Press Release – North Platte Post Archive

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — Will Hanafan’s two-run single capped Creighton’s seven-run ninth inning and the No. 2 seed Bluejays beat Michigan 11-7 to avoid elimination in the NCAA Tournament’s Corvallis regional. The teams play again Monday, with the winner advancing to a super regional against the winner of the Los Angeles regional, national No. 1 seed UCLA or Loyola Marymount.

UNDATED (AP) — Florida State dominated all three games in its NCAA regional and extended coach Mike Martin’s final season at least one more week. The Seminoles became the first team to advance to the super regionals by beating No. 4 national seed Georgia 10-1. The Bulldogs and No. 3 Georgia Tech are the highest national seeds eliminated so far.

NEW YORK (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles lead off the Major League Baseball Draft for the first time in 30 years and Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman is a heavy favorite to be selected No. 1 on Monday night. Texas high school shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., the son of former major league pitcher Bobby Witt; Cal first baseman Andrew Vaughn; Vanderbilt outfielder JJ Bleday; and Georgia high school shortstop CJ Abrams are also possibilities to have their names called early.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Clay Dungan hit a two-run single in a four-run sixth inning, and the Indiana State Sycamores stayed alive by eliminating Ohio State with a 10-5 victory in the Nashville Regional. The No. 2 seeded Sycamores will try to avoid elimination again when they play Vanderbilt, the No. 2 seed overall nationally. Ohio State, the Big Ten Tournament champs, led 3-2 after the first and were up 4-2 through three.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Michael Woodworth went 5 for 7 to lead a Connecticut offense that collected a season-high 22 hits and the Huskies advanced to the NCAA Oklahoma City regional final with a 16-1 win over Nebraska in an elimination game. Colby Dunlop allowed five singles and one run in an efficient, career-long eight innings. The Huskies would need to beat Oklahoma State on Sunday night and again Monday to return to super regionals for the first time since 2011.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Alex Binelas had four RBI including a two-run homer, and Michael Kirian recorded the final strike in a tense ninth inning as top-seeded Louisville survived rival Indiana 9-7 in an NCAA Tournament elimination game. Binelas’ third-inning drive to center to made it 6-0 and followed with an RBI double in a two-run seventh for a critical 9-4 cushion as the Hoosiers scored twice in the ninth. Kirian relieved Michael McAvene after an ejection and struck out Ryan Fineman to end the game.

Big Ten news 5/30

Posted on May 30, 2019

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota scoring leader Amir Coffey will skip his senior season and stay in the NBA draft pool. Coffey’s agent, Javon Phillips, confirmed the decision at the deadline for players to withdraw from the draft and return to their schools. The 6-foot-8 Coffey was the primary point guard for the Gophers after playing on the wing his first two years. He averaged 16.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists as a junior in 2018-19 and was a third team All-Big Ten selection.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Maryland guard Anthony Cowan Jr. will return for his senior season after entering his name in the NBA draft. Cowan led the Terrapins in scoring last season and is a three-year starter. A second-team All-Big Ten selection last year, Cowan averaged 15.6 points and 4.4 assists and helped Maryland reach the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Penn State basketball transfer Rasir Bolton has signed with Iowa State. The Cyclones announced that Bolton, who averaged 11.6 points a game as a freshman last season, will join the team this summer. Bolton will have three years of eligibility with the Cyclones, and he might even apply for a waiver to play next season for Iowa State instead of sitting it out per NCAA rules.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Minnesota broke through to reach the Women’s College World Series for the first time in school history this season. The Golden Gophers will play UCLA on Thursday. In other opening day matchups, No. 1 seed Oklahoma will play Alabama, Oklahoma State will play Florida State, and Washington will face Arizona.

Landowners have until June 14 to enroll in Open Fields and Waters

Posted on May 23, 2019

LINCOLN, Neb. – Private landowners have until June 14 to enroll their land in the Open Fields and Waters (OFW) Program. Through OFW, landowners can earn additional income for allowing walk-in hunting, trapping and/or fishing access on their properties.

According to John Laux, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s upland habitat and access manager, OFW is a “win-win” for both private landowners and hunters. “Participating landowners benefit from the extra income and our hunters and anglers [who help fund the program] have more places to go,” said Laux. With over 97 percent of Nebraska’s land-base in private ownership, obtaining access to private lands continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing today’s hunters and anglers.

