

Repair & Paint • All makes of cars & trucks • Insurance Work • Free Estimates

484-BASH

101 So. Central • Carson

Satisfaction Guaranteed

AREA GIRLS BASKETBALL

8F Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Daily Nonpareil

Teams put fate in hands of star returners A-H-S-T The A-H-S-T girls basketball program is coming off a season in which it went 11-13 and finished fifth in the Western Iowa Conference but lost four starters to graduation. The lone returning starter, 5-foot-5 junior guard Cassie Krummel, was the team’s third leading scorer last season.

The Lady Vikes also return two players that came off the bench last season in 5-8 sophomore forward Casey Peters and 5-4 junior guard Katelin Schroder. A-H-S-T will play a number of young players and two possibilities for key roles could be Krummel and 5-5 forward Courtney Kardell.

“The young kids don’t have a lot of experience but they have put in a lot of time,” coach Frank Nelsen said. “They all kind of know what they can and cannot do but we will see what happens when they hit the floor.”

Nelsen expects Treynor and Audubon to be towards the top of the Western Iowa Conference and that Tri-Center and Missouri Valley have talent as well.

Nelsen said he likes the team chemistry he is seeing from his team and how his players support each other.

“We would like to play competitive in every game,” Nelsen said. “These kids know their strengths and their weaknesses, but when you get on the floor and the lights come on, everything changes.”

Glenwood Coach Barry Loeffelbein returns nearly every player to his Glenwood girls basketball team that finished 14-9 last season and took fifth in the Hawkeye Ten Conference.

Those returners include possibly more size than any team it may play this season.

The Rams are very strong in the post with 6-foot-2 junior center Morgan Lucy, who led the team in scoring and rebounding last season, and 6-0 senior forward Chelsea Konfrst. Glenwood also returns its other three starters in 5-5 senior guard Ana Van Scoy, 5-11 junior forward Lexi Fisher and 5-5 guard McKenna Henze.

Loeffelbein does not see much for newcomers cracking the rotation because he also brings back two players that played key bench roles last year as well in 5-7 sophomore guard Grace Newman and 5-9 junior forward Rachel DeYoung.

“We have a lot of experience and a lot of size,” Loeffelbein said. “We need to shoot and handle the ball better, though, so teams can’t collapse on (Lucy) so much and try to take her out of the game.”

Loeffelbein expects usual

suspects like Harlan, Denison, Lewis Central and Carroll Kuemper to figure in the conference race, along with his team and possibly Clarinda as well.

“We think we can compete with them like last year but we would like to get a few wins against those teams,” Loeffelbein. “We also want to dominate at home and we will see where we’re at after the regular season.”

Logan-Magnolia Kevin Patterson returns for his second season as the Panthers head coach after a 21-3 record from last year. He’s looking to keep the magic going, despite losing last year’s leading rebounder and second-leading scorer in Megan Hutson.

“Megan was a great player and will be missed, but we have some girls that are ready to step up and help fill the void,” Patterson said.

A group of five seniors will lead the Panthers this year: 5-10 guard Karen Hutson, 6-1 forward Alex Gochenour, 5-11 center Kylee Loftus, 5-5 guard Macy Cohrs and 5-4 guard Abby Foutch. Karen Hutson returns as Class 2-A’s leading scorer from last year, averaging 24.8 points per game during her firstteam all-state campaign.

Three sophomores, 5-5 guard Courtney Oviatt, 5-7 forward Ashley Bradshaw and 5-9 center Carrie Charbonneau, will be some of the other key returners.

Some of the biggest strengths for the Panthers will be their senior leadership and experience, as well as their team speed.

“We have two or three state qualifiers in track on this team so we can run,” Patterson said.

“We will need to use that to our advantage and get the ball moving up and down the court. One thing we need to improve is our rebounding. We have to crash the glass as a team.”

Patterson expects to be competing for one of the top three spots in the Western Valley Conference’s South Division, along with IKM-Manning and Ar-WeVa.

Staff photo/Cindy Christensen

Senior guard Sarah Klahn is among the five returning starters Treynor brings back this season. The Cardinals finished second in the Western Iowa Conference last year.

Ashley Nelson, 5-7 junior forward Janelle Smithson, 5-9 senior center Kelly Murray and 5-11 sophomore center Taylor Gardner.

“We were a young team last year,” coach Dan Peterson said.

