Sports

Sioux Central appears poised to improve on last year’s 17-18 record as six regular players return this season.

The Rebels bring back setters Bailey McGuire and Nicole Scharn, libero Jessica Johnson, outside hitter Erin Rachuy and middle hitters Nicole Hamilton and Gloria Jensen. Hamilton is the team’s returning hitter with 208 kills last season. She also had 238 digs and 52 blocks. McGuire had 379 set assists and 274 digs. Rachuy charted 163 kills and 233 digs last year, while Scharn netted 181 set assets and Johnson 142 digs.

Ridge View has made back-to-back playoff appearances, and this season, the Raptors will be looking to make it three in a row.

Ridge VIew finished 4-6 last year and fourth in its district. The Raptors return several of its key players from that team, including quarterback Ryan Garthoff, running back Matt Wandrey, wide receiver John Kofmehl, tight end Michael Tiefenthaler and linemen Mason Johnson, Lucas Hansen, Drew Van Zweden.

The fall sports season kicked off for Storm Lake and other area teams with the first official day of football practice on Monday. Running backs went through a drill designed to protect the ball.

The volleyball season got under way for Storm Lake and area teams on Monday with the first official day of practice. Storm Lake’s Madison Gaffney works on bumping the ball during a practice session on Monday morning. The Tornadoes open the season Sept. 3 at Pocahontas Area.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend.

The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff.

For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.

NORTHWEST

Tornado senior chosen to third team in 3A

The Iowa Newspaper Association announced its all-state baseball selections Tuesday, selecting first, second and third teams and team captains for classes 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A.

Only one area player was selected to the INA all-state teams. Storm Lake shortstop Aaron Krier was chosen to the third team in Class 3A as an infielder.

It has been a great season of baseball, which ended with a gold medal at the Iowa Games for a Storm Lake tournament team.

The team was made up of a variety of boys who were able to play depending on availability or different factors for each tournament.

“We have a lot of great, talented boys in the area who love the game,” coach Craig Engelke said. “They represented Storm Lake well by showing great sportsmanship and camaraderie. They put in a lot of long, hot weekends at tournaments and weekly practices.”

The Nite Bite Catfish Tournament was held in Storm Lake on July 27 with 37 fishermen participating.

The tournament will become an annual event, according to Josh Schwartz of Gone Fish’n.

Lee Anderson of Alta took first with a nine-pound, 12-ounce catfish. Dan Baker of Aurelia was second with a six-pound channel catfish.

Rene Lopez placed third with a four-pound, seven-ounce channel catfish. Mike Wernerberg of Schaller placed fourth with a four-pound, six-ounce channel catfish.

Justin Anderson of Alta took fifth with a three-pound, three-ounce channel catfish.

Members of the Storm Lake High School wrestling team participated in the Luther College Team Wrestling Camp, which was held recently in Decorah.

The camp, directed by Luther head wrestling coach Dave Mitchell, has grown into one of the largest and most recognized camp in the Midwest.

More than 1,000 athletes participated this year, representing nearly 70 teams from seven states.

Recent clinicians have included several Olympian, NCAA champion and All-American wrestlers, including Cale Sanderson, Brandon Slay and Brent Metcalf.

Alta-Aurelia’s Rohwer named to second team

Eight area prep softball players were honored by being selected to the Iowa Girls Coaches Association all-state softball team, it was released.

Two area players were named to the first team as Newell-Fonda’s Renee Maneman was chosen in Class 1A and Ridge View’s Dana Hustedt was picked in Class 2A.