LexCH.com Sports » Josh Rowan

LHS kicks off fall sports

Josh Rowan — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 10:48:44 +0000

by Brittany Stark
CH sports writer
LEXINGTON–Lexington got a sneak peak into the future of the 2011 fall sports season when LHS held its night of scrimmages on Friday.

The night started off at Plum Creek Park with the Cross Country Watermelon Run.

The girls team went first, taking two laps around the park. Coming in first for the Minutemaids was Odaliz Santoyo, followed by Vanessa Ambriz, and Daisy Lopez.

Then it was the boys turn. They ran three laps, with Jalen Grant and Franklin Ibarra leading the way.

The cross country team’s first meet is Sept. 1 at the Cozad Invite.

The next stop on the night of scrimmages was the tennis courts.

Head coach Ben Klein showed off his new team to the public. Two of the most promising were Sam Morgan and Brody Lauby, who rallied back and forth against each other in singles play.

The tennis team will play its first match at home against Hastings on Sept. 3.

At the volleyball scrimmage, sports fans saw the potential the Minutemaids could have this season. Sydney Seberger set the ball up to sister Casey, who spiked it across the court, over and over. There was great blocking by Kelby O’Meara and Brooke Schmidt.

The volleyball team will serve up its first ball on Sept. 3 at the Lexington Invite.

Then, it was time for football.

Fans headed to Ray Ehlers Stadium to see what the Minutemen were going to look like. Coaches gave fans a chance to be an offensive coordinator. Pay $5, pick your play, and the offense will run it.

Head coach Phil Truax said he learned quite a few new plays for the season,

“About 26 of them we are going to incorporate into our game plan.”

It was all for a good time and a good cause. Call your own play and football t-shirts sold during the game were both fundraisers for the team.

The stakes were high for the Minutemen squad; the losing team had to run after the game. It was a close game, but Lexington’s white team pulled off the win, beating the black 7-6.

Traux said the scrimmage was a success. The community came out to support its team and the athletes responded by playing well.

“We tried a lot of different things tonight,” Truax said. “We accomplished our goal of having fun and getting the community involved with it.”

The football team will start their season on Friday, Aug. 26, against Gering.

Colton Osborn wins Burger King Challenge

Josh Rowan — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 10:46:53 +0000

by Darin Racek
Special to the Clipper-Herald
LEXINGTON–It was Championship Night at Dawson County Raceway, and there was quite a bit going on that night. Besides the complete race night, there was also an auction to raise funds for John Ford of Bertrand, who was injured at the track last month (which raised over $1,800), the Burger King Challenge Championship race was run for the IMCA Northern SportMods, and a powder puff and mechanics races were run. At the end of the night, Wade Cross of Phillips, Mike Nichols of Harlan, Iowa, Brian LaRiviere of Wichita, Kan., and Jason Wilkinson of Neligh completed the evening with A Feature wins. Harlan, Wilkinson, Jay Steffens of North Platte, and Tyler Frye of Belleville, Kan., completed the season with track championship titles.

Brooke Eilts of Grand Island ran a hard 13 laps at the beginning of the IMCA Modified A Feature, holding off the likes of Cole Hodges of Ogallala and Wade Cross off for the lead. The caution came out, prompting a restart where Cross was able to sneak by for the lead on the next lap, before the yellow waved again. On the restart, the Phillips driver powered out to a lead that could not be overtaken. Hodges was able to finish in second place. Jim Mlady of North Platte made a daring move to drive in between two racers racing for third to take the third spot for himself. Brent Bohmont of McCook finished in fourth, and heat winner Josh Sabin of North Platte finished in fifth place. Charles Stryker out of Eddyville won the other Modified heat race. Jay Steffens had a 40 point lead going into the night, which meant he had to show up and drive to secure the points title.

