Sports

High Plains junior Rylee Ackerson finds a bit of space in the lane during the Storm’s first-ever district final Friday. This year’s HPC girls set several records, including season wins (16).

High Plains junior Rylee Ackerson finds a bit of space in the lane during the Storm’s first-ever district final Friday. This year’s HPC girls set several records, including season wins (16).

Storm girls boxed out of state tourney

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
The winningest season in High Plains girls basketball history was a single game short of even more history.HPC made the long road trek west to Sandhills-Thedford for the D2-5 district final Friday night as the more experienced Knights group handled the up-and-coming Storm, 54-28.
Aurora senior Lance Russell receives a motivational message from his coach, Martin Phillips after suffering a shoulder injury early in his finals match and had injury time run out on his chances.

Aurora senior Lance Russell receives a motivational message from his coach, Martin Phillips after suffering a shoulder injury early in his finals match and had injury time run out on his chances.

Warrior mentality

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Lance Russell fell short of his ultimate goal Saturday afternoon but proved to a packed CHI Health Center crowd and statewide television audience what he was willing to do to be a state champion.
Logan Svoboda was all smiles as his hand was raised Saturday, rallying from a semifinal loss the night before to finish third at the state wrestling championships, the best finish in school history for a freshman.

Logan Svoboda was all smiles as his hand was raised Saturday, rallying from a semifinal loss the night before to finish third at the state wrestling championships, the best finish in school history for a freshman.

Svoboda rallies for bronze medal finish Saturday

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Logan Svoboda did something over the weekend no one else in his family or those who wore the Husky singlet can claim.The Aurora freshman picked up a third place finish at the NSAA state wrestling championships from the CHI Health Center in Omaha.
HPC coaches Fred Church (left) and Martin Phillips react as time runs out on Wyatt Urkoski’s finals match, finishing second and seeing his undefeated campaign end with a loss.

HPC coaches Fred Church (left) and Martin Phillips react as time runs out on Wyatt Urkoski’s finals match, finishing second and seeing his undefeated campaign end with a loss.

Saturday’s storm became a nightmare

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
The backstage area of the CHI Health Center in Omaha was cold and dimly lit Saturday night. Closer to the main arena entrance, jubilant wrestlers left the floor to celebrate winning a state championship, a pool of reporters and TV cameras surrounding kids for an out-of-breath sound byte.
With a third place finish, Aurora's Logan Svoboda is the Huskies' highest finishing freshman in school history.

With a third place finish, Aurora's Logan Svoboda is the Huskies' highest finishing freshman in school history.

Saturday morning medals

Richard Rhoden
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Area wrestlers earned three medals during Saturday morning's medal rounds at the state wrestling championships in Omaha.Aurora's Logan Svoboda and HPC's Gage Friesen each earned bronze medals in their respective brackets while HPC's Hudson Urkoski added a fifth place effort.
Wyatt Urkoski will put his undefeated record on the line one more time in Saturday's final after an 8-3 win in Friday's semifinal.

Wyatt Urkoski will put his undefeated record on the line one more time in Saturday's final after an 8-3 win in Friday's semifinal.

High Plains state wrestling day 2

Richard Rhoden
Friday, February 16, 2024
High Plains saw its share of successes in Friday night's emotional semifinal round.Of its three semifinalists, two pushed through to the finals while all four of its boys qualifiers will leave Omaha with a medal.
Natalie Bisbee went 1-1 Friday, finishing her senior season with a 32-14 record.

Natalie Bisbee went 1-1 Friday, finishing her senior season with a 32-14 record.

Aurora girls state wrestling day 2

Richard Rhoden
Friday, February 16, 2024
An up and down afternoon ultimately ended in heartbreak for Aurora's two girls wrestlers at Friday's state wrestling championships.Natalie Bisbee and Aubrie Beed both won their opening round consolation matches, but neither could come up with wins in the subsequent round.
Karsten Hohm lost in the heartbreak round Friday, falling a match short of a medal.

Karsten Hohm lost in the heartbreak round Friday, falling a match short of a medal.

Aurora boys state wrestling day 2

Richard Rhoden
Friday, February 16, 2024
Logan Svoboda ran into a buzzsaw Friday night in his semifinal match.The Aurora freshman was challenged by Bennington's Cadyn Coyle as the Badger picked up a first period pinfall over Svoboda. The loss moves Svoboda into Saturday's medal matches, wrestling for as high as third or low as sixth.
Lance Russell finally earned a state wrestling medal and will compete in Friday night's semifinals.

Lance Russell finally earned a state wrestling medal and will compete in Friday night's semifinals.

High Plains state wrestling day 1

Richard Rhoden
Thursday, February 15, 2024
It was nearly a perfect afternoon for the High Plains wrestling team to kickstart the NSAA state wrestling championships.Of its five competitors, three pushed themselves through to the semifinals while four won at least one match.
Aubrie Beed was one of the first matches in the afternoon session Thursday at the NSAA state wrestling championships.

Aubrie Beed was one of the first matches in the afternoon session Thursday at the NSAA state wrestling championships.

Aurora girls state wrestling day 1

Richard Rhoden
Thursday, February 15, 2024
It was a tough open for Aurora's girls wrestling duo at Thursday's NSAA state wrestling championships in Omaha. Aubrie Beed was leading her first round match against Omaha Central's Alsafa Alkhalil after a takedown late in the first period.