<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684596897514.png" alt="Boys High Jump C" />
 <figcaption>Boys High Jump C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597040527.png" alt="Girls Long Jump C" />
 <figcaption>Girls Long Jump C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597093619.png" alt="Boys Shot Put C" />
 <figcaption>Boys Shot Put C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597143381.png" alt="Boys Triple Jump C" />
 <figcaption>Boys Triple Jump C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597199890.png" alt="Girls Pole Vault C" />
 <figcaption>Girls Pole Vault C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597270086.png" alt="Girls Discus C" />
 <figcaption>Girls Discus C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597320725.png" alt="Girls 4x800M Relay C" />
 <figcaption>Girls 4x800M Relay C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597381470.png" alt="Boys 4x800M Relay C" />
 <figcaption>Boys 4x800M Relay C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597430562.png" alt="Girls 100M Hurdles Prelims C" />
 <figcaption>Girls 100M Hurdles Prelims C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597483965.png" alt="Boys 110M Hurdles Prelims C" />
 <figcaption>Boys 110M Hurdles Prelims C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597520467.png" alt="Girls 100M Dash Prelims C" />
 <figcaption>Girls 100M Dash Prelims C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597569087.png" alt="Boys 100M Dash Prelims C" />
 <figcaption>Boys 100M Dash Prelims C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597614908.png" alt="Girls 400M Dash Prelims C" />
 <figcaption>Girls 400M Dash Prelims C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597647764.png" alt="Boys 400M Dash Prelims C" />
 <figcaption>Boys 400M Dash Prelims C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597691142.png" alt="Girls 3200M Run C" />
 <figcaption>Girls 3200M Run C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597730920.png" alt="Boys 3200M Run C " />
 <figcaption>Boys 3200M Run C </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597776381.png" alt="Girls 300M Hurdles Prelims C" />
 <figcaption>Girls 300M Hurdles Prelims C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597819281.png" alt="Boys 300M Hurdles Prelims C " />
 <figcaption>Boys 300M Hurdles Prelims C </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597863930.png" alt="Girls 200M Dash Prelims C" />
 <figcaption>Girls 200M Dash Prelims C</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597894828.png" alt="Boys 200M Dash Prelims C" />
 <figcaption>Boys 200M Dash Prelims C</figcaption>
 </figure>

State Track and Field Day 1 results Class C

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684461707640.png" alt="Girls High Jump B Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls High Jump B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684461751902.png" alt="Boys Long Jump B Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys Long Jump B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684461797835.png" alt="Girls Shot Put B Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls Shot Put B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684461844670.png" alt="Girls Triple Jump B Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls Triple Jump B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684461896548.png" alt="Boys Pole Vault B Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys Pole Vault B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684461942716.png" alt="Boys Discus B Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys Discus B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684461991540.png" alt="Girls 800m Run B Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 800m Run B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462035049.png" alt="Boys 800m Run B Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 800m Run B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462082804.png" alt="Girls 4x100M Relay B Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 4x100M Relay B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462134746.png" alt="Boys 4x100M Relay B Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 4x100M Relay B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462177423.png" alt="Girls 100M Hurdles B Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 100M Hurdles B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462210529.png" alt="Boys 110M Hurdles B Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 110M Hurdles B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462250954.png" alt="Girls 100M Dash B Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 100M Dash B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462279568.png" alt="Boys 100M Dash B Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 100M Dash B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462331589.png" alt="Girls 400M Dash B Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 400M Dash B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462364103.png" alt="Boys 400M Dash B Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 400M Dash B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462414134.png" alt="Girls 1600M Run B Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 1600M Run B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462447185.png" alt="Boys 1600M Run B Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 1600M Run B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462493107.png" alt="Girls 300M Hurdles B Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 300M Hurdles B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462521272.png" alt="Boys 300M Hurdles B Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 300M Hurdles B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462572195.png" alt="Girls 200M Dash B Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 200M Dash B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462607418.png" alt="Boys 200M Dash B Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 200M Dash B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462645465.png" alt="Girls 4x400M Relay B Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 4x400M Relay B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684462682121.png" alt="Boys 4x400M Relay B Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 4x400M Relay B Final</figcaption>
 </figure>

State Track and Field Day 2 results Class B

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684456942033.png" alt="Boys Pole Vault A Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys Pole Vault A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684456983771.png" alt="Boys Pole Vault A Final Jump Off" />
 <figcaption>Boys Pole Vault A Final Jump Off</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684457046957.png" alt="Boys Discus A Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys Discus A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684457114001.png" alt="Girls Triple Jump A Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls Triple Jump A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684457172204.png" alt="Girls High Jump A Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls High Jump A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684457218303.png" alt="Boys Long Jump A Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys Long Jump A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684457268788.png" alt="Girls Shot Put A Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls Shot Put A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684457409173.png" alt="Girls 800M Run A Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 800M Run A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684457461533.png" alt="Boys 800M Run A Final " />
 <figcaption>Boys 800M Run A Final </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684459224570.png" alt="Girls 4x100M Relay A Final " />
 <figcaption>Girls 4x100M Relay A Final </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684459267031.png" alt="Boys 4x100M Relay A Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 4x100M Relay A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684459333678.png" alt="Girls 100M Hurdles A Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 100M Hurdles A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684459381385.png" alt="Boys 110M Hurdles A Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 110M Hurdles A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684459442734.png" alt="Girls 100M Dash A Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 100M Dash A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684459497173.png" alt="Boys 100M Dash A Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 100M Dash A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684459542521.png" alt="Girls 400M Dash A Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 400M Dash A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684459579187.png" alt="Boys 400M Dash A Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 400M Dash A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684459637439.png" alt="Girls 1600M Run A Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 1600M Run A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684459680506.png" alt="Boys 1600M Run A Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 1600M Run A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684460565361.png" alt="Girls 300M Hurdles A Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 300M Hurdles A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684460600578.png" alt="Boys 300M Hurdles A Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 300M Hurdles A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684460639031.png" alt="Girls 200M Dash A Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 200M Dash A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684460680444.png" alt="Boys 200M Dash A Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 200M Dash A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684460729924.png" alt="Girls 4x400M Relay A Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 4x400M Relay A Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684460765029.png" alt="Boys 4x400M Relay A Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 4x400M Relay A Final</figcaption>
 </figure>

State Track and Field Day 2 results Class A

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684421488152.png" alt="Girls Discus B Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls Discus B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684421576585.png" alt="Girls Pole Vault B Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls Pole Vault B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684421893277.png" alt="Boys Triple Jump B Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys Triple Jump B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684422029120.png" alt="Boys High Jump B Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys High Jump B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684422087124.png" alt="Girls Long Jump B Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls Long Jump B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684422199157.png" alt="Boys Shot Put B Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys Shot Put B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684422269343.png" alt="Girls 4x800M Relay B Final" />
 <figcaption>Girls 4x800M Relay B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684422320306.png" alt="Boys 4x800M Relay B Final" />
 <figcaption>Boys 4x800M Relay B Final</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684422469908.png" alt="Girls 100M Hurdles Prelims B" />
 <figcaption>Girls 100M Hurdles Prelims B</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684422521899.png" alt="Boys 110M Hurdles Prelims B" />
 <figcaption>Boys 110M Hurdles Prelims B</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684422574715.png" alt="Girls 100M Dash Prelims B" />
 <figcaption>Girls 100M Dash Prelims B</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684422631413.png" alt="Boys 100M Dash Prelims B" />
 <figcaption>Boys 100M Dash Prelims B</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684422677046.png" alt="Girls 400M Dash Prelims B" />
 <figcaption>Girls 400M Dash Prelims B</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684422719007.png" alt="Boys 400M Dash Prelims B" />
 <figcaption>Boys 400M Dash Prelims B</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684422772152.png" alt="Girls 3200M Run Final B" />
 <figcaption>Girls 3200M Run Final B</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684422834061.png" alt="Boys 3200M Run Final B" />
 <figcaption>Boys 3200M Run Final B</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684422895072.png" alt="Girls 300M Hurdles Prelims B" />
 <figcaption>Girls 300M Hurdles Prelims B</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684422946441.png" alt="Boys 300M Hurdles Prelims B" />
 <figcaption>Boys 300M Hurdles Prelims B</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684423002224.png" alt="Girls 200M Dash Prelims B" />
 <figcaption>Girls 200M Dash Prelims B</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684423050700.png" alt="Boys 200M Dash Prelims B" />
 <figcaption>Boys 200M Dash Prelims B</figcaption>
 </figure>

Multiple area athletics score big at State: State Track and Field Day 1 results Class B