Mike Nichols came into the night tied for second place with Colton Osborn, three points behind Casey Woken of Ogallala in the IMCA Stock Car points. At the start of the race, however, Dan Walker of Eddyville showed the way. Nichols crept into second after starting in the fourth spot and rode for many laps. Casey Woken was in fifth at the time, trying to work his way forward to either catch Nichols or at least finish only two spots behind, meaning he would still win the championship by a point. However, fifth was where he finished. Nichols and Walker put on quite a show at the end, with Nichols taking the lead on lap 18, Walker regaining it on 19, and the two crossing the finish line nearly side-by-side. The scorekeepers all agreed it was Mike Nichols who crossed the line a whisker ahead of Walker, giving him the win and the four points he needed to pass Woken in the points hunt. Cale Osborn of Cozad finished in third place and Casey Werkmeister of Maywood finished in fourth. Woken, however, should have clinched the IMCA Stock Car Nebraska state points championship with his finish. Colton Osborn and Gothenburg driver Jeff Whiting took the Stock Car heat race wins.

Jason Wilkinson came into the night with an eight on Tiffany Bittner of Norfolk in the IMCA Hobby Stock division. Wilkinson started the night with a win in the heat races (as well as did Tyler Andreasen of Grand Island), but Bittner flexed her muscle while winning the Cash Dash. The A Feature went all the way of Wilkinson, as he passed Zach Canas of Cozad for the lead on lap five and never looked back during the 15 lap event. The race for second place came down to the end, with Terry Greuter of Grand Island beating both Anthony Martin of Wilcox and Andresen to the line. Canas finished behind them.

Tyler Frye had also secured the track title for the IMCA Northern SportMods by showing up to the track, but he also had a fellow Kansas competitor there he was trying to defeat, as he and Brian LaRiviere are both in the top three of the IMCA National points. LaRiviere was able to move to the front first, passing Vince Leibert of Lexington for the lead after a lap seven restart. “Flyin’ Bryan” was able to stay out front and notch another win to move him closer to the title. Denny Egge of Kearney had a strong night, staying in the top three for nearly the entire race and staying ahead of Frye to finish in second place. Colton Osborn and Bryan Herrick of Curtis finished in fourth and fifth place. Osborn and Egge were also the heat winners.

The seven SportMod drivers who earned the right to race the championship race for the Burger King Challenge Series drew for starting positions for the 12 lap race. Kerry Jones of North Platte drew the pole, but outside starter Colton Osborn would obtain the lead early and drive off for the win. Jamey Kennicutt of Gothenburg also was able to pass Jones, but got no where near taking the crown from Colton. Jones was happy with his third place finish. Shane Stout of North Platte moved up one spot to fourth place by the finish. Josh Bopp of McCook had to start dead last, but took advantage of bad luck by Bryan Herrick and Hunter Cantrall of Overton to take fifth place money. Hunter spun off of corner four on the last lap, but still made it to sixth place. Herrick lost power on his car and limped home in seventh.

Promoter Allen Wissmann and his crew would like to thank the fans, racers, and sponsors for coming out and supporting Dawson County Raceway during the 2011 season.

