Winter Sports 2012-13

WINTER SPORTS

SECTION BDECEMBER 19, 2012

FEATURING:

● WRESTLING ● GIRLSʼ BASKETBALL● BOYSʼ BASKETBALL

Estherville Lincoln CentralNorth UnionGraettinger-Terril/Ruthven-AyrshireSpirit Lake

ELCʼs Oscar Ramirez, far left, looks to better hissixth-place finish at state. Left, Allie Sievert and theELC Girls Basketball Team wants to return to statefor the third year. Above, Matt Burrell and the ELCBoys Basketball Team have their eyes on a success-ful season.

Photos by David Swartz

2012-13

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 19, 2012 ESTHERVILLE DAILY NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA B2

The 2012-13 Estherville Lincoln Central Wrestling Team includes, front from left, Dakota Moffitt, Lee Christensen, Kelly Clabaugh, Jake Bortvit, Thomas Borvit,Chase Bonner, Blake Gjerde, Trey Trompeter; middle row: Sadie Rosenboom, Easton Gifford, Joel McCoy, Austin Egeland, Billy Snyder, Grant Lausen, Luis Loepz,Oscar Ramirez, Cole Budach, Kristen King, Jordan Phillips; bakc row: head coach Dan Hewitt and assistant coaches Mike Mix and Trevor Olson. Not pictured arevolunteer coaches Mark Reardon and Mark Friesner and statistician Liz Brashear.

Photo courtesy Erbes Productions

ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL MIDGETS


BY DAVID SWARTZMANAGING EDITOR

With at least five open weightsopen in most duals this season,Estherville Lincoln Central willstruggle in head-to-head teamcompetition in 2012-13.

But the Midgets feature severalwrestlers, which should be able tomake a big run into the postseason.

ELC is without a senior in thestarting lineup, but the Midgets dohave nine juniors to go along withfive sophomores and three fresh-men.

Oscar Ramirez is favored toreturn to the state meet after finish-ing sixth a year ago at 120 pounds.

This season, he has jumped twoweights to start the season wherehe is off to a 12-0 start at 132pounds. However look for him todrop to 126 pounds where heranked sixth in Class 2A.

“That’s the weight we look forhim to compete at after this week,”said ELC coach Dan Hewitt. “Hedoesn’t spend a lot of time in theweight room, but he has a lot moremat experience.”

At 120 pounds is Cole Budachwho is off to a 5-9 start this year.

“He needs the confidence he hadat the end of last season,” saidHewitt.

Thomas Bortvit is starting at 138pounds and is off to a 7-8 start.Look for him to move down to132 when Ramirez slides down aweight.

“He’s very coachable,” saidHewitt.

Blake Gjerde is off to a 9-5 startthis season after winning theSpencer Tournament this pastweekend.

“He just needs to be in the rightmindset and wrestle the way he’slearned to,” said Hewitt.

Billy Snyder returns to the lineupafter being out last season with aninjury. At 152 pounds, he is off toa 10-5 start also.

“He’s got to make up for losttime on the mat,” said Hewitt. “InJanuary, he should be focused onhis goals and I look forward tohelping him develop.”

Wrestling at 170 pounds is Jake

Bortvit, who is off to a 3-9 start.“It’s a weight class he can be

comfortable in,” said Hewitt. “Hejust needs to improve his tech-nique.”

Another junior who is out isDakota Moffitt, but he suffered aconcussion and may be unable towrestle this season.

One of the top sophomoresreturning is Chase Bonner at 220pounds. He finished with around20 wins last season.

“I’m looking forward to himimprove match by match,” saidHewitt. “We need to work on tech-nique and get him wrestling like hewas last year.”

Two other sophomores seeingmat time are Austin Egeland (138)and Joel McCoy (106, 113).Egeland has filled in when neededand may battle for a spot at 138pounds when Thomas Bortvit andRamirez slide down a weight.

“He just needs a little morestrength and confidence,” saidHewitt.

McCoy has been battling for aspot with freshman Easton Giffordat 106 pounds with the twowrestling challenge matches everyweek. McCoy has filled in at 113pounds when needed in dualmeets.

Hewitt said Gifford needs to takewhat he does in the wrestling roomand translate it onto the matsagainst his opponents.

One other sophomore is GrantLausen, who had surgery and maynot be able to wrestle this season.

Two freshman round out thecompetitors with Kelly Clabaugh(145) and Lee Christensen.

Clabaugh also could challengefor a spot at 138 pounds later on.

The team does have one senioralso, Luis Lopez, who will be ableto wrestle in January. Although it’shis first year out for wrestling,

Lopez also could try to secure aspot at 138 pounds.

In the Lakes Conference race,Spencer, Spirit Lake andEmmetsburg are likely to battle forthe top spot. The Tigers are rankedfifth in Class 2A while Spirit Lakeis 10th. The E’Hawks are rankedthird in Class 1A.

