D2
SPRING SPORTS
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2014
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
Bulldogs ready for track W By NICK OHLIG sports@nptelegraph.con
School is in session and the homework is simple: work hard and gain confidence so the final exam will simple. For the North Platte High School boy’s track team they have had to deal with homework on and off the track and their teacher is head coach Mike McGuire. The Bulldogs return seven state qualifiers from last year’s squad. Some of the players to watch in 2014 will be Wyatt McGuire, coach McGuire’s son, who will be running for Nebraska next year. Another player will be Evan Lamphear who is a school record holder. “We have a state champion on our team and we have a school record holder on our team,” McGuire said. “Not many teams can say that.” Along with the nine senior lettermen, the Bull-
dogs will be led by “heavy hitters,” who, according to McGuire, will be players who will score points for the Bulldogs this year. This team will also have a mixture of young athletes and upperclassman. If there is one potential hurdle for this team it could be the hurdlers as McGuire states his squad lacks depth at the hurdler position and there is only one proven hurdler returning. One of McGuire’s goals was to get 100 athletes out for track but his goal fell about 20 players short. Another goal is the win the Buffalo Bill, which is the Bulldogs’ home track meet. At the Buffalo Bill, Scottsbluff will be a tough opponent and in district play McGuire says the entire district will be problematic. Their first meet will be the UNK Indoor Meet today and McGuire mentioned how important
strengths could be the shot put as Fornander spoke eloquently about that group. He also mentioned the rise of the sprinters and jumpers led by Kaitlynn Harvey, who was a state qualifier last year as sophomore. Fornander also cited Madison Raska as one of his better sprinters as well. He plans to use a couple of cross-country runners for his long distance team lead by Libby Burrows and Talia Martinez. There will also be a couple of pole volters returning as well. Lady Bulldogs The theme of this team seeking growth for 2014 will be youth as North Platte girls track there will only be five secoach Dennis Fornander niors on the roster while a is looking to develop majority of the roster will some young talent while composed of underclasscontinuing to establish man. a strong tradition as the “Youth is a factor,” ForLady Bulldogs continue to nander said, “We are gobe a force in the Nebraska ing to start out with 48 track scene. girls so we are still lookOne of the team ing for more.”
it is for his Bulldogs to get off to a hot start because it will help their confidence “I told the guys the most important part of your body is nine inches above the shoulders,” he said. “The thing that gives you confidence is hard work, if you do your homework, put in all the extra time you are going to have confidence going in. “It is just like taking a test if you are prepared you will do well if you are not prepared you aren’t going do well.”
Telegraph file photo
Drew McClellen of St. Pat’s stretches for the finish line during a meet last year. McClellen is one of three boys state qualifiers returning this season.
Youth expected help Irish score in track meets By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com
It seems the Irish never run out of athletes. Even when they do, a new batch of freshmen show up to restock the rosters. For years the Lady Irish have had a stellar distance attack with names like Maggie Vinton, Mandy O’Malley and Anna O’Malley. Anna O’Malley returns as a junior, but there are more than just distance runners leading the way for St. Pat’s. Jamie Smith returns as a long jumper and sprinter and Zandra Carlini is back to throw discus and shot put. “Smith, Carlini and Bree Saner are our only seniors,” said St. Pat’s Head Coach Shelly Byrn. “I think Bree is going to have a really good season. “She’s come so far since the start of year, being a leader in volleyball and in basketball, I just see her doing whatever is asked. I think she’ll be a middle distance runner for us and maybe run on some of the relay teams.” While the Lady Irish have just 23 girls — and three seniors — there are nine freshmen, many who have already seen varsity time in volleyball, cross country or basketball. “Some of these girls, we’ve already seen they’ve had training and they’re going to fit in some holes we have,” Byrn said. “These girls aren’t afraid. They’ve been there in sports all year and I have no doubt they will do the same in track. “We’ve only been together three or four days and some of these girls we’re going to have to find where they fit in best, but some of them, we already know where they fit and that they’ll score points for us.” While numbers may be a little down for the Lady Irish, the Irish will have no trouble filling all positions. St. Pat’s Head Boys Coach Brad Braitwait has 36 athletes out this season including three who qualified for the state meet a season ago. “We’ve got Drew McClellen who made it in vault and a relay, Alex Harms, who made it in both hurdles and Chase Kimberling who also was in a relay,” Braitwait said. “The six seniors we have are leaders and have been in everything they’ve done this season.” Those seniors are Harms, Kimberling, Collin Pieper, Jacob Cook, Jared Brosius and Brandon Adkins. There are also eight juniors and 21 combined freshmen and sophomores. “We have a ton of younger kids out,” Braithwait said. “We’re going to need some of them to step up for us in different events and score. “I have no doubt someone will. It’s the way things are done here and it’s a solid group of young athletes.” The success all the athletes have had in various sports this season means they are all looking to advance to the state meet in May. “Reaching state, no matter the sport, is always the goal,” said Braithwait, who also coaches in football and girls basketball. “We’ve had a lot of athletes who have been successful all year long, so my belief is they all expect to get to the state meet.”
