Briar Cliff Dominates Menlo in Opening Round Game

*This story was posted to MyNAIATourney.org on March 11, 2015. 

The Briar Cliff University Chargers dominated the Menlo College Oaks 80-61 in the first round of the NAIA DII Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Tyson Event Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Junior Jessi Corrick led the Chargers with 14 points and 10 rebounds on the day.

Briar Cliff maintained their flawless first round track record, and now hold a 12-0 all-time record in first round matchups. The Chargers entered the tournament with a 23-9 overall record, 14-6 conference record and fourth place regular season finish in the GPAC.

Menlo College entered the tournament with a 22-5 overall record and undefeated regular-season in the California Public Conference.

The first half was a battle of conflicting styles. Menlo, with their run-and-gun, perimeter-orientated offense against Briar Cliff’s half-court, interior-orientated offense.

Briar Cliff shared the wealth in the first half, with three different players coming through with sizeable offensive contributions. Freshman Julie Targy led the charge with 10 points and two steals, while senior standout Slone Masters added nine points, two assists and two rebounds of her own. Corrick also helped shoulder the load, finishing with eight points and four rebounds in the half.

Menlo didn’t put up the offensive numbers they’re accustomed to, with senior Laurel Donnenwirth being held to zero points and only two rebounds in less than seven minutes of first half action. Junior guard Vanessa D’Amico picked up the slack for the Oaks, leading the team with 11 points, two rebounds and one assist in the half.

At halftime, Briar Cliff sat on a 10-point lead, leading by a score of 42-32.

Briar Cliff’s unselfish offensive game plan continued to flourish in the second half as they built upon their lead. They finished the game with four different players in double figures.

Donnenwirth got it going in the second half for the Oaks and finished with six points and eight rebounds. Junior Jacki Bateman dropped 11 points and six rebounds, while D’Amico finished the game with a team-high 14 points.

Briar Cliff’s unselfish play on offense and their ability to adjust defensively was ultimately the decisive factor. Briar Cliff Head Coach Mike Power credits their rigorous GPAC schedule with giving his team the ability to adjust to different of types of offenses.

“In the GPAC we run into a lot of different types of teams, so we have to be ready for different teams,” Power said. “We just felt like if we could buckle down, keep them from penetrating and hitting gaps and make them a three-point shooting team, we’d be alright.”

Along with Corrick’s 14 points, Masters finished with 14 points, six rebounds and two assists for the Chargers. Targy also finished with 12 points, four rebounds and four assists of her own.

With the win, Briar Cliff moves on to the second round where they’ll play the winner of the No. 2 Davenport and No. 8 Clarke (Iowa) game this Friday at 10:15 a.m.

Van Kirk dazzles as Hastings defeats Doane in GPAC Quarterfinals

*This story was posted to HCMediaOnline on Feb. 25, 2015. 

The Hastings College Broncos dominated the Doane Tigers 70-55 in the GPAC Quarterfinals Wednesday night at Lynn Farrell Arena, led by Jamie Van Kirk’s 33 points. The win lifts the Broncos to 22-7 this season and allows them to move on to the GPAC Semifinals.

The Tigers started fast out of the gate with an 8-2 lead following a two-pointer followed by a steal and coast-to-coast finish from freshman Maggie Fillipi. The Broncos called a timeout then answered with a three-pointer from senior Jamie Van Kirk.

Van Kirk struck again with a backdoor layup, followed by a steal and fast-break layup from Chelsey Morten to bring the lead to six. After trading turnovers, junior Teeka Thompson delivered with a pair of free throws to increase the lead even further.

Sophomore Michaela Barry provided a spark off the bench for the Broncos, adding a fast break layup followed by a three-pointer from Van Kirk to cut the lead to three.

Bronco Head Coach Carrie Hofstetter was pleased with both player’s performances.

“They’re obviously really good shooters and they were able to get good shots in good spots,” Hoffstetter said. “I thought Jamie did a good job of making the right reads and I thought when Michaela came in she was very aggressive. She was what we needed coming off the bench; we were struggling a little bit offensively and she got herself rolling early.”

After a Doane timeout, Barry scored again, followed by yet another Van Kirk three-pointer to put the Broncos up 21-19 with 5:03 left in the half.

The Broncos clamped down on defense late in the first half, allowing just five points in the last five minutes. The Broncos led 29-24 at halftime, with 15 points coming from Van Kirk.

The results were much of the same for the Broncos early in the second half. Van Kirk started the half hitting her first two shots, followed by two steals on the defensive end from Abby Jackson and Morten.