Increasing public hunting opportunities is a primary objective outlined in the Berggren Plan, Game and Park’s five-year initiative aimed at improving the pheasant hunting experience in Nebraska. “Last year, we added nearly 60,000 acres and hope to continue to expand the program in 2019,” said Laux. Over 700 landowners participated in OFW in 2018, opening over 316,000 land acres, 600 acres of ponds/lakes, and 42 miles of streams to public access across the state.

In addition to receiving annual, per-acre payments, participating landowners are also afforded protection from liability under the Nebraska Recreation Liability Act. Payment rates vary from 50 cents to $15 per acre, depending on habitat type and property location. Game and Parks biologists post boundary signs and enrolled properties are published annually in the Nebraska Public Access Atlas, which is available at OutdoorNebraska.org/PublicAccessAtlas/.

Private landowners interested in enrolling in OFW should contact their nearest Game and Parks district office: Lincoln (402-471-5561), Norfolk (402-370-3374), Alliance (308-763-2940) or North Platte (308-535-8025).

Rosters, coaches named for MCC Wild West all-star game

Posted on May 23, 2019

Rosters and coaches for the 2019 McCook Community College Wild West all-star volleyball classic have been announced and include four players who will begin their Lady Indian careers at the game in the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center. The game is set for June 22 at 3 p.m.

This all-star game (previously operated through the Sertoma Club) features area high school graduates, including four of the newest members of the MCC volleyball team. Admission is $8 for adults $5 for children 18 and younger with children four and younger admitted free.

McCook High School graduate Jayceea Hanson, a Lady Indian recruit, will make her post-high school debut in the game and will be joined by McCook High School teammate Robin Grigg on the East Squad. The team will be coached by Athena Messinger and assisted by Nick Nothnagel.

Other team members include Nicole Elizabeth Dewey of Southwest, Alex Ellermeier, of Medicine Valley and Arapahoe teammates Joslyn North and Chloe Carlson.

Gothenburg has four players on the east squad including: Lauren Johnson, Amaya Ackerman, Kendal Wahlgren and Ainsley Rickertsen. Three players from North Platte St. Pat’s were selected and include: Calli Groseth, Kaleigh Kummer, and Hayley Homan.

Rounding out the East team are Lexington’s Jennifer Nava, Elwood’s Baylee Diefenbaugh and Bertrand’s Lindsay Schutz.

The West squad has a distinct MCC flavor with 2018 graduate Dylann Bylund (Colorado Springs) to coach the team and assisted by another 2018 grad in Sidney Kizer (Northglen, Colo.).

Their team includes three incoming MCC freshmen in Hershey’s Emily Barr, and four players from Ogallala including future Lady Indians Mackenzie Anderson and Madison Mendoza as well as Emma Krab and Leslie Fair. Barr will be joined by her former Hershey teammates Channing Holm and Ashley Hassett.

Dundy County-Stratton teammates Grace Frederick and Adalene Krutsinger were named to the West all-star team along with Wauneta-Palisade’s Monique Gooden, Chase County’s Allison Owings, and Hitchcock County’s Amanda Horinek and Kyleigh Scott.

North Platte High School’s Abbie Hedgecock and Peyton Donovan Negley round out the team.

10 events for an unforgettable summer in Nebraska

Posted on May 23, 2019

LINCOLN, Neb. (May 23, 2019) – Believe it or not, the summer season is here once again, and with it comes the best time for traveling and vacationing. This summer in Nebraska is packed with exciting activities for the whole family that you will not want to miss!

“Whether you’re interested in agriculture or the arts, education or entertainment, Nebraska has something for you this summer. We encourage everyone to get out and experience this summer’s unique calendar of events,” said John Ricks, Nebraska Tourism executive director.

Check out these 10 summer events happening all across Nebraska!

1. NEBRASKAland Days – North Platte, NE June 12-June 22
https://visitnebraska.com/north-platte/events/nebraskaland-days
Celebrate the true Nebraskan culture with activities for everyone including a rodeo, golf scramble, and more. Finish out the festival with performances by Jake Owen and Kane Brown.