Roger Bluhm / The North Platte Telegraph
Junior Molly Spelts of North Platte returns a volley during the North Platte Doubles Invite on Friday at Cody Park in North Platte. Spelts teamed with Megan Stokey in the event, with the team placing third in No. 1 doubles action.
Lady ’Dogs need experience By NICK OHLIG sports@nptelegraph.com
There are coaches who have patience and those who don’t. If Dale Hall doesn’t have any, it could be a long season. North Platte girls tennis coach understands this year could be a year of patience, as youth will take serve for the Lady Bulldogs this season. Even though he returns four players who played at the varsity level last year and the program has about 35-40 players who are playing tennis this year, which is more than Hall had in his first year as head coach, there are still a few concerns. A majority of his players will lack any experience both at the singles and doubles level. According to Hall, the Lady Bulldogs only have three seniors on their roster and
that could lead to a leadership void, unless the underclassmen take a leadership role. Hall cites what the team lacks in experience they will make up in athleticism. Even though there are not a lot of seniors there will be some players who might be household names by season’s end. According to Hall some players who will make an impact will be Megan Stokey who won a match last year in the state tournament and Jane Littell who came off the bench and was an impact substitute in 2013. Kristan Wullschleger and Molly Spelts saw some varsity experience last year as well. No matter how talented this roster could be, the lack of experience will be the factor to whether or not the Lady Bulldogs will a force in
district play and beyond. “Its one of those deals where the younger girls are going have to step up and be able to perform at a high level,” Hall said. “Its a good thing there is depth but as far as experience, we lack that.” Besides youth, the the Lady Bulldogs’ schedule will not do them any favors. This the year there will be tough opponents throughout the season ranging from McCook to Kearney and the Kearney Doubles Invite could pose the biggest challenge. In non-district play the Lady Bulldogs will have to deal with Omaha Westside and Grand Island, two teams that have solid tennis programs. “We got to keep plugging away, work hard, get as much out of them each and every day,” Hall said, “Hopefully we will get better.”
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THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2014
D3
Whitney takes over as Bulldogs soccer coach But that was last year and like every new preseason — hope springs eternal. Whitney is a Barney Stinson from the CBS first-year coach whose father, hit TV show “How I Met Your Jim, was the first boys soccer Mother” always has the pop- coach in North Platte history. ular catch phrase “Challenge His father will also be his assisAccepted” when faced with a tant this year challenge. North Platte’s soccer “He is a guy who has got plencoach Dan Whitney is in a simi- ty of experience he has seen the lar situation. highs and the lows,” Whitney Whitney is inheriting a team said. “That is a wonderful rethat won only two games and source to have a guy that has some of those defeats were been through it all especially non-competitive last spring. for a new first-year coach,” By NICK OHLIG sports@nptelegraph.com
A new coach and a roster that struggled last year could result in a long season for the Bulldogs as they will depend on some new faces and some players returning from the 2013 season. Whitney says there will be four captains this year — seniors Brady Mason, Tanner Malmkar and Nick Wilkinson and junior Johnny Guethlein. North Platte’s season starts off with a game today against Grand Island, which defeated North Platte 8-0 in the season
opener for both teams last year. The Bulldogs will also have to deal with Kearney and Hastings as two of the tougher teams they will face this season. Whitney also mentioned some of his team’s strengths could be the potential leadership from the upperclassman and the underclassman who will be eager to prove themselves in varsity play. The beautiful thing about any new season is everybody is 0-0 and has a shot to win a cham-
pionship. Teams however, that get only two wins the previous year, usually don’t have a worstto-first finish, but Whitney and his players are keeping things positive “We are feeling pretty positive and optimistic right now,” he said. “Regardless of what our winloss record ends of being I don’t think that’s how we will look at whether or not we’ve had success this year.”
Bulldogs an unknown for golf coach Orcutt seeking weekly improvement from squad By NICK OHLIG sports@nptelegraph
Telegraph file photo
Madalynn Doughty of North Platte kicks the ball during a soccer game against Columbus last season at North Platte High School. Doughty is one of seven returning starters for the Lady Bulldogs as they try to return to the state soccer tournament this season.