Dawson County Raceway Results for July 10

Josh Rowan — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:36:02 +0000

LEXINGTON – One of the hottest days of summer so far turned into one of the wettest race nights in memory as the sky unloaded its rain on Dawson County Raceway.
Before the night was over, however, Kyle Berck of Marquette, Jay Steffens of North Platte, Tyler Frye of Belleville, Kan., and Mike Nichols of Harlan, Iowa were able to obtain the A Feature wins.
The Super Late Model Racing group made their first ever appearance at Dawson County Raceway, and it was the first appearance of a Late Model touring series at the track since 2003. The A Feature was moved up after it was learned storms were approaching so the fans could watch what many of them came for. Travis Dickes of Madison passed fellow heat winner Justin Zeitner of LaVista on lap two and began to open a large lead, lapping cars by the fourth lap.
Kyle Berck started the race in eighth place, but had to take his time to work around the likes of Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Famer Al Humphrey of Giltner, and Leon Zeitner, also of LaVista. By the 16th lap, Berck was able to pass Justin Zeitner for second place and set his sights on Dickes. About the time Berck made his pass for the lead, there were two laps to go, and he pulled away for his third SLMR win of the year. Dickes and Justin Zeitner finished in second and third places.
The IMCA Northern SportMod A Feature was the only other regularly scheduled A Feature that was able to be completed.
Ben Hobbs of Red Cloud had some help with the setup of his car from Tyler Frye, and jumped ahead to the first lead. A caution at the half way point brought heat race victor Colton Osborn of Cozad and Denny Egge of Kearney on the back bumper of the Kansan. Egge, who is racing his first year in the division, was feeling his oats and was able to pull ahead of Osborn on the restart, but could not shake Frye from his fourth straight DCR A Feature win. Osborn settled for third.
The IMCA Modified A Feature that was run to make up for the June 19 rainout was loaded with cars and very hard-hitting. Eighteen cars started the event, with most of them thinking they could win it on the first lap.
Brent Bohmont of McCook survived nearly getting put in the wall on the first attempt and settled in at the top spot at the start of the race. While many drivers were running lower on the track, Jay Steffens found his car would run good not only up high, but it stuck down low as he came from fifth on a lap four restart to first on lap seven. Steffens extended his lead for several laps until Tyler Iverson of Albion was able to slide into second place, but he could only bite into it a little as Steffens left plenty of cushion on his way to his second A Feature win of the year. Cole Hodges of Ogallala and Bohmont continued the racing they had done the night before in North Platte, only this time, Hodges was the one who was able to come out with the third spot. Travis Mack of Alda started in 18th place after an early pit stop and came back to finish in fifth place.
The second Modified A Feature was washed out and will be run July 17. Josh Sabin of North Platte and Jeremy Frenier of Fort Morgan, Colo. were the two heat race winners.
The IMCA Stock Car A Feature picked up where it left off on June 19, almost without leader Mike Nichols. Nichols was slowed on his way to Lexington by an accident on the interstate, but he was able to make it to the track before the race started. He drove his car more than likely like he drove his pickup to the track once the interstate cleared, quickly, and with few cars able to keep up with him. Colton Osborn finished in a distant second place, with Casey Woken of Ogallala in third place. Kyle and Brandon Clough of Wallace rounded out the top five finishers.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks were the only class unable to run any A Feature. There was only one scheduled, originally before the SLMR main event, but with the storm approaching, it was moved down the order of events, and now moved to July 17.
Racing at Dawson County Raceway will start at 6:30 p.m. on July 17. Both of the gates on the east side of the Dawson County Fairgrounds will be closed beginning on July 15 and will not be opened again until after the fair, so fans and competitors are asked to enter via the north gates from Walnut Street the next two scheduled race nights.
June 19 Results

IMCA Modified makeup feature
XII-Jay Steffens
98T-Tyler Iverson
34JW-Cole Hodges
18S-Brent Bohmont
59M-Travis Mack
19-Charles Stryker
21C-Wade Coss
50-Scott Smith
19J-Jim Mlady
23S-Josh Sabin
29E-Booke Eilts
13-Ethan Johnson
43-Rick Schwab (DNF)
55Z-Zach Schultz (DNF)
4C-Charley Brown (DNF)
17J-Jeremy Frenier
41J-Jeff Linner
95-Dylan Smith
17B-Brad Williams (DNF)
8T-Ty Rogers (DNS)
Heat 1
23S-Josh Sabin
98T-Tyler Iverson
34JW-Cole Hodges
Heat 2
17J-Jeremy Frenier
95-Dylan Smith
43-Rick Schwab
A Feature
(postponed due to weather)

IMCA Stock Car makeup feature
63-Mike Nichols
50-Colton Osborn
35JW-Casey Woken
11K-Kyle Clough
20B-Brandon Clough
6C-Cale Osborn
24W-Casey Werkmeister
29E-Brendan Eilts
09H-Bob Hoing
4C-Sal Hernandez
00-Sara Powers
57X-Scott Stoll
51B-Brett Gartrell
24-Dan Walker
42W-Kyle Werkmeister (DNF)
05-Jesse Taylor (DNF)
57-Dan Stoll (DNS)
Heat 1
35JW-Casey Woken
20B-Brandon Clough
00-Sara Powers
Heat 2
24-Dan Walker
24W-Casey Werkmeister
63-Mike Nichols
A Feature
(postponed due to weather)

IMCA Hobby Stock
Heat 1
11-Dillon Thompson
13T-Tyler Andreasen
52-Jason Wilkinson
Heat 2
32-Lonnie Greuter
9A-Anthony Martin
29-Jeromy Wagner
A Feature
(postponed due to weather)

