July 2014 – Page 60 – North Platte Post Archive

62 Huskers Named Big Ten Distinguished Scholars

Posted on July 9, 2014

A total of 62 Nebraska student-athletes across all sports earned recognition as Big Ten Distinguished Scholars during the 2013-14 academic year, including 14 Huskers who posted perfect 4.0 grade-point averages.

The Husker honor winners were among 684 student-athletes across the Big Ten’s 12 participating schools in 2013-14 to earn the prestigious academic award, including 101 with perfect 4.0 GPAs. The award requires a 3.7 GPA or better for the academic year (excluding summer school). The student-athletes must also be in at least their second academic year at the institution and letterwinners in their sports.

Coach Gary Pepin’s track and field program was honored with 21 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars across the men’s and women’s sports. A total of 11 student-athletes from the women’s side, including five with 4.0 GPAs were joined by 10 Husker men, including a pair with 4.0 GPAs for the track and field team.

Coach John Walker’s Big Ten champion women’s soccer team added a strong contingent of seven Big Ten Distinguished Scholars, while Coach Pablo Morales’ swimming and diving program contributed seven more.

Big Ten Faculty Representatives established the Distinguished Scholar Award in 2008 to supplement the Academic All-Big Ten program.

Nebraska’s Big Ten Distinguished Scholars (2013-14)

(Bold indicates 4.0 GPA during academic year; Class year listed is athletic eligibility in 2013-14)

Blake Headley (Baseball), Jr., Criminology & Criminal Justice, Omaha, Neb.
Trevor Menke (Men’s Basketball), Jr., Social Science Education, Beatrice, Neb.
Jordan Hooper (Women’s Basketball), Sr., Psychology, Alliance, Neb.
Sadie Murren (Women’s Basketball), So., Business Administration, Colon, Neb.
Isabel Andrade (Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field), Sr., Elementary Education, Petaluma, Calif.
Tyler Evans (Football), Jr., Biological Sciences/Psychology, Waverly, Neb.
Lane Hovey (Football), RFr., Business Administration, Adel, Iowa
Brent Qvale (Football), Sr., Nutrition, Exercise and Health Science/Applied Science, Williston, N.D.
Ryan Grassel (Men’s Golf), Sr., Economics/Global Studies/Political Science, Chesterton, Ind.
Josh Reinertson (Men’s Golf), Jr., Business Administration, Gibbon, Neb.
Steffi Neisen (Women’s Golf), Sr., Social Science Education/Coaching, New Prague, Minn.
Ryan Irick (Men’s Gymnastics), So., Nutrition Science, Wichita, Kan.
Ethan Lottman (Men’s Gymnastics), So., Art, Omaha, Neb.
Eric Schryver (Men’s Gymnastics), Sr., Nutrition Science, Richardson, Texas
Amanda Lauer (Women’s Gymnastics), Jr., Nutrition Science, Sioux City, Iowa
Jennifer Lauer (Women’s Gymnastics), Jr., Nutrition Science, Sioux City, Iowa
Emily Wong (Women’s Gymnastics), Sr., Nutrition Science, Grand Forks, N.D.
Sunny Russell (Rifle), Sr., Child, Youth & Family Studies, Stratford, Texas
Stacy Bartels (Soccer), Sr., Elementary Education, Omaha, Neb.
Alyssa Flannery (Soccer), So., Child, Youth & Family Studies, Omaha, Neb.
Caroline Flynn (Soccer), So., Communication Studies, Lincoln, Neb.
Karlee Gansebom (Soccer), RFr., Pre-Nursing, Bennington, Neb.
Kylie Greischar (Soccer), Sr., Communication Studies, Overland Park, Kan.
Maritza Hayes (Soccer), Sr., Psychology/Advertising & Public Relations, O’Fallon, Mo.
Katie Kraeutner (Soccer), So., Nutrition, Exercise & Health Science, North Saanich, B.C.
Mattie Fowler (Softball), Jr., Finance, Tucson, Ariz.
Cecilia Hall (Volleyball), So., Biochemistry, Linkoping, Sweden
Michaela Cunningham (Swimming & Diving), So., Biological Sciences/Mathematics, Severna Park, Md.
Shannon Guy (Swimming & Diving), Sr., Psychology, Omaha, Neb.
Samantha Hardewig (Swimming & Diving), So., Art, Cincinnati, Ohio
Ciara Jenkins (Swimming & Diving), Jr., Elementary Education & Mild/Moderate K-6, Mesa, Ariz.
Rebekah Land (Swimming & Diving), Jr., Communication Studies, Hannibal, Mo.
Bailey Pons (Swimming & Diving), Sr., Geology/English, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Kristin Strecker (Swimming & Diving), Sr., Biological Sciences, Topeka, Kan.
Scott Elsass (Men’s Tennis), So., Finance, Eden Prairie, Minn.
Chris Schindler (Men’s Tennis), RFr., Business Administration/Economics, Frankfurt, Germany
Brandon Videtich (Men’s Tennis), Sr., Business Administration, Lincoln, Neb.
Bradford Zitsch (Men’s Tennis), So., Agronomy, Columbia, Mo.
Maggy Lehmicke (Women’s Tennis), So., Journalism, Kirkland, Wash.
Maike Zeppernick (Women’s Tennis), Sr., Economics, Hamburg, Germany
Nolan Border (Men’s Track & Field), So., Nutrition Science, Lincoln, Neb.
Travis Englund (Men’s Track & Field), Sr., Psychology, Grand Island, Neb.
Guy Fenske (Men’s Track & Field), RFr., Nutrition, Exercise & Health Science, Sargent, Neb.
Levi Gipson (Men’s Track & Field), So., Nutrition, Exercise & Health Science, Lincoln, Neb.
Jacob Griess (Men’s Track & Field), Jr., Psychology, Grand Island, Neb.
Mark Hilderbrand (Men’s Track & Field), Jr., Agricultural Engineering, Gothenburg, Neb.
Sean Pille (Men’s Track & Field), So., Elementary Education, Oakland, Neb.
Patrick Raedler (Men’s Track & Field), Sr., Biochemistry, Baiersbronn-Obertal, Germany
Cody Rush (Men’s Track & Field), So., Nutrition Science, Grand Island, Neb.
John Welk (Men’s Track & Field), Jr., Nutrition Science, Bismark, N.D.
Melanie Blum (Women’s Track & Field), RFr., Forensic Science, Wahoo, Neb.
Ellie Grooters (Women’s Track & Field), Sr., Speech-Language Pathology, Fargo, N.D.
Mary Lloyd (Women’s Track & Field), Sr., Hospitality, Restaurant & Tourism Management, San Diego, Calif.
Maggie Malone (Women’s Track & Field), So., Business Administration/Management, Geneva, Neb.
Anne Martin (Women’s Track & Field), Sr., Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education, Waverly, Neb.
Anna Minnick (Women’s Track & Field), Sr., Art Education K-12, Omaha, Neb.
Carlie Pinkelman (Women’s Track & Field), Jr., Elementary Education, Cozad, Neb.
Jillanna Scanlan (Women’s Track & Field), Sr., Communication Studies, Plattsmouth, Neb.
Tristen Sharp (Women’s Track & Field), So., Special Education, South Sioux City, Neb.
Lauren Welch (Women’s Track & Field), Jr., Animal Science, Papillion, Neb.
Eric Coufal (Wrestling), So., Agribusiness, Howells, Neb.
Tim Lambert (Wrestling), So., Environmental Restoration Science, Forest Hills, Mich.