NPHS seeks state return Lady Bulldogs soccer team has seven starters back this year Flash-forward to spring of 2014 and the Lady Bulldogs are looking to take The North Platte girls the next big step. soccer team is looking to “I want the girls to see, take the next step forward you just competed down to and beyond, and Head the wire with a team that Coach Sarah Kaminski is won the state championleading the way. ship so look at what you The last time Kamins- can do,” Kaminski said. ki took the field was in a “Then we also look at it, blizzard with a chance to after every single game, advance to the state tour- every single practice we nament. always look back at can The result left the Lady you do a little bit better Bulldogs in the cold as this next game?” they lost in the District This year the Lady Final to Millard West in Bulldogs’ schedule will a shootout. Millard West feature the pesky Lincoln won the state champion- schools and their annuship. al games against KearBy NICK OHLIG sports@nptelegraph.com
ney and other District A schools. One advantage the Lady Bulldoags have will be experience, as they return seven starters (six who are seniors) from the 2013 team. Kaminski also mentioned how a majority of the players on this team have been in the program since they were freshmen. “I always coach to wherever the girls are at, let’s set the level a little bit higher so they can work to get better and not be OK with how they are,” Kaminski said. “These girls accept a challenge and will give 100 percent each day,”
Kaminski is tired of her soccer sqaud being satified by going to playoffs every year. Now she wants her squad to take the leap forward and not fall into any potential traps along the way. There is a challenge, take the next step. “That is what these girls have grown up with, what is my next challenge, that I can conquer and not be content with being average,” she said, “What more can I do? And that is what gets us to our district final games, winning some the close games having the ambtition to step over that edge.”
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At least head golf coach Jim Orcutt is honest. He has no idea how his team will perform this year. “I can’t make that prediction at this point I don’t know what everybody’s got, I don’t know what everybody’s going to shoot, you can’t predict what yourself is going to shoot on a given day but we are going to do our best,” He can make this prediction — the Bulldogs will have five players on the varsity roster and he has four seniors. There is one missing person who was an anchor of the team last year. For the last couple of seasons the Bulldogs have had the pleasure of Cameron Bargell wearing Bulldog blue now he is wearing Hastings College red. “We lost a very good golfer last year Cameron Bargell so we have a big set of shoes to fill,” Orcutt said. “Our strength this year doesn’t lie in producing some super golfer it lies more in trying to become consistent golfers,” The expectations for Orcutt’s team will be simple, understand the game, be a gentleman on the course and give their best. That is really the only logical expectations because golf is such a mental game. One aspect he is looking for is consistency that could be a problem however because teenagers and consistency do not get along plus the varsity roster can vary each week because of qualifying. Another troubling point could be no player right now has broken 40 on nine holes and that is a little bit toubling for Orcutt, The Bulldogs start their season on Friday, March 28 hosting the North Platte Invite at River’s Edge Golf Course. Orcutt mentions the opening invite will provide the most pressure because it is at home. They will also have to tangle with McCook, who Orcutt mentioned will be a force this year. Orcutt does not know how his season will be but to him a successful season will be easy to judge. “The players — watching the players improve individually, watching our team scores improving as our season goes on,” Orcutt said. “We always seem to measure our success whether or not we qualify for state.”
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D4
SPRING SPORTS
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2014
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
Sailor golfers grow Sutherland is better, with more players By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com
SUTHERLAND — Bo Cribelli has plenty of golfers. The Sutherland golf coach has six boys returning for this season along with eight girls. The Sailors have boys golf in the spring, but do not offer girls golf in the fall. “I’ve got six boys, all who were out last year,” Cribelli said. “I’ve got more girls than boys, a couple of new freshmen, with four of the girls coming back from last year.” Of the six boys, only one, True Flynn, is a senior. Juniors returning are Cody Smith and Bryson Dick, while sophomores Jordan Richardson, Brook Blomstedt and Zach McMillan also return. Six sophomore girls, Ashley Hanneman, Madison Hoatson, Mikayla Meyer, Madison Derr, Ariel Mayer and Breanne Hecht, join freshmen Tonja and Amanda Hahn. “I’m excited to have the sophomore boys back out,” Cribelli said. “They were my No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 golfers last season.
“I hope they continue to improve like they did last season.” While the Sailors will have some experience out this season, Cribelli knows golf usually isn’t the first love of his team. “Like a lot of small schools, the kids here are in a lot of sports,” the coach said. “So, a lot of time, they aren’t taking the time over the summer to golf and improve. “Unfortunately, you have kids who, once golf ends, will start getting ready for football or attend camps and other activities. Golf is a game you have to play a lot to improve and our kids usually don’t play often during the summer.” Sutherland will begin its season on April 4 at the Stapleton Invite and will host an invite at Oregon Trails Golf Course on May 13. “We have a chance to get some kids into state,” Cribelli said. “We have a range of experience, so hopefully, we can have golfers pushing each other throughout the season and making each other better each practice, each round.”
Telegraph file photo
Kaley Stokey of Sutherland, right, holds off a Eustis-Farnam runner during the Blevins Memorial Track meet at North Platte High School last season. Stokey is expected to excel for the Lady Sailors again this season.