IMCA SportMods
Heat 1
15K-Jamey Kennicutt
76-Ben Hobbs
55-Tyler Frye
Heat 2
50-Colton Osborn
7R-Vince Leibert
68-Craig Howard
A Feature
55-Tyler Frye
1X-Denny Egge
50-Colton Osborn
5S-Shane Stout
76-Ben Hobbs
15K-Jamey Kennicutt
0-Bryan Herrick
4P-Rick Putnam
68-Craig Howard
3oz-Ozzie Romero
11-James Libra
25-Natasha Coons
7R-Vince Leibert (DNF)
4DJ-Hunter Cantrall (DNS)
SLMR Late Models
Heat 1
21t-Travis Dickes
62-Leon Zeitner
5x-Mike Marushak
Heat 2
1w-Mike Wiarda
6-Al Humphrey
90-Steve Kempt
Heat 3
Z62-Justin Zeitner
87d-Chad Dolan
14-Kyle Berck
A Feature
14-Kyle Berck
21t-Travis Dickes
Z62-Justin Zeitner
1w-Mike Wiarda
90-Steve Kempt
5x-Mike Marushak
6-Al Humphrey
62-Leon Zeitner
53-Joe Kosiski
82-Robbie Andersen
87d-Chad Dolan
15-Jase Kaser
33x-Brian Kenkel
28-Kevin Safranek
22-Chris Avery
83d-Denton Duncan
30-Micah Veleba
19E-Ross Evans (DNF)
38-Jack Swearingen

Father and son recall 30 years between All-Star appearances

Josh Rowan — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:34:36 +0000

OVERTON – Football runs deep in the Jensen family.
Jacob Jensen is the last of the Jensen boys to finish his high school football career at Overton.
This season, he has one up on his entire family – being selected for the 2011 Sertoma 8-Man All-Star football game.
Not only did Jacob get selected for the All-Star game, father Bernie, was chosen 30 years ago, as a member of Sandhills High School.
Jacob was excited to partake in the all-star game, but was unaware of his father’s athletic history.
“I was pretty happy about it,” Jacob said. “I didn’t know about my dad playing 30 years ago. When my dad found about it, he was pretty tickled.”
The former Eagles quarterback was named the starter of the all-star game and helped lead his team to a 7-0 win on June 18.
Bernie recalls his days donning the green jersey and reminiscing on watching his son play in the same game 30 years later.
“I was really thrilled because he didn’t know what an experience it was going to be,” Bernie said. “It meant a lot to me that he got selected.”
As a member of Sandhills, Bernie was selected for the 1981 Sertoma 8-man All-Star Game. His experience was on the opposite side of what Jacob experienced, losing a lopsided game to the East All-Stars, 49-6.
“We got slaughtered,” Bernie laughed. “It wasn’t fun losing your last high school football game, but it was a fun experience.”
Jacob also received another award during the all-star game festivities, earning Offensive MVP for the West team. The honor was the first ever offensive award for the Eagles and the second in school history for either side of the ball, with former Eagle great Eric Ryan being selected Defensive MVP in 1995.
Jacob will be taking his football career to the next level, as he will be playing college football for Hastings College and new coach Tony Harper, who will be taking over as the head coach of the Broncos after five years as an assistant coach.
“They are all pretty young coaches and they’re all eager to prove that we can be a good football team this year,” Jacob said. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Bernie along with wife, Susan, have had a chance to watch Jacob play at home all four years of high school. Now the scene changes as Jacob’s home games will be played at Bronco Stadium.
Bernie still plans on watching his son play football.
“We are going to try and get to as many as we can,” Bernie said. “It will be pretty special to watch him play college football.”