Van Kirk struck again, making two free throws followed by a runner off the glass to put the Broncos up 39-28 with 14:03 left. After a Tiger turnover, Barry sunk two threes and a runner off the glass to add to her 20-point night.

After a couple of key blocks from senior Sierra Williamson, senior Hailey Samuelson drained a three-pointer to push the lead to 20 with 9:06 left.

Late in the second half Van Kirk once again delivered. After a transition steal and score, the senior finished a layup after a quick outlet pass to stretch the Bronco lead further.

The Broncos sealed the victory after a pair of free throws from Samuelson and Barry.

The Broncos will move on to face Concordia in the GPAC Semifinals in Seward, NE, on Saturday, Feb. 28. Coach Hofstetter believes her team is up to the challenge.

“It’s a game I think our kids have had in the back of their minds and wanted a shot at,” Hofstetter said. “It’ll be a challenging game, but we’re looking forward to it.”

Friendship between sister cities planted the seeds

*This story was published in the July 24th edition of the Hastings Tribune. 

In a place far away, like Ozu, Japan, to be exact, gardens are wildly popular and carry lots of cultural significance.

“Japanese landscape gardens have been apart of that culture since the 1200s,” Blake Michael Holen, Coordinator of International Relations in Ozu, Japan, said. “The lords would go there, drink tea and look at the garden. Each garden has a design and represents something.”

6,500 miles to the west, in Hastings, NE, there’s a little known garden and a group of gardeners who have helped share their culture and form a bond between Hastings and Ozu for the last twenty years.

“In 1995, I thought we would just come over and build a garden, since there was a desire to build a Japanese garden in Nebraska,” Sellchi Kamaura, 67, master gardener, teacher and artist behind the Hastings and Ozu Friendship Garden said. “I thought that was all that would happen. I didn’t think I would be coming back so many times to do this.”

But he did just that. Kamaura, along with fellow gardeners Natoshi Higashi, 59, and Hiromi Furusho, 68, have been back six times in all. On each of these visits, they take time to perfect and sculpt the garden to represent the mountains of Mt. Aso.

“This one (garden) represents Mount Aso. If you’re in Ozu, you’re going to get a great view of Mt. Aso,” Blake Michael Holen, Coordinator of International Relations and translator in Ozu said. “If you’re standing in the (Hazelrigg) Student Union, this is what the garden is supposed to represent.”

The Friendship Garden, which features trees, shrubbery, large rocks, and a bamboo fence tied with traditional Japanese knots, is designed strictly from master gardener Kamaura’s vision.

“I’ve seen many Japanese gardens,” Burton Nelson, Japanese Garden Caretaker and Hastings International Exchange Organization member said. “He (Kamaura) designed this garden beautifully. He is an amazing artist.”

The design Kamaura has for the garden is something formed strictly from memory and creative vision. That same vision however, is something that drives him and the other gardeners to make sure every detail is perfect.

“I remember there was a big boulder and it was an inch off,” Franc Wagner, Japanese Garden Caretaker and Hastings International Exchange Organization member said. “He (Kamaura) was so meticulous, he made them move the boulder a few inches, just so it was perfect.”

While all three of these men have come together to create something special far away from home, their backgrounds are far from the same.

Kamaura is a master gardener, who now teaches the art of Japanese gardening back in Ozu. He is often looked to as the leader of the group and is known for his creative visions for his gardens.

Furusho, who has visited Hastings on three different occasions, is a farmer from Ozu. Fursusho, the eldest of the group, has been farming for over 51 years and specializes in trees, bushes, corn and cucumbers.

Higashi, better known as “James Dean in Hastings”, is a nurseryman and seedling manager in Ozu, and often looks to Kamaura for direction in sculpting the garden.

Why James Dean?

“When I came to Hastings for the first time, I got really nervous during public speaking and was thinking about how to introduce myself,” Higashi said. “My last name is Higashi, which in Japanese, translates to east. The movie East of Eden is a classic film that James Dean stars in. So I figured that would help people remember my name.”

Although their love for gardening and the Sister City relationship between Hastings and Ozu is important to them, that’s not the only reason they keep coming back.

“I like working with the garden and just everyone with the HIEO,” Furusho said. “The welcome I get here is always very warm and kind and I just love all the people here.”

 

Kids hold on tight at Clay County Fair

*This story was published in the July 11th edition of the Hastings Tribune. 

CLAY CENTER — The secret to being good at mutton busting is fairly simple: Put on a helmet and hold on for dear life.

At least that’s the best way Dennis Valentine can describe it.