Sailors low on numbers, but have plenty of talent Sutherland plans on being there at the end By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com Telegraph file photo
St. Pat’s golfer Nate Chrisman lines up his ball prior to a putt at Oregon Trails Golf Course in Sutherland. Chrisman is the lone returning varsity player for the Irish this season.
New faces for St. Pat’s
Chrisman returns as senior leader for Irish By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com
St. Pat’s has some new faces on the golf course for 2014. The Irish return Nate Chrisman from last year’s varsity squad. He, along with fellow senior Andrew Thalken, are two of the more experienced St. Pat’s golfers on the team this year. “Chris is our leader, our top returning golfer,” said St. Pat’s Head Coach Mike Giebler. “He’ll be our top one throughout the year would be my guess.” Thalken missed last year due to an injury. Joining the team is junior Trey Dodson, who has already impressed his coach. “He’s a state-qualified wrestler,” Giebler said. “But, he’s got good balance, good hand-eye coordination. He’s really doing well for someone who is just picking up the game.” Sophomores Anthony Noffsinger and Christopher Jarvis return and Giebler believes freshman Jake Jones
will be a big addition. “Jake’s a guy who already is passionate about golf,” the coach said. “He’s played a lot in the summer’s — getting into the Junior Ambassadors event — and he’ll be a good addition for us.” Joining Jones as a newcomer are freshmen Nelson Jett, Bryson Nickerson, Cameron Winder, Noah Munson and Allison Thalken. “We’ve got a lot of freshmen, but if we can keep them out, it will rebuild the team quicker,” Giebler said. “We’ve got two seniors is all and, while we hope Nate provides the senior leadership we need, we believe with Nate, Trey, Andrew and Jake, with us being back in Class D, we have a shot at having a really good season.” St. Pat’s will open play on Wednesday, April 2 at the Cambridge Invite. The Irish will host the St. Pat’s Invite on May 8 at River’s Edge. “It should be a good season for us,” Giebler said. “We have some leadership, some fresh faces and everyone is eager to get out and play golf. “We’re in a good spot.”
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SUTHERLAND — The Sailors have experience, but not a lot of numbers. As the track season gets underway in Sutherland, there are fewer athletes than usual, especially on the girls team, which in recent years has been a strength. “We have low numbers this season in comparison to the past with only 13 girls out,” said Sutherland Head Coach Hessican Saner. “We’re going to have to get creative in order to fill all the events that we would like to. “Those 13 girls are going to be hard workers and will do well in their events but we lost a lot of seniors who were multievent people last season.” Leading the Lady Sailors are Jalyne Schuster, a two-time state qualifier in sprints, and Kaley Stokey, who qualified for state in four events last season. “Sam Staggs is coming off of a great basketball season and I think that is going to carry over to track,” Saner said. “We have a new throwing
coach this year and he has been doing a lot of things that I like to see. “Sam is a very hard worker and she will push the rest of the team in practice and I expect to see her place very well this year in the discus and she has been working on the shot put as well.” On the boys side, Tyler Fear medaled last season in pole vault and is expected to be a threat again this season while fellow senior Colin Fleecs will run in several events. “Colin has been a leader in football and wrestling and he can sprint for us up to the mile,” Saner said. “So his leadership in practice and his willingness to do whatever we ask of him in meets will make him a big asset to the team.” A weakness for the Sutherland boys is few sprinters or jumpers, so Saner believes developing younger athletes will be key as the season progresses. A few younger names to watch this season will be Haeven Schuster, the younger sister of Jalyne, who may develop into a sprint threat by districts
and twin freshmen Madison and Makenna Smith on the girls side, while Saner believes Blake Scott will continue to grow as a pole vaulter. “Blake Scott has been very successful in pole vault in junior high and he has a lot of dedication to the event,” Saner said. “I hope to see him be a big threat at our conference and district meets and I would not be surprised if he earns himself a trip to Omaha in May.” Saner believes St. Pat’s will be the biggest challenge in the conference, with Chase County’s boys also being tough. “Our district changed a bit this season so it is a little hard to say who the front runners are going to be,” Saner said. “We are just going to have to work hard and worry about ourselves and make sure that we put Sutherland in the position to be a threat to everyone else in the district.” Sutherland will begin the varsity track season on Saturday, March 29 at the Hershey-St. Pat’s Invitational at Hershey.