ELC wrestlers young, but dedicatedESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL MIDGETS

Nov. 29 Humboldt (15-63)Dec. 1 Greene Cournty (25-39)Dec. 1 Norwalk (16-63Dec. 1Dec. 6 W. Christian (36-40)Dec. 6 Spirit Lake (18-60)Dec. 8 E’Hawk InvitationalDec. 13 Storm Lake (33-37)Dec. 13 Sibley-Ocheyedan (37-42)Dec. 15 Spencer TournamentJan. 3 @ Spencer w/CherokeeJan. 5 Graettinger TournamentJan. 8 @Algona w/OkobojiJan. 12 ELC TournamentJan. 15 @Pocahontas w/AltaJan. 19 @ Hayfield, MN TourneyJan. 25 @Lakes ConferenceFeb. 2 @Sectionals (Cherokee)Feb. 9 @District (SpencerFeb. 14-16 State Tournament

SCHEDULE:

Blake Gjerde (top) along with Oscar Ramirez are the team cap-tains for the ELC wrestling team this season.

EDN photo by David Swartz

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The 2012-13Estherville LincolnCentral GirlsBasketball Teamincludes:front row:Megan JensenCaitlyn ClaytonCasey SievertMacy DahlAllie Sievertback row:Emily KirchnerRachel BatesMaggie McCauleySara Heywood




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The Estherville Lincoln Centralgirls expect to be one of the bestteams in the state.

With six seniors who have beento the state tournament the past twoyears, the Midgets’ goal is toreturn to Des Moines and try towin that elusive state title.

With the Iowa Girls High SchoolAthletic Union increasing thenumber of classes from four tofive, ELC won’t have to playLakes Conference rival WesternChristian in the playoffs.

But the Midgets, ranked third inClass 3A, did lose an early seasongame to Class 3A No. 2 MOC-Floyd Valley, last year’s state run-ner-up in Class 3A. Top-rankedDavenport Assumption also lurksas a potential threat in the playoffas the defending 3A state champi-ons returns most of their top play-ers too.

Those challenges wait for the endof the season.

Under first-year coach TonyKlein, ELC’s goals are to take onegame at a time and be ready whenthe playoffs come.

The six seniors are very familiarto Midget fans as four of themhave started in games since theirfreshman season.

At 6-foot, Allie Sievert has beenone of the team’s top scorers forfour years. She scored her 1,000thcareer point against Cherokee,having averaged double digits in

scoring each of her four season.Emily Kirchner, a 5-8 forward,

was selected to the all-state tourna-ment team in 2011. For her size,she is one of the toughest insidescorers for the Midgets. She alsoaveraged double digits in scoringthe last two years.

Sara Heywood, a 5-7 pointguard, has run the offense for fourstraight seasons. She was sidelinedat the end of her freshman seasonwith a knee injury, but is a threat toboth drive to the basket and hit the3-pointer.

Macy Dahl, a 5-8 guard, hasembraced her role as a defensivestopper and usually guards theopposing team’s stop scorer.

Casey Sievert, a 5-11 forward,has been the Midgets’ sixth playerthroughout most of her career.Klein has played her in all fivepositions at time as she can hit the3-pointer and post up inside.

Last but not least is MaggieMcCauley. The 5-6 guard has pro-vided a spark early in the seasonwith her 3-point shooting, but alsois a proven defender having playedwith her classmates their entirecareers.

Together the seniors are a cohe-sive unit with flexibility.

Admittedly, ELC won’t havemuch depth this season. There areonly three other non-freshmen outfor basketball this season—juniorRachel Bates and sophomoresCaitlyn Clayton and MeganJensen.

Clayton has shown she can fill inat the post when ELC players getinto foul trouble. Bates has helpedout at guard at times and Jensenalso has shown she can play inside.

Besides Western Christian, themain challenge in the LakesConference is Spirit Lake as theIndians are ranked fourth led bylast year’s state scoring leader K.J.Veldman.

Meanwhile the fans are just alongfor a wonderful ride as this groupof seniors travel through their finalseason.



ELC PREPARES FOR ONE MORE RUN AT STATE TITLE

Emily Kirchner is one of ELCʼs four-year starters on the 2012-13girls basketball team.


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Nov. 20 Manson NWW (65-48)Nov. 23 MOC-Floyd Valley (33-42)Nov. 24 S.C. North (64-21)Nov. 30 Forest City (58-13)Dec. 4 Emmetsburg (55-23)Dec. 7 Spencer (71-37)Dec. 11 Storm Lake (86-17)Dec. 14 Cherokee (61-13Dec. 21 Spirit LakeJan. 4 LeMarsJan. 5 @Bishop HeelanJan. 7 Jackson County CentralJan. 10 @Newell-FondaJan. 11 @Western ChristianJan. 15 @EmmetsburgJan. 18 @SpencerJan. 22 Storm LakeJan. 25 @CherokeeJan. 29 @Spirit LakeFeb. 1 @ LeMarsFeb. 5 Western Christian

SCHEDULE:



The Estherville Lincoln Central Boys Basketball Team includes, front from left, manager Jordan Wittrock, Ryan Frerichs, Carsten Bosch, Justin Heinrichs, managerTim Soper; middle row: Adam Reiter, Tyler Swanson, Matt Burrell, Brad Olsen, Jeff Perkins, Tucker Milburn, Derek Nieland, Evan Hansen; back row: head coachYork Plagge, assistant coach Robert Bosma, Clay Tredway, Noah Diekmann, David Hughes, Joe Heinrichs, coaches Tyler Lutz and Kyle Grems.