Class A<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684416517304.png" alt="Class A Boys High Jump" />
 <figcaption>Class A Boys High Jump</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684416636137.png" alt="Girls Long Jump A" />
 <figcaption>Girls Long Jump A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684416707567.png" alt="Boys Shot Put A" />
 <figcaption>Boys Shot Put A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684416773172.png" alt="Boys Triple Jump A" />
 <figcaption>Boys Triple Jump A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684416823042.png" alt="Girls Pole Vault A" />
 <figcaption>Girls Pole Vault A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684416823042.png" alt="Girls Pole Vault A" />
 <figcaption>Girls Pole Vault A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684416935384.png" alt="Girls 4x800 A" />
 <figcaption>Girls 4x800 A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684416981699.png" alt="Boys 4x800 A" />
 <figcaption>Boys 4x800 A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684417074886.png" alt="Girls 100M Hurdles Prelims A" />
 <figcaption>Girls 100M Hurdles Prelims A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684417140078.png" alt="Boys 110M Hurdles Prelims A" />
 <figcaption>Boys 110M Hurdles Prelims A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684417195623.png" alt="Girls 100M Dash Prelims A" />
 <figcaption>Girls 100M Dash Prelims A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684417268051.png" alt="Boys 100M Dash Prelims A" />
 <figcaption>Boys 100M Dash Prelims A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684417326975.png" alt="Girls 400M Dash Prelims A" />
 <figcaption>Girls 400M Dash Prelims A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684417405805.png" alt="Boys 400M Dash Prelims A" />
 <figcaption>Boys 400M Dash Prelims A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684417516386.png" alt="Girls 3200M Run A" />
 <figcaption>Girls 3200M Run A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684417573744.png" alt="Boys 3200M Run A" />
 <figcaption>Boys 3200M Run A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684417653773.png" alt="Girls 300M Hurdles Prelims A" />
 <figcaption>Girls 300M Hurdles Prelims A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684417699969.png" alt="Boys 300M Hurdles A" />
 <figcaption>Boys 300M Hurdles A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684417747620.png" alt="Girls 200M Dash A" />
 <figcaption>Girls 200M Dash A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684417848191.png" alt="Boys 200M Dash A" />
 <figcaption>Boys 200M Dash A</figcaption>
 </figure>

State Track and Field Day 1 results Class A

FNBO Nationals Baseball: Lexington Vs. FNBO Nationals

FNBO Nationals Baseball: Ogallala Vs. FNBO Nationals

Story by NPCC Athletic Communications

Three members of the North Platte Community College Knights softball team have been recognized with postseason awards.

Elena Montoya, of Denver, Colo.; Kelsey Woodhouse, of Duchesne, Utah and Nancy Martinez, of San Antonio, Texas were named to the All-Region IX Team. Martinez was also selected as the region’s Defensive Player of the Year.

The recognitions were voted on by Division II Region IX coaches. It’s the second year in a row that Montoya and Woodhouse have made the All-Region IX Team.

“I am very proud of our team as a whole, but having Montoya and Woodhouse named back to the all-region team for the second year in a row shows their dedication, work ethic, buy-in and commitment to our program,” said NPCC Head Women’s Softball Coach Janelle Higgins. “Having a freshman named defensive player of the year is also a big accomplishment as it shows that she has the same qualities that Montoya and Woodhouse had last year, and she can use that to motivate her for her sophomore year. These awards went to three very hardworking individuals who love NPCC and our community and have bought into what we are building from day one.”

Montoya ended the season first in the region for her .541 batting average, was second for having 63 stolen bases, fifth for 39 runs batted in and fifth for home runs. Altogether, she had 48 runs on 79 hits, 20 of which were doubles. She also notched 94 putouts and 65 assists while posting a fielding percentage of .914.

Woodhouse’s batting average of .430 placed her fifth in the regional rankings. She was also fifth in stolen bases with 22, ninth for home runs and 10th for RBIs. Woodhouse had 26 runs on 52 hits this season. On the defensive side, she contributed 79 putouts and boasted a fielding percentage of .944.

Martinez tallied 27 RBIs on 44 hits while maintaining a batting average of .396 over the course of the season. She added 40 putouts and 60 assists and finished with a fielding percentage of .935.

Story by NPCC Athletic CommunicationsThree members of the North Platte Community College Knights softball team have been recognized with postseason awards.Elena Montoya, of Denver, Colo.; Kelsey Woodhouse, of Duchesne, Utah and Nancy Martinez, of San Antonio, Texas were named to the All-Region IX Team. Martinez was also selected as the region’s Defensive Player of the Year.The recognitions were voted on by Division II Region IX coaches. It’s the second year in a row that Montoya and Woodhouse have made the All-Region IX Team.“I am very proud of our team as a whole, but having Montoya and Woodhouse named back to the all-region team for the second year in a row shows their dedication, work ethic, buy-in and commitment to our program,” said NPCC Head Women’s Softball Coach Janelle Higgins. “Having a freshman named defensive player of the year is also a big accomplishment as it shows that she has the same qualities that Montoya and Woodhouse had last year, and she can use that to motivate her for her sophomore year. These awards went to three very hardworking individuals who love NPCC and our community and have bought into what we are building from day one.”Montoya ended the season first in the region for her .541 batting average, was second for having 63 stolen bases, fifth for 39 runs batted in and fifth for home runs. Altogether, she had 48 runs on 79 hits, 20 of which were doubles. She also notched 94 putouts and 65 assists while posting a fielding percentage of .914.Woodhouse’s batting average of .430 placed her fifth in the regional rankings. She was also fifth in stolen bases with 22, ninth for home runs and 10th for RBIs. Woodhouse had 26 runs on 52 hits this season. On the defensive side, she contributed 79 putouts and boasted a fielding percentage of .944.Martinez tallied 27 RBIs on 44 hits while maintaining a batting average of .396 over the course of the season. She added 40 putouts and 60 assists and finished with a fielding percentage of .935.

Three NPCC softball players named to All-Region Team

Story by UNK Athletic Communications

The Nebraska-Kearney women's golf team has reached the NCAA Division II Championships for the first-time in the 28-year history of the program thanks to a school-record 54-hole score of 886 at the&nbsp;<a href="https://results.golfstat.com/public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=team&amp;tid=27713" target="_blank">2023 Central Regional</a>&nbsp;in Larchwood, Ia.&nbsp; The nine-team regional field was&nbsp;at the par 72 (6,095 yards) The Falls at Grand Falls Casino. The top three squads, and the top two individuals not on one of those teams, advance to the NCAA's.&nbsp; The&nbsp;Lopers&nbsp;finished third to secure one of the region's three bids to the championships&nbsp;which will be May 16-20 at the Fox Run Club in Eureka, Mo., located just outside of St. Louis. The 18-team field will play a 54-hole tournament with the top eight advancing to a match play bracket. UNK is slated to tee off next Tuesday (May 16) at 11 a.m. along with the third seeds from the South and West Regions.

UNK had rounds of 289, 298 and 299 to break the previous 54-hole mark by a whopping 33 strokes. The 58th-ranked Lopers led for most of the first two days, but fourth-ranked Henderson (Ark.) State fired a 2-under 286 today with 41st-ranked and tourney host Augustana tallying a 291. HSU thus came in first (877) with the Vikings (885) second. No. 21 Central Missouri (898) was a distant fourth, as was traditional MIAA powers Northeastern State and 43rd-ranked Rogers State. Showing great balance, Kansas junior&nbsp;Allison Comer&nbsp;placed fifth (2-over 218; 70-76-72), Arizona senior&nbsp;Paige Lucero&nbsp;tied for 12th (7-over 223; 72-76-75), Puerto Rico super senior&nbsp;Faviola Gonzalez&nbsp;tied for 16th (8-over 225; 75-73-77), Colombian sophomore&nbsp;Juliana Botero Molina&nbsp;tied for 20th (226; 77-74-75) and Kansas sophomore&nbsp;Brooke King&nbsp;tied for 23rd (227; 72-75-80). Lucero had a day-three best four birdies, Botero Molina carded three with Comer's even par 72 featuring 13 consecutive pars. For the tournament, Lucero led the entire field in birdies (13), Comer tied for second in pars (40) with Gonzalez 4-under on par 5 holes. The previous 54-hole individual UNK mark was a 224, set by Gonzalez and King in two tourneys this year, with the team mark of 919 set back in the fall at the D2 Invite in Florida. Finally, Yasmin Hang of Northeastern State was the medalist (4-under 21) with third place finisher Paige Hoffman of Northwest Missouri (even par 216) grabbing the second individual NCAA spot.

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska-Kearney women's golf team has reached the NCAA Division II Championships for the first-time in the 28-year history of the program thanks to a school-record 54-hole score of 886 at the&nbsp;<a href="https://results.golfstat.com/public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=team&amp;tid=27713" target="_blank">2023 Central Regional</a>&nbsp;in Larchwood, Ia.&nbsp; The nine-team regional field was&nbsp;at the par 72 (6,095 yards) The Falls at Grand Falls Casino. The top three squads, and the top two individuals not on one of those teams, advance to the NCAA's.&nbsp; The&nbsp;Lopers&nbsp;finished third to secure one of the region's three bids to the championships&nbsp;which will be May 16-20 at the Fox Run Club in Eureka, Mo., located just outside of St. Louis. The 18-team field will play a 54-hole tournament with the top eight advancing to a match play bracket. UNK is slated to tee off next Tuesday (May 16) at 11 a.m. along with the third seeds from the South and West Regions.UNK had rounds of 289, 298 and 299 to break the previous 54-hole mark by a whopping 33 strokes. The 58th-ranked Lopers led for most of the first two days, but fourth-ranked Henderson (Ark.) State fired a 2-under 286 today with 41st-ranked and tourney host Augustana tallying a 291. HSU thus came in first (877) with the Vikings (885) second. No. 21 Central Missouri (898) was a distant fourth, as was traditional MIAA powers Northeastern State and 43rd-ranked Rogers State. Showing great balance, Kansas junior&nbsp;Allison Comer&nbsp;placed fifth (2-over 218; 70-76-72), Arizona senior&nbsp;Paige Lucero&nbsp;tied for 12th (7-over 223; 72-76-75), Puerto Rico super senior&nbsp;Faviola Gonzalez&nbsp;tied for 16th (8-over 225; 75-73-77), Colombian sophomore&nbsp;Juliana Botero Molina&nbsp;tied for 20th (226; 77-74-75) and Kansas sophomore&nbsp;Brooke King&nbsp;tied for 23rd (227; 72-75-80). Lucero had a day-three best four birdies, Botero Molina carded three with Comer's even par 72 featuring 13 consecutive pars. For the tournament, Lucero led the entire field in birdies (13), Comer tied for second in pars (40) with Gonzalez 4-under on par 5 holes. The previous 54-hole individual UNK mark was a 224, set by Gonzalez and King in two tourneys this year, with the team mark of 919 set back in the fall at the D2 Invite in Florida. Finally, Yasmin Hang of Northeastern State was the medalist (4-under 21) with third place finisher Paige Hoffman of Northwest Missouri (even par 216) grabbing the second individual NCAA spot.

