Sports

Three local Valentine athletes competed Saturday, July 10, 2021, in the Missouri River Freedom Race, a 63-mile-long canoe and kayak race from Boonville to Jefferson City. Mike Huggins placed second in the men’s solo unlimited kayak division, making the 63-mile trek in just under seven hours (6:58:38).

The 10th annual Andrew Claymon Memorial Fishing Tournament was held at Merritt Reservoir Saturday, June 12, 2021, with 54 teams consisting of 124 youth and adult participants, competing for prizes in three divisions. The tournament is in memory of 16 year old Andrew Claymon who died of cancer July 5, 2010.

The 12U Valentine team, coached by Jenny Vanderway, was the sixth seed in the tournament that was held Monday, June 28, 2021 in Chamberlain. In the first game they played Lyman and won 11-6.

Thursday, June 17, 2021, Isabelle Salters and Haley Hesse played in the New West All-Star Classic on the Southwest Conference Volleyball Team. They played at Minden High School and the team finished in second place.

At the State track meet, in 1956, Jerry Spain set the record for the 880 yard run at 2.00.3 for Valentine High School. This record has lasted for 65 years. At the 2006 Class Reunion Jerry challenged any student to break his record. A fun run was held to raise money for a scholarship and $1,847 was raised with the generosity of local business and individuals.

The 2021 Nebraska State High School Finals Rodeo was held in Hastings, June 17-19 at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Over 150 high school rodeo athletes competed in 13 events and north central Nebraska was well represented.

Saturday, June 5, 2021,Nick Sherbeyn came to the ballpark and meant business tallying four hits and leading Class C Valentine Seniors to a 13-1 win over Martin. Sherbeyn tripled in the second, singled in the third, doubled in the fifth.

Nebraska Extension in the Panhandle held the kick-off event for the new leadership program Leadership Opportunities for Growth in Nebraska 4-H (LOG N 4-H) on May 25-26, 2021 at the State 4-H Camp in Halsey.

As the 2020-2021 school year comes to an end, the Valentine FBLA also wound down. We held our end-of-the-year party. We went to the Peppermill to have a final group meeting and then celebrated our accomplishments of this past year.

Five area cowboy and cowgirls have qualified to compete for a National Championship at the 16th annual NHSRA Junior High Finals Rodeo to be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, IA, June 20-26, 2021.