“That’s about all there is to mutton busting,” said Valentine, who is president of the Clay County Fair board. “We’ve been doing mutton busting for about 20 years here at the Clay County Fair.”

Friday night another group of kids came to the fairgrounds in Clay Center to take their chance at mutton busting.

Before the event began, participants weighed in and were given a number. Then boys and girls, some as young as 3 and as old as 9, strapped up their helmets and pre- pared to get ready to ride like the wind.

Each kid was called upon for his or her turn to ride a sheep, which was steadied inside a pen by a rodeo clown just long enough for the child to climb aboard and get a grip. Once the rider appeared to be secure, the animal was released and took off throughout the dirt covered, fenced-in arena. Amid flying dust and gasps from the crowd, most of the riders usually last from 2-6 seconds.

“At first, it feels scary,” participant Ingeline Andersen, 9, said. “But when you get on the sheep, you’re like ‘I got this’ and then you do it.”

Ride ’em, cowboy: Kids Rodeo at Nuckolls County Fair

*This story appeared in the July 10th edition of the Hastings Tribune. 

Kids of all ages sported plaid shirts, blue jeans, belt buck- les, cowboy boots and cowboy hats Thursday and get a feel for what it’s like to rodeo.

The annual Nuckolls County Fair kids rodeo was Thursday night at the fairgrounds in Nelson.

“The kids rodeo was started a few years ago by the Nuckolls County Fair President Angie Gardner said. “It’s become a real highlight for the year of events. And although there is plenty of set up and planning involved, it’s become second nature for those involved to help put this event on.”

The rodeo kicked off at 7:00 p.m. with dummy roping as the opening event. This event, which allows kids as young as three and four years of age to participate, allows everyone to get involved and have fun.

“The dummy roping event is great. Even though there are kids that don’t know how to rope, everyone can participate,” Gardner said. “Its good for the kids, that know how to rope, to showcase their skills. It’s also really good practice for the older, more experienced kids to rope in front of the crowd.”

The dummy-roping event was split into four different age divisions. The participants practiced roping a dummy steer attached to a bale of hay. Those that “caught” their rope around the dummy were allowed to continue, while those who missed were eliminated.

No matter the result in the dummy-roping event, competitors received small prizes for their involvement.

There were a number of other events throughout the evening, depending on age and skill level. For younger children, the events included boot scramble, stick horse races and mutton bustin’.

“The most entertaining event for both the participants and the audience is the mutton bustin’,” Gardner said. “It’s really fun for the kids to get to ride a sheep and for the parents to get to watch that.”

For more experienced kids, events included barrel racing, pole bending and the goat tie. Winners received both cash payouts and an all round belt buckle, but more importantly, bragging rights until next year’s rodeo.

All of the events, no matter the age or skill level, set the stage for the Nuckolls County Rodeo on Friday and Saturday nights. The list of events includes bull riding, steer riding and team roping, among others.

The Nuckolls County Rodeo events are set to begin at 7:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday nights at the Nuckolls County Fairgrounds.

Stewart relishes newfound opportunities

*This story was apart of the Hastings Tribune Fall Sports Preview. It was published on August 27th. 

For senior goalkeeper Anna Stewart, patience and preparedness have been constants throughout the past two seasons. Stewart, who competed for playing time with Second-team All-Conference goalkeeper Brittany Toth in 2013 and GPAC Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Year in 2014, is prepared for her newfound, full-time starting goalkeeper duties during the upcoming season.

“I prepare for that the same way I would’ve prepared for this season, regardless of starting. I think that being in the best physical shape I can be in is a big piece of it, but I also think that being mentally prepared is important,” Stewart said. “Being a keeper, there’s a huge mental aspect to the game, so being ready, relaxed and prepared is important.”

Stewart, a senior from Portland, OR, was thrust into the spotlight last season following fellow goalkeeper Mallory Taylor’s thrown punch, red card and ejection against Briar Cliff in the GPAC Tournament Quarterfinal match. Stewart entered the game in the 51^st minute, recorded a save and helped the Broncos hold on for a 2-0 victory.

Taylor received a mandatory two-match suspension, which gave Stewart a chance to prove herself. During her first start the Broncos fell to Concordia (Neb.) 1-0 in the GPAC Tournament final. After being the last team selected in the NAIA National Tournament field, the Broncos bounced back and picked up a 1-0 victory at Olivet Nazarene (Illi.) in the Opening Round of the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship. Stewart recorded five saves and her confidence continued to build.

