Jock Talk

What a difference a day makes when it comes to weather and spring sports in Western Nebraska. Our Kimball golfers had a cold and dreary day at Grant this past week, then had a near perfect day at Scottsbluff on Monday. Didn’t matter as the Longhorns won both times out and now have three wins and two runner up finishes on the season. Our track team has had meets cancelled, rescheduled, and even had some good days. It was a good day this past Saturday at Morrill, but now they have to wait and see if the SPVA Meet in Imperial will go on as scheduled tomorrow (Friday). The Best of the West already was moved back to this coming Monday, May 2, and who knows, it might get changed again because of weather. Our junior high track team is scheduled to compete at Pine Bluffs today (Thursday). Who knows?

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A total of six new records were set at Morrill this past Saturday, thanks in large part to the good weather and also because of some outstanding athletes involved.

Madison Biesecker saw her record of 49.54 erased when Erika Swires of Bridgeport ran 49.40. Ali Hunsaker saw her pole vault record of 8’8” bettered by Anabelle Gillen of Mitchell who won at 9’0”.

Kimball still has records in the girl’s 4 x 100 relay when Heather Dickson,Tori Hager, Hannah Stull, and Whitney Lockwood ran 52.0 in 2008. Dickson also holds the long jump record of 16’5.5” set in that 2008 meet. Brady Land holds the long jump record at 20’9” set in 2010, and Jaden Withrow holds the triple jump record at 42.9.5” set last year.

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I met up with and had a nice talk with a former great track man at the Morrill meet. Gary Williams, whom I wrote stories about many years ago, told me he still has the Morrill mile run record he set 48 years ago and is hoping it holds for 50 years. Gary used to train by running from Morrill to Mitchell and back. I had a brain freeze, or a senior moment maybe, and neglected to ask him what the record time was. I can tell you for certain it was fast! He also asked me to say hello to coach Dale Hendrickson who did some coaching at Morrill many years back before moving to Kimball to complete his career.

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One more mention about the Kimball Thursday Night Men’s Golf League starting up. They are now forming their league membership and already have 32 teams. They will be holding a meeting on May 5 at 7 p.m. where everyone can meet everyone and discuss any rule changes, etc. They will begin play with a combined scramble with the Four Winds Men’s League on May 15 at 1 p.m. then will have two weeks of pre-season fun scrambles on May 19 and 26. You can get more info if needed by contacting the Pro Shop and they will put you in contact with league officials.

Pat O’Brien is also asking anyone interested in playing in the Monday-Tuesday night Four Winds Men’s League to contact him at 235-5009 or Chad Wise at the Pro Shop at 235-4241, as soon as possible so the schedule can be finalized. Pat also mentioned the combined scramble on May 15 and said league play will begin on June 6-7 and run through the end of August.

Also, anyone not playing in a league that is interested in having a GHIN handicap can contact Pat before May 1. The cost is $18 or $10 for those 18 and under and must be paid before names will be entered on the May 1 date. This applies to both male and female golfers.

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I noticed that Alexus Rozelle of Potter Dix is still sitting in the top four spot of Class D in both the shotput at 38’7” and the discus at 118’8”. Congrats young lady!

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Also, catching up on some basketball honors from this past season, Kimball High’s Danika Daum was listed in the number seven spot this season for career scoring, all classes, with 1240 points, and was number three for a single game scoring mark of 40 points. Alex Reader was number five for three-pointers in a season with 51. Congrats to you outstanding young ladies.