2. Nebraska Folk & Roots Festival – Lincoln, NE June 15
https://visitnebraska.com/lincoln/events/nebraska-folk-roots-festival
You’re in for a full day of good fun and great music with activities and concerts featuring local bands, national touring artists and even Grammy Award winners.

3. College World Series – Omaha, NE June 15-June 26
https://visitnebraska.com/omaha/events/college-world-series
Hit a home run by heading to the NCAA College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park this June and join in celebrating the CWS’s 70^th year in Omaha.

4. 122^nd Annual Diller Picnic – Diller, NE June 27-June 29
https://visitnebraska.com/diller/events/122nd-annual-diller-picnic
Take your picnic game to the next level with this fun- and food-filled weekend in southeast Nebraska. Tractor pulls, mud drags and fireworks make this a great summer getaway.

5. Pony Express Rodeo – Gothenburg, NE July 3-July 4
https://visitnebraska.com/gothenburg/events/pony-express-rodeo
Celebrate Independence Day with the pony-express race, parachute demonstration and a special kid’s night for all the mini cowboys and cowgirls.

6. Living History Weekend – Steele City, NE July 6-July 7
https://visitnebraska.com/steele-city/events/living-history-weekend
A unique opportunity to watch history come alive (literally) with live demonstrations and tours through historic buildings in Steele City. This event provides an interesting, and educational, experience for the whole family.

7. Oregon Trail Days – Gering, NE July 11-July 14
https://visitnebraska.com/gering/events/oregon-trail-days
Enjoy a carnival, food fair and so much more at the longest-running celebration in Nebraska. Plus, adults can enjoy a little fun of their own at a wine- and beer-tasting event Saturday night.

8. 39^th Annual Wayne Chicken Show – Wayne, NE July 12-July 14
https://visitnebraska.com/wayne/events/39th-annual-wayne-chicken-show
You may want to brush up on your chicken lingo and poultry puns because from the Omelet Feed to the National Cluck-Off, this egg-cellent event is all chicken, all the time.

9. Nebraska’s Big Rodeo – Burwell, NE July 24-July 27
https://visitnebraska.com/burwell/events/nebraskas-big-rodeo
Experience a classic western rodeo with riding, racing and roping, as well as a “Little Rodeo” for the kiddos, and get a taste for Nebraska’s lively heritage.

10. Nebraska State Fair – Grand Island, NE August 23-September 2
https://visitnebraska.com/grand-island/events/nebraska-state-fair
End the summer with a bang by heading down to Fonner Park for the Nebraska State Fair; 11 days full of great entertainment, delicious food and agricultural competitions and displays that provide something for everyone. Enjoy some evening entertainment with concerts by Brett Eldridge, Little Big Town and more!

For more information on events in Nebraska, as well as trip ideas, check out VisitNebraska.com.

Here is the latest Big Ten Conference sports news 5-23

Posted on May 23, 2019

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Juwan Howard is coming back to Michigan. The former member of the Fab Five basketball team has agreed to a five-year deal to coach the Wolverines. Michigan is giving the Miami Heat assistant coach his first shot at being a head coach, other than during the NBA’s summer league. He replaces John Beilein, who left to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Cole McDonald allowed five hits and struck out nine in eight innings and bottom seed Iowa knocked off regular-season champion Indiana 4-2 in the Big Ten Tournament. The Hawkeyes were swept by Indiana in a three-game series in March and had lost five straight entering the tournament. They play Nebraska on Thursday night. Indiana meets Minnesota in an elimination game.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Spencer Schwellenbach’s bases-loaded double highlighted Nebraska’s five-run third inning and the fifth-seeded Cornhuskers went on to beat No. 4 seed Minnesota 8-2 in the Big Ten Tournament. Matt Waldron scattered six singles, walked none and struck out nine in 7 1/3 innings as the Cornhuskers won for the fifth time in six games. They’ll play Iowa on Thursday night. Minnesota meets top-seeded Indiana in an elimination game.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Dillon Dingler broke open a tie game with an RBI single in the eighth inning and Ohio State beat Michigan 2-1 in the Big Ten Tournament. Three pitchers combined to toss a one-hitter for the Buckeyes (32-24).

