Sports – Page 657 – North Platte Post Archive

GPAC Volleyball All-Conference Announced

Posted on November 20, 2013November 21, 2013

Conference post-season honors were handed out on Wednesday morning for volleyball with four Tigers named to the All-GPAC list. Doane placed two on the Second Team and two earned honorable mention status.

Ashley Axmann and Abby Sorensen were named to Second Team honors with Emily Maxand Karissa Blank receiving honorable mention recognition.

Axmann, a senior from Pleasanton, led the GPAC in kills/set (3.9) during the regular season and also led in kills/set (4.0) in conference only matches from the outside hitter position. She was third in service aces (50) and 15th in total blocks (83). Axmann ended her career ranked second all-time at Doane in kills with 1,767. She tied the school record with 31 kills in a win over Trinity Christian University in October.

Sorensen, a senior from Clay Center, finished the season with 282 kills and a .211 attack percentage. She added 52 blocks and 20 digs from the right side attacker position. She had 12 matches in which she recorded 10 or more kills including a season-high 16 kills against Midland University.

Max, a senior from Gothenburg, finished the season fourth in the GPAC in blocks with 118 working as a middle blocker. She wrapped up her career with 430 total blocks, 8th most on the Doane charts. In her senior campaign, Max posted 225 kills and a .250 attack percentage. She had a season-high 19 kills against Hastings College in the home finale.

Blank, a junior from Madison (Lutheran High Northeast HS), led the Tigers in digs this year with 501 and ranked sixth in the GPAC at her libero position. She added 48 ace serves which ranked fourth in the conference. Her season-high of five ace serves came against John Brown University and she recorded a season-high 26 digs against the University of Great Falls and Midland University.

Doane finished the season at 16-18 overall and advanced to the Semifinals of the GPAC Tournament.

Platte River SP Shooting Range Open Nov. 30-Dec. 1

Posted on November 20, 2013November 21, 2013

LINCOLN – Shooting sports enthusiasts can bring their families and friends to Platte River State Park (SP) over Thanksgiving weekend to learn new skills or sharpen old ones.

The Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex will be open to the public Nov. 30-Dec. 1 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The shooting sports range includes facilities for rimfire firearm, shotgun, archery, pellet gun and slingshot. Equipment is provided, although customers may bring their own. Those who bring their own equipment must provide their own ammunition. The minimum age to shoot firearms is 8 years.

For more information and fees, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/OHEC. The range also will be open to the public Dec. 21-22 and Dec. 26-30.

Platte River SP is located just west of Louisville off Neb. Hwy. 66. A park entry permit is required for each vehicle entering the park.

Huskers Look to Lock down PSU’s Offense

Posted on November 20, 2013November 21, 2013

Lincoln, Neb.- The Nebraska football team continued its week of preparation for Saturday’s Big Ten Conference showdown with Penn State on Wednesday afternoon. The team practiced in helmets and shoulder pads for just over two hours inside the Hawks Center and outside at the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Fields.

Defensive Coordinator John Papuchis addressed the media after practice, noting that the Husker defense will have their hands full this weekend trying to slow down Penn State’s pro-style offense.

The Huskers will especially have to keep their eyes on true freshman starting quarterback Christian Hackenberg. Hackenberg, the No. 1 rated high school quarterback prospect in 2013, has been lighting up the stat sheets so far in his freshman campaign, recording 2,399 yards and 14 touchdowns, while completing 59 percent of his passes.

“He is a good player, he is a pro-style, old school quarterback that makes good decisions with a big strong arm,” Papuchis said. “You can tell he is a student of the game, I have been impressed with him so far.”

Hackenberg’s favorite target to throw the football to is junior wide receiver Allen Robinson. Robinson, a likely first-team All-Big Ten performer has recorded 81 catches for 1,204 yards with six touchdowns as well.

“When you look at his (Robinson) statistical numbers over the year, he is a guy that is averaging around 120 yards a game,” Papuchis said. “He is a good player. Obviously, we’ve got to be aware of where he is at all times and make sure we are matched up correctly.”

