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By Diane Stamm
The Wauneta Breeze
The closer we get to the end of the school year the more I, as a sports fan, come to appreciate the past school year.
With trips to the State Football Championship and both boys’ and girls’ state basketball, it’s been a pretty good year for Wauneta-Palisade athletics.
Most high school athletes go their entire careers hoping that they or their classmates will make it to a state athletic event. These kids were lucky enough to make it happen.
As I thought about how lucky this senior class has been and how they’ve led their schoolmates through the year, certain events stood out for each athlete.
Connor Kayton: One of the best athletes in Nebraska six-man football this year, I’ll remember Kayton for the runs he made on the football field and the crazy athletic plays on the basketball court. You didn’t always know what he was going to come up with.
Logan Bischoff: The leader of the basketball team, I’ll remember Bischoff for the night he made 14 of 17 free throws and scored 31 points against Dundy County-Stratton. The flip side of that is how often this year the ball would be half through the hoop and pop back out. Bischoff was in double figures for the final eight games of the season as the Broncos made the push to State.
Jacob Maris: With the emphasis placed on concussion awareness, I’ll remember Maris for sitting out football his junior year and being able to come back for this season, before another concussion sidelined him during basketball season.
Jack McGraw: A physical presence on the football field, I’ll miss McGraw popping pads, whether running the ball or making tackles.
Weylin Davis: Not being familiar with six-man football I was caught off guard when Davis took his place in the middle of the line, offensively and defensively. His two touchdown catches from the center position were some of my favorite plays from the season.
Cody Hicks: Two things for Hicks. One, coach Randy Geier putting the state championship medal around Hicks’ neck, giving him a big hug and saying “You’re a good man, Cody Hicks.” Two, trying to get a track team picture and Hicks couldn’t keep his sweat pants up. Luckily for all of us he was wearing shorts underneath.
Dakota Washum: Out for track as a senior, I didn’t have many opportunities to see Washum compete due to the weather. I thought it was good to see a senior step up to something new.
Emma Skelton: The only three sport female athlete in her class, I think Skelton started every girls’ event I attended. One of my favorite pictures from this year, though out of focus, was Skelton’s pancake in the subdistrict tournament.
Tayler Nordhausen: I wish I had something sports related for Nordhausen. Although on the volleyball team, I will remember Nordhausen for years to come whenever prom rolls around. At the Speech Spectacular in March, Landon Jutten took his speech about awkwardness to a whole other level by asking Nordhausen to prom in front of everyone. It was epic.
Each year has its highlights and low lights. This year saw monumental highs and some frustrating lows. Let’s hope we don’t have too long to wait for another year like this. |