All five Lopers shoot between a 218-227, break school-mark by 33 Strokes

Update: Missing North Platte teen found

NORTH PLATTE, Neb - Charles Lucas, from Raliegh, North Carolina is the new General Manager of the North Platte Plainsmen. Lucas started on May 1 in North Platte. The POST's Derek Beck sat down with owners Chuck and Mayra Heeman, and Charles Lucas to talk about the upcoming season. If you'd like to be a host family to one or more of the interns this summer,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.northplatteplainsmen.com/host-a-player">click here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.northplatteplainsmen.com/schedule">Plainsmen Schedule</a>

North Platte Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="<a href="http://www.npkubota.com">Post Podcast sponsored by North Platte Kubota</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="http://www.npkubota.com">Post Podcast sponsored by North Platte Kubota</a></figcaption>
 </figure>NORTH PLATTE, Neb - Charles Lucas, from Raliegh, North Carolina is the new General Manager of the North Platte Plainsmen. Lucas started on May 1 in North Platte. The POST's Derek Beck sat down with owners Chuck and Mayra Heeman, and Charles Lucas to talk about the upcoming season. If you'd like to be a host family to one or more of the interns this summer,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.northplatteplainsmen.com/host-a-player">click here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;Enjoy the Podcast.<div><iframe title="North Platte Plainsmen have new GM, looking forward to starting the season" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=pptg5-14039ec-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=1&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00"></iframe></div><a href="https://www.northplatteplainsmen.com/schedule">Plainsmen Schedule</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680044587051.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

North Platte Plainsmen have new GM, looking forward to starting the season

The Nebraska-Kearney women’s golf team shot an 18-hole school-record of 289 on the first day of the&nbsp;<a href="https://results.golfstat.com/public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=team&amp;tid=27713" target="_blank">2023 NCAA Central Regional</a>&nbsp;Monday in Larchwood, Ia.

The nine-team, 54-hole event is being held at the par 72 (6,095 yards) The Falls at Grand Falls Casino. The top three squads, and the top two individuals not on one of those teams, advance to the NCAA Championships later this month in St. Louis.

On a picture-perfect spring day, the Lopers saw Kansas junior&nbsp;Allison Comer&nbsp;shoot a career-best 2-under 70 (34-36), Arizona senior&nbsp;Paige Lucero&nbsp;have five birdies en route to a career-best 72 (36-36) and Kansas sophomore&nbsp;Brooke King&nbsp;have a hole-in-one on the par 3 eighth hole (145 yards) to post a 72. Additionally, Puerto Rico senior&nbsp;Faviola Gonzalez&nbsp;had three birdies to shoot a 75 with Colombian sophomore&nbsp;Juliana Botero Molina&nbsp;at two birdies and 10 pars to be at a 77.

Comer is in second place, two shots behind Northwest Missouri’s Paige Hoffman, with King and Lucero tied for fourth and Gonzalez tied for 19th&nbsp;place. In the team race, UNK has a five-stroke lead over 41st-ranked Augustana with 43rd-ranked Rogers State (295) and 4th-ranked Henderson State, Ark. (296) close behind.

The 289 bests the 290 the Lopers had at the regional preview in Missouri back in the fall and what the 2020-21 managed at the Grace Shin Memorial in Oklahoma. Prior to today, the top 18-hole score for a Loper in an NCAA event was a 72, shot by UNK Hall of Famer Carla Dobchuk at the 2001 NCAA Championships.

The average individual score today was a 75.78 with the Lopers carding 16 birdies and that one Eagle. Action resumes Tuesday morning.

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska-Kearney women’s golf team shot an 18-hole school-record of 289 on the first day of the&nbsp;<a href="https://results.golfstat.com/public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=team&amp;tid=27713" target="_blank">2023 NCAA Central Regional</a>&nbsp;Monday in Larchwood, Ia.The nine-team, 54-hole event is being held at the par 72 (6,095 yards) The Falls at Grand Falls Casino. The top three squads, and the top two individuals not on one of those teams, advance to the NCAA Championships later this month in St. Louis.On a picture-perfect spring day, the Lopers saw Kansas junior&nbsp;Allison Comer&nbsp;shoot a career-best 2-under 70 (34-36), Arizona senior&nbsp;Paige Lucero&nbsp;have five birdies en route to a career-best 72 (36-36) and Kansas sophomore&nbsp;Brooke King&nbsp;have a hole-in-one on the par 3 eighth hole (145 yards) to post a 72. Additionally, Puerto Rico senior&nbsp;Faviola Gonzalez&nbsp;had three birdies to shoot a 75 with Colombian sophomore&nbsp;Juliana Botero Molina&nbsp;at two birdies and 10 pars to be at a 77.Comer is in second place, two shots behind Northwest Missouri’s Paige Hoffman, with King and Lucero tied for fourth and Gonzalez tied for 19th&nbsp;place. In the team race, UNK has a five-stroke lead over 41st-ranked Augustana with 43rd-ranked Rogers State (295) and 4th-ranked Henderson State, Ark. (296) close behind.The 289 bests the 290 the Lopers had at the regional preview in Missouri back in the fall and what the 2020-21 managed at the Grace Shin Memorial in Oklahoma. Prior to today, the top 18-hole score for a Loper in an NCAA event was a 72, shot by UNK Hall of Famer Carla Dobchuk at the 2001 NCAA Championships.The average individual score today was a 75.78 with the Lopers carding 16 birdies and that one Eagle. Action resumes Tuesday morning.

 The Nebraska-Kearney women’s golf team shoots record on first day of Tournament

NORTH PLATTE, Neb - Two members of the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team have qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo, and the MPCC Stampede has been named Regional Rodeo of the Year.

The news follows the final competition of the season for the Great Plains Region – the Nebraska Cornhusker Rodeo hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Friday and Saturday in Lincoln.

The CNFR qualifiers are: Kaden Wooters, of Elwood, who’s sitting third in the region and 14th in the nation in the steer wrestling, and Maggie Underhill, of Hill City, Kan., who is third in the regional standings in barrel racing. They will represent Mid-Plains in Casper, Wyo. June 11-17.

Wooters also earned the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Patty Skogen Memorial Award over the weekend. The award is given to two student athletes who have qualified for the CNFR, are members of the NIRA in good standing, show their love of rodeo, demonstrate characteristics of determination, grit, kindness and overcoming obstacles and have a welcoming attitude. Wooters will be presented with a $1,000 scholarship for his efforts at the CNFR.

As with the Regional Rodeo of the Year Award, recipients of the Patty Skogen Memorial Award are voted on by regional coaches and contestants.

“I’m very proud of our team this year and of our CNFR qualifiers and their seasons,” said MPCC Rodeo Team timed event coach Wyatt Clark. “I’m also very excited for their performances in Casper. Coach [Aukai] Kaai and I are honored with the Regional Rodeo of the Year award. Our team, Mid-Plains Community College and supporting communities should be very proud of this award and the work put into the rodeo. We look forward to Casper in June and to a summer recruiting and preparing for our season next fall.”

MPCC finishes the year fourth in the men’s team standings and fifth in the women’s team standings, thanks in part to a plethora of points collected in Lincoln.

The men’s team came away from the Nebraska Cornhusker Rodeo with the reserve championship – bolstered primarily by the efforts of its tie-down ropers, team ropers and steer wrestlers.

Barrett Schlieker won the average in the tie-down roping for Mid-Plains. He was first in the short-go with a time of 10.2 seconds, then followed that up with a 12.1 second run for third place in the long-go.

Wooters’ time of 5 flat in the steer wrestling short-go propelled him to second in the average. Kunkee and Nick Rettinger were fourth and sixth, respectively, in the steer wrestling.

Dalton Kunkee and Troy Kirkpatrick’s 8.6 second run in the team roping short-go helped them take second in the average. Schlieker and Jace Richter were sixth while Rettinger and his team roping partner from Mitchell Technical College, Tucker Even, ended up ninth.

There will be a send-off for MPCC’s CNFR qualifiers tomorrow. The event is open to the public.

It will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center on the McCook Community College campus.

