Members of the South Winneshiek wrestling program, which placed first at the Class 1A Sectional 12 Tournament on Saturday, include (front, l-r) Logan Schnuelle, Ethan Maldonado, Phillip French, Tony Greve, Zach Taylor; (second row) Kenny Mikota (assistant coach), Jacob Elsbernd (head coach), Kaden Bullerman, Lane Quandahl, Sam Conway, Logan Hageman, Chance Adam, Ethan Adams (assistant coach); (back) Jason Schmelzer (assistant coach), Landon Garcia, Shawn Israel, Damon Meyer, Ethan Timp, Brayden Bodensteiner, and Jacob Everts (assistant coach). (LeAnn Larson photo)

Warriors win Sectional Title

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Saturday was a big day for the Warrior wrestling team as it not only advanced eight wrestlers to this weekend’s District Tournament, but also captured a Sectional team title.

“We wrestled pretty well overall as all 12 of our guys made the semifinals,” said coach Jacob Elsbernd after the tournament in Monona. “I am very proud of how the guys responded throughout the day.”

Among the eight to advance to Districts next week at Starmont were four first-place finishers in Ethan Maldonado, Phillip French, Tony Greve, and Zach Taylor.

South Winn’s Collin Wiltgen slips past a defender during a recent game in Calmar. Wiltgen, who leads the team with 13.3 points per game, dropped 20 in a win against Kee on Friday and 12 in last week’s loss to Turkey Valley. (Zakary Kriener photo)

SW gets rebound win over Kee after falling to TV

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The South Winn boys started the week with a tough loss to UIC-leading Turkey Valley, but rebounded nicely with a win over Kee to close out the week and move to 12-7 on the season.

Turkey Valley

South Winn took on Turkey Valley on Tuesday, Feb. 4, as the conference-leading Trojans topped the Warriors, 68-42. With a South Winn victory, the conference lead would have been a tie between the Warriors and MFL/MarMac, but instead, the Bulldogs now share the lead with Turkey Valley.

Warrior girls drop final games of regular season

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The young South Winn girls’ basketball team ended its 2019-2020 regular season last week with a pair of conference losses to Turkey Valley and Kee. The team, however, will get a fresh start this week as the Warriors get a rematch with Kee on Thursday as the Class 1A Region 3 tournament gets underway.

Gabe Erickson takes a shot on his Viking opponent during Saturday’s Sectional Tournament held in Decorah. 

NFV sends five grapplers to Districts on Saturday

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Saturday marked step one of the road to State for the TigerHawk wrestlers as five individuals advanced to Districts this weekend in New Hampton. Competing at Decorah against five other area teams, the TigerHawks scored 169 points and placed fourth behind Crestwood (233), Charles City (201), and New Hampton/Turkey Valley (191.5).

Leading the way for NFV was senior 138-pounder Joel Grimes who improved to 29-5 on the season after going 2-0 on the day. Grimes pinned Clay Schemmel of Crestwood in the semifinals before picking up a 6-2 decision over Charles City’s Alex Staudt in the championship match.

Other TigerHawks who will wrestle this weekend for a shot at State include Caden Kerr (113), Braeden Ellis (120), Levi Lauer (126), and Kale Rodgers (170). 

Kerr dropped his only matchup of the day to No. 1-ranked Carter Fousek of Crestwood, but won a 6-0 decision over NH/TV’s Peyton Anderson in his first match.

Ellis took second at 120 points by winning a decision over Austin Wilkins of Decorah and dropping a 6-1 decision to Crestwood’s Cole Butikofer in the finals.

Lauer also took second on the day as he earned a fall over Marcus Gibbs (Waukon) in the semis before dropping a 7-2 decision to Matthew Slifka of Crestwood in the first place match.

The final TigerHawk to advance was 170-pounder Kale Rodgers who earned a 7-2 win in TB-1 over Landen Schemmel (Crestwood) but dropped a 9-2 decision to No. 9-ranked Elliot Sinnwell of Charles City in the first-place match.