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Expectations are high for theEstherville Lincoln Central BoysBasketball Team this season.

While the Midgets may not bequite ready to challenge the top tierteams like Western Christian andSpencer, a .500 season and better isa possibility. ELC hasn’t finishedabove .500 since the 1990s.

ELC returns all players returningfrom last year’s team that went 8-16 overall and 3-11 in the LakesConference,

With some talented newcomershelping out, ELC is off to a 4-4starter overall and 2-2 in the LakesConference. The Midgets havewins over Emmetsburg andCherokee with losses to Spencerand Storm Lake.

Matt Burrell, 6-2 senior forward,is the team’s returning leadingscorer and rebounder. After averag-ing 9.8 points pre game last yearand puling down 158 rebounds,Burrell is averaging 9 points percontest and already had 50rebounds.

However, he’s getting more helpin the scoring department. He alsoled the team in steals with 46.

Tyler Swanson, a 6-1 seniorguard who missed part of last sea-son to injury, is also averaging 9points per game this season—upfrom 5.9 points per game last year.

Also returning is Evan Hansen, a5-10 senior guard. He averaged6.4 points per game last season andhad 119 assists. This year he isaveraging 7.0 points per contestwith a team-leading 35 assists.

Adam Reiter, a 5-10 seniorguard, was a threat from long rangelast season making 39-of 101 fromlong range. While he’s struggled tostart the season, he is still a threat tocatch fire.

The Midgets have gotten a boostfrom 6-2 forward David Hughes.With more court time, Hughes isaveraging 7.3 points per contest.

Coach York Plagge, now in his

fifth season, has a deep bench.Also returning with experience

are seniors Derek Nieland, TuckerMilburn, Brad Olsen and JeffPerkins.

Nieland is known for his defense,but also has improved his scoringthus far. Milburn averaged 6.0points per game last season, but hasseen less court time to start the sea-son. Olsen, a 6-3 post, averaged5.9 points per game last season, butalso hasn’t been on the court asmuch. However, both have provid-ed valuable minutes and started atleast once as Plagge works to tweakthe lineup.

Junior guards Joe Heinrichs andCarsten Bosch both have sharedtime at point guard with Hansen.Heinrichs is averaging 4.4 pointsper contest. Bosch saw action lastseason and continues to be a valu-able player off the bench.

Rounding out the ELC roster arejunior Clay Tredway and sopho-mores Justin Heinrichs, Rod Fullerand Noah Diekmann.

Plagge said he is looking for con-sistency in the team as he tries todetermine the permanent starters

early in the season. That will allowthe other players to know theirroles.

Perennial basketball powerhouse

Western Christian again appears tobe the team to beat with Spencerand LeMars also battling for the topspot. ELC will try to keep pace

with the next teams, Spirit Lakeand Storm Lake, as well as work tochallenge the top teams.


Midgets have higher expectations in 2012-13ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL MIDGETS

Evan Hansen (10) will run the point for the Estherville Lincoln Central Boys Basketball Team in2012-13. He is one of eight seniors on the team.


Nov. 27 Harris-Lake Park (29-66)Nov. 30 Forest City (50-66)Dec. 1 GTRA (55-30)Dec. 4 Emmetsburg (46-42)Dec. 7 Spencer (39-68)Dec. 10 North Union (65-46)Dec. 11 Storm Lake (53-73)Dec. 14 Cherokee (64-58)Dec. 21 Spirit LakeJan. 3 @PocahontasJan. 4 LeMarsJan. 10 @Newell-FondaJan. 11 @Western ChristianJan. 15 @EmmetsburgJan. 18 @SpencerJan. 22 Storm LakeJan. 25 @CherokeeJan. 29 @Spirit LakeFeb. 1 @ LeMarsFeb. 5 Western Christian

SCHEDULE:


ARMSTRONG — With the lossof its top scorer from a year ago,North Union might find it difficultto match its 18-5 record of a yearago.

However the Warriors stillshould have a good season.

They are off to a 5-3 start so farthis season, but few of the winsare coming easily

Through six games, Aurora

Oliver leads the offense with ninepoints a game while JasmineClausen is at 7.8, Sarah Rolling at6.5, Madison Bollig at 6.8 andCheyanne Boland at 5.5.

North Union also is getting pro-duction from Madison Irmiter,Dena Looft and Peyton Oleson.