“We are looking for some early offensive consistency and our defense should help that because a good start is key.”

Peterson also feels that his team needs to come together and find some leadership and intangibles, because it is still young and needs direction.

Peterson expects Tri-Center and Treynor to be at or near the top of the Western Iowa Conference, but thinks his team can also contend for the title as well.

“We want to play our best basketball late and could make a run at the top of the league if we play well,” Peterson said. “Early success builds confidence so that will be very important.”

Missouri Valley

Riverside

The Missouri Valley girls basketball program finished last season with an 11-10 record and claimed fourth in the Western Iowa Conference. The Lady Reds return three starters from that team and look to take a big step forward and contend for the conference title.

Those three players are: 5-8 junior guard Courtney Cunard, 6-1 junior center Carlee McKee and sophomore Hailey Hellstrom. They join four returning players who came off the bench last season in 5-5 senior forward Tiffani Housh, 5-7 junior guard

Riverside will have a new face guiding it this year. Tom Grobe moves from assistant coach to head coach after serving several years under long-time coach Paul Bullock, who retired last year. He will be assisted by Mandy Reynolds.

The Lady Bulldogs, who finished 7-14 last year, have an experienced senior core back this year, including returning starters in 5-10 forward Jessica Joy, who averaged over 10 points a game last year, 5-8 guard Jocelyn Joy, 6-0 center Taylor Schoening, the team’s leading

Glenwood Glenwood State Bank State Bank Your Grandfather’s Bank.

rebounder and blocker last year, 5-6 guard Kasey Shriver, and 510 forward Krysta Hughes.

Juniors back from last year are 6-5 center Shayley Smith and 5-8 guard Anna Hildebrand.

A pair of sophomores, 5-10 forward Dani Turner and 5-4 guard Rachel Faga, should also see playing time.

“We are going to stress more defense this year,” said Grobe.

“This will help us out in the tougher games. The girls have a good attitude and are working hard.”

Grobe thinks their inside game will be their strongest point this year and will look to utilize their size and experience.

He hopes their outside shooting will become better as the season progresses and that they will play more consistent. “We have players playing different positions this year and they will have to get used to it,” Grobe said.

Treynor and Audubon are the teams Grobe looks to be at the top of the conference this year.

He also thinks Tri-Center could be in the mix.

“Our goals are to play consistent, beat a decent team that we haven’t in the past, and play in the upper level of the conference,” added Grobe. “We play a lot of 2-A schools and that should help us when the tournament starts. We’d like to turn our 7-14 record from last year around and to get a ways in the tournament.”

returns to coach the Treynor girls basketball team. She will be assisted by JoEllenTravis, Ann Gramkow, and Jane Jorgenson.

The Cardinals ended with an 18-7 record last year along with a 12-2 conference record, finishing second to state qualifier Audubon. Gone from last year’s team is standout athlete Tayler Geer, who was team’s leading scorer, and Nichole Easton.

Treynor will be loaded with senior talent this year as it returns five starters, including 6-1 center Kaitlin Floerchinger, who averaged close to 10 points a game last year, 5-10 guard Becca Easton, 6-0 guard Taylor Hill, 5-11 forward Abby Gordon and 5-7 guard Sarah Klahn.

Other key returners are 5-7 junior point guard Alex Snyder, 5-8 sophomore forward Chaley Rath, and 5-5 sophomore guard Lexis Rogers.

The Cardinals have 23 girls out for the team this year including a solid freshman class.

“Our freshman class is decent,” Hartigan said. “We’ll see who steps up.”

With a solid core of seniors, Treynor will rely on its experience to help it win this year.

“We have good height and quickness,” Hartigan said. “One of our strengths is our overall ball savvy. We are looking forward to things.”

The Cardinals will not be changing their game plan from previous years, but will concentrate on improving every day.

For Treynor to be successful this year, Hartigan said ball handling, being able to shoot, defense, and rebounding will be key ingredients.

Tri-Center Tri-Center graduated four seniors from last year’s 11-10 squad and returns only one starter as it looks to regroup this year. Becky Thomas begins her fourth season as head coach and will once again be assisted by Dave Velthoff.

The Trojans will have to find a way to replace Blake Sullivan, who averaged over 10 points a game, and Jessie Velthoff, the team’s assist and steal leader last year.