Hamburgers and bratwurst will be served for a free-will donation.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb - Two members of the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team have qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo, and the MPCC Stampede has been named Regional Rodeo of the Year.The news follows the final competition of the season for the Great Plains Region – the Nebraska Cornhusker Rodeo hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Friday and Saturday in Lincoln.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683570381443.jpeg" alt="Kaden Wooters and Maggie Underhill" />
 <figcaption>Kaden Wooters and Maggie Underhill</figcaption>
 </figure>The CNFR qualifiers are: Kaden Wooters, of Elwood, who’s sitting third in the region and 14th in the nation in the steer wrestling, and Maggie Underhill, of Hill City, Kan., who is third in the regional standings in barrel racing. They will represent Mid-Plains in Casper, Wyo. June 11-17.Wooters also earned the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Patty Skogen Memorial Award over the weekend. The award is given to two student athletes who have qualified for the CNFR, are members of the NIRA in good standing, show their love of rodeo, demonstrate characteristics of determination, grit, kindness and overcoming obstacles and have a welcoming attitude. Wooters will be presented with a $1,000 scholarship for his efforts at the CNFR.As with the Regional Rodeo of the Year Award, recipients of the Patty Skogen Memorial Award are voted on by regional coaches and contestants.“I’m very proud of our team this year and of our CNFR qualifiers and their seasons,” said MPCC Rodeo Team timed event coach Wyatt Clark. “I’m also very excited for their performances in Casper. Coach [Aukai] Kaai and I are honored with the Regional Rodeo of the Year award. Our team, Mid-Plains Community College and supporting communities should be very proud of this award and the work put into the rodeo. We look forward to Casper in June and to a summer recruiting and preparing for our season next fall.”Results from LincolnMPCC finishes the year fourth in the men’s team standings and fifth in the women’s team standings, thanks in part to a plethora of points collected in Lincoln.The men’s team came away from the Nebraska Cornhusker Rodeo with the reserve championship – bolstered primarily by the efforts of its tie-down ropers, team ropers and steer wrestlers.Barrett Schlieker won the average in the tie-down roping for Mid-Plains. He was first in the short-go with a time of 10.2 seconds, then followed that up with a 12.1 second run for third place in the long-go.Wooters’ time of 5 flat in the steer wrestling short-go propelled him to second in the average. Kunkee and Nick Rettinger were fourth and sixth, respectively, in the steer wrestling.Dalton Kunkee and Troy Kirkpatrick’s 8.6 second run in the team roping short-go helped them take second in the average. Schlieker and Jace Richter were sixth while Rettinger and his team roping partner from Mitchell Technical College, Tucker Even, ended up ninth.Up NextThere will be a send-off for MPCC’s CNFR qualifiers tomorrow. The event is open to the public.It will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center on the McCook Community College campus.Hamburgers and bratwurst will be served for a free-will donation.

Two MPCC Rodeo Team members qualify for CNFR

The season is officially over for the North Platte Community College softball team.

The Knights dropped their final game of the Region IX Tournament in Columbus Sunday afternoon to Southeast Community College.

The Knights fell behind early and sustained an 11-5 loss despite outhitting the Storm 10-6. Angelina Lockhart and Elena Montoya collected two hits each to lead NPCC.

Lockhart led things off in the pitcher’s circle for North Platte. The righthander allowed five hits and nine runs over three innings, striking out four and walking one. Jenelle Gudjonson threw three innings in relief out of the bullpen.

“Offensively, we hit decent today, but defensively, we were pressing, and when you press, errors happen,” said NPCC Head Softball Coach Janelle Higgins. “We gave up too many unearned runs to get the win. This is a great group of ladies, and they left it all on the field today. We just came up short. We thank our sophomores for their leadership and dedication to our program and leading by example. To our freshmen, let this feeling fuel your fire for next season. To our community, administration, fans, parents and assistant coaches, we thank you for all the support.”

Story by NPCC Athletic CommunicationsThe season is officially over for the North Platte Community College softball team.The Knights dropped their final game of the Region IX Tournament in Columbus Sunday afternoon to Southeast Community College.The Knights fell behind early and sustained an 11-5 loss despite outhitting the Storm 10-6. Angelina Lockhart and Elena Montoya collected two hits each to lead NPCC.Lockhart led things off in the pitcher’s circle for North Platte. The righthander allowed five hits and nine runs over three innings, striking out four and walking one. Jenelle Gudjonson threw three innings in relief out of the bullpen.“Offensively, we hit decent today, but defensively, we were pressing, and when you press, errors happen,” said NPCC Head Softball Coach Janelle Higgins. “We gave up too many unearned runs to get the win. This is a great group of ladies, and they left it all on the field today. We just came up short. We thank our sophomores for their leadership and dedication to our program and leading by example. To our freshmen, let this feeling fuel your fire for next season. To our community, administration, fans, parents and assistant coaches, we thank you for all the support.”North Platte ends the season 15-31.

Season ends for Knights Softball

Story by NU Athletic Communications

The Nebraska softball team dropped its final regular season game with a 6-4 loss to Ohio State on Sunday afternoon at Bowlin Stadium.&nbsp; The Huskers (33-19, 13-10 Big Ten) tallied 11 hits and four runs and were led by&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/abbie-squier/44124" target="_blank">Abbie Squier</a>, who finished 3-for-4 with two RBI. The Buckeyes (32-19, 12-11 Big Ten) recorded nine hits and six runs while McKenzie Bump and Mariah Rodriguez each added two hits.&nbsp; <a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/courtney-wallace/44125" target="_blank">Courtney Wallace</a>&nbsp;(22-13) recorded the loss in the circle for Nebraska. Wallace pitched 3.2 innings, allowing seven hits and six runs.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-harness/44142" target="_blank">Sarah Harness</a>&nbsp;added 3.1 innings of work, holding OSU to two hits.&nbsp; Emily Ruck moved to 9-8 on the season with the win for Ohio State. Ruck pitched the final 5.1 innings, giving up eight hits and one run. Allison Smith started in the circle for the Buckeyes, pitching 1.2 innings, giving up three hits and three runs (one earned).&nbsp; The Huskers took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. With one out,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-gray/44118" target="_blank">Sydney Gray</a>&nbsp;hit a single to center field.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/brooke-andrews/44114" target="_blank">Brooke Andrews</a>&nbsp;was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. A passed ball advanced Gray and Andrews while Squier hit a single to center field, scoring two.&nbsp; Nebraska added one run in the second inning. With one out,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/ava-bredwell/44116" target="_blank">Ava Bredwell</a>&nbsp;was walked, advancing to second on a ground out.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/billie-andrews/44113" target="_blank">Billie Andrews</a>&nbsp;hit an infield single, scoring Bredwell on an OSU throwing error, giving NU the 3-0 advantage.&nbsp; Ohio State took the lead in the fourth inning with six runs and six hits. With one out, Bump doubled to left field. Taylor Heckman followed with a triple, scoring one. Rodriguez added a single, scoring a run. Melina Wilison doubled to left field, and a walk loaded the bases. A fielder's choice and a double added three more runs before Harness entered the circle for NU.&nbsp; Sam Hackenbracht reached on a fielder's choice, scoring one. With two outs, Meggie Otte doubled to left center, scoring two.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-harness/44142" target="_blank">Sarah Harness</a>&nbsp;entered the circle for NU. A RBI-single from Jaycee Ruberti scored one as OSU took the 6-3 lead in the bottom of the inning. NU cut into the Buckeye lead with one run in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, singles from&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/brooke-andrews/44114" target="_blank">Brooke Andrews</a>, Squier and Caneda loaded the bases.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/caitlynn-neal/44122" target="_blank">Caitlynn Neal</a>&nbsp;grounded out, but Andrews scored. OSU held the 6-4 lead going into the sixth inning. Nebraska looked to rally in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded and one out, but a pop up and a fielder's choice secured the win for the Buckeyes.&nbsp; The Huskers travel to Champaign, Ill. this week, May 10-13, for the Big Ten Tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska softball team dropped its final regular season game with a 6-4 loss to Ohio State on Sunday afternoon at Bowlin Stadium.&nbsp; The Huskers (33-19, 13-10 Big Ten) tallied 11 hits and four runs and were led by&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/abbie-squier/44124" target="_blank">Abbie Squier</a>, who finished 3-for-4 with two RBI. The Buckeyes (32-19, 12-11 Big Ten) recorded nine hits and six runs while McKenzie Bump and Mariah Rodriguez each added two hits.&nbsp; <a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/courtney-wallace/44125" target="_blank">Courtney Wallace</a>&nbsp;(22-13) recorded the loss in the circle for Nebraska. Wallace pitched 3.2 innings, allowing seven hits and six runs.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-harness/44142" target="_blank">Sarah Harness</a>&nbsp;added 3.1 innings of work, holding OSU to two hits.&nbsp; Emily Ruck moved to 9-8 on the season with the win for Ohio State. Ruck pitched the final 5.1 innings, giving up eight hits and one run. Allison Smith started in the circle for the Buckeyes, pitching 1.2 innings, giving up three hits and three runs (one earned).&nbsp; The Huskers took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. With one out,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-gray/44118" target="_blank">Sydney Gray</a>&nbsp;hit a single to center field.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/brooke-andrews/44114" target="_blank">Brooke Andrews</a>&nbsp;was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. A passed ball advanced Gray and Andrews while Squier hit a single to center field, scoring two.&nbsp; Nebraska added one run in the second inning. With one out,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/ava-bredwell/44116" target="_blank">Ava Bredwell</a>&nbsp;was walked, advancing to second on a ground out.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/billie-andrews/44113" target="_blank">Billie Andrews</a>&nbsp;hit an infield single, scoring Bredwell on an OSU throwing error, giving NU the 3-0 advantage.&nbsp; Ohio State took the lead in the fourth inning with six runs and six hits. With one out, Bump doubled to left field. Taylor Heckman followed with a triple, scoring one. Rodriguez added a single, scoring a run. Melina Wilison doubled to left field, and a walk loaded the bases. A fielder's choice and a double added three more runs before Harness entered the circle for NU.&nbsp; Sam Hackenbracht reached on a fielder's choice, scoring one. With two outs, Meggie Otte doubled to left center, scoring two.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-harness/44142" target="_blank">Sarah Harness</a>&nbsp;entered the circle for NU. A RBI-single from Jaycee Ruberti scored one as OSU took the 6-3 lead in the bottom of the inning. NU cut into the Buckeye lead with one run in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, singles from&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/brooke-andrews/44114" target="_blank">Brooke Andrews</a>, Squier and Caneda loaded the bases.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/softball/roster/caitlynn-neal/44122" target="_blank">Caitlynn Neal</a>&nbsp;grounded out, but Andrews scored. OSU held the 6-4 lead going into the sixth inning. Nebraska looked to rally in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded and one out, but a pop up and a fielder's choice secured the win for the Buckeyes.&nbsp; The Huskers travel to Champaign, Ill. this week, May 10-13, for the Big Ten Tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Huskers drop series finale to Ohio State

Junior Wes Ferguson defended his 800-meter title, true freshman Brianna Russell won the high jump, senior Brayden Sorensen broke his own school-record and junior Ben Arens had another runner up finish Sunday at the 2023 MIAA Outdoor Championship in Jefferson city, MO.