Looft, a 5-9 junior is leading theteam in rebounds with 34 fol-lowed by Rolling with 30 andBollig and Oliver with 19.

Oliver, a 5-7 junior also leads inassists with 16 and steals with 15.

“That’s one of the things I likeabout this team is that opponents

can’t focus on any one girl,” saidNorth Union coach Merle Tigges.“One person doesn’t have to carrythe load and anyone can take anopen shot.”

The Warriors can still battle forone of the top spots in the leaguedespite a close loss to Clay

Central-Everly followed by a winover Harris-Lake Park last week.

North Union can’t count outeither Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire or WestBend-Mallard. The Wolverineshave a win over Clay Central-Everly.


NORTH UNION WARRIORS

NU featuresbalance in2012-13

Nov. 19 Bishop Garrigan (45-40)Nov. 20 North Iowa (51-42)Nov. 27 Garner-Hayfield (39-37)Dec. 6 Newell-Fonda (34-49)Dec. 7 GTRA (62-20)Dec. 11 CC-E (34-38)Dec. 13 Manson NW (21-42)Dec. 14 Harris-Lake Park (49-35)Dec. 17 West Hancock (54-43)Dec. 21 West Bend-MallardJan. 4 @CWLJan. 7 @Storm LakeJan. 10 Manson NW WebsterJan. 15 @GHECJan. 18 @GTRAJan. 22 Clay Central-EverlyJan. 25 @Harris-Lake ParkJan. 29 CWLFeb. 4 @HumboldtFeb. 5 Lake Mills

SCHEDULE:

The 2012-13 North Union Girls Basketball Team includes, front from left, Shelby Luke, Jasmine Clausen, Collete Haag, CheyanneBoland; middle row: Sarah Rolling, Hanna Gardner, Jaycie Eaton, Madison Irmiter, Peyton Oleson; back row: Aurora Oliver, DenaLooft, Madison Bollig.

Photo courtesy Armstrong Journal


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ARMSTRONG — North Unionwon’t have an easy season as theWarriors lost its two top scorersfrom a year ago to graduation.

Guard Travis Larson led theteam with 11.6 points per contestlast season while big man EvanHagebock scored 9.5 points percontest and pulled down a team-high 154 rebounds while also

blocking 50 shots.The Warriors are off to a 1-8

start with the lone victory comingagainst Clay Central-Everly.

Current senior Shane Mills wasthird last season at 5.0 points pergame while pulling down the sec-ond highest rebounds, 128.

However fellow senior Colton

McConnell has led in scoringthrough five games with 7.6 percontest.

The Warriors return two experi-enced players in the backcourt insenior Matt Adams and juniorMatt Adams.

Adams, a 5-11 senior guardgives the team some quickness.

Braddock also is a two-yearstarter.

Other getting time on the courtare 6-foot junior Kaleb Olson, 5-7freshman Colin Runksmeier and5-11 sophomore Corey Vaske.

Rounding out the roster are 5-11senior Trent Fothergill, 55-8sophomore Jacob Govern, 6-3

sophomore Alex Krants and 6-1sophomore Dyson Umscheid.

Harris-Lake Park, ranked third inClass 1A, is off to a 7-0 start andis the favorite to win the CornbeltConference this season. WestBend-Mallard is currently the onlyother Cornbelt team with a win-ning record.

Warriorsstrugglingthrough firstpart of season

Nov. 19 Bishop Garrigan (45-40)Nov. 20 North Iowa (51-42)Nov. 27 Garner-Hayfield (39-37)Dec. 6 Newell-Fonda (34-49)Dec. 7 GTRA (62-20)Dec. 11 CC-E (34-38)Dec. 13 Manson NW (21-42)Dec. 14 Harris-Lake Park (49-35)Dec. 17 @West HancockDec. 21 West Bend-MallardJan. 4 @CWLJan. 7 @Storm LakeJan. 10 Manson NW WebsterJan. 15 @GHECJan. 18 @GTRAJan. 22 Clay Central-EverlyJan. 25 @Harris-Lake ParkJan. 29 CWLFeb. 4 @HumboldtFeb. 5 Lake Mills

SCHEDULE:

The 2012-13 North Union Boys Basketball Team includes, front from left, Colton McConnell, Alex Krantz, Aric Runge, Shane Mills,Kaleb Olson; back row: Corey Vaske, Colin Runksmeier, Jacob Govern, Matt Adams, Jacob Braddock, Trenton Fothergill.

Photo courtesy Armstrong Journal


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GRAETTINGER-TERRIL/RUTHVEN-AYRSHIRE TITANS

Hough takes overas head coach


GRAETTINGER — Starting theseason with a 3-4 record bodes wellfor the Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire girls. The team was 3-13 a

year ago after winning three of itsfirst four.

However the Titans are also undernew management as Todd Houghtakes the reins of the team. Hough isa former Graettinger standout andboys assistant coach.