After serving her suspension Taylor returned and got the start in goal against No. 1 seed Embry-Riddle (Fla.) in the Round of 16. Taylor and the Broncos allowed three goals in a 3-0 loss.

Taylor has since decided to transfer, which once again provides Stewart an opportunity to cement her role as a senior leader and starting goalkeeper. Second-year Head Coach Chris Clements is confident in Stewart’s leadership and potential as a starter.

“Anna Stewart is going to be a great goalkeeper for us. Her, Kayla Nelson and Jessey Peterson are our three seniors, so that’s going to be great to have senior leadership,” he said. “It’s going to be exciting and all of them are going to fill the (leadership) void.”

Stewart, who was one of eight players that lived in Hastings during the summer months, credits her teammates accountability in helping her get to this point.

“Having people here this summer has been a huge asset. It’s so hard to get up and run by yourself, so when you have teammates to say, ‘let’s get up at 6 a.m. and go work out’, that makes a huge difference,” she said. “That’s something I don’t know if I could’ve done that without being here this summer.”

Clements hopes those eight girls that stayed over the summer will encourage more to do the same in future years.

“We had eight girls stay here this summer and work with Sarge (Steve Schultz, Hastings College Strength & Conditioning Coach) and do technical work with me. Hopefully, those girls can be the poster board for more girls staying next summer, working out and taking advantage of it.”

The influx of returning talent, accompanied with the hard work put forth in the offseason, has both Stewart and the Broncos aiming for lofty goals.

“Most of our team is returning, because we’re only losing three seniors. I think we can do a lot of big things this season,” she said. “Making the final site is a big goal for us. I want to come out and be consistent, play well and just enjoy it.”

Papillion outlasts Pius; set for finals

* This is a game recap from the June 28 Papillion La Vista – Lincoln Pius American Legion Baseball game at Duncan Field in Hastings, NE. This recap was featured in the June 29th edition of the Hastings Tribune.

The Associated Fire Titans American Legion baseball team overcame seven errors to hold on and beat Union Bank 7-6 Tuesday night in the Class A state legion baseball tournament at Duncan Field.

With the victory, Associated Fire (Papillion-La Vista South) advances to the American Division title game Wednesday against the 52’s Patriots (Millard South).

The first game begins at 4 p.m. at Duncan Field. A second game will fol- low, but only if the 52’s Patriots win game one.

Against Union Bank (Lincoln Pius X), Aaron Palensky led Association Fire with three hits on four plate appearances, while scoring two runs and driving in another.

“He’s pretty impressive for a sophomore, and he’s played that way the whole season,” Associated Fire head coach Bill Lynam said. “He’s just a real good baseball player.”

Union Bank struck first after a Nolan Hakel single, followed by a sacrifice bunt and an error by Papillion-La Vista South’s Adam Gadsden.

In the bottom of the third inning, Gadsden drew a walk and was driven home on a Palensky triple. Palnesky then scored on the next at-bat and Association Fire took a 2-1 lead.

Union Bank responded in the top of the fourth after Micah Hoage singled to left field. Union Bank drew a walk in two of three at-bats, and Hoage scored after another defensive error to tie the game at two.

Despite the slow start for Associated Fire relief pitcher Dakota Smith, which included allowing a leadoff single to Union Bank’s Colton Abendroth and two runs in the fifth inning, he found his stride and went on to pick up the win.

Pius extended its lead to three in the top of the sixth, thanks to an error, sacrifice bunt and sacrifice fly. Associated Fire answered and trimmed Union Bank’s lead to two in the bottom of the sixth, thanks to a Brandon Krayneski double and sacrifice fly from Quintin Van Ackeren.

After a pitching change in the seventh inning, Associated Fire found its rhythm at the plate and went on to add three runs in the bottom of the sev- enth.

“We were just happy to see a new pitcher in there,” Lynam said. “We didn’t try to do anything differently (at the plate). Just keep with the game plan, swing at strikes and hit the ball in play.”

That three-run inning, along with clutch pitching late in the game, was a pivotal part of the comeback victory, he said.

“We were able to come back and beat a really good baseball team in Pius. That says what kind of character we have and what kind of baseball we can play,” Lynam said. “I told them, ‘they’re growing up in front of our eyes this season.’”

Union Bank led a late chargein the top of the ninth, thanks to a Nolan Meyer single and back-to-back errors from Associated Fire. Despite those two errors, Jack Driscoll held on for the save.

Regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s game, Lynam felt good about where his team had positioned itself by being theonly unbeaten team so far in the double-elimination tournament.