Not only is Robinson a tremendous deep threat, standing at 6-3, he poses as an offensive threat toward the Huskers in many ways, according to Papuchis.

“They feature him in their screen game, they will give it to him on a reverse. Obviously he is their feature guy on a lot of their routes. He is a big part of their offense and we need to do our best to try and take him out of the game.”

With Penn State running a pro-style offense, Papuchis noted that he was not sure how many times you will see three linebackers on the field at the same time versus the Nittany Lions. Papuchis mentioned that you will likely see a lot of personnel matchups during the game.

Nebraska will hit the practice field again on Thursday as the team moves closer to its final road game of the season. The Huskers will travel to Happy Valley to face off with the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast nationally on Big Ten Network.

Huskers Sign Six Wrestlers for 2014-15

Posted on November 20, 2013November 21, 2013

The Nebraska wrestling team announced the addition of six wrestlers on Wednesday who signed national letters of intent for the 2014-15 season.

“We are extremely excited to add these six young men,” Head Coach Mark Manning said. “They all possess a tremendous passion for our sport, and are focused to be champions on and off the mat. Our staff really put a lot of time and effort into recruiting these young men and we feel so positive about each one, and the success they will have through the culture of our program. They will represent Nebraska and our program in a first-class manner, and compete at high standards.”

Among the newcomers are Nick Bennett, Derek White, Colton Adams, Dustin Williams, Hayden Tuma and Tyler Berger.

Nick Bennett – Novi, Mich. (Detroit Catholic Central) – 149/157
Bennett is ranked 97th on InterMat’s Top-100 Recruits list and No. 15 in the country at 152 pounds. He placed third at the 2013 Super 32 Challenge and won the 145-pound title at the 2013 Grappler Fall Classic in Michigan. Before moving to Michigan, Bennett won two state titles at St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. After his final year at Detroit Catholic Central in Novi, Mich., Bennett is projected to wrestle at 149 or 157 pounds for Nebraska.

Derek White – Edmond, Okla. (Edmond North) – 197
White signs with the Huskers while finishing his career at Edmond North High School in Edmond, Okla. White has a career mark of 91-33 and holds the Edmond North school record for takedowns with 212 over the span of his career. A 2013 state champion and 2011 state runner-up, White is ranked fourth in the country at 195 pounds by InterMat and No. 77 overall. He finished third at the 2013 Junior National Freestyle Championships in Fargo, N.D., and earned runner-up honors at the 2013 Super 32 Challenge.

Colton Adams – Scottsbluff, Neb. (Scottsbluff) – 141
Adams enters his senior year at Scottsbluff High School in Nebraska having captured three consecutive Class B state titles. Last season, Adams capped a 53-1 season with the 132-pound crown after winning at 126 pounds as a sophomore with a 37-3 mark. He won the 112-pound title as a freshman at Scottsbluff. Adams is ranked 12th at 132 pounds by InterMat and 64th in the country. He finished third at the 2012 Walsh Ironman and took fourth at the 2013 Super 32 Challenge.

Dustin Williams – Gardner, Kan. (Gardner Edgerton) – 157/165
Williams is a three-time state placer with a 119-11 career record at Gardner Edgerton in Kansas. Last season Williams capped a perfect 43-0 season with his second state title. He won the Rocky Mountain Nationals and finished fifth at the 2013 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals at 160 pounds. Williams is projected to wrestle at 157 or 165 pounds at Nebraska.

Hayden Tuma – Boise, Idaho (Centennial) – 141
A senior at Centennial High School in Boise, Idaho, Tuma is ranked 11th in the country by InterMat and No. 3 at 138 pounds. Tuma has won three state titles and holds a career high school record of 125-4. He has won two Reno Tournament of Champions titles and is one of two current high school wrestlers in the nation to make the Greco-Roman World Team three years in a row.

Tyler Berger – Prineville, Ore. (Crook County) – 149/157
Berger is a three-time state champion at Crook County High School in Oregon and holds a career record of 150-3. Berger is ranked 44th by InterMat across all weight classes and 10th in the country at 152 pounds. He won the 148-pound title of the High School Elite Division at the 2013 Freak Show Tournament. Berger is projected to wrestle at either 149 or 157 pounds for the Huskers.

