Sports

For the past few years, St. Mary’s Activities Director Alex Schwing has been aiming to take over as a coach in addition to teaching, along with his duties as AD. This year, Schwing takes over the Panther baseball program, a year earlier than he intended. His journey to this point has seen him jump around before settling down with St. Mary’s...

Last week, the decision to greenlight summer sports was made by Gov. Kim Reynolds, the Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. This led to numerous activities directors scrambling to get the summer sports season set up and ready in a short amount of time. Local ADs weighed in on what they’ve had to do through this process and how they want to keep everyone involved safe...

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced Wednesday that summer athletic seasons may be conducted for high school baseball and softball following a two-month activities suspension due to COVID-19. The announcement approved the reopening of school facilities and the start of practices for Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and Iowa High School Athletic Association sanctioned summer sports starting on Monday, June 1. ...

Storm Lake senior Elijah Santellan had dreams this year to get the Tornado soccer team back to the state tournament and possibly even bring home the championship. However, those dreams were halted due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic, but his soccer career will live on. Santellan signed on to play for the Beavers of Buena Vista University starting this fall...

The Storm Lake boys head swimming coach position is open again. Middle School Assistant Principal Jaymie Bral had stepped in to fill the position for one season after the retirement of the previous coach, and as planned, has resigned. The school board will now attempt to locate a permanent coach to begin next season...

The first day of July cannot get here soon enough for Storm Lake’s Jay Anderson. He begins his new job on July 1 as the new activities director for the Tornadoes, replacing the retiring Ty Seaman. Anderson, a native of St. Charles, south of Des Moines, was a three sport athlete in high school, participating in baseball, basketball and football. He recalled reaching state in basketball his junior year in 1990 and being part of some good baseball teams...

Storm Lake elementary teacher and coach Nathan Reitcher has waited for a chance to become a head coach of a program. He got his wish as he was recently named the new Storm Lake girls varsity basketball head coach, and has high hopes of rebuilding the program under his watchful eye...

Storm Lake senior Fletcher Kucera’s last year in school has seen the turmoil of the COVID-19 virus pandemic take him away from his friends and the ability to partake in some school activities. Kucera, who had Tommy John surgery in February, will not be able to take part in this year’s baseball season, but signed to play for Buena Vista University next year...

The date of July 1 might not mean a whole lot to anyone else, but it is a big day Storm Lake Activities Director Ty Seaman. On that day, Seaman’s 27 years of service in the Storm Lake Community School District will come to an end as he will retire. Seaman, originally from Emmetsburg, has spent the last eight years as the activities director for Storm Lake and was previously the head wrestling coach. His road to teaching and being a leader for Storm Lake schools actually began in Storm Lake...

The idea of playing a sport in college appeals to most high school athletes. When they are very lucky, and good, they are gifted with the chance of taking part in two sports. Storm Lake senior Skylar Cole signed with Buena Vista University to take part in not only volleyball but also the track and field program...

Megan Morenz made one of the most famous shots in the long and storied history of Newell-Fonda High School basketball. Her shot, a running bank shot from about 10 feet, capped a furious rally by the Mustangs as they clipped Bishop Garrigan High School, 65-63, in the Class 1A girls’ state title game a couple of months ago. It ended Newell-Fonda’s second straight undefeated state title campaign...

Finding a job after graduation may have been the most important consideration Andrew Boell had in selecting a college. It’s what he thought about as an 18-year-old graduate of Carroll High School in 2016. As a Buena Vista University senior this spring, Boell has completed five job applications. He’s secured five interviews and has, to date, earned a pair of job offers...

Alta-Aurelia alum Abby Kraemer was enjoying her freshman year at Dordt College and was excelling on the softball field before the cancellation of the season. Kraemer, an animal science major, is one of the millions of college students who have seen their year interrupted by the COVID-19 virus...

Newell-Fonda alum Erin Gerke, has taken a bit of a winding road to find her perfect spot to grow as a student and as an athlete. It took Gerke a couple of times get to the right school, but the Newell native has found her spot at Buena Vista University...

Newell-Fonda alum Olivia Larsen is currently in the midst of her freshman year at Morningside College in Sioux City. The former Mustang standout has not only been learning on the court but also in the classroom, and having to deal with now having to learn from her home in Fonda...

A quadricep strain ended the junior season of Buena Vista University track and cross country athlete Zach Kenny last year. This year, Kenny suffered a similar shortened spring fate. The cancellation of the track and field season, Kenny’s last chance to take part in BVU athletics, brings his career to a close through no fault of his own...

Buena Vista University senior Emily Hoesing, a Sioux City native, always wanted to run for a track and field team, but through most of her time in high school, she was unable too. However, once she arrived at BVU, Hoesing made the long run to the Beaver track and field team and tried to make her mark in the distance events...

Jack Evans sank a 13-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to claim the 2020 Lake Creek Amateur title played at Buena Vista University Golf Creek at Lake Creek on Sunday. Evans, who returned to the 18th tee after finishing the 2-day tournament at even par and knotted in a tie with competitors John Spellerberg and Jonny Douglas, drove a 4-iron to the center of the fairway. ...

Community Education is partnering with BVU Men’s Head Golf Coach Joe Powell and Storm Lake High School boy’s head golf coach Andrew Zinn to offer Jr Golf. Jr Golf will consist of 4 skills sessions July 2, 9, 16 and 23 with instruction provided by Joe Powell and Andrew Zinn. There will also be four play dates July 6, 13, 20 and 27. Participants will need to provide their own clubs. Parent volunteers are also welcome and encouraged to assist...

With the world in lockdown, the athletes of Ironman have been keeping busy with working out and training despite no events. This gave Ironman the idea to hold virtual events. Storm Lake’s resident Ironman, Matt Hanson, was able to take part in a virtual race on Sunday, April 26 against other Iroman athletes...

Storm Lake’s resident Ironman Matt Hanson was able to get back to action last month following an injury suffered last year. However, thanks to the COVID-19 virus pandemic, Hanson has found himself back on the sidelines as he waits for the Ironman competitions to continue...

Despite the inability to go to a gym or play basketball in the park with a group of friends, people can run to remain in shape, and get much-needed exercise while isolated. Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Fitness Center Manager Evan Franzmeier has some tips on how to start a new regime of running and even preparing for a 5k race...

In order to protect communities amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the annual Buena Vista University Athletic Fundraiser, scheduled for Saturday, April 4, will be postponed. BVU will determine a future date and share information for the event as soon as possible...