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Maxwell Costes and Justin Vought each hit two-run homers in the eighth inning and Maryland beat third-seeded Illinois 6-2 in the opener of the Big Ten Tournament. Michael Massey pulled the Fighting Illini into a 1-1 tie with an RBI single in the fifth inning before Maryland took the lead in the eighth.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Notre Dame basketball coach Mike Brey says the NCAA is granting too many waivers that allow players who transfer to compete immediately. He calls the requirement that players sit out a year a useful “deterrent” to players switching schools. Brey made his comments at a meeting of the Knight Commission, a nonprofit that pushes for reform in college sports. He says the ease of getting a waiver is making players more eager to transfer.

Huskers strike early, beat Gophers 8-2 in Big Ten Tournament

Posted on May 23, 2019

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Spencer Schwellenbach’s bases-loaded double highlighted Nebraska’s five-run third inning, and the fifth-seeded Cornhuskers went on to beat No. 4 seed Minnesota 8-2 in the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday night.

Matt Waldron (6-3) scattered six singles, walked none and struck out nine in 7 1/3 innings as the Cornhuskers (29-20) won for the fifth time in six games. They’ll play eighth-seeded Iowa on Thursday night.

Angelo Altavilla tripled in two runs to help Nebraska get out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and Schwellenbach broke open the game in the third.

The Gophers loaded the bases loaded with one out in the eighth, but reliever Robbie Palkert got Eli Wilson to line out and struck out Cole McDevitt.

Minnesota starter Patrick Fredrickson (2-4) allowed eight runs, six earned, in 2 2/3 innings. The defending tournament champion Gophers (26-26) play top-seeded Indiana in an elimination game Thursday.

Cedar View Campground at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area is temporarily closed

Posted on May 21, 2019

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Cedar View Campground at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area is temporarily closed to allow construction crews to complete upgrades to campground amenities until early June.

Cedar View Campground, located about 15 miles west of Kingsley Dam on Highway 92 near Otter Creek Bay, is closed for public use until approximately June 13. Certain project aspects may not be completed until fall 2019. The upgrades will include all new electrical and water utilities leading to 85 camping sites with 50/30/20 amp pedestals and water availability. Eight existing campsites will be updated with accessible features along with renovations to the existing shower facility. Other campground facilities are open including Lone Eagle and Little Thunder Campgrounds at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area and Lake Ogallala Campground on the east side of Lake Ogallala State Recreation Are

NPCC women’s basketball team announces 2019-20 recruiting class

Posted on May 21, 2019

North Platte Community College women’s basketball team head coach Jeff Thurman has announced the recruiting class for 2019-20. The lineup includes:

Ashley Hassett

Hometown: Hershey, Neb.

School: Hershey High School

Accomplishments and recognitions:

First Team SPVA All-Conference
First Team Telegraph All-Area
Lincoln Journal Star Honorable Mention
Omaha World-Herald Honorable Mention
Senior year stats: 15.5 ppg – 3.1 rpg – 1 apg – 3.7 spg

“Ashley is a local area student-athlete with loads of talent, and we are excited to be adding her to our program,” Thurman said. “She is a very accomplished player out of Hershey High School and is someone that can flat out score the basketball. Ashley is multidimensional as a player. She can score from all three-levels and loves the game. She will fit in great with our team.”

Viridiana (Viri) Escobar

Hometown: Yuma, Colo.

School: Yuma High School

Accomplishments and recognitions:

Honorable Mention All-Conference
Two-time Colorado High School Girls Basketball State Champion
“Chiefs” – Volunteering at Elementary Schools
Lettered in Softball
Senior year stats: 5.1 ppg – 2.5 rpg – 3.1 apg – 2.0 spg

“Viri is a great student and a gifted basketball player,” said Thurman. “She is a winner plain and simple. She can shoot it, handle it, pass it and is a great leader. We graduate our two sophomores who spent time at the point guard position this season, so it is imperative that we bring in a talented student-athlete for that position. We are excited about her joining our program.”

Janay Brauer

Hometown: Sidney, Neb.