Rowan’s Extra Point: The NCAA rulebook

Josh Rowan — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:41:22 +0000

The last few months leading up to the 2011-12 college football season have been riddled with scandal and controversy.
Ohio State has taken its share of hits to the gut this spring with the exit of head coach Jim Tressel and star quarterback Terrell Pryor.
USC is dealing with not going to a bowl game for the next couple of years, something that coach Lane Kiffin probably wasn’t expecting when he first stepped onto the practice field.
Really?
Who created this rulebook in the first place?
In my mind, the players at Ohio State were not at fault for selling their own memorabilia. They earned those rings, they were given to them, they can do what they want with them. Plain and simple.
Was it wrong to hide to the NCAA that this was taken place? Absolutely.
I’m not arguing with that. I’m just saying that even a student-athlete has the right to make some sort of money during college.
So, if I went back to college, got back in shape, played an NCAA sport of some kind, and miraculously won a championship and I wanted to give the ring to my family, chances are, I am going to find some sort of violation out of that.
Basically, I am going on a sarcastic rant about the NCAA right now because it seems to me these days that if you put your jersey on the wrong way – boom – violation.
These athletes need more breathing room than what they are allowed.
Perhaps, if college officials didn’t have such a suffocating grip on these athletes when they come to their institution, maybe there wouldn’t be as much trouble during the sports season.
Student-athletes are under a microscope from the minute they get out of bed, to the minute they go back to bed that same night.
I’m glad I didn’t become an athlete in college. I would’ve yanked my hair out.
So for the future, maybe it’s time to start cutting these kids a little slack. Don’t get me wrong, rules are rules and yes, there are some rules that are just and need to be followed to the letter. However, some rules, I believe, are there just to be there.
Let these student-athletes enjoy their college life.
College is supposed to be one of the best times of a young adult’s life. College is supposed to be where a young adult gets the chance to explore the world on his or her own terms, not under parental supervision.
Also, it gives that young adult a chance to mold themselves into the person they want to be.
All of these rules and regulations are bound to create a person who is somewhat of a rebel and therefore, you have the Ohio State incident or you have the USC scandal.
Now, reading my daily Husker stuff, I came across an article that says Nebraska put themselves on a self-imposed NCAA probation for athletes that received “recommended” textbooks instead of the books covered with their scholarship.
This is not Lawrence Phillips, which was by far the biggest problem Nebraska has had to face as a program. This textbook incident will be merely a slap on the wrist, just for the reason that Nebraska follows the rules as best as any school in the country.
Now, I’m not saying that because I’m a Husker fan, but because I’ve seen it with my own two eyes for the last 27 years. Every school has their minor slip-ups, Nebraska seems to have their feet firmly planted; with their hand not even close to the cookie jar.
For my Extra Point, this will be my final Extra Point. Yes it’s true, I have made the decision to move back to Kearney.
This will always be my hometown. This is where everything started for me.
If I wanted to go around and say thank you to everyone who has either helped me, or complimented me along the way, I would be here for a while.
There is nothing that I can say that will show my appreciation for all that everyone has done or said over the last 19 months.
This doesn’t mean that I am leaving and not coming back. I will pop up from time to time and will probably make an appearance at some local sporting events just to stay in the loop.
All I know is, this last year and a half, it has been a pleasure to work with everyone that I’ve come in contact with, and I look forward to what may come in the future.
This has been a wonderful experience for me and I will be forever grateful to the crew of the Lexington Clipper-Herald.
So for now, this isn’t goodbye. It’s “see you soon.”

Melons defeat Pinnacle Bank in rivalry rematch

Josh Rowan — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:40:33 +0000

GOTHENBURG – After narrowly escaping Lexington with a 6-4 win a week ago, the Gothenburg Melons were wondering what would happen when the Lexington Pinnacle Bank Seniors came to town Wednesday night.
Lexington found out that this was a much different team than the one they played a week prior as the Melons took care of business the second time around, routing Lexington, 8-0.
The first few innings began just as the game did last week, with both teams struggling to get runs on the board.
The game remained scoreless after the first inning, then in the second, Gothenburg’s offense came to life. Tannor Mroczek and Brandon Wlasiuk both scored runs in the bottom half of the inning to lead 2-0 after two innings.
Pinnacle Bank couldn’t find any magic that seemed to be there a week ago, as Tanner Schwanz struck out seven batters in just four and a half innings. Schwanz kept Pinnacle Bank off the scoreboard, then the Melons started adding insult to injury.
Cody and Tre Ostergard, Aaron Haner and Korey Ahlenstay scored in the bottom of the fourth inning, including a two-RBI single from Haner, to extend the Melons’ lead to 6-0.
Schwanz settled into his groove in the final two innings, striking out five batters.
Gothenburg put the game away in the bottom half of the fifth inning with a two-RBI single from Trent Good, ending the game on a run-rule.
Morgan Ansbach took the loss for Lexington, pitching a complete game, the first complete game for Lexington this year. Ansbach allowed eight runs, striking out two.
With the win, Gothenburg improved to 14-2 on the season, easily giving themselves a chance at the top seed heading into the Area 6 Tournament, which they host starting July 21.
Lexington remains winless on the season, with just a few games remaining on the schedule. The Seniors play at home again on July 16, when they host a doubleheader with McCook.

