SPENCER—Algona’s Moriah Knapp was the runner-up and North Union’s Jacey Welbig placed third to highlight the performances of three area girls’ cross-country squads on Thursday, Aug. 25 at the Spencer Invitational.

Knapp crossed the finish line with a time of 20:02.51 just ahead of Welbig in 21:01.00 as Peyton Morey of Spencer won the race with her clocking of 19:53.10.

WEBSTER CITY—The Algona boys in the team race and Moriah Knapp in the girls’ individual race were the runner-ups to highlight the performances of the Algona cross-country teams at the Lynx Invitational on Monday, Aug. 29.

The red-and-black boys’ team score of 81 was topped only by North Polk, who had a perfect score of 15 created by having the top five runners.

GARNER—The North Union Warriors’ volleyball squad went a perfect 5-0 to place first at the Garner Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 27.

The green-black-and-silver started the day with a 21-15 and 21-13 victory over West Fork. Libby Stevens led the team in set assists with 14.

Olivia Merrill pounded home seven kills and registered one solo block and two block assists at the net while teammate Emily Meyer connected on 14 of 15 serves with four aces and came up with eight digs.

ADEL—The Algona Bulldogs volleyball squad went 1-2 on the road at the