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D5
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2014
SPRING SCHEDULE
March 22 High School Track UNK-Kearney Invite (North Platte, Eustis-Farnam)
Hastings at Lexington Boys
High School Girls Tennis Kearney Doubles Invite (North Platte
High School Soccer Omaha South at Lexington Boys Creighton Prep at Lexington Boys Grand Island at North Platte, boys and girls
High School Boys Golf Hastings Invite (North Platte, Hershey Invite (St. Pat’s, Sutherland
College Softball North Platte at Iowa Western CC (DH)
College Softball Colby Community College at North Platte (DH)
March 23 North Platte at Southeast CC (DH)
April 18 High School Boys Golf Chase County Invite at Enders (Sutherland
March 25 High School Soccer Gering at North Platte Lexington at York
April 21 College Softball North Platte at Hastings College JV (DH)
High School Girls Tennis Lexington/McCook/ Hershey at McCook
April 22 High School Boys Golf McCook Invite (North Platte Grant Invite (St. Pat’s, Sutherland
March 27 High School Girls Tennis North Platte/Hershey at McCook
High School Soccer Kearney at North Platte Lexington Boys at Kearney Catholic
College Softball NOrth Platte at McCook (DH)
High School Girls Tennis Holdrege/McCook at North Platte McCook at Hershey (NP Madison) April 23 High School Track Arapahoe Invite (Eustis-Farnam, High School Girls Tennis Ogallala/Lexington at North Platte
March 28 High School Track McCook at North Platte Boys Golf North Platte Invite March 29 High School Soccer North Platte at Lincoln High Lexington Boys at Grand Island Central Catholic
College Softball McCook at North Platte
High School Track St. Pat’s/Hershey Invite at Hershey (St. Pat’s, Hershey, Maywood Invite at McCook (Eustis-Farnam, College Softball Iowa Western CC North Platte
April 24 High School Boys Golf Gothenburg Invite (North Platte April 25 High School Track Lexington Bader Invite (North Platte
at
March 31 College Softball Hastings College JV at NOrth Platte (DH)
College Softball Garden City CC North Platte
April 1 High School Soccer Holdrege at Lexington
April 26 High School Track Hershey Invite Pat’s,
High School Tennis Holdrege at Hershey (NP Madison)
High School Girls Tennis Scottsbluf Invite (Hershey
April 3 High School Soccer Lexington at North Platte
High School Boys Golf Grand Isalnd Invite (North Platte, Cambridge Invite (St. Pat’s Stapleton Invite (Sutherland, High School Girls Tennis Alliance at North Platte High School Soccer Lincoln SE at North Platte College Softball Trinidads State JC at North Platte (DH) April 5 High School Track Buffalo Bill Invite (North Platte, Sutherland Booster Invite (St. Pat’s, High School Girls Ten-
(St.
High School Soccer North Platte at Kearney (Lincoln East and Northeast)
April 2 High School Boys Golf Cambridge Invite (St. Pat’s,
April 4 High School Track Elwood Invite (Eustis-Farnam,
at
April 27 North Platte at WNCC
Telegraph file photo
Gothenburg’s Tiani Reeves was second in the girls Class B triple jump last year with a best effort of 37-feet, 11.75-inches. Reeves returns for the Lady Swedes this season. nis North Platte Invite High School Soccer Gering at Lexington Scottsbluff at Lexington
Grand Island (North Platte
Invite
High School Boys Golf Gothenburg Dual (St. Pat’s
South Loup (Sutherland
Invite
High School Soccer GNAC at Scottsbluff (North Platte, Lexington
High School Soccer April 12 April 6 Northwest at Lexington High School Soccer College Softball GNAC at Scottsbluff NCCAC Tourney (North Girls (North Platte, Lexington Platte) High School Girls Tennis High School Track April 8 Hershey at Kearney Perkins County Invite High School Boys Golf (St. Pat’s, North Platte at McCook Catholic High School Soccer Kearney at Lexington High School Girls Tennis Hershey at Ogallala April 10 High School Track
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April 11 High School Track Axtell Invite at Wilcox (Eustis-Farnam, High School Boys Golf Medicine Valley Invite Kearney Invite (North Platte
Platte, High School Girls Tennis Lexington Invite (North Platte, Hershey High School Soccer Hastings at North Platte Lutheran High/Norfolk Catholic at Lexington Girls
April 14 High School Girls Tennis Lexington at North Platte
April 17 High School Track Alliance Invite (North Platte, Sutherland Invite (St. Pat’s, Bertrand Invite (Eustis-Farnam,
April 15 High School Boys Golf Lexington Invite (North
High School Soccer North Platte at Columbus
April 28 High School Boys Golf Scottsbluff Invite (North Platte, High School Soccer Columbus at Lexington College Softball Barton CC at Platte (DH)
North
April 29 High School Soccer North Platte at Norfolk Boys Golf Kearney Catholic Invite (St. Pat’s, May 1 Boys Golf Capital City Invite at Lincoln (North Platte High School Soccer Lexington at Holdrege
High School Girls Tennis Hershey at Scottsbluff
Please see SPRING, Page D8
GOOD LUCK SAILORS!!