Gomez selected as beneficiary at 18th annual Joe Torres tourney

Josh Rowan — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:39:12 +0000

LEXINGTON – Louie Gomez doesn’t let the thought of cancer stop him from enjoying life.
The father of four was surprised and honored when he was informed that he was selected as the beneficiary for the 2011 Joe Torres Sand Volleyball Tournament.
“It’s nice to know that there are people out there who care about you,” Gomez said. “I feel really good.”
Just recently, Gomez received a phone call that he was diagnosed with clear-cell carcinoma, a rare cancer that forms when cells are clear or pale in color.
This type of cancer he has is stage four cancer, which he said took almost 10 years to develop.
The journey begins when Louie goes in for surgery to remove the tumor from his back, where doctors will also remove his T-1 vertebrae.
After spinal surgery, Gomez could remain in the hospital for up to four weeks, which would prevent him from being able to attend the Torres volleyball tournament.
After Gomez has time to heal, they will begin radiation treatments on his spine.
The cancer has no cure, but is treatable, and doctors have told Gomez that he should have a long life to live.
The Gomez siblings – Mike, Vic, Janelle and Brad – have started to spread the word and form teams to help “Ol’ Lou.”
“I know my daughter and her friends are going to put a team together, and I’m trying to get the word out and get people to put teams together,” Mike said. “I also know my sister is getting a team together.”
“It’s a great tournament,” Vic said. “Jim (Macias) has done a great job putting it together and it’s great that there are people in the community who are willing to give back to someone in need.”
Even with the word ‘cancer’ now being something that the Gomez family has to deal with, Louie does his best to put his worries on the back burner.
“You put the worry in the back of your head and go on with your life,” Louie said. “ It’s there now, there’s nothing we can do about it, just have to make the best with what you got.”
The Joe Torres Sand Volleyball Tournament is entering its 18th year, dedicated after the late Joe Torres, who was diagnosed with cancer in 1993 and members of the community held a sand volleyball tournament to help raise money for medical expenses.
Tournament director Jim Macias was on the committee who helped choose Gomez as this year’s beneficiary.
“We chose Louie because he is a long-time resident of Lexington and is a solid member of the community,” Macias said. “Since this is a community-based fundraiser, who better to choose this year than Louie.”
Macias loves putting on the tournament every year because he knows that the money raised from registrations and donations go to one place.
“The outcome is very satisfying,” Macias said. “With the money, we all know where it’s going.”
Sponsors of the Joe Torres tournament are the Lexington Clipper-Herald, Tyson Fresh Meats, Pinnacle Bank, Black Diamond Auto, Tri-County Hospital and Awards Plus.
“These sponsors I am so very grateful for,” Macias said. “Without these sponsors, this tournament would not be possible.”
Registration deadline for the tournament is July 27. For more information on registration or freewill donation, call Jim Macias at 324-5636 or at (308) 746-3100.

Super Late Model racers to invade Dawson County Raceway

Josh Rowan — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:32:46 +0000

Darin Racek
Special to the Clipper-Herald
LEXINGTON – Dawson County Raceway is gearing up for the arrival of the Super Late Model Racing Association (SLMR) out of eastern Nebraska, who will put on a show for fans on Sunday night, July 10. The SLMR will be on night two of a three-night western swing which will include stops at McCool Junction, Lexington, and Albion. The series has run six races so far this year, and Travis Dickes of Madison holds a four point lead on “Lightning” Leon Zeitner of LaVista. Both drivers have A Feature wins, but it is Kyle Berck of Marquette who is on a hot streak. A former Late Model point champion at Dawson County Speedway, Berck has won the last two SLMR events. J. C. Wyman of Griswold, Iowa and Jason O’Brien of Atlantic, Iowa have garnered the other two wins. These five should be at Dawson County Raceway, as well as Joe Kosiski of Omaha, who would be making his first ever visit to the track in his 37 years of racing, and “The Hombre”, Al Humprey of Giltner. Area Late Model drivers are making plans to be here as well, including former IMCA Modified track champion Chad Dolan of Gibbon, Kevin Safranek of Merna, and Chris Avery of Kearney.
The regular four IMCA classes will also be running, with the Modifieds and Stock Cars having to run features that were called off on June 19. The gates will open at 5 p.m., and the races will start at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be $18 for adults, $8 for kids 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. Pit passes cost $25. A pre-race show will be on air from 5-6 p.m. on KBBN, 95.3 FM, and can be heard on the internet by going to www.kbbn.com and following the instructions.

