Sports

Britton Kemling had a busy weekend at the NSAA state wrestling championships, picking up his 100th career win while finishing fourth at 195 to round out his comeback to competition after a knee injury.

Britton Kemling had a busy weekend at the NSAA state wrestling championships, picking up his 100th career win while finishing fourth at 195 to round out his comeback to competition after a knee injury.

Kemling caps incredible comeback with medal

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Britton Kemling thought his senior season was over athletically before it even began. Little did he know, it was the start of an improbable comeback.  A little more than half a calendar year removed from a devastating knee injury, Kemling not only returned to the wrestling mat, but won.
Aurora's Jack Allen and GINW's Victor Isele battle in the Class B heavyweight final.

Aurora's Jack Allen and GINW's Victor Isele battle in the Class B heavyweight final.

Aurora’s heavyweight champ

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Each time out felt like another Rocky sequel. The expectation was always for the pride of Philadelphia to win. Not to mention a brutal slugfest that goes the distance.  That’s exactly what Jack Allen’s senior wrestling season was like, ending with a crowning achievement.
Natalie Bisbee won her second round consolation match Friday.

Natalie Bisbee won her second round consolation match Friday.

Friday morning state wrestling update

Richard Rhoden
Friday, February 17, 2023
It was an up and down morning session for Aurora at the NSAA state wrestling championships from the CHI Health Center.  The duo of Kellen Peterson and Natalie Bisbee each won their respective matchups in the second round of consolations to stay alive into Friday night.
Britton Kemling secured his 100th career win during Thursday's action at the state wrestling championships.

Britton Kemling secured his 100th career win during Thursday's action at the state wrestling championships.

Aurora state wrestling day 1

Richard Rhoden
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Aurora's boys and girls wrestling teams picked up three semifinalists during Thursday afternoon's opening session at the state wrestling championships.  Kehlanee Bengtson along with Britton Kemling and Jack Allen secured spots in Friday night's semifinals with a pair of victories.
Wyatt Urkoski picked up two wins Thursday for a spot in the Class D semifinals.

Wyatt Urkoski picked up two wins Thursday for a spot in the Class D semifinals.

High Plains state wrestling day 1

Richard Rhoden
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Wyatt Urkoski penciled his name into Friday night's semifinal round with a pair of wins to begin the Class D state wrestling championships Thursday morning.
The Giltner bench celebrates after defeating Hampton 47-45 Friday night.

The Giltner bench celebrates after defeating Hampton 47-45 Friday night.

Hornets hold off Hawks in another nail-biter

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
For the third time in a row dating back to a season ago, a rivalry game between Giltner and Hampton came down to the final second.  For a third time in a row it was the same result -- a Giltner victory. How we got there Friday night, though, wasn’t the same.
Aurora’s Carlos Collazo signed with Concordia University Feb. 8 to play college football alongside his parents, Eric and Nikki as well as Aurora football coaches Kyle Peterson and Cole Ashby.

Aurora’s Carlos Collazo signed with Concordia University Feb. 8 to play college football alongside his parents, Eric and Nikki as well as Aurora football coaches Kyle Peterson and Cole Ashby.

Collazo set for college football at Concordia University

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
From Huskies to Bulldogs, Carlos Collazo isn’t done making defenders look silly on the gridiron.  Collazo signed with Concordia University Feb. 8 to continue his academic and football career just down I-80.
At left: Camden Holliday signed with Hastings College for baseball alongside his parents, Gregg and Roxann, Aurora Post 42 coach Jeremy Burgener and Hastings coach Joel Schipper. At right: Devin Otto signed with Hastings College for baseball alongside his parents, Jay and Michelle, Aurora Post 42 coach Jeremy Burgener and Hastings coach Joel Schipper.

At left: Camden Holliday signed with Hastings College for baseball alongside his parents, Gregg and Roxann, Aurora Post 42 coach Jeremy Burgener and Hastings coach Joel Schipper. At right: Devin Otto signed with Hastings College for baseball alongside his parents, Jay and Michelle, Aurora Post 42 coach Jeremy Burgener and Hastings coach Joel Schipper.

Aurora duo to join Hastings Baseball

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Otto thrilled about opportunity with Hastings College It’s hard to find someone who loves baseball more than Devin Otto.  He’s grown up around the diamond, playing catch and chasing pop flies. That’s not going to change any time soon.
Gahvi Lesiak looks for an open teammate out of an East Butler halfcourt trap during HPC’s dominant 54-17 win Friday night.

Gahvi Lesiak looks for an open teammate out of an East Butler halfcourt trap during HPC’s dominant 54-17 win Friday night.

Lindburg, Storm carry hot shooting night past East Butler

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Friday was a good night to be Hailey Lindburg, or at the very least wearing the same red, white and blue uniform.  The HPC senior was lights out, scoring 21 points on 7 of 14 shooting as the Storm put together its best offensive performance of the season, defeating East Butler 54-17 in Polk.
Richard Rhoden

Richard Rhoden

Smiling through it all

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Girls wrestling is still fresh in Nebraska, but you wouldn’t know it looking around Saturday at the A-1 district meet in Fremont.  Both Aurora and High Plains were there competing for spots at next week’s state wrestling championships in Omaha and emotions were through the roof.