Senior guard Brooke Hoffman,who lead the team in scoring at 8.1points per game last season, has

upped her averaged to 12.0 pointsthrough the first 12 games. She is along-range threat, shooting 10-for-35 (28.6 percent) from 3-pointrange.

Sophomore Lauren Flaharty, whoaveraged 4.4 points last season, alsohas increased her average with 7.4points per contest.

Following the trend, junior Grace

Skattebo is up to 6.4 points pergame after averaging 4.0 per contestlast season.

Meanwhile junior Marley Bakkenis averaging 5.0 points per contestand leading the team in reboundswith 46.

Cassy Hampson is the lone senioron the squad, but is a starter as isjunior Emily Moran.

Juniors Alex Oleson, Kate OlesenPaige Hoffman, sophomore JaydenJohnson and freshman Claire Sparksround out the varsity roster.

In the early going, it appears ClayCentral-Everly, Harris-Lake Parkand North Union will battle for thetop spot in the Cornbelt Conference,but the Titans and West Bend-Mallard aren’t far behind.

Titans look for improved record in 2012-13 seasonPhoto courtesy Jay Schoning, Ruthven Zipcode

Nov. 19 Laurens-Marathon (47-32)Nov. 20 Spalding Catholic (40-50)Nov. 27 WB-M(41-40)Nov. 30 CWL (45-19)Dec. 4 St. Mary’s (39-50)Dec. 7 North Union (20-62)Dec. 13 Laurens-Marathon (37-53)Dec. 18 @Trinity ChristianDec. 21 Harris-Lake ParkJan. 4 @Clay Centra-EverlyJan. 8 @West Bend-MallardJan. 10 Pocahontas AreaJan. 18 North UnionJan. 19 @M-M-CJan. 22 @CWLJan. 25 Trinity ChristianJan. 26 @Lake MillsFeb. 1 @Harris-Lake ParkFeb. 5 Clay Central-Everly

SCHEDULE:

The 2012-13 Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire GirlsBasketball Team includes, frontfrom left, Haley Suwalski, ToriHorst, Brooke Hoffman, JennaChapman; middle row: ToriGrange, Claire Sparks, KatieOlesen, Cassy Hampson, PaigeHoffman, Cassy Olesen, GraceSkattebo, Lauren Hibben; backrow: Sara Harris, Jayden Johnson,Emily Moran, Lauren Flaharty,Marly Bakken, Morgan McGrauth,Alex Oleson, Cameron Hart. Notpictured is Kyleigh Kalcovvic.


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GRAETTINGER —Graet t inger-Terr i l /Ruthven-Ayrshire has some potential, butthe Titans will have to work formost wins this season.

Under their new mascot, theTitans are off to a 2-4 start thisseason, but both wins were in theCornbelt Conference where theyare 2-1.

Last year, GTRA was 6-16overall. The Titans do return lastyear’s leading scorer AustinDyer. The 5-10 senior guardaveraged 9.3 points per contestlast season and is averaging 9.4points through the first fourgames.

However post Connor Sturgillleads the Titans so far this year.The 6-6 sophomore is averaging11.2 points per contest and leads

the team in rebounds with 33. Heis shooting 55.6 percent from thefield.

Andy Geelan, a 6-1 freshmanguard also is helping with thescoring at 8.0 points per contestincluding 8-for-16 from 3-pointrange. Six-foot sophomore guardMarcus Girres also is shootingwell, averaging 7.8 points percontest while making 11-for-27(40.7 percent) from 3-point

range.Senior Trevor Hagedorn gives

the Titans another inside presenceand he is averaging 3.6 points percontest.

Also seeing court time are 6-0senior Cory Jordan, 5-10 sopho-more guard Mason McGrauth, 6-0 sophomore Lane Reiman, 6-foot freshman Michael Girres and6-foot freshman Noah Stukey.

Dyer, Marcus Girres, Geelan,

Hagedorn and Sturgill have beenthe starting five for most of thegames this season.

Rounding out the roster aresophomores Ryan Jacks and JoeTonderum.

Harris-Lake Park is the favoriteto win the Cornbelt Conferencethis season after sweeping theleague a year ago. The Wolvesare ranked third in Class 1A andoff to a 7-0 start.

Nov. 27 WB-M (37-53)Nov. 30 CWL (63-56)Dec. 1 ELC (30-55)Dec. 4 St. Mary’s (41-82)Dec. 7 North Union (64-26)Dec. 13 Laurens-Marathon (44-61)Dec. 18 @Trinity ChristianDec. 21 Harris-Lake ParkJan. 3 Laurens-MarathonJan. 4 @Clay Centra-EverlyJan. 8 @West Bend-MallardJan. 10 Pocahontas AreaJan. 18 North UnionJan. 19 @M-M-CJan. 22 @CWLJan. 25 Trinity ChristianJan. 26 @Lake MillsFeb. 1 @Harris-Lake ParkFeb. 5 Clay Central-EverlyFeb. 8 Newell-Fonda

SCHEDULE:

The 2012-13 Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire Boys Basketball Team includes, front from left, Jeff Kathman, Ethan Eldridge,Austin Miller, Jared Sikora, Taylor Enderson, Joe Tonderum, Jake Wegner, Zach Girres: middle row: Mason McGrauth, RyanJackson, Cory Jordan, Cole Hagedorn, Nick Josephson, Brady Flint; back row: Connor Sturgill, Austin Rehm, Noah Stukey, AndyGeelan, Austin Dyer, Marcus Girres, Michael Girres, Trevor Hagedorn. Not pictured are Lane Reiman and Travis Meyer.