D6
SPRING SPORTS
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2014
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
Wildcats looking for state qualifiers P Wallace coach believes team is on the cusp of getting several more to state meet “Hopefully, as the season gets going, I’m thinking that he is stronger than he was last year,” WALLACE — The Wallace head coach Elizabeth Strand Wildcats return all three state said. “[It’s] another year of comqualifiers from a year ago in petition experience. throwers Shane Anders and “I think he’s been thinking Landon Swedberg and distance about his track goals all year, runner Tanner Clough. since the state tournament.” As a freshman, Clough finAs juniors, Swedberg threw ished sixth in the 3,200-meter 133-3 at the state tournament to run with a time of 10:18.05, place ninth and Anders threw which gave the Wildcats their 113-2 to finish 17th. only three points at the state “So far, their technique is meet. Clough also finished 11th looking pretty good for the start in the 1600-meter run with a of the season, and I think they’ll improve,” Strand said. time of 4:51.12. By ANDREW BOTTRELL abottrell@nptelegraph.com
Strand also identified sophomore thrower Josh May as a potential state qualifier on this year’s Wildcats team. “He finished the season pretty well last year. I think he’s showing improvement from last year, already,” she said. No Wallace girls qualified for state in 2013, something Strand hopes will change this year as they sort out relay teams. She also has high hopes for Hayley Storm, a long-jumper and triple-jumper who came close to qualifying for the state meet in 2013.
“Hayley Storm placed a lot last year in the long jump and triple jump. “We’re hoping she’ll improve there,” Strand said. The odds of qualifying more kids for the state meet are higher with nine girls out for the team this season, and 15 out for the boys. “A few more total than we’ve had the last few years,” Strand said. “We’re glad about that.” With 21 out last year and 25 out this season, Strand said it is difficult to compete for team
w
titles at meets throughout the season, however, the boys team had a chance to grab some success last season and she’s hoping both teams can this year. “They were checking out the team scores, and saying ‘hey, weB beat this team,’ or ‘we can beats those guys,’” Strand said. “The kids are starting to get that t mentality. “I think with more peopleb out, everyone has been showing h some improvement. “That might be somethings we can foster more competitionM t this year in team points.” w p
Maxwell strives for personal bests each time
Wildcats seeking to send more athletes to state By ANDREW BOTTRELL abottrell@nptelegraph.com
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z After qualifying just one for the Class D State t Championships in 2013, the Maxwell Wildcats are t hoping for more in 2014. That will be tough with a loaded district, said 1 head coach Aub Boucher, as the team focuses, he t said, on personal bests every day. “Each and every day we try to do a personal best, g and hopefully we continue to improve and we com“ pete at the end year with our top performance,” a Boucher said. “We hope [to qualify more]. Our dist trict is tough with Brady and Sutherland.” As a team, the Maxwell girls finished with 29 points in seventh place at the District D-10 meet lastT f season. Sophomore Josie Cox is the lone returning stateo qualifier from last year’s team. Cox, a long- and tri-s ple-jumper, qualified in the triple jump last season and finished 14th with a jump of 32 feet, 3 1/2 inchest l at the state meet. “So far, she’s practicing hard and working hard.s All the girls have been working hard. Her goal is to G make it back to Omaha,” Boucher said. Senior Anna Crane will look to improve upont her 17.6-second time in the girls 100-meter hurdles“ at the district meet last season. As will the 400-me-l ter relay team, which finished third at districts lastT
Telegraph file photo
Brady’s Valerie Most wins the 100-meter hurdles at the state track meet in Omaha last May. Most returns to the Brady track lineup this year, but her coach understands her successes this season will be harder after what she accomplished a year ago.
Eagles searching for more success By ANDREW BOTTRELL abottrell@nptelegraph.com
BRADY — Brady returns six of their 10 state qualifiers in track and field from 2013, and hopes to improve upon 15th place finishes in both girls and boys in Class D. Both teams also finished in second at the District D-10 tournament. “We’ve been fortunate, some of those kids are physically growing. Some of the ones we have are still young,” head coach Rich Britten said. “They’ve been in the weight room and there’s some growth there, we hope. And, just a little bit of hunger. There are a lot of variables. We’re hoping to take the same people back and take another body or two.” Valerie Most, the Class D state champion in the 100-meter hurdles, returns for her senior year, hoping
to improve upon her 15.93-second state finals run. “She’s one of those kids that does like it. She’s been looking forward to it. She knows she has a little pressure trying to do the same thing,” Britten said. Most ran a 16.07 in the preliminary heat at the state meet, and 15.9 to win the district meet. Most also finished in third place in the high jump with a jump of 5-feet, 3-inches, and finished in a tie for 12th in the pole vault clearing 9 feet. She, along with Autumn Hild, Shaylin McClellen and Josie Palmer finished 10th as a team in the 400-meter relay at the state meet, as well. “They’ve done their work to try to improve, so they’ll hopefully lead some younger ones,” Britten said. “They showed the example of suc-
cess and hard work.” On the boys side, two of the Eagles’ six state qualifiers return in senior Eric Martin and junior Troy Lusk. Martin finished in seventh place in his heat in the 300-meter hurdles and failed to qualify for the finals, and Lusk was a member of the 3,200-meter relay team Thrower Matt Litzenberger, distance runners Zach Mann and Cole Vitter and all-around performer Bryley Roper have graduated, opening up some spots on the varsity team, Britten said. “We have some pretty good kids coming back. We had some kids that were waiting for those guys to graduate to get their turn,” Britten said. “They are still young. We’re pretty heavy, as far as juniors on the boys side.”