Cozad Mobile Home Victim Identified

Posted on July 9, 2014July 9, 2014

COZAD, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a 45-year-old man whose body was found inside a Cozad mobile home that was heavily damaged by a fire.

On Wednesday Cozad Police Chief Randy Adams identified the man as Fred Waltermire. Adams says the mother of a 9-year-old girl who was pulled from the burning home early Tuesday morning said her daughter was in critical condition at an Omaha hospital.

Two people who tried to rescue Waltermire and the girl were treated for smoke inhalation.

The fire’s cause is being investigated.

Farmers Lost $9.7M in Failed Neb. Grain Elevator

Posted on July 9, 2014

PIERCE, Neb. (AP) — More than 200 Nebraska farmers say they lost $9.7 million when the Pierce grain elevator failed earlier this year, and regulators say many of them won’t recover much.

Officials with the state Public Service Commission say they expect to raise $4.7 million from selling the grain the elevator held when it closed. The business also had $880,000 in bonds that will help pay claims.

But the amount of compensation farmers receive will vary based on their situation.

John Fecht, who oversees the commission’s Grain Warehouse Division, says farmers who can prove they were storing grain at the elevator will get most, if not all, their money back.

Farmers who sold $4.2 million in grain to the elevator will be lucky to receive 10 cents on every dollar they are owed.

The First Nationals Earn the No. 2 Seed in the A-7 District, will Host

Posted on July 9, 2014July 9, 2014

The North Platte First Nationals have earned the No. 2 seed for the A-7 district tournament and will host the tournament at Bill Wood Field July 18-22.

North Platte currently has a 26-17 record on the year and will play third-seeded Hastings. Scottsbluff earned the No. 1 seed for the tournament and has a first round bye. Kearney is the No. 4 seed and will play fifth-seeded Lexington for the right to play Scottsbluff.

