Sports

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.
Richard Rhoden

Richard Rhoden

2 legends, 1 legacy

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
The volleyball sidelines in Hamilton County this fall will be missing 63 years worth of head coaching experience -- 1,192 victories to 547 losses -- and two passionate women who made the sport better in Nebraska.
Austin Allen began training camp last week with the New York Giants, working toward a possible opportunity on the 53-man gameday roster.

Austin Allen began training camp last week with the New York Giants, working toward a possible opportunity on the 53-man gameday roster.

Austin Allen beginning NFL career in New York

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
It was a phone call Austin Allen will never forget, one he waited several days for which left him with a chip on the shoulder.  Seven rounds had come and gone over a three-day period in the 2022 NFL draft and the former Aurora Husky’s name was never called as one of the 262 selections.
Aurora’s Carsen Staehr makes a quick snag on a curl route and quickly changes direction to score a touchdown during a 7-on-7 contest with Kearney Saturday.

Aurora’s Carsen Staehr makes a quick snag on a curl route and quickly changes direction to score a touchdown during a 7-on-7 contest with Kearney Saturday.

Aurora impresses in own 7-on-7 tourney

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
At this point in the calendar year, this sports guy can smell the football being tossed around from miles away.  No, it’s not an itchy rash. It’s a love for the game.
Aurora Pinnacle Bank Senior Layton Hohm gave good effort in covering first base for the team during Friday’s matchup against York.

Aurora Pinnacle Bank Senior Layton Hohm gave good effort in covering first base for the team during Friday’s matchup against York.

Seniors put up good fight in Legion tourney

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
In a total heartbreaker the Aurora Pinnacle Bank Seniors are done with tournament play for the weekend after a 2-1 loss to York in the fourth round Monday afternoon.  The weekend started with an 11-0 loss to York Friday evening at Levitt Stadium.
The new community clubhouse at Poco Creek Golf Course is now available for use, with the interior space first utilized during the member/guest golf tournament earlier this month.

The new community clubhouse at Poco Creek Golf Course is now available for use, with the interior space first utilized during the member/guest golf tournament earlier this month.

Ziegler offers Poco Creek Clubhouse updates at Rotary

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
Clubhouse manager Dan Ziegler gave an update to the Aurora Rotary Club last week regarding status and future plans for the new clubhouse at Poco Creek Golf Course.