season. Though all the girls from that team return,y Boucher said it’s a little too early in the season toc know if the lineup for the relay is set just threeW m practices in. On the boys side, sprinter Ethan Lunkwitz ise the only senior, with three juniors and five sopho-b mores. “We’re not looking at team scores, we’re lookingf t for personal bests,” Boucher said. The team finished in sixth place at the D-10 meet last year with 32 points. The team lost justi one-quarter of the 400-meter relay team that fin-b ished in fourth place at the district meet. Joshb Grace graduated, but Lunkwitz, Jaylon Sturdivanti and Ryan McKeeman return. Three of the four members of the 3200-meter teamw that finished sixth at districts also return, in Stur-t t divant, Bryson Keller and Jacob Whisenhunt. I t
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SPRING SPORTS
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2014
Panthers to run without Miller
Maassen back to lead Hershey on golf course
Oliver takes over Hershey track and field as head coach By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com
HERSHEY — The toughest job of spring may be Matt Oliver’s. Oliver has taken over as head track coach at Hershey, filling in for Gary Miller, the longtime Panthers teacher and coach who passed away unexpectedly last fall. “It’s tough on all the kids,” Oliver said. “We’re still talking about how we can honor Coach Miller above what we’ve already done. “It’s tough, but the kids have gone through it and now are focused on honoring him.” Oliver believes both his squads have some talented athletes. “In girls, we have Maegan Hiatt,” the coach said. “She is in the high jump and the hurdles and she’s just a very good athlete. “We also have McKenzie Mustion, who is a returning state qualifier in throws.” The Lady Panthers have 15 girls out, with seven of those being freshmen. “We’re young on the girls side,” Oliver said. “But, we’ve got girls who are determined to get better as the season goes on.” Oliver also mentioned Tessa Otzel, who jumps for the Lady Panthers, as one to watch for this season. There are 21 boys out for track, with several athletes who are capable of shining. “We have jumpers like Gaige Marshall and Chayton Crow,” Oliver said. “We’ve got distance guys like Tucker Hicks and Tanner Kosmicki. “We’ve got a lot of young, strong kids who could shine in throws. We have a lot of kids who make it easy to go hard at every position and to get better each week.” The hardest part may be for Oliver and his charges to trust one another. “I know what I’m doing,” the coach said. “I’ve been coaching track since before I graduated college in 2005. “But, I’m different than what the kids are used to. Coach Miller coached track for many years and I’m something new, something different. “If the kids and I can get that trust in one another, we could be very good. This school is full of athletes who are striving to be great. We have a chance to do that, but it’s on me to make them comfortable with how I coach.”
D7
By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com
HERSHEY — After losing four golfers from last year’s team, the Hershey Panthers are hoping to rebuild while improving as the season moves forward. Colton Marshall, Jacob Weir, Gage Pederson and Devin Hawley have all moved on, but Landan Maassen returns to lead a younger Hershey squad. “Landan will be our No. 1 this year,” said Head Coach Reed Kuroki, who is in his second season as the Panthers coach. “Our other returning golfers are Jacob Louder and Colton Sides.” Seniors Travis Beck and Trent Schomp join sophomores Wyatt Zeigler and Brock DaMoude along with freshmen Carl Anderson, Landon Mader, Nick Heiser, Alejandro Quiroga and Ryan Eshleman to fill out the team. “It’s a good group of kids,” Kuroki said of his team. “They’ve been fun to work with and everyone is getting along.” Kuroki thinks Maassen should be ready to take the next step as a golfer. “He’s a good athlete who has been good in everything he does,” Kuroki said. “Landan loves golf. It’s his passion and I think he’s going to be really good this year. “As a team, I think we have a chance to make it to state. As long as the younger guys develop and Louder and Sides continue to get better.” Kuroki said Schomp may provide more to the team. “He’s golfed before, just not last year,” Kuroki said. “So maybe he can help us from the start.” The Panthers will begin the season on Friday, April 4 at the Stapleton Invite.
