Sports

Giltner's Kale Bish celebrates with the Hornet coaches after a 38-6 win over Deshler Friday night.

Giltner's Kale Bish celebrates with the Hornet coaches after a 38-6 win over Deshler Friday night.

Area football roundup Week 1

Richard Rhoden
Friday, August 26, 2022
The Friday night lights are back and the area put on one heck of a show to kick off the 2022 football season.  The ANR's area teams went a combined 3-1 on opening night with Aurora, Giltner and Hampton all getting wins to start the year 1-0.  Aurora, Class C1's No.
Delaney Nachtigal (left) and Denae Nachtigal celebrate a point during Aurora's loss to Norris Thursday at the Wahoo triangular.

Delaney Nachtigal (left) and Denae Nachtigal celebrate a point during Aurora's loss to Norris Thursday at the Wahoo triangular.

Lady Huskies start season 1-1

Richard Rhoden
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Let's try something different.  Aurora's volleyball team opened up the 2022 volleyball season in one of the state's best triangular matchups, taking on Wahoo and Norris in Wahoo.
Former Hampton standout Kayla Gaughen takes over the Hawk volleyball program from her former coach, Diane Torson, who retired after 36 seasons.

Former Hampton standout Kayla Gaughen takes over the Hawk volleyball program from her former coach, Diane Torson, who retired after 36 seasons.

Gaughen takes over alma mater from coaching idol, legend

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Over the past few years, while still enjoying what she was doing, legendary Hampton coach Diane Torson was putting together an exit strategy.  The three-time state championship winning coach wanted to not only leave the program better than when she found it, but leave it in the best of hands.
Aurora football fans got one final preseason glimpse of the Huskies Friday with the annual sports drink scrimmage.

Aurora football fans got one final preseason glimpse of the Huskies Friday with the annual sports drink scrimmage.

Huskies open with ‘Hammer Game’ vs Northwest

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
A new season in a new classification starts with a familiar foe Friday when rival Grand Island Northwest comes to town for the traditional “Hammer Game.”  As soon as the 2022 football schedule was posted in February, coach Kyle Peterson said his Huskies had opening night circled on the calendar.
Andrew Murillo (left) takes over the Aurora volleyball program from Lois Hixson, who retired after 16 seasons. Sitting at Murillo’s right is new assistant coach Rachelle Kruml.

Andrew Murillo (left) takes over the Aurora volleyball program from Lois Hixson, who retired after 16 seasons. Sitting at Murillo’s right is new assistant coach Rachelle Kruml.

Murillo thrilled to build upon Aurora tradition

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
It only takes about five minutes of being around Andrew Murillo to find out he’s a high-energy, passionate guy. The passion shows up on the coaches bench, in the team huddles and even in the practice gym.  “I’m definitely relationship-oriented,” Murillo shared.
Dane McConnell grew up playing 8-man football and is excited to build on Giltner’s athletic tradition in both football and basketball.

Dane McConnell grew up playing 8-man football and is excited to build on Giltner’s athletic tradition in both football and basketball.

McConnell set to begin coaching career in Giltner

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Sports was always a safe space for Dane McConnell growing up. Now that he’s hung up his playing helmet, the new Giltner coach wants to be that mentor for others, similar to what he had as a kid.
Veteran football coach Jereme Jones, shown here leading the Hawks through preseason workout drills last week, joins the Hampton program after successful stops at St. Edward and Thayer Central.

Veteran football coach Jereme Jones, shown here leading the Hawks through preseason workout drills last week, joins the Hampton program after successful stops at St. Edward and Thayer Central.

Jones hopeful to build on Hawk program

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Jereme Jones is the first to admit he wasn’t much of an athlete. His high school football career only lasted four snaps. “I played those four plays scared to death,” Jones recalled. “I tell all my players they’ll play way more varsity football than I did.
Chris Hunt after his ace in Lincoln.

Chris Hunt after his ace in Lincoln.

Hunt records hole in one

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Chris Hunt of Aurora recorded his first hole in one July 31 with an ace at Pioneers Golf Course in Lincoln. Hunt used a 7-wood to ace the 176-yard par 3 fourth hole. Witnessing the shot were his wife, Tina, and sons Alex and Brad.
After a 27-year head coaching career, including the last 16 at Aurora, Lois Hixson is retiring from varsity coaching, but will continue to teach at AHS.

After a 27-year head coaching career, including the last 16 at Aurora, Lois Hixson is retiring from varsity coaching, but will continue to teach at AHS.

Lois Hixson retires from Aurora volleyball

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Lois Hixson has always had a calculated approach to her coaching style. She was given the keys to a powerful vehicle and wanted to make sure when she moved on, it was in the same vein.
Hampton coach Diane Torson celebrates a point during her final state tournament run in 2016. The longtime Hawk coach is retiring from the varsity sideline after 36 seasons, but will continue to teach in the coming years.

Hampton coach Diane Torson celebrates a point during her final state tournament run in 2016. The longtime Hawk coach is retiring from the varsity sideline after 36 seasons, but will continue to teach in the coming years.

Torson retires after 36 seasons

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
More often than not, Diane Torson could get her point across with just a look. Way more often than not, a simple look led to winning seasons and state championships for the Hampton volleyball team.