Memorial Stadium to Host NSAA Football Championship Games

Posted on November 20, 2013

NSAA Football Championship Dates & Kickoff Times

Nov. 25: Class D1 Final, 10:15 a.m.; Class D2 Final, 2:45 p.m.; Class B Final 7:15 p.m.

Nov. 26: Class C1 Final, 10:15 a.m.; Class C2 Final, 2:45 p.m.; Class A Final 7:15 p.m.

Ticket Information

Tickets for the championship finals are $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for students. Tickets will be sold at:

West Stadium – Gate10

East Stadium – Gate 22

Main ticket office in the West Stadium parking garage.

Tickets are also available online at http://nsaahome.ticketleap.com/football/.

Championship Seating

Class A – Home Team (East Stadium) Omaha North Visiting Team (West Stadium) Omaha Westside.
Class B – Home Team (East Stadium) York Visiting Team (West Stadium) Omaha Skutt Catholic.
Class C1 – Home Team (East Stadium) Ashland-Greenwood Visiting Team (West Stadium) Cozad.
Class C2 – Home Team (East Stadium) Doniphan-Trumbull Visiting Team (West Stadium) Aquinas Catholic.
Class D1 – Home Team (East Stadium) Exeter-Milligan Visiting Team (West Stadium) Hemingford.
Class D2 – Home Team (East Stadium) Stuart Visiting Team (West Stadium) Falls City Sacred Heart.
Handicap Seating is available in the North Stadium and the South Stadium-Section 14D

Gates to Enter

West Stadium – Gate 10

West Stadium – Gate 3 (Handicap Entrance)

East Stadium – Gate 22

Fan Parking

Campus Parking Lots are not available during the day on Monday or Tuesday. The parking garage, west of the stadium, will be available for parking during all games. The entrance will be staffed during all games to collect the per-vehicle parking fee before entering the garage. All University lots around the stadium will be staffed during games on Monday and Tuesday, allowing only University and business permits to enter. Handicapped parking located on the west side of Memorial Stadium, especially in the parking garage, is closer to the main handicapped entrance at Gate 3. Additional parking is available just west of the stadium in the INS Parking Lot, entrance on 8^th Street.

Stadium Restrictions

As a reminder to fans, umbrellas and talcum/baby powder are not allowed at Memorial Stadium. Artificial noise makers such as thunder sticks, cow bells, air horns, whistles, etc. are prohibited at NSAA championship events.

Nebraska Public Television Coverage

Nebraska Educational Television (NET) will provide live play-by-play coverage of the 2013 NSAA State Football Championship Finals beginning at 10:00 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. central time.

Suit Seeking Money for NCAA Athletes Moves Forward

Posted on November 20, 2013

A lawsuit challenging the NCAA over payment of athletes isn’t going away soon.

The lead attorney for former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon said Wednesday his client will continue to pursue his suit against the NCAA, despite a ruling earlier this month that blocked an effort to expand it to a larger group of former athletes.

Michael Hausfeld said O’Bannon’s suit — tentatively set for a trial in June — would go forward both for damages to O’Bannon and to force colleges to give current players a cut of billions of dollars earned from television contracts and ticket sales from major revenue sports.

Hausfeld also held out the possibility of other athletes joining in individual suits of their own in the wake of the ruling that denied class action status.

No. 25 NPCC Knights Open Region IX Play Friday

Posted on November 20, 2013

North Platte – The No. 25 North Platte Community College men’s basketball team (7-0) opens Region IX play this Friday and Saturday as they host the Otero Junior College Rattlers (6-2) and the Trinidad State Junior College Trojans (5-3).

The Knights first host Otero Junior College on Friday Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. The Knights played the Rattlers three times last year including a victory over Otero in the Region IX Championship game to qualify for the NJCAA National Tournament.

