Sports

LAS VEGAS – Whew! Garrett Shadbolt needed that. It’s been a rough National Finals Rodeo.

LAS VEGAS – Every step of every day can be a learning experience; the stage is just bigger for an athlete competing in a championship event. Bareback rider Garrett Shadbolt is learning a few things about his sport and about himself at the National Finals Rodeo.

The triangular Thursday, December 9, and the boys tournament Friday, December 10, were cancelled due to snow. The Lady Badger wrestling team was able to go to Stapleton on Saturday, December 10.

The Badger wrestling teams kicked off their seasons in O’Neill this last weekend. Valentine tied Croften-Bloomfield for the title. “We were missing a few guys, so still being able to tie the #4 team in the state with five open weight classes was good. I didn't feel we wrestled great in the finals, but it is early in the year, and our kids will respond and come back stronger,” said Coach Shane Allison.

The Badgers began their baskeball season Thursday December 1, 2022 when they traveled to O’Neill. The Lady Badgers won with a score of 57-41.

Thursday, December 1, 2022, the Cowgirls and Cowboys traveled out west to Sioux County. The Cowgirls fought hard but came up short, losing 40-50. The Cowboys had no troubles, coming back home with a win 60-15.

Hikers seeking a challenge will find what they’re looking for on these five Nebraska trails. Hundreds of feet of elevation changes will test your hiking stamina, but scenic views make it worth the climb to the top.

Congratulations to VHS Kinsey Buechle for being selected to All Conference Volleyball. Coach Julie Serbyn said, “Kinsey was an allaround player for her team this year. She led her team in blocks, was second in digs, had 74 kills, and ran our offense with 391 assists. We compete in a conference that had two state-placing teams. Her recognition as an All-Conference athlete is a tremendous honor, and we are so proud of her!”

Preliminary Nebraska deer check-in numbers indicate 2022 statewide harvest is down nine percent compared to 2021 for the November firearm season. During the nine-day season, which was November 12-20, 33,866 deer were harvested, compared to 37,053 in 2021.

Amid a national dip in student test performance nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nebraska’s newly released test scores show learning loss that will soon need to be addressed. The state’s K-12 test scores from 2021-22 were released on Wednesday, November 23.