The three-day meet began Friday afternoon and wrapped up on Sunday evening. Both Loper teams came in nationally-ranked and both finished eighth, the men tallying 63.50 points and the women 52.0. The men scored 62.50 points to place sixth in 2022 and had 61.50 to be seventh a year earlier. The women reach 50 points for the fourth time in five years. Coming into the meet, the&nbsp;MIAA&nbsp;men had six in the nation's Top 25 with the women having eight in the Top 30. Top-ranked Pittsburg State (184.5) easily won the men's title with Northwest Missouri (137.0) getting past the Gorilla women (133.50) to come in first. &nbsp; Ferguson (Fremont) ran a 1:51.79 to take the 800 gold with Central Missouri&nbsp;freshman&nbsp;Brian&nbsp;Mitei&nbsp;(1:52.13) the runner up. Ferguson then ran anchor for the fifth place 4x4 relay team that had the fifth best time (3:13.82) in school-history. Junior&nbsp;Micah&nbsp;Swedberg&nbsp;(Wallace) and true&nbsp;freshmen&nbsp;Conner Wells&nbsp;(St. Paul) and&nbsp;Tyson Baker&nbsp;(Fremont) also were on the squad. Earlier on Sunday, McCool Junior senior&nbsp;Luke&nbsp;Stuckey&nbsp;was runner up in the 1,500 (3:49.12) with David City sophomore&nbsp;Payton Davis&nbsp;(7th/3:51.15) and&nbsp;Holdrege&nbsp;senior&nbsp;Trevor&nbsp;Matousek&nbsp;(8th/3:54.38) also scoring. Next,&nbsp;Arens&nbsp;ran a 15:14.84 to place second in the 5,000; he was the steeple runner up on Saturday. Finally for silver medals, Sorensen was one of three jumpers to clear 7-1.75, doing so on his second attempt. That bests the 7-1.50 he reached at the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Championships. The other men's scores on Sunday were Ravenna junior&nbsp;Jack&nbsp;Drahota&nbsp;in the 400 hurdles (7th/55.42) and&nbsp;Gretna&nbsp;freshman&nbsp;Clayton Kelly&nbsp;in the triple jump (8th/45-10). Russell (Stamford) came in leading Division II in the high jump (5-9.25) and she promptly topped that by going 5-9.75 today. That keeps her third on&nbsp;UNK's&nbsp;all-time list and she is now third in D2; two others went 5-10.75 and 5-11.25, respectively, this weekend. Finally, Russell joins Morgan&nbsp;Benesch&nbsp;(steeple) and Jackie&nbsp;Ziemke&nbsp;(shot put) as the only Loper woman to have won a&nbsp;MIAA&nbsp;outdoor individual title. Also on the women's side, Kearney redshirt freshman&nbsp;Lily Novacek&nbsp;was third in the discus (144-1), Omaha junior&nbsp;Hannah Pollan&nbsp;(4th/4:38.89) and Funk senior&nbsp;Baylee Alstrom&nbsp;(5th/4:40.00) cracked the 1,500-meter top five thanks to career-best times and the 4x4 relay team finished sixth with the fifth fastest time (3:49.00) in Loper lore. That group featured juniors&nbsp;Nicole&nbsp;Messbarger&nbsp;(Kearney) and&nbsp;Hannah Anderson&nbsp;(Gothenburg), sophomore&nbsp;Kyla Carlson&nbsp;(Aurora) and&nbsp;freshman&nbsp;Abby Rose&nbsp;(Lindsborg, Kan.). Finally, O'Neill junior&nbsp;Abby&nbsp;Everitt&nbsp;was sixth in the high jump (5-5) with&nbsp;Jordan&nbsp;Soto-Stopak&nbsp;seventh in the 5,000 (18:22.94). Select&nbsp;Lopers&nbsp;will take part in the Concordia and Loper Twilight meets next weekend.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationsJunior Wes Ferguson defended his 800-meter title, true freshman Brianna Russell won the high jump, senior Brayden Sorensen broke his own school-record and junior Ben Arens had another runner up finish Sunday at the 2023 MIAA Outdoor Championship in Jefferson city, MO. The three-day meet began Friday afternoon and wrapped up on Sunday evening. Both Loper teams came in nationally-ranked and both finished eighth, the men tallying 63.50 points and the women 52.0. The men scored 62.50 points to place sixth in 2022 and had 61.50 to be seventh a year earlier. The women reach 50 points for the fourth time in five years. Coming into the meet, the&nbsp;MIAA&nbsp;men had six in the nation's Top 25 with the women having eight in the Top 30. Top-ranked Pittsburg State (184.5) easily won the men's title with Northwest Missouri (137.0) getting past the Gorilla women (133.50) to come in first. &nbsp; Ferguson (Fremont) ran a 1:51.79 to take the 800 gold with Central Missouri&nbsp;freshman&nbsp;Brian&nbsp;Mitei&nbsp;(1:52.13) the runner up. Ferguson then ran anchor for the fifth place 4x4 relay team that had the fifth best time (3:13.82) in school-history. Junior&nbsp;Micah&nbsp;Swedberg&nbsp;(Wallace) and true&nbsp;freshmen&nbsp;Conner Wells&nbsp;(St. Paul) and&nbsp;Tyson Baker&nbsp;(Fremont) also were on the squad. Earlier on Sunday, McCool Junior senior&nbsp;Luke&nbsp;Stuckey&nbsp;was runner up in the 1,500 (3:49.12) with David City sophomore&nbsp;Payton Davis&nbsp;(7th/3:51.15) and&nbsp;Holdrege&nbsp;senior&nbsp;Trevor&nbsp;Matousek&nbsp;(8th/3:54.38) also scoring. Next,&nbsp;Arens&nbsp;ran a 15:14.84 to place second in the 5,000; he was the steeple runner up on Saturday. Finally for silver medals, Sorensen was one of three jumpers to clear 7-1.75, doing so on his second attempt. That bests the 7-1.50 he reached at the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Championships. The other men's scores on Sunday were Ravenna junior&nbsp;Jack&nbsp;Drahota&nbsp;in the 400 hurdles (7th/55.42) and&nbsp;Gretna&nbsp;freshman&nbsp;Clayton Kelly&nbsp;in the triple jump (8th/45-10). Russell (Stamford) came in leading Division II in the high jump (5-9.25) and she promptly topped that by going 5-9.75 today. That keeps her third on&nbsp;UNK's&nbsp;all-time list and she is now third in D2; two others went 5-10.75 and 5-11.25, respectively, this weekend. Finally, Russell joins Morgan&nbsp;Benesch&nbsp;(steeple) and Jackie&nbsp;Ziemke&nbsp;(shot put) as the only Loper woman to have won a&nbsp;MIAA&nbsp;outdoor individual title. Also on the women's side, Kearney redshirt freshman&nbsp;Lily Novacek&nbsp;was third in the discus (144-1), Omaha junior&nbsp;Hannah Pollan&nbsp;(4th/4:38.89) and Funk senior&nbsp;Baylee Alstrom&nbsp;(5th/4:40.00) cracked the 1,500-meter top five thanks to career-best times and the 4x4 relay team finished sixth with the fifth fastest time (3:49.00) in Loper lore. That group featured juniors&nbsp;Nicole&nbsp;Messbarger&nbsp;(Kearney) and&nbsp;Hannah Anderson&nbsp;(Gothenburg), sophomore&nbsp;Kyla Carlson&nbsp;(Aurora) and&nbsp;freshman&nbsp;Abby Rose&nbsp;(Lindsborg, Kan.). Finally, O'Neill junior&nbsp;Abby&nbsp;Everitt&nbsp;was sixth in the high jump (5-5) with&nbsp;Jordan&nbsp;Soto-Stopak&nbsp;seventh in the 5,000 (18:22.94). Select&nbsp;Lopers&nbsp;will take part in the Concordia and Loper Twilight meets next weekend.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Lopers get good results at the MIAA Outdoor Championship

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. –&nbsp;The Nebraska Cornhuskers are returning to the Sanford Pentagon in 2023 for a non-conference matchup with the Oregon State Beavers on Nov. 18.

Ticket information and game time will be announced later.

“There is nothing quite like the atmosphere in the Sanford Pentagon when two teams from major conferences face off on Heritage Court,” said Jesse Smith, vice president of Sanford Sports. “We are thrilled to welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers back to Sioux Falls and are equally as excited to showcase our venue to Oregon State and its fans for the first time.”