Photo courtesy Jay Schoning, Ruthven Zipcode

Dyer leads group of young Titans





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Jensen takesreins of Titans


GRAETTINGER — WhileGraet t inger-Terr i l /Ruthven-Ayrshire is down in wrestling num-bers this season, the Titans stillexpect some measure of successunder first-year coach MikeJensen.

Jensen, who finished second atthe state tournament at 145 poundsin 2010, leads a small squad with11 wrestlers.

However, he does return somequality athletes.

Junior Ty Gibson placed seventh

at 132 pounds last season and post-ed a 31-7 record. He is currentlyranked third at that weight this sea-son, but has been wrestling at 145pounds thus far where he has a 6-0record.

Senior Austin Thompson is atwo-time district qualifier and fin-ished with a 15-5 record last sea-son. He has wrestled at 132 poundsthis season where he is off to a 10-2 start.

Matt McGrauth is another juniorwith experience. After a 23-22campaign last season, he is off to a6-7 start wrestling at both 160 and170 pounds.

Sophomore Cody Thompson alsois helping out the Titans at heavy-

weight where he is 8-4 early in theseason.

Freshman Alex Hoffman andTyler Hoffman are giving the teamsome early victories.

Alex Hoffman is 8-1, wrestling at113 and 120 pounds this season.

Tyler Hoffman is 8-6 wrestling at138 and 145 pounds.

Hunter Brown is wrestling at 152pounds this season while sopho-more Kyle Long has wrestled atboth 195 and 220.

Kevin Smith is the only other sen-ior on the team, wrestling at 182pounds.

Other wrestlers are sophomoreKody Fergeson (160), and fresh-man Sam George (126).



The 2012-13 Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire Wrestling Team includes, front from left, Ty Gibson, Tyler Hoffman, Sam George,Austin Thompson, Alex Hoffman, Hunter Brown, Matt McGrauth; back row: assistant coach Jeff Naig, Kevin Smith, CodyThompson, Kyle Long, Kodi Ferguson, head coach Michael Jensen. Not pictured is assistant coach Doug Hoffman.

Photo courtesy Jay Schoning, Ruthven ZipcodeNov. 29 Spencer (9-69)Nov. 29 Okoboji (27-48)Dec. 1 @ Okoboji TournamentDec. 4 Emmetsburg (18-59)Dec. 4 Sibley-Ocheyedan (18-54)Dec. 6 Pocahontas (27-48)Dec. 6 Prairie Valley (30-51)Dec. 6 S. Central Calhoun (6-75)Dec. 8 @Sibley-Ocheyedan InviteDec. 11 Alta-Aurelia (30-39)Dec. 11 Laurens-Marathon (40-42)Dec. 11 West Bend-Mallard (42-12Dec. 15 @West Hancock TntDec. 18 Spirit Lake/Sioux CenterJan. 5 @GTRA InvitationalJan. 10 @East Sac County w/AltaJan. 12 @ Laurens-Marathon TntJan. 18-19 @BCIG TournamentJan. 22 @Garner w/Manson NWJan. 26 @ Conf. (Laurens)Feb. 2 @Sectionals (Manson)Feb. 9 @District (Okoboji)Feb. 14-16 State Tournament

SCHEDULE:

GT/RA SHORT ON NUMBERS, BUT STRONG ON DESIRE

GT/RA Coach Michael Jensen

Senior will seek thirdstraight state title


SPIRIT LAKE — The SpiritLake wrestling team will be hardpressed to repeat the success of ayear ago in the 2012-13 season.

However the Indians, ranked10th in Class 2A to start the sea-son, still will give teams a goodbattle this season.

Spirit Lake’s top returningwrestler is senior Doug Miner.

After winning consecutive statetitles at 106 pounds the past twoseason, Miner is the top-rankedwrestler at 120 pounds this year.

After 50 straight wins a yearago, Miner is starting the 2012-13 season with a 13-1 mark.However his one loss came at thehands of a North Dakotawrestler.

Another returning state qualifi-er from a year ago is ZachSkopec. The junior is rankedfourth at 138 pounds and is 14-0

with many wins at 145 pounds.Look for him to settle at 138pounds as the season progresses.

At 152 pounds, senior DavidTrucksess is ranked sixth inClass 2A. He’s off to an 11-2start with both losses by decisionto Minnesota wrestlers.

Kenten Murray is a junior off toa fast start and should see time at145 pounds as Skopec drops to138.

