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A single, empty seat at the head of Hampton’s bench was the focus of the night Friday as a gymnasium full of family and friends paid tribute to Coach Kyle Ediger, who was killed in a car/train accident earlier in the week. -
After more than 20 rounds, these four spellers were named the best of the best. They were, from left: Lucy Gustafson of Aurora (first overall), Jayden Betancort of Hampton (second overall), Aiden Roush of Aurora (third overall) and Tanner Schelkopf of Giltner (fourth overall). -
Giltner’s Cooper Reeson (center) is mobbed by his teammates after making a last-second three to defeat Hampton 41-40 Friday night. -
Aurora’s Jack Spiehs was one of seven qualifiers for the Huskies in a team district runner-up effort at the B-2 meet.
‘Fly high, Coach Ediger’
The Hampton school and community suffered a devastating loss last week with the tragic death of Kyle Ediger, a 31-year-old teacher and coach who local residents say personified the Hawk Pride tradition.
News of Ediger’s death late Tuesday night, Feb. 8, spread quickly throughout the rural community, with Supt. Holly Herzberg reporting an outpouring of support and condolences which spoke volumes about the respect Hawk Nation and others had for this personable young man.
Hamilton County spelling bee names its champs
The Hamilton County Spelling Bee saw some stiff competition to determine the county’s top spellers during the event Feb. 9. After more than 20 rounds, these four spellers were named the best of the best.
Hornets win on Reeson’s last-second shot
Tears were flowing before, during and after Friday’s regular season finale between Hampton and Giltner, an emotional night which played out as a tribute to a young, vibrant coach described by many as a Hawk to the core.
Kyle Ediger’s shoes and a shirt with his name on the back were placed on an empty chair at the head of the Hawks’ home bench, serving as a silent reminder that he had coached his final game. Given the choice of whether to play or not to play, the Hawk seniors decided to take the court in honor of their beloved coach and mentor.
“We wanted to play,” said senior Drake Schafer. “We think that’s what Kyle would have wanted us to do. Kyle just wanted us to go out and play our hearts out. Kyle never cared about the end result, he just cared about how we played and how we helped each other.”
Aurora set for run at state champs
There wasn’t too much joy or celebration from Aurora’s seven wrestlers who qualified for this week’s state championships. The Huskies have far loftier goals in mind.
Aurora earned district runner-up honors at the B-2 district meet behind Bennington to go along with its seven state qualifiers.
Two of those were individual district champions -- Brekyn Papineau at 182 and Aaron Jividen at 285. Other qualifiers include Karsten Hohm at 106, Jack Spiehs at 113, Colin Kennedy at 120, Britton Kemling at 160 and Mack Owens at 195.
For the most part, Aurora coach Derek Keasling was pleased with the results from the district, echoing that the team’s goals go much further than this.
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