The Rattlers are led by sophomore Chris Golden who is averaging 18.7 points per game and sophomore Jalen Little who leads the nation in assists at 9.2 per game. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1410 and will be available online. The men’s game will follow the women’s game with Northwest Kansas Technical College which tips at 5:30 p.m.

On Saturday the Knights return to action at 2 p.m. against Trinidad State Junior College at McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. The Trojans are led by freshman Joe Smith with 18.1 points per game and brothers Richard (12.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and Keouvion McCalop (11.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg).

The Knights are then off until after the Thanksgiving break when they travel to face the Hastings College JV on Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. The Knights host Region IX opponents Lamar Community College on Dec. 7 and Northeastern Junior College on Dec. 11 before Christmas break.

Game and Parks Announces Archery on Fire Promotion

Posted on November 19, 2013November 19, 2013

LINCOLN – Archery is gaining popularity in Nebraska and across the nation. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on Nov. 18 launched its Archery on Fire promotion to grow archery as an outdoor activity. It also has scheduled a shooting event Dec. 7.

Archery on Fire builds upon the popularity of The Hunger Games books and movies. The first book in the trilogy was published in 2008. The second movie, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, will be released Nov. 21.

“The theme of the promotion is to help youth learn a new sport, build confidence, channel their inner hero and find adventure through archery,” said Christy Rasmussen, Game and Parks communications administrator.

Shooting sports have become more popular among females in Nebraska. In 2003, when Game and Parks first tracked the gender of hunter education students, 15 percent of students were female. So far in 2013, 31 percent of the students are female.

Game and Parks is hosting a free archery event Dec. 7 at Platte River State Park. All ages and experience levels are invited to the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex to learn about archery and shoot arrows. Equipment will be provided for this event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering the park.

For more information about the promotion or the archery event, visit ArcheryOnFire.com. Visitors there will find links to information and videos about getting started in archery.

No. 16 NPCC Lady Knights Fall Tuesday Evening against Northeast

Posted on November 19, 2013November 19, 2013

North Platte – The 16th-ranked North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team (2-4) fell Tuesday evening at McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. The Lady Knights were defeated by the Northeast Community College Lady Hawks (7-0) by a score of 68-47.

Both teams started the first half slow as both teams struggled to score in the opening minutes. The Lady Hawks got on the board first as they scored the first 12 points of the game and forced two timeouts from the Lady Knights. Jordan Dickerson would hit a 3 pointer to break the scoring drought for the Lady Knights. DaVontaye Merritt would score the next four points of the game to cut the lead to 7-12 which forced a timeout from the Lady Hawks.

The runs would continue as the Lady Hawks would score the next eight points before the Lady Knights answered with four of their own to cut the deficit to 11-20. The teams traded baskets the rest of the half as the Lady Hawks took a 15-33 lead into intermission.

During the second half the teams exchanged baskets before Northeast would win the half 32-35 on their way to a 68-47 victory.

The Lady Knights were led by DaVontaye Merritt who finished with 17 points on 7-11 shooting from the field to go along with three free throws. Jordan Dickerson, Samantha Hyattand April Stull all had six points for North Platte. Kirra Hill-Carter led the Lady Knights with eight rebounds and Kristian Roth had seven.

The Lady Knights return to action on Friday Nov. 22 at 5:30 p.m. as they take on Northwest Kansas Technical College. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1410 and will be streamed online. The game precedes the men’s basketball game with Otero Junior College at 7:30 p.m.

400-Pound Running Back a Sight to Behold (Video)

Posted on November 19, 2013November 20, 2013

WHITE SWAN, Wash. (AP) — A high school football player from Washington may be the largest running back anywhere in the country — amateur or professional.

At 400 pounds, Tony Picard racked up 576 yards rushing and seven touchdowns this year at White Swan High School. The Yakima Herald-Republic reports that his coach put Picard at running back because he was so athletic for his size. Many NFL running backs weigh half as much as Picard.

Video of Picard’s rumbling runs has drawn more than 2 million views on YouTube. The clips show the 17-year-old plowing through defenders while also showing swiftness on his feet. Picard hopes to go on to play college football.

White Swan High School is a school of less than 300 students.