At 106 pounds, freshman GateRoberts is off to a 4-7 record.

Another freshman, John O’Neal,has wrestled at both 106 and 113pounds this season.

Sophomore Ben Parks has seentime at 126 and 132 pounds.

Another freshman, EthanBergendahl has helped out at 138pounds.

At 160 pounds is seniorHayden Wilson with juniorJavier Tapia at 170 pounds.

Junior Jacob Jenness (182),senior Brady Mart (195), CodyWernimont (195, 220) all have

helped fill in the varsity lineup.Senior Cody Norton is at

heavyweight and off to a 9-3start this season.

The Indians will battle Class2A No. 5 Spencer and Class 1ANo. 3 Emmetsburg for the topspot in the Lakes Conference.

Spirit Lake has opened the con-ference season with a 4-0 recordwith wins over WesternChristian/Unity Christian,Estherville Lincoln Central,Cherokee and LeMars.


SPIRIT LAKE PARK INDIANS

MINERLEADS SLPINTO SEASON

The 2012-13 Spirit Lake Wrestling Team includes, front from left, Keaton Leach, Justin Jones, Hayden Wilson, Boston Swan, GageRoberts, Doug Miner, Cody Clipperton, John OʼNeal, Ben Parks; middle row: Andrew Carr, Blake Mart, Rodney Phifer, ZachSkopec, Kenten Murray, David Trucksess, Rick Maris, Javier Tapia, Chris McQuire, Trenten Murray; back row: Ethan Bergendahl,Alec Harrington, Brady Mart, Cody Norton, Jacob Jenness, Mat Carr, Cody Wernimont, Trevor Bueltel.

Photo courtesy Lifetouch

Nov. 29 Sheldon (33-36)Nov. 29 Central Lyon/GLR (51-24)Dec. 1 @ Okoboji TournamentDec. 6 Western Christian (48-30)Dec. 6 ELC (60-18)Dec. 8 @JCC TournamentDec. 13 Cherokee (48-36)Dec. 13 LeMars (54-30)Dec. 14-15 @Minn. TourneyDec. 18 @GTRA w/Sioux CenterJan. 3 @E’burg w/Storm LakeJan. 4 Spirit Lake QuadJan. 12 @ ELC TournamentJan. 17 @ SpencerJan. 18-19 @BCIG TournamentJan. 24 @OkobojiJan. 25 @Lakes Conf. (Spencer)Feb. 2 @Sectionals (Cherokee)Feb. 9 @District (Spencer)Feb. 14-16 State Tournament

SCHEDULE:

10 N. 7th Street, Estherville, IA • 362-2622


SPIRIT LAKE ¬- Spirit Lake,ranked fourth in Class 3A, shouldhave another successful season in2012-13.

The Indians return KJ Veldman,the state's leading scorer from ayear ago at 23 points per game.

Through six games the new sea-son, she is averaging 20.3 pointper contest. She started the year bysetting the school record in careerpoints.

But she'll need some help forSpirit Lake to make a run at state

and to finish high in the LakesConference.

Returning Class 2A state cham-pion Western Christian returns itsentire lineup and Class 3A No. 3Estherville Lincoln Central has sixseniors from its state playoff teamof a year ago.

The Indians graduated threeplayers from last year’s teamincluding starters WhitneyBerkland and Cara Vale alongwith reserve Emily Mercer.Berkland and Vale were theteam’s third and fourth-leading

scorers, respectively.However returning with

Veldman this year is fellow seniorAlissa Christoffer. The 5-6 seniorwas second on the team in scoringa year ago averaging 7.7 pointsper contest. She made 34-of-1153-pointers a year ago.

While Christoffer is still provid-ing a boost for the Indians’offense, averaging 9 points pergame through the first six games,newcomer Emma Dau is theteam’s second-leading scorer.

The 5-10 sophomore is averag-

ing 9.8 points per contest.Senior Kendra Stokke also

returns to the starting lineup. The5-10 sophomore will be calledupon to help defensively in thepost.

Also returning on the varsity is5-10 junior Bailey Loveall, who issecond on the team in reboundingbehind Veldman with 35 boardsthis year. Dau is third with 32 fol-lowed by Stokke with 23.

Veldman also leads the team inassists with 19 and steals with 24.Dau isn’t far behind with 12

assists and 22 steals whileChristoffer has 14 assists and 12steals.

Breaking into the starting lineupis 5-8 junior Jessi Kabele. She isaveraging 4.3 points per contest.

Juniors Abbey Horsman andCarter Hassel provide depth in thebackcourt.

Rounding out the roster is juniorCaitlin Eckerman, sophomoresKatie Brevik and Carly Ites andfreshmen Bailey Newman, JoieVeldman and Mackenzie Thate.