The tournament begins Friday, July 18 with No. 5 Lexington Pinnacle Bank playing No. 4 Kearney Runza at 4:00 pm at Bill Wood Field. The second-seeded North Platte First Nationals will then play No. 3 Hastings at 7:00 pm that night.

It is a double elimination tournament that culminates on Tuesday, July 22 with a 4:00 pm championship game.

The First Nationals are 0-2 this season against Hastings. The two teams played a doubleheader in Hastings on June 10 and Hastings won 6-1 and 8-4.

North Platte’s record against the rest of the teams in the tournament are as follows:

2-2 vs. Scottsbluff- Lost at Scottsbluff 7-0 and 11-10; won in North Platte 12-4 and 10-1.

1-1 vs. Kearney- Won in North Platte 6-5; lost in Kearney 7-0.

1-0 vs. Lexington- Won in North Platte 9-0.

The cost of admission will be $6 for adults, $3 for students and veterans get in free.

The bracket can be seen below.

Larger version of the bracket: A-7 District Tournament Bracket

Nebraska Man Dies in Ultralight Plane Crash Near Ansley

Posted on July 9, 2014

ANSLEY, Neb. (AP) — A central Nebraska man has died from injuries he received in the crash of an ultralight aircraft.

The Custer County Sheriff’s office says the crash happened just before 8 a.m. Tuesday on private property south of Ansley.

The sheriff’s office says 61-year-old Wayne Palmer, of rural Ansley, was piloting of the aircraft when it crashed. Palmer was critically injured and later died. A passenger, Charles Roberts of Osceola, was not injured in the crash.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.

NCAA’s Emmert Calls for ‘Scholarships for Life’

Posted on July 9, 2014

WASHINGTON (AP) — NCAA President Mark Emmert says college athletes should receive “scholarships for life.”

Emmert also told a Senate panel Wednesday that scholarships should also cover full cost of attending college, not just the basics.

Emmert listed seven changes he favors in testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee. He said he hopes some will come about if Division I schools decide to remake their decision-making structure in the coming weeks.

The hearing comes as the NCAA faces pressure from multiple fronts to reform how athletes are treated and compensated.

Emmert said he feels college sports “works extremely well for the vast majority” and the overall current model of amateurism should be preserved.

White House Outlines 2014 Drug Control Policy

Posted on July 9, 2014

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — The Obama administration is unveiling a 2014 drug control policy with a focus on promoting drug treatment programs, as well as stemming heroin use and prescription painkillers abuse.

The White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy’s acting director Michael Botticelli outlined the administration’s blueprint for limiting drug abuse Wednesday at a drug treatment facility in Roanoke, Virginia.

Botticelli said the policy will continue to push for expanded health interventions and “smart on crime” alternatives proven to reduce drug use.

The strategy also calls for an enhanced focus on preventing overdoses from opioids, which include heroin and prescription painkillers. In March, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder called the increase in heroin-related deaths an urgent health crisis and said first responders should carry Narcan, an overdose reversal drug, with them.

Soccer Player Charged with Murder in Ref’s Death

Posted on July 9, 2014

DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit-area soccer player accused of killing a referee with a punch to his neck has been charged with second-degree murder.

Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy announced the charge Wednesday against 36-year-old Baseel Abdul-Amir Saad of Dearborn. He was previously charged with assault.

John Bieniewicz died last week from injuries sustained June 29 when he was hit while working as a referee at a men’s soccer game in Livonia. Saad is accused of striking the 44-year-old when the referee planned to eject him.

A message seeking comment was left for Saad’s attorney.

Teen Fatally Injured Chasing iPhone Thief

Posted on July 9, 2014

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say a 15-year-old Southern California girl was fatally injured after jumping onto the speeding car of a robber who snatched her iPhone.

Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna says Rubi Rubio briefly held onto the trunk of the car before falling off and hitting her head last Thursday in Santa Ana.

Rubio died from her injuries on Saturday while surrounded by her family at a hospital.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help in finding the robber.

Police say the man forcibly took the phone from the teen while she was walking her 7-year-old sister home from school. He ran to the car, which was driven by another person, with Rubio giving chase.

Bertagna described the vehicle as a light gray or silver Pontiac.

Man Takes Plea Deal in Shooting of Hastings Boy

Posted on July 9, 2014

HASTINGS, Neb.— A 31-year-old Hastings man has taken a deal and pleaded guilty to a charge related to the shooting death of his girlfriend’s 4-year-old son.

Amanda Pecor’s 9-year-old son has been charged with manslaughter, accused of using a .22-caliber rifle to fatally wound his little brother.

Matthew Edwards made his plea Tuesday in Adams County District Court to negligent child abuse resulting in serious injury, a lesser charge than the original one: negligent child abuse resulting in death. His sentencing is set for Sept. 22.

A hearing for the boy’s mother was postponed to Sept. 8.