Lexington Tennis League Results for Week 4

Josh Rowan — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:00:09 +0000

Kids League
Slams tied Deuces, 28-28 (3 sets to 3)
Vollies def. Spinners, 32-28

Standings
Deuces 7
Slams 5
Vollies 4
Spinner 0

Wednesday A.M. Women
Aces def. Smashers, 32-22
Racquettes def. Rallies, 34-24

Standings
Smashers 6
Aces 4
Racquettes 4
Rallies 2

Wednesday Night Mixed
Wilson def. Reebok, 47-38
Penns def. Nike, 45-37

Standings
Penns 8
Wilsons 4
Nike 2
Reebok 2

To register for fall tennis, please call Mary Maloley at 324-2156 or Bernie Lauby at 324-4367, by Monday, July 11. Teams will be picked Monday, July 18. The fall session starts the week of Aug. 8.

Rowan’s Extra Point: High School Baseball wars

Josh Rowan — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:59:44 +0000

After watching just a few of my cousin’s baseball games in Oklahoma during my vacation, it has become pretty clear to me.
Baseball in Oklahoma far exceeds anything I’ve seen in Nebraska.
My uncle is a baseball guru. Speaking with him one evening at a baseball contest, I got a pretty good impression on what level baseball is in Oklahoma compared to here.
Owasso High School, which is about 10 minutes north of Tulsa, has one of the best high school baseball teams in the entire country.
At the end of spring baseball, the Rams were sitting at the No. 1 ranking – in the nation.
The Rams lost the state championship game to Broken Arrow High School, another nationally-ranked team, in a battle of pitchers that Major League Baseball scouts were drooling over.
Owasso’s top player, Dylan Bundy, was named 2010 Gatorade High School Baseball Player of the Year, not to mention 2010 USA Today All-USA Baseball Player of the Year.
Even during the summer, there are still competitive leagues around where college scouts make an appearance.
I don’t see that in Nebraska all that often.
I have always been pro-Nebraska high school athletics, but over the last 10 years, living in Colorado and Oklahoma, I got a good interpretation that there are states out there that take high school sports a lot more seriously than we do.
I know for most Nebraskans that may seem farfetched, but just take a week to go to Texas or Oklahoma.
It may surprise you.
Being an avid sports fan, I am always curious to see how other states’ athletics compare to the Cornhusker State.
I think in the last few years, baseball has been a sport that has taken a huge hit as far as competition and numbers.
Maybe it’s time to see some Western Nebraska teams start forming some baseball teams to take on the eastern schools.
We’ve done it in soccer and look at what’s happened.
Baseball is one of America’s oldest sports, if not the oldest.
It carries more tradition and nostalgia than any sport I know.
The College World Series I think gave a new respect for the sport of baseball.
Watching the debut of TD Ameritrade Park was fun and even though I was sad to see Rosenblatt go, I was definitely excited to see what could be in store for the new ball park.
As I said in a prior editorial, I think it’s time that we start going back to tradition and realizing what we’re really missing out on.
Baseball is royalty compared to the other sports that have been around for the past 50-75 years.
It’s been almost 20 years since our last Amercian Legion state championship, perhaps it’s time to put baseball back on the map not in Lexington, but in Nebraska.
My Extra Point, Nebraska is now officially a member of the Big Ten.
Why am I so excited?
Maybe it’s because I’m tired of watching teams like Texas and Oklahoma monopolize the market.
Maybe it’s because it’s time for Nebraska to move into a conference where they feel welcome.
Maybe it’s time for Nebraska to finally be back amongst the upper eschelon of college football teams.
I just think it’s time for a change.