SPIRIT LAKE INDIANS

The 2012-13 Spirit Lake Girls Basketball Team includes, front from left, Caitlin Eckerman, Carte Hassel, K.J. Veldman, AlissaChristoffer, Abbey Horsman, Katy Brevik; back: assistant coach Scott Chambers, assistant coach Ryan Friedrich, Bailee Newman,Mackenzie Thate, Bailey Loveall, Emma Dau, Carly Ites, Jessie Kabele, Joie Veldman and head coach Rick Reinking.


Nov. 19 H-LP (69-25)Nov. 24 Bishop Heelan (47-67)Nov. 27 Hinton (59-45)Dec. 1 Jackson CC (75-53)Dec. 4 LeMars (64-35)Dec. 7 Storm Lake (58-15)Dec. 11 Cherokee (57-42)Dec. 14 Western Christian (57-35)Dec. 17 Harris-Lake ParkDec. 21 @ ELCJan. 8 @EmmetsburgJan. 11 @SpencerJan. 12 @OkobojiJan. 15 @LeMarsJan. 18 Storm LakeJan. 19 @Sibley-OcheyedanJan. 22 CherokeeJan. 25 Western ChristianJan. 29 ELCFeb. 1 EmmetsburgFeb. 4 @Worhtington, MNFeb. 5 Spencer

SCHEDULE:

Veldmanleads SpiritLake for onemore season

2720 17th St. Spirit Lake, IA800-388-1500 712-336-1500

www.okobojigmtoyota.com



712-362-2411

SIMMONSACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICE

808 18th St. • Spirit Lake, IA

712-336-4280


SPIRIT LAKE — Whether asuccessful football season lendsitself to a successful basketballseason remains to be seen forSpirit Lake.

But the Indians return enoughtalent to be competitive mostnights.

Spirit Lake is coming off a 14-8record from a year ago and 9-5 inthe Lakes Conference. In confer-ence, that translates to two losseseach to Western Christian andLeMars and one to Emmetsburg.

The Indians will be hard-pressedto equal that success in conferenceplay with Spencer leaping back into challenge for a top spot.

Spirit Lake lost seven seniors tograduation—Zubeen Azari, WesBergquist, Keith Byers, Alex Dau,Kevin Martinson, Adam Dau andSawyer Harms. Harms, Bergquistand the Dau brothers provided thebulk of the scoring.

The top returning scorer for theIndians is senior guard Paul

Brown. Brown averaged 9.7points a year ago and led the teamin assists with 59.

Brown is averaging 11.4 pointsper game through the first fivegames of the season as the Indiansare off to a 3-2 start. The two loss-es are to conference foes LeMarsand Storm Lake.

While Brown is against theteam’s leading assist man with 25already this season, he is not theteam’s leading scorer. Six-foot-

one sophomore Alec Henricksonholds that honor, scoring 17.2points per clip.

Others who have been in thestarting lineup this year are TylerAlger, Alex Pringnitz, ZachHarneson, Trevor Smith, SamHarms and Cole Thate.

Alger, a 6-3 junior, is third onthe team in scoring at 7.2 pointsper contest while Pringnitz is theteam’s leading rebounder with 34boards. The 6-3 sophomore is

averaging 5.8 points per game.Harms, a 6-3 junior, is second onthe team in rebounds with 21.

Arneson, a 6-3 senior, is averag-ing 4.3 points per game. The teamhas just one other senior, 6-1 JDMitchell.

Other varsity members are AustinFolsom, a 5-8 sophomore, TrevorSmith, a 6-2 sophomore, TrevorJensen, a 6-1 sophomore, CalebJennings a 6-1 sophomore andBlake Enderson, a 6-2 sophomore.


SPIRIT LAKE INDIANS

INDIANS TOFIELD YOUNGSQUAD The 2012-13 Spirit Lake Boys Basketball Team includes, front from left, J.D. Mitchell, Caleb Jennings, Austin Folsom, Alec

Henrickson, Cole Thate, Trevor Smith, Paul Brown: back row: head coach Nate Loenser, assistant coach Lucas Doxtad, AlexPringnitz, Sam Harms, Tyler Alger, Zach Arneson, Trevor Jensen, assistant coach Nathan Hoagland and assistant coach KaseyHuebner.


Nov. 27 Hinton (67-32)Dec. 1 Valley Lutheran (53-22)Dec. 4 LeMars (44-68)Dec. 7 Storm Lake (35-54)Dec. 11 Cherokee (57-28)Dec. 14 Western Christian (39-51Dec. 15 CWL (63-39)Dec. 17 Harris-Lake ParkDec. 21 @ ELCJan. 5 @West SiouxJan. 8 @EmmetsburgJan. 11 @SpencerJan. 12 @OkobojiJan. 15 @LeMarsJan. 18 Storm LakeJan. 19 @Sibley-OcheyedanJan. 22 CherokeeJan. 25 Western ChristianJan. 29 ELCFeb. 1 EmmetsburgFeb. 5 Spencer

SCHEDULE:

10 N. 7th Street, Estherville, IA • 362-2622


Documents

Winter Sports 2012-13