Sports

Embree Keasling looks for a potential pin against fellow Aurora club member Elsie Bates in their showdown Friday.

Embree Keasling looks for a potential pin against fellow Aurora club member Elsie Bates in their showdown Friday.

Smiles, tears and fears conquered

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Youth from across Hamilton County and beyond gathered over the weekend for a youth wrestling tournament. The wrestling mats saw tears, fears and, most importantly, plenty of smiles.
Booker Scheierman absorbs contact through the lane in Aurora’s 34-31 loss to Sidney in the C1-6 district final.

Booker Scheierman absorbs contact through the lane in Aurora’s 34-31 loss to Sidney in the C1-6 district final.

Huskies fall short in district final loss to Sidney

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
The Huskies have been consistent since its last state tournament appearance in 2019. The issue is, that consistency comes with a red mark.  Aurora came up short in its fourth district final in as many years, losing to Sidney in the C1-6 final 34-31 Feb. 28 played at Cozad.
Carsen Staehr signed with the University of South Dakota’s track team alongside his parents, Jay and Kim, as well as Aurora track coaches AJ Farrand, KC Lathrop, Cole Carraher and Gordon Wilson.

Carsen Staehr signed with the University of South Dakota’s track team alongside his parents, Jay and Kim, as well as Aurora track coaches AJ Farrand, KC Lathrop, Cole Carraher and Gordon Wilson.

Staehr jumped at opportunity with South Dakota track

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Growing up, Carsen Staehr always dreamed about being a college athlete. But, he never really saw himself as a track star. Once he shattered Aurora’s triple jump record, things quickly started changing until his commitment to South Dakota’s track team made it official Feb. 22.
Hampton’s Wyatt Dose soars through the lane for a layup duing a 56-39 loss to Fullerton in the D2-6 subdistrict tournament last week.

Hampton’s Wyatt Dose soars through the lane for a layup duing a 56-39 loss to Fullerton in the D2-6 subdistrict tournament last week.

Hampton’s efforts come up dry against Fullerton

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
A hot start from Fullerton was too much for Hampton to overcome in the postseason opener.  The Hawks fell behind early and never quite got back within striking distance as the host Warriors defeated Hampton 56-39 in the semifinals of the D2-6 subdistrict tournament Feb. 21.
Aurora’s Natalie Bisbee was one of two Husky girls wrestlers to pick up a medal at the NSAA state wrestling championships over the weekend, finishing sixth.

Aurora’s Natalie Bisbee was one of two Husky girls wrestlers to pick up a medal at the NSAA state wrestling championships over the weekend, finishing sixth.

Bisbee’s return trip to state tourney rewarded with medal

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Aurora wrestling coach Derek Keasling admitted before the first season of NSAA sanctioned girls wrestling a year ago that Natalie Bisbee was as big of a reason as any that Aurora fielded a girls team.
High Plains senior Hailey Lindburg drives the lane and puts up a shot between two Osceola defenders during Thursday’s subdistrict final, which the Lady Storm lost in overtime, 43-38.

High Plains senior Hailey Lindburg drives the lane and puts up a shot between two Osceola defenders during Thursday’s subdistrict final, which the Lady Storm lost in overtime, 43-38.

HPC’s shot at history rims out in season-ending defeat

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
High Plains senior Hailey Lindburg drilled two heroic three-pointers with the season on the line in Thursday’s D2-3 Subdistrict final against Osceola and had a shot at school history just before the final buzzer, but the last one would not fall.
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.