Lady Panthers staying positive By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com
Telegraph file photo
Hershey’s Taylor Mustion prepares to run in a relay race during the Blevins Memorial Track Meet at North Platte High School last season.
Telegraph sports online at www.nptelegraph.com
HERSHEY — The Lady Panthers tennis team is getting bigger each season. New head coach Sarah White has 14 girls out for tennis this season, with three seniors. “Our three returning seniors, Krista Schufeldt, Hope Duggan and Lindsey Taylor, are natural leaders,” White said. “Their passion for the sport is contagious, which makes everyone want to be better. “All three have played since they were ninth graders. Among the three of them they have really stepped up their game over the past three years by participating in winter leagues, playing in tournaments and taking lessons in the summer. Their dedication alone has been great leadership for our team and they really want the upcoming players to succeed as well.” Joining the three seniors on the team are juniors Emily Dethlefs, Courtney Laubner and Lydia Wiseman; sophomores Darian Czarnick, Laurel Huebner, Paige Larchick, Ashleigh Matson, Treyann Miller and Chandler Pederson; and freshmen Angela Adkins and Erica Schufeldt. According to White, all the players are pushing one another in practice. “Varsity is determined through a ladder system where the players can challenge those above them to secure a higher spot,” the coach said. “Several girls who I have on varsity right now are vying for a singles spot, so I think that will raise the level of competitiveness on our team. “The JV is currently made up of six returning players and four new players. I’ve been really impressed how quickly the four new players have come along. All the experienced players have been awesome about giving the new girls tips and working together — they really want each other to succeed. The JV players are all fighters and they are all pushing for varsity. That’s the way I want it. I’m excited to watch it all shake out to see who’s got what it takes to take it to the next level.” Positive outlook appears to be the focus for the Lady Panthers this year. Despite playing multiple larger schools through the season, White wants to make sure her team doesn’t get frustrated. “We’ve really focused on staying positive and believing that anyone can win and anyone can lose on any given day,” the coach said. “When things get tough, they take it in stride.”
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D8
SPRING SPORTS
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2014
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
Telegraph file photo
Manola Tornel of Lexington leaps high into the air to kick the ball during the Minutemen’s game with Gering at Madison Middle School in North Platte last year. Tornel, a senior, returns for Lexington this season. The Minutemen opened the year on Thursday with a 3-2 win over Norfolk.
SPRING
High School Golf Cattle Trail Tourney at Curtis
May 15 High School Track District Track (St. Pat’s,
May 8 May 2 High School Track High School Track GNAC at North Platte Holdrege Invite (North Platte High School Boys Golf SPVA at Grant (St. Pat’s, St. Pat’s Invite (St. Pat’s, FKC at Elm Creek (EusSutherland tis-Farnam,
Boys Golf Awarri Dunes Classic at Minden (North Platte Sutherland/St. Pat’s/ NPJV Tri at River’s Edge May 19 Boys Golf District
from Page B1
May 9 High School Soccer High School Track Scottsbluff at North Stapleton Invite at Platte (Boys) North Platte High (St. North Platte at ScottsPat’s, Eustis-Farnam bluff (Girls) Boys Golf High School Girls TenGNAC at Kearney nis (North Platte Grand Island (North Platte May 10 High School Girls TenHigh School Boys Golf nis SPVA at Kimball (St. GNAC at Hastings Pat’s, Sutherland (North Platte May 3 High School Girls Tennis Hastings Invite at Hastings St. Cecelia (Hershey May 5 Boys Golf McCook/Ogallala North Platte
at
May 20 Boys Golf District May 22 High School Girls Tennis State Tennis May 23 High School Track State Track at Omaha Burke
May 12 High School Boys Golf Cozad Invite (St. Pat’s
High School Girls Tennis State Tennis
May 13 High School Girls Tennis North Platte at Scottsbluff/Alliance Hershey at Ogallala
May 24 High School Track State Track at Omaha Burke May 27 High School Boys Golf State Golf
May 6 High School Boys Golf High School Track Sutherland Invite May 28 Best of the Midwest at (Sutherland, Boys Golf Sutherland (North Platte State at Lincoln (North May 14 Platte High School Girls TenHigh School Track nis A District at Omaha May 29 Kearney/Scottsbluff at Bryan (North Platte North Platte Boys Golf D Districts at Bertrand State at Lincoln (North (Eustis-Farnam, May 7 Platte
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Tucker Hicks of Hershey comes out of his start during a distance race a year ago at Hershey High School. Hicks returns this season for the Panthers.
COACHES: Please call your results into The North Platte Telegraph. MaxPreps can take up to three days to deliver results and the best way to make sure your results make the newspaper in a timely fashion is to call, email or fax the results to us. CONTACT US Sports Editor Roger Bluhm 532-6000, ext. 254 535-4754 Sports Writer Nick Ohlig 532-6000, ext. 244 535-4744
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