The lone returning starter for Tri-Center is 5-8 junior center Beth Sieleman, who averaged 13 points a game last year and had 46 steals. Other key returners include 5-5 junior guard Molly Dollen, 5-5 sophomore point guard Alex Larsen and 5-6 sophomore guard Emily Baatz.

Treynor Gail Hartigan will reach a 30year milestone this year as she

LH

Loftus Heating, Inc. Heating A/C IAQ Comm. Refrigeration

Father’s Bank.

YourYour grandfather’s Bank.

Your Bank.

Your Father’s Bank.

Your Bank.

Your Satisfaction is Our Guarantee!

527-3157

527-3157

FDIC Insured 32 N. Walnut Glenwood, Iowa

Logan, Iowa (712) 644-3260

Offices in

Mineola & Pacific Junction FDIC Insured Offices in Mineola & Pacific Junction

www.glenwoodstatebank.com

Two freshmen should also see considerable playing time. They are 5-6 point guard Kaylee Grote and 5-7 guard Nikki Paulsen.

Although Tri-Center is a young squad, Thomas is very optimistic about her team’s chances. “We will be fast and quick and are going to run the floor,” Thomas said.

Team play will also be emphasized this year. “Even though we will be quick, we need to learn to be patient and things will work out,” Thomas said. “It will be figuring out it takes all of us.”

Thomas feels that Treynor and Audubon will be two of the better teams in the conference this year, but hopes her team can finish higher than their thirdplace finish last year.

Goals for the Trojans are to increase their free-throw percentage, hold their opponents down defensively and finish as one of the top two teams in the conference.

“We need to master our craft,” Thomas said. “I’m excited to see what they can do, and also happy that we won’t be losing any players to graduation this year.”

Underwood

The Eagles will be looking to improve on their 8-13 record and sixth-place finish in the conference from last year. Brian Rasmussen returns for his fourth season at the helm.

“We lost 70 percent of our scoring from last year,” Rasmussen said. “We have quite a few new players in this year, but the girls have a good attitude heading into the season.”

Inexperience will be the big thing Underwood needs to overcome as it only returns one starter – Erin Beverage, a 5-4 senior guard. Juniors Amy Lintner, a 5-11 post, and Emily Vandivort, a 5-10 post, will be two other key returners for the Eagles.

Senior Allie Meyer, a 5-10 post, and freshmen Regan and Rachel Landon, both 5-6 guards, will be three of the top newcomers this year.

Two of the big strengths for the Eagles are speed and team chemistry.

“The girls believe they are one team and one unit, which will help overcome our inexperience and youth,” Rasmussen said. “We need to use that and get off to a good start and gain some confidence throughout the season, and hopefully be playing our best basketball by the time districts start.”

– Compiled by DeAnn Fritsch, Spencer Fritsch and Matt Gubbels.

LET’S GO

TROJANS! FARMERS & MERCHANTSS

STATE BANKK FDIC • Minden • Neola 2nd & Bdwy. 300 Front St.

www.glenwoodstatebank.com

LET’S GO

R MS!

483-2611

485-2245

M INDEN MEATT MARKET

LET’S GO

Hodgess Smokehousee Catering

PANTHERS!

• CATERING • RETAIL/CUSTOM PROCESSING • SIDES • QUARTERS • DEER PROCESSING C HECKK OUTT OURR AWARDD WINNINGG MEATS: Dried Beef Jerky - Smoked Turkey - Center Cut Pork Loins Ham - Ring Bolonga - Cottage and Canadian Bacon - Bacon Jefff Hodgess 712-483-2836 6

Boxx 25,, Minden,, Iowa 1-800-272-3529

10 GAMES, 2 GREAT DAYS OF BASKETBALL FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 4:00 pm - AL vs. Heelan (G) 5:30 pm - AL vs. Heelan (B) 7:00 pm - LC vs. Glenwood (G) 8:30 pm - LC vs. Glenwood (B)

11:30 am 1:00 pm 2:30 pm 4:00 pm

-

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 2011 Treynor vs. Griswold (G) 5:30 pm - TJ vs. Sgt. Bluff Luton (B) Treynor vs. Mo Valley (B) 7:00 pm - TJ vs. Sgt. Bluff Luton (G) St. Albert vs. Mo Valley (G) St. Albert vs. Tri-Center (B)

2-day tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased at participating C.B. schools, all Ticketmaster locations or the MAC box office, 712-323-0536.