“If we lost, we had the opportunity to scout and the other teams would have to play. On the other side of the coin, Millard South has to beat us twice,” he said. “We were in a good position and we earned that by playing good baseball.”

The bat flip heard ’round the world: Why Joey Bats is great for baseball

It was the bat flip heard ’round the world. In the bottom of the 7th inning of Wednesday’s Rangers-Blue Jays series clincher Jose Bautista did what he’s done since he arrived in Toronto – crush the ball.

That moon-shot home run landed in the second deck of the Rogers Centre seating and erupted what was an already desperate and fiery Blue Jays fan base. But it was not the actual three-run go-ahead home run, but more of what happened after the home run, that became the topic of discussion across sports mediums the following day.

Jose Bautista, better known as Joey Bats, flung his bat towards the Rangers dugout quickly after making contact in an angry, passionate and ecstatic fashion. The practice of a bat flips, which is often criticized throughout traditional baseball circles, adds a flare to the game. This particular bat flip, well, it will surely be a signature moment for Blue Jays fans for years to come.

But for the Texas Rangers, their fans and baseball purists – it was a major slap in the face and a sign of disrespect.

Sam Dyson, the pitcher who gave up that go-ahead home run had this to say, “I told (Edwin Encarnacion in the on deck circle) Jose needs to calm that down, just kind of respect the game a little more,” Dyson said. “He’s a huge role model for the younger generation that’s coming up playing this game, and I mean he’s doing stuff that kids do in Wiffle ball games and backyard baseball. It shouldn’t be done.”

Sam Dyson, you sound bitter and like you hate all things fun.

Let’s think about this. Baseball is a game, right? Games are supposed to be fun, right? So, let’s stop the petty whining. Let’s stop whining and complaining about someone showing an ounce of personality and passion in a series-clinching baseball game in a city that hasn’t had one of those in over twenty years.

Baseball purists that discourage public displays of swagger are simply out-dated and sound like bitter old men yelling down from their stoops. No longer are the days of hitters slugging home runs and quietly jogging around the base paths. No longer are the days of pitchers dominating on the mound and remaining humble to the public eye.

Baseball is peculiar in the fact that players are often ostracized and discouraged from showing emotion or swagger. Whereas players in other popular world sports, like soccer or basketball, are celebrated and applauded for showing individuality and unfiltered emotion.

Players like Bryce Harper, Yasiel Puig and Jose Bautista (just to name a few) are great for the game of baseball. Baseball is losing its fan base at an alarming rate, due to games lasting too long and lack of excitement, among other things. These brash, young players are exciting as hell to watch and the game of baseball needs them.

Back to Sam Dyson and his gripe with players flipping their bats after home runs. Ultimately, if you don’t want players flipping their bats – don’t give up home runs.

NFL gets it right with DeAngelo Williams ruling

On Monday October 12, the NFL Vice President of Football Operations, Troy Vincent, informed DeAngelo Williams that there would be no exceptions made to the NFL’s uniform policy. This decision comes after Williams, who lost his mother to breast cancer in May 2014, publicly indicated his intentions to wear pink shoes or wristbands throughout the year to honor her and promote breast cancer awareness.

Williams, who unlike most players, wanted to wear pink all season instead of just during the month of October. Williams has since opted to wear pink highlights in his dreadlocks and will purchase 53 mammogram tests – in honor of his mother’s age when she died – for a hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina.

I, nor anyone else, is questioning DeAngelo Williams’ motives with this request. I fully believe that Williams’ goal is to honor his late mother and promote breast cancer awareness. Never the less, I think the NFL, aka the No Fun League, absolutely got this decision right. (Wow, it felt weird writing that.)

The NFL got this ruling right because once you allow this request – regardless of how good-natured and sentimental it seems – you open a gaping black hole. A ruling in favor of Williams and his pink garb will certainly open the door  for anyone and everyone to sport their personal agendas on Sundays.

If the NFL allowed Williams to wear pink throughout the season, where do they draw the line?

Would they allow all players to wear different colored sweat bands to honor the death of their family members? What about players who want to sport their personal brand on their bodies during games? What about players selling ad space, therefore forcing fans to watch players run around like a bunch billboards? These are real possibilities if the NFL allowed DeAngelo Williams to sport pink throughout the season.

I often disagree with how the NFL crushes all things involving fun or individuality (i.e. touchdown celebrations), but they got it right here. Allowing this act of individuality, no matter how genuine or good-natured it seems, would open a can of worms.

With that being said, kudos to DeAngelo Williams. His actions are very commendable and I’m sure his mother would be proud.