This is the second time Nebraska will play at the Sanford Pentagon. On Dec. 16, 2018, the No. 25 Huskers defeated Oklahoma State 79-56. A member of the Big Ten Conference, Nebraska is coming off a 16-16 season, with a signature win on the road against eventual Elite Eight participant, No. 7 Creighton. Head coach Fred Hoiberg enters his fifth season at Nebraska.

Nebraska returns four players who started at least 12 games during the 2022-23 season. The Huskers finished on a high note last season, winning six of their final eight regular-season games, including three victories over teams that played in the NCAA Tournament.

“Playing at the Sanford Pentagon against Oregon State is a great opportunity for our basketball team,” Nebraska Head Coach Fred Hoiberg said. “We are thankful to Sanford Sports for including the University of Nebraska in this game for a second time. We have a lot of alumni in the Sioux Falls area, so I expect there to be a lot of red and white in the crowd in November which will help make for a phenomenal atmosphere for a college basketball game.”

This is the first trip to Heritage Court for Oregon State, members of the Pac 12 Conference. The Beavers finished the 2022-23 season with an 11-21 record. Head coach Wayne Tinkle enters his tenth season as head coach at Oregon State.

Tinkle coached one of the youngest teams in the nation in 2022-23, as over 50 percent of the teams’ points came from freshmen - one of three Power 5 teams to do so. Jordan Pope earned Pac-12 All-Freshman honors, and Pope joined Tyler Bilodeau and Michael Rataj in scoring over six points per game, making Oregon State one of seven teams in the nation to have a trio of freshmen reach that mark.

“We’re honored to have the opportunity to play in the tradition-rich Sanford Pentagon,” said Oregon State Head Coach Wayne Tinkle. “Games at the Pentagon have become key single-game pre-season events over the past 10 years. Sanford is an incredible partner and the Pentagon is an unbelievable facility bred for hoops. Throw in the total support of the Sioux Falls community and this will prove to be a valuable experience for our program.”

This year’s contest will mark the 11th&nbsp;all-time meeting between Oregon State and Nebraska and the first since the 2009-10 campaign. The Beavers hold a 6-4 edge in the series.

Since opening in 2013, the Sanford Pentagon has hosted more than 80 Division I men’s and women’s college basketball games. Last December, the Pentagon hosted a rematch of the 2021 men’s national championship game between No. 6 Baylor and No. 14 Gonzaga. Two weeks later, defending women’s national champions and No. 1 ranked South Carolina defeated South Dakota State on Heritage Court.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. –&nbsp;The Nebraska Cornhuskers are returning to the Sanford Pentagon in 2023 for a non-conference matchup with the Oregon State Beavers on Nov. 18.Ticket information and game time will be announced later.“There is nothing quite like the atmosphere in the Sanford Pentagon when two teams from major conferences face off on Heritage Court,” said Jesse Smith, vice president of Sanford Sports. “We are thrilled to welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers back to Sioux Falls and are equally as excited to showcase our venue to Oregon State and its fans for the first time.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683230594864.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>This is the second time Nebraska will play at the Sanford Pentagon. On Dec. 16, 2018, the No. 25 Huskers defeated Oklahoma State 79-56. A member of the Big Ten Conference, Nebraska is coming off a 16-16 season, with a signature win on the road against eventual Elite Eight participant, No. 7 Creighton. Head coach Fred Hoiberg enters his fifth season at Nebraska.Nebraska returns four players who started at least 12 games during the 2022-23 season. The Huskers finished on a high note last season, winning six of their final eight regular-season games, including three victories over teams that played in the NCAA Tournament.“Playing at the Sanford Pentagon against Oregon State is a great opportunity for our basketball team,” Nebraska Head Coach Fred Hoiberg said. “We are thankful to Sanford Sports for including the University of Nebraska in this game for a second time. We have a lot of alumni in the Sioux Falls area, so I expect there to be a lot of red and white in the crowd in November which will help make for a phenomenal atmosphere for a college basketball game.”This is the first trip to Heritage Court for Oregon State, members of the Pac 12 Conference. The Beavers finished the 2022-23 season with an 11-21 record. Head coach Wayne Tinkle enters his tenth season as head coach at Oregon State.Tinkle coached one of the youngest teams in the nation in 2022-23, as over 50 percent of the teams’ points came from freshmen - one of three Power 5 teams to do so. Jordan Pope earned Pac-12 All-Freshman honors, and Pope joined Tyler Bilodeau and Michael Rataj in scoring over six points per game, making Oregon State one of seven teams in the nation to have a trio of freshmen reach that mark.“We’re honored to have the opportunity to play in the tradition-rich Sanford Pentagon,” said Oregon State Head Coach Wayne Tinkle. “Games at the Pentagon have become key single-game pre-season events over the past 10 years. Sanford is an incredible partner and the Pentagon is an unbelievable facility bred for hoops. Throw in the total support of the Sioux Falls community and this will prove to be a valuable experience for our program.”This year’s contest will mark the 11th&nbsp;all-time meeting between Oregon State and Nebraska and the first since the 2009-10 campaign. The Beavers hold a 6-4 edge in the series.Since opening in 2013, the Sanford Pentagon has hosted more than 80 Division I men’s and women’s college basketball games. Last December, the Pentagon hosted a rematch of the 2021 men’s national championship game between No. 6 Baylor and No. 14 Gonzaga. Two weeks later, defending women’s national champions and No. 1 ranked South Carolina defeated South Dakota State on Heritage Court.

Nebraska to face Oregon State in men’s basketball at Sanford Pentagon

Story by Mid- Plains Community College Communications

Mid-Plains Community College will host a send-off for its rodeo team next week.

The event will provide the public with an opportunity to congratulate the athletes and wish them well at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo. June 11-17.

Story by Mid- Plains Community College CommunicationsMid-Plains Community College will host a send-off for its rodeo team next week.The event will provide the public with an opportunity to congratulate the athletes and wish them well at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo. June 11-17.The send-off is open to the public.It will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center on the McCook Community College campus.Hamburgers and bratwurst will be served for a free-will donation.

Public invited to send-off for MPCC Rodeo Team

The 2023&nbsp;MIAA&nbsp;Outdoor Track &amp; Field Championships will be this Friday-Sunday (May 5-7) in Jefferson City, Mo. The meet is hosted by Lincoln University at Dwight T. Reed Stadium and the surrounding area with the decathlon and heptathlon getting things started on Friday afternoon. The meet begins in earnest on Saturday at 10 a.m. and runs until Sunday night. Go&nbsp;<a href="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/lopers.com/documents/2023/4/17/2023_MIAA_Outdoor_Tentative_Schedule.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;for the complete schedule; weather could alter times and events. Fans not in attendance can watch via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themiaanetwork.com/unklopers/" target="_blank">The MIAA Network</a>&nbsp;with live results via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.midwesttiming.com/" target="_blank">Midwest Timing.</a> Last year the UNK women had its highest-ever point total (72.0) and finish (fifth) at this event with the Loper men coming in sixth (62.50). They've been in the top six at this meet six times since UNK joined in the&nbsp;MIAA&nbsp;in 2012-2013. In the most recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ustfccca.org/team-rankings-polls-central/division-ii-rankings" target="_blank">National Team Ratings</a>, Pittsburg State men are No. 1, Missouri Southern is No. 9, UNK is ranked 15th with Central Missouri (16), Northwest Missouri (20) and Lincoln (24) all in the Top 25. The Gorillas won the NCAA Indoor National Title this year and are defending champs. Pitt (6th), Northwest (9th), Mo Southern (11th), Fort Hays State (13th), LU, (16th), UCM (17th), Washburn (24th) and UNK (27th) are all in the women's Top 30. The Gorillas won the title last spring with 145 points. Fremont junior&nbsp;Wes Ferguson&nbsp;is defending 800-meter champ with Kearney senior&nbsp;Brayden&nbsp;Sorensen&nbsp;having won the high jump in 2021. The UNK women are looking for its first individual&nbsp;MIAA&nbsp;outdoor title since Morgan&nbsp;Benesch&nbsp;took the steeplechase in 2017. York&nbsp;freshman&nbsp;Brynn&nbsp;Hirschfeld&nbsp;(11:01.55) currently ranks second in the steeple with Stamford&nbsp;freshman&nbsp;Brianna Russell&nbsp;(5-9.25) first in all of Division II in the high jump. Next, Kearney redshirt freshman&nbsp;Lily Novacek&nbsp;is first in the discus (159-6) and fourth in the hammer (185-0) while Taylor redshirt sophomore&nbsp;Jordan Dockweiler&nbsp;is fifth in the shot (45-7). Finally, Kearney super senior&nbsp;Haley Schall&nbsp;(long jump), Kansas&nbsp;junior Jaida McEwen&nbsp;(javelin) and&nbsp;Mackenzie Smith&nbsp;(hammer) all enter the weekend ranked sixth in their respective event. &nbsp; Ferguson is first in the men's 800 (1:46.95), with McCool Junction senior&nbsp;Luke Stuckey&nbsp;first in the 1,500 (3:44.76) and Ainsworth junior&nbsp;Ben Arens&nbsp;second in both the 5,000 (14:15.50) and the steeple (8:47.50). Next, the 4x4 relay team that includes Ferguson ranks third (3:11.87) with Sorensen tops in the high jump (7-0.50) and Creighton junior&nbsp;Alex Homan&nbsp;fourth in the vault (16-1.25). &nbsp; The top three finishers in each individual and relay event will receive MIAA medals and are recognized as "All-MIAA" for the 2023 spring season.