North Fayette Valley junior Emma Ney fires up a three-pointer during last week’s action, which included a win over Clayton Ridge. Ney contributed five points and a pair of assists in the 65-31 win over the Eagles.

NFV girls down Eagles, fall to Trojans on Friday 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The North Fayette Valley girls’ basketball team now sits at 11-9 on the season as the team split a pair of Upper Iowa Conference contests last week.

Clayton Ridge

On Tuesday (Feb. 4), the TigerHawks headed east as they took on the Clayton Ridge Eagles on the road. 

“The girls played well in the second half,” said coach Jim Calkins after the 65-31 win. “We took a step in the right direction.”

Jaron Todd goes up for a shot attempt during a recent South Winn contest. In the team’s win over the West Central Blue Devils on Tuesday, Todd had eight boards, three assists and three steals. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Warrior boys prevail over Blue Devils

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The South Winneshiek boys’ basketball team notched another win on Tuesday, Jan. 28, as the team downed West Central 57-38 in an Upper Iowa Conference matchup.

“Our guys did a great job of being consistent for four quarters and winning every quarters,” said coach Blake Moen after the victory. “We did a great job of forcing tough shots and rebounding on defense. We passed much better in the second half, which led to more points and good shots taken by our guys.”

Junior Mary Frana aims up a jump shot during recent Warrior basketball action. South Winn fell to West Central on Tuesday night in Maynard. (Zakary Kriener photo)

SW girls fall to West Central

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The South Winn girls dropped their only contest of the week as they fell to West Central, 47-23.

“We did not execute and lacked hustle in almost all four quarters,” said Kayla Ross, head coach, after the contest. “None of our shots were falling and our defense was not as strong as it usually is. I am disappointed in our lack of effort and hope the girls learn from this loss.”

The Blue Devils grabbed the lead early and kept the pressure on throughout as the Warriors committed 14 turnovers and were out-rebounded, 41-32.

TigerHawk girls add to UIC win total

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The TigerHawk girls’ basketball team split a pair of contests last week as they downed UIC foe Postville on Tuesday, Feb. 28, before falling to a talented New Hampton squad on Thursday.

Postville

The NFV girls opened the week with a dominating, 73-20, win over Postville in a home conference contest.

The TigerHawks jumped on the Pirates early, taking a 24-6 advantage into the second quarter. NFV continued to apply the pressure, growing its lead to 45-10 at the half.

In the second half of the game, NFV was able to reach deep into its bench as a total of 12 players saw action throughout the game.

TigerHawk bowlers compete at Columbus

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The TigerHawk boys’ and girls’ bowling squads were in competition Friday at Cadillac Lanes as they competed against Columbus Catholic.

The NFV boys fell by a final of 2,459-2,217, but were led by a trio of bowlers to hit the 300 mark.

Mason Brown-Gonnerman led the way with a 161-202-363, while Kelton Loomis (199-155-354) and James Baumler (158-181-339) also had strong performances.

Senior Brennan Imoehl drives the baseline during recent NFV boys’ basketball action. Last week, Imoehl posted a season-high 26 points against Postville. (Zakary Kriener photo)

TigerHawk boys go 1-2 as season end approaches

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The TigerHawk boys had a tough week on the court as the team went 1-2, including a pair of Upper Iowa Conference losses to Postville and Kee. NFV did, however, pick up a 10-point win over New Hampton on the road.

Postville

The TH boys tipped off the week Tuesday, Jab. 28, with a 5-47 loss to the Pirates of Postville. The contest included a hot start by NFV, which led 10-4 after a quarter and trailed by only a point at the half.

The third quarter proved to be the difference in the game as the Pirates won the eight minutes by a 16-9 margin.

Leading the way for North Fayette Valley was Brennan Imoehl who posted a season-high 26 points. He, along with junior Kole Johnson, also grabbed six rebounds in the loss.