School: Sidney High School

Accomplishments and recognitions:

First Team All-Conference
Lincoln Journal Star Honorable Mention
Omaha World-Herald Honorable Mention
Three-time state tournament appearance
Senior year stats: 8.3 ppg – 4.3 rpg – 2.6 apg – 2.1 spg

“Janay comes from a well-coached and very successful high school program. She has the ability to play both guard positons and score from different spots on the floor,” said Thurman. “Janay is an unselfish player who wants to see teammates succeed. She loves the game of basketball and will work tirelessly to improve. She’s a gym rat, and that’s what we love as a coaching staff.”

Isabela (Isa) Valenzuela

Hometown: Westminster, Colo.

School: Legacy High School

Accomplishments and recognitions:

Broke the Legacy High School record for most 3s in a game (6 3s)
Honorable Mention for Front Range All Conference
Played on Front Range Conference All-Star Team
Senior year stats: 7.7 ppg – 2.2 apg – 3.9 rpg – 1.4 spg

“Isa is a great addition to our program,” said Thurman. “She is a high-character student-athlete who will get it done for us on the basketball floor and in the classroom. Her length and athleticism, plus her shooting ability, are phenomenal. Having been battled tested in 5A ball in Colorado, we look for Isa to come in right away and help us immediately.”

Jalyn Reagans

Hometown: Mesquite, Texas

School: Horn High School

Accomplishments and recognitions:

Academic All-District
Honorable Mention All-Conference
Senior year stats: 4.4 ppg – 0.4 apg – 5.2 rpg – 0.5 spg

“Jalyn gives us the needed size and strength we need in the painted-area,” said Thurman. “She comes from 6A basketball in Dallas, Texas, which will benefit in her transition to the collegiate level. Jalyn is a high-character student-athlete who has the ability to be a leader from day one. She will push herself and her teammates every day in order for us to get better. We are extremely excited to have her join our program.”

Mercedes Rodriguez

Hometown: Holly, Colo.

School: Holly Jr./Sr. High School

Accomplishments and recognitions:

All-Conference 2019
National Honor Society secretary
Principal’s Honor Roll
Colorado High School Lamp of Learning
Colorado AHEC health certificate
Senior year stats: 11.5 ppg – 1.3 apg – 6.3 rpg – 1.2 spg

“Mercedes’ ability to play multiple positons and score from different levels is very impressive,” said Thurman. “She is a high-character individual who is the epitome of the type of student-athlete we want in our program to build our culture. She is a great addition to our program, institution and community.”

Amber Wolever

Hometown: Snyder, Colo.

School: Brush High School

Accomplishments and recognitions:

Played volleyball and basketball all four years in high school.
All-Conference basketball
Played in the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports Game
Member of All-State Academic Team
Honor Roll all four years with a 4.0 GPA.
Senior year stats: 11.2 ppg – 1.7 apg – 6.1 rpg – 2.7 spg

“Amber is a pass-first point guard who looks to get her teammates involved early and often,” Thurman said. “Amber brings some toughness that you don’t normally see with an incoming freshman. She is an amazing student in the classroom and individual the community. Amber is exactly what we look for in a student-athlete and with our culture.”

Catie Whitehead

Hometown: New Port Richey, Fla.

School: J.W. Mitchell High School

Transfer student-athlete from Cloud County Community College

“We are really fortunate to add Catie for her sophomore year here at NPCC,” Thurman said. “Having coached against her, and seeing her play in high school, she is someone who will be a great addition to our team both on the court and off. Catie loves the game of basketball and is someone who adds scoring and leadership to our team immediately.”

2019 NCAA baseball tournament: Schedule, scores for Regionals

Los Angeles Regional — No. 1 UCLA

Corvallis Regional — No. 16 Oregon State

Oklahoma City Regional — No. 9 Oklahoma State

Lubbock Regional — No. 8 Texas Tech

Fayetteville Regional — No. 5 Arkansas

Oxford Regional — No. 12 Mississippi

Baton Rouge Regional — No. 13 LSU

Athens Regional — No. 4 Georgia

Nashville Regional — No. 2 Vanderbilt

Morgantown Regional — No. 15 West Virginia

Greenville Regional — No. 10 East Carolina

Louisville Regional — No. 7 Louisville

Starkville Regional — No. 6 Mississippi State

Stanford Regional — No. 11 Stanford

Chapel Hill Regional — No. 14 North Carolina

Atlanta Regional — No. 3 Georgia Tech