Story by UNK Athletic Communications

The 2023&nbsp;MIAA&nbsp;Outdoor Track &amp; Field Championships will be this Friday-Sunday (May 5-7) in Jefferson City, Mo. The meet is hosted by Lincoln University at Dwight T. Reed Stadium and the surrounding area with the decathlon and heptathlon getting things started on Friday afternoon. The meet begins in earnest on Saturday at 10 a.m. and runs until Sunday night. Go&nbsp;<a href="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/lopers.com/documents/2023/4/17/2023_MIAA_Outdoor_Tentative_Schedule.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;for the complete schedule; weather could alter times and events. Fans not in attendance can watch via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themiaanetwork.com/unklopers/" target="_blank">The MIAA Network</a>&nbsp;with live results via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.midwesttiming.com/" target="_blank">Midwest Timing.</a> Last year the UNK women had its highest-ever point total (72.0) and finish (fifth) at this event with the Loper men coming in sixth (62.50). They've been in the top six at this meet six times since UNK joined in the&nbsp;MIAA&nbsp;in 2012-2013. In the most recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ustfccca.org/team-rankings-polls-central/division-ii-rankings" target="_blank">National Team Ratings</a>, Pittsburg State men are No. 1, Missouri Southern is No. 9, UNK is ranked 15th with Central Missouri (16), Northwest Missouri (20) and Lincoln (24) all in the Top 25. The Gorillas won the NCAA Indoor National Title this year and are defending champs. Pitt (6th), Northwest (9th), Mo Southern (11th), Fort Hays State (13th), LU, (16th), UCM (17th), Washburn (24th) and UNK (27th) are all in the women's Top 30. The Gorillas won the title last spring with 145 points. Fremont junior&nbsp;Wes Ferguson&nbsp;is defending 800-meter champ with Kearney senior&nbsp;Brayden&nbsp;Sorensen&nbsp;having won the high jump in 2021. The UNK women are looking for its first individual&nbsp;MIAA&nbsp;outdoor title since Morgan&nbsp;Benesch&nbsp;took the steeplechase in 2017. York&nbsp;freshman&nbsp;Brynn&nbsp;Hirschfeld&nbsp;(11:01.55) currently ranks second in the steeple with Stamford&nbsp;freshman&nbsp;Brianna Russell&nbsp;(5-9.25) first in all of Division II in the high jump. Next, Kearney redshirt freshman&nbsp;Lily Novacek&nbsp;is first in the discus (159-6) and fourth in the hammer (185-0) while Taylor redshirt sophomore&nbsp;Jordan Dockweiler&nbsp;is fifth in the shot (45-7). Finally, Kearney super senior&nbsp;Haley Schall&nbsp;(long jump), Kansas&nbsp;junior Jaida McEwen&nbsp;(javelin) and&nbsp;Mackenzie Smith&nbsp;(hammer) all enter the weekend ranked sixth in their respective event. &nbsp; Ferguson is first in the men's 800 (1:46.95), with McCool Junction senior&nbsp;Luke Stuckey&nbsp;first in the 1,500 (3:44.76) and Ainsworth junior&nbsp;Ben Arens&nbsp;second in both the 5,000 (14:15.50) and the steeple (8:47.50). Next, the 4x4 relay team that includes Ferguson ranks third (3:11.87) with Sorensen tops in the high jump (7-0.50) and Creighton junior&nbsp;Alex Homan&nbsp;fourth in the vault (16-1.25). &nbsp; The top three finishers in each individual and relay event will receive MIAA medals and are recognized as "All-MIAA" for the 2023 spring season.

UNK members traveling to the MIAA Championship

Tri-City Storm&nbsp;forward Trevor Connelly has been named to the USHL’s All-Rookie Second Team for the 2022-2023 season following his sensational debut season with the organization.

Trevor Connelly, 17, Forward, of Tustin, California, scored twenty-four goals, and notched twenty-three assists, for forty-seven total points in fifty-seven regular season games played with the Storm this season. His twenty-four goals scored during the regular season were the most scored by a full-time Tri-City player this year. Connelly scored six powerplay goals, recorded thirteen powerplay assists, and netted two game-winning goals. He tied the organization’s all-time record for consecutive games with a goal (7), and consecutive games with an assist (7). Connelly broke the Storm’s team record for consecutive games with a point with a 3rd&nbsp;period goal in Tri-City’s 3-1 win over the Omaha Lancers at the Viaero Center on April 4th, 2023. He became the first player in the organization’s twenty-three-year history to record at least one point in eighteen consecutive games. Connelly scored two goals, and recorded two assists in three games played during the 2023 Clark Cup Playoffs. He was one of four Storm players who scored multiple goals during the postseason. Connelly officially joined the organization on March 14th, 2022, by signing a tender agreement to play for the Storm. He made his debut with the organization on September 22nd, 2022, in the Storm’s 4-1 win over the Madison Capitols at the 2022 USHL Fall Classic. Connelly netted his first career USHL goal the following day in Tri-City’s 6-4 victory over the Muskegon Lumberjacks. He previously announced a commitment to play college hockey in the future at Providence College.&nbsp;&nbsp;The complete USHL All-Rookie team for the 2022-2023 season can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ushl.com/" target="_blank">www.USHL.com</a>.

“I am very happy and honored to be selected to the USHL’s All-Rookie Second Team. There are so many talented players in this league, and I am grateful for the opportunity and recognition. I had a slower start to the season than I would have liked, but I found a way to find my game and have a strong second half of the season. Our team also did not have the best start, but we really picked it up, and went on some fun win streaks. My plan for the off season is to put on some more weight, get strong, and keep working on things on the ice to better my game.” – Forward Trevor Connelly

“Trevor had as impressive of a year as I have seen from a tender signing in all of my years in the league. He was a great teammate, and had an elite drive to get better. I know our staff loved the opportunity to work with him every day, and it was really impressive to see his development over the course of the season, and his play down the stretch.” – President of Hockey Operations/Head Coach Anthony Noreen

Story by Tri-City CommunicationsTri-City Storm&nbsp;forward Trevor Connelly has been named to the USHL’s All-Rookie Second Team for the 2022-2023 season following his sensational debut season with the organization.Trevor Connelly, 17, Forward, of Tustin, California, scored twenty-four goals, and notched twenty-three assists, for forty-seven total points in fifty-seven regular season games played with the Storm this season. His twenty-four goals scored during the regular season were the most scored by a full-time Tri-City player this year. Connelly scored six powerplay goals, recorded thirteen powerplay assists, and netted two game-winning goals. He tied the organization’s all-time record for consecutive games with a goal (7), and consecutive games with an assist (7). Connelly broke the Storm’s team record for consecutive games with a point with a 3rd&nbsp;period goal in Tri-City’s 3-1 win over the Omaha Lancers at the Viaero Center on April 4th, 2023. He became the first player in the organization’s twenty-three-year history to record at least one point in eighteen consecutive games. Connelly scored two goals, and recorded two assists in three games played during the 2023 Clark Cup Playoffs. He was one of four Storm players who scored multiple goals during the postseason. Connelly officially joined the organization on March 14th, 2022, by signing a tender agreement to play for the Storm. He made his debut with the organization on September 22nd, 2022, in the Storm’s 4-1 win over the Madison Capitols at the 2022 USHL Fall Classic. Connelly netted his first career USHL goal the following day in Tri-City’s 6-4 victory over the Muskegon Lumberjacks. He previously announced a commitment to play college hockey in the future at Providence College.&nbsp;&nbsp;The complete USHL All-Rookie team for the 2022-2023 season can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ushl.com/" target="_blank">www.USHL.com</a>.“I am very happy and honored to be selected to the USHL’s All-Rookie Second Team. There are so many talented players in this league, and I am grateful for the opportunity and recognition. I had a slower start to the season than I would have liked, but I found a way to find my game and have a strong second half of the season. Our team also did not have the best start, but we really picked it up, and went on some fun win streaks. My plan for the off season is to put on some more weight, get strong, and keep working on things on the ice to better my game.” – Forward Trevor Connelly“Trevor had as impressive of a year as I have seen from a tender signing in all of my years in the league. He was a great teammate, and had an elite drive to get better. I know our staff loved the opportunity to work with him every day, and it was really impressive to see his development over the course of the season, and his play down the stretch.” – President of Hockey Operations/Head Coach Anthony Noreen

Connelly named to USHL All-Rookie Second Team

The Nebraska-Kearney women's golf team is in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/golf-women/article/2023-05-01/ncaa-division-ii-womens-golf-committee-announces-2023-championship-field" target="_blank">NCAA Championships</a>&nbsp;for the fifth time in program history. The&nbsp;Lopers&nbsp;received an at-large bid after being regionally-ranked all spring and finishing in the top two in six different tournaments. UNK is the sixth seed in the Central Region for a second straight spring and heads to&nbsp;Larchwood, Ia., May 8-10 for a 54-hole tournament. The nine-team field will be at the Grand&nbsp;Falls Casino and Golf Resort with&nbsp;Augustana&nbsp;the host school. Several of the qualifiers took part in the&nbsp;<a href="https://results.golfstat.com/public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=team&amp;tid=26114" target="_blank">Central Region Preview</a>&nbsp;in the fall at Larchwood. Augie placed first in the 36-hole event (909/305-304) with UNK the runner up (919; 312-307). &nbsp; The D2 NCAA women's golf field features 48 teams and 24 individuals competing at four regional sites (Larchwood, Springfield, Ill., Dallas, Texas and Gainesville, Ga.). The top three Central teams, along with the top two individuals not on those teams, move on to the NCAA Championships in St. Louis on May 16-20. UNK previously received at-large bids to the NCAA's in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and an auto bid last spring. The Lopers were seventh in 2002, its top showing in this event. Central Regional Teams: 1. Henderson State&nbsp;[Great American Conference auto bid] 2. Central Missouri&nbsp;[Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association auto bid] 3. Rogers State 4. Augustana&nbsp;[Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference auto bid] 5. Northeastern State 6. Nebraska Kearney 7. Central Oklahoma 8. Harding (Ark.) 9. Missouri Western State Individuals: 1. Paige Hoffman, Northwest Missouri State 2. Morgan Brasser, Fort Hays State 3. Carly Moon, Winona (Minn.) State 4. Ellen Spigner, Arkansas Tech 5. Morgan Becker, Oklahoma Baptist 6. Gabriela Maldonado, Arkansas-Monticello&nbsp;&nbsp;

