Jock Talk

Lots of positive happenings concerning Kimball High School activities this week. Let’s start off with Jordan Cluff wrestling at the Nebraska State Tournament. It is quite an honor to qualify for the State Tournament, but even more of an honor, to win a match at state. Jordan, a junior, won two matches! He ended up going 2 and 2 and just missed earning a state medal, but he can go back next year and meet that goal. See the story on his state wrestling in this week’s sports.

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I got to see pictures of Jordan and video of his wrestling in Omaha and am thankful for the social media and those who take the time to post those pictures and results.

I also got to see Kimball’s Leisha Casimiro sing the National Anthem at the state wrestling semi-final round and what a wonderful job she always does.

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Now, how about the Kimball High Cheer Team and Dance Team. They were in Grand Island this past weekend for state competition and they brought home two first places and one fourth. This group entertains us all year and we already knew how good they are, but now everyone in the state knows as well. Congrats to Coach Tiffani Dea and her performers. We missed you at Friday’s Kimball-Mitchell boy’s basketball game, but a group of Kimball students filled in with some cheers that brought out a few chuckles from those around me.

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It was Senior Parent’s night for our lone senior basketball boy, so we called it Kole Bush night as he and his parents were honored prior to the start of the game. We ran his picture last week ahead of his honor. I am still trying to round up a picture of Paycen Harroun, senior student manager for the Kimball High girl’s basketball team and, hopefully, we will have that for you readers this week.

I want to thank all of the good people who provide us with outstanding photos all year. Sandy Faden provided us with all of our senior parent’s night photos and what a job she and Jen Wise do helping this old writer out when I need to get stats, etc., from the various coaches. I bother them quite a bit with my calls and requests and they are always gracious.

Thanks also to Drew Bisecker, Stephanie Pedersen, Jennifer Greenwood and all the others who contribute photos. We always have special parents who take over and take their turn of doing this for us. Greatly appreciated.

I want to thank all of the student managers who work so hard at their tasks of making sure the coaches have everything they need each night, at practice and games. These young people really go the extra mile to make sure everything is out there, and then put away. A special thank you to Jacob Walker, who got in the habit of making sure I got a cup of cold water each game. That is way above and beyond. This young man was always a step ahead of knowing what the coaches and players might want, or need.

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It takes a number of people to perform all of the duties of hosting an athletic event and Activities Director, Ken Smith, is the head of it all. Then you have the scorekeepers who handle the JV and varsity games and Greg Robinson who announces the varsity games. The custodians who have the facility ready to go and sweep the court in between games and then the clean up job after we have all gone home. Thanks to our home-grown officials who work all of the junior varsity contests and can step in, if needed, for the varsity games as well, as they are fully licensed and just don’t work Kimball games because of a feeling of this could show favoritism, or not!

The Pep Band is one of the best you will hear no matter where you go. This group really entertains the crowd and provides a lot of spirit. I kind of miss some of the old alumni players who used to sit in and I haven’t seen them in action lately, and then, of course, you fans who turn out for every game and cheer for the team, win or lose. They need your support and you have been good about being there to show that support.

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You know there are a lot of other activities besides the athletic events, and one that is coming up Tuesday, February 27th, at 6 p.m., is the Kimball High Annual Speech Night. I have been asked to invite all of you readers, and, of course, that is everyone, to attend this special night and see just how talented the Speech Team is! It will be held in the Student Center of the High School. You will enjoy it, so try and be there.

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One final note, can you believe that the first day of spring sports practice for Nebraska High Schools is coming Monday, February 26th? You know it has to be time…take a look outside!