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska-Kearney women's golf team is in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/golf-women/article/2023-05-01/ncaa-division-ii-womens-golf-committee-announces-2023-championship-field" target="_blank">NCAA Championships</a>&nbsp;for the fifth time in program history. The&nbsp;Lopers&nbsp;received an at-large bid after being regionally-ranked all spring and finishing in the top two in six different tournaments. UNK is the sixth seed in the Central Region for a second straight spring and heads to&nbsp;Larchwood, Ia., May 8-10 for a 54-hole tournament. The nine-team field will be at the Grand&nbsp;Falls Casino and Golf Resort with&nbsp;Augustana&nbsp;the host school. Several of the qualifiers took part in the&nbsp;<a href="https://results.golfstat.com/public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=team&amp;tid=26114" target="_blank">Central Region Preview</a>&nbsp;in the fall at Larchwood. Augie placed first in the 36-hole event (909/305-304) with UNK the runner up (919; 312-307). &nbsp; The D2 NCAA women's golf field features 48 teams and 24 individuals competing at four regional sites (Larchwood, Springfield, Ill., Dallas, Texas and Gainesville, Ga.). The top three Central teams, along with the top two individuals not on those teams, move on to the NCAA Championships in St. Louis on May 16-20. UNK previously received at-large bids to the NCAA's in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and an auto bid last spring. The Lopers were seventh in 2002, its top showing in this event. Central Regional Teams: 1. Henderson State&nbsp;[Great American Conference auto bid] 2. Central Missouri&nbsp;[Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association auto bid] 3. Rogers State 4. Augustana&nbsp;[Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference auto bid] 5. Northeastern State 6. Nebraska Kearney 7. Central Oklahoma 8. Harding (Ark.) 9. Missouri Western State Individuals: 1. Paige Hoffman, Northwest Missouri State 2. Morgan Brasser, Fort Hays State 3. Carly Moon, Winona (Minn.) State 4. Ellen Spigner, Arkansas Tech 5. Morgan Becker, Oklahoma Baptist 6. Gabriela Maldonado, Arkansas-Monticello&nbsp;&nbsp;

UNK heads to Iowa next week, aims for a top three finish

The North Platte Community College Knights split their last softball games of the regular season Monday afternoon against Garden City Community College.

NPCC pitcher Taelyn Dakamas threw a complete shutout in the first game for an 8-0 victory. She didn’t allow a single run on four hits over five innings, striking out five and walking one.

The Knights got their offense started with a run in the first inning then secured their victory with five more in the third. Lili Kukučková and Amya Blake-Cosper, each tallied RBIs in the frame, with Blake-Cosper smacking a home run.

Elena Montoya went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead North Platte in hits.&nbsp;

The Broncbusters answered by bouncing back in the second game to clinch the win 11-1.

Jenelle Gudjonson was in the pitcher’s circle for NPCC. The righthander allowed five hits and four runs over two and a third innings, walking one. Angelina Lockhart and Dakamas entered the game as relief, throwing one and two-thirds innings and one inning, respectively.

Kukučková, Blake-Cosper and Krysta-Lyn Lewis led the Knights with one hit each.&nbsp;

“We came out with focus, energy and enthusiasm in game one and passed the bat very well,” said NPCC Head Softball Coach Janelle Higgins. “[Dakamas] is pitching very well right now, and that is huge. Game two, Garden City came out with a purpose, and we played flat. We have a few days off before heading to regionals on Saturday. It’s always fun to be playing good ball at the end of the season - makes postseason the time to make some noise.”

The Knights end the regular season 14-29.

Postseason play will begin Saturday in Columbus. The Knights will take on Southeast Community College at noon, and the winner of that game will battle Central Community College at 2:30 p.m.

Story by NPCC Athletic CommunicationsThe North Platte Community College Knights split their last softball games of the regular season Monday afternoon against Garden City Community College.NPCC pitcher Taelyn Dakamas threw a complete shutout in the first game for an 8-0 victory. She didn’t allow a single run on four hits over five innings, striking out five and walking one.The Knights got their offense started with a run in the first inning then secured their victory with five more in the third. Lili Kukučková and Amya Blake-Cosper, each tallied RBIs in the frame, with Blake-Cosper smacking a home run.Elena Montoya went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead North Platte in hits.&nbsp;The Broncbusters answered by bouncing back in the second game to clinch the win 11-1.Jenelle Gudjonson was in the pitcher’s circle for NPCC. The righthander allowed five hits and four runs over two and a third innings, walking one. Angelina Lockhart and Dakamas entered the game as relief, throwing one and two-thirds innings and one inning, respectively.Kukučková, Blake-Cosper and Krysta-Lyn Lewis led the Knights with one hit each.&nbsp;“We came out with focus, energy and enthusiasm in game one and passed the bat very well,” said NPCC Head Softball Coach Janelle Higgins. “[Dakamas] is pitching very well right now, and that is huge. Game two, Garden City came out with a purpose, and we played flat. We have a few days off before heading to regionals on Saturday. It’s always fun to be playing good ball at the end of the season - makes postseason the time to make some noise.”The Knights end the regular season 14-29.Postseason play will begin Saturday in Columbus. The Knights will take on Southeast Community College at noon, and the winner of that game will battle Central Community College at 2:30 p.m.

Knights Softball splits final games

NORTH PLATTE - The Mid-Plains Community College&nbsp;Rodeo Team was on fire over the weekend in Spearfish, S.D. Members captured multiple Top 5 finishes in a doubleheader at Black Hills State University’s Will Lantis Yellow Jacket Stampede Thursday through Saturday.

MPCC had the top men’s team and was second in the women’s team standings at the conclusion of the first rodeo. Nick Rettinger and Maggie Underhill led the onslaught.

Rettinger took the men’s all-around championship after placing second in the tie-down roping, fourth in the team roping and sixth in the steer wrestling. Underhill won the barrel racing.

Also placing in the Top 10 were steer wrestlers Dalton Kunkee and Rex Day, who ended up fifth and sixth, respectively.

Madison McGee was seventh in the breakaway roping, and Matthew Miller was eighth in the tie-down roping.

Kaden Wooters won the steer wrestling in the second rodeo. He was 10th in the tie-down roping – behind Rettinger, who finished eighth.

McGee and Conner Schutz paired up for a fourth-place ranking in the team roping. Rettinger also placed seventh in that event.

Underhill came in ninth, and Raina Swanson was 11th in the barrel racing.

“I’m very proud of the individual championships and placings this weekend,” said Wyatt Clark, MPCC Rodeo Team timed events coach. “I’m looking forward to competing back in Nebraska and am expecting a strong finish for the year.”

The team heads into the final week of practice this week, which will culminate in the last rodeo of the season – the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Rodeo Friday and Saturday.

NORTH PLATTE - The Mid-Plains Community College&nbsp;Rodeo Team was on fire over the weekend in Spearfish, S.D. Members captured multiple Top 5 finishes in a doubleheader at Black Hills State University’s Will Lantis Yellow Jacket Stampede Thursday through Saturday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1682971506636.jpeg" alt="Nick Rettinger took the men’s all-around championship after placing second in the tie-down roping, fourth in the team roping and sixth in the steer wrestling" />
 <figcaption>Nick Rettinger took the men’s all-around championship after placing second in the tie-down roping, fourth in the team roping and sixth in the steer wrestling</figcaption>
 </figure>MPCC had the top men’s team and was second in the women’s team standings at the conclusion of the first rodeo. Nick Rettinger and Maggie Underhill led the onslaught.Rettinger took the men’s all-around championship after placing second in the tie-down roping, fourth in the team roping and sixth in the steer wrestling. Underhill won the barrel racing.Also placing in the Top 10 were steer wrestlers Dalton Kunkee and Rex Day, who ended up fifth and sixth, respectively.Madison McGee was seventh in the breakaway roping, and Matthew Miller was eighth in the tie-down roping.Kaden Wooters won the steer wrestling in the second rodeo. He was 10th in the tie-down roping – behind Rettinger, who finished eighth.McGee and Conner Schutz paired up for a fourth-place ranking in the team roping. Rettinger also placed seventh in that event.Underhill came in ninth, and Raina Swanson was 11th in the barrel racing.“I’m very proud of the individual championships and placings this weekend,” said Wyatt Clark, MPCC Rodeo Team timed events coach. “I’m looking forward to competing back in Nebraska and am expecting a strong finish for the year.”The team heads into the final week of practice this week, which will culminate in the last rodeo of the season – the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Rodeo Friday and Saturday.

MPCC Rodeo Team sets the bar high in Spearfish

North Platte Community College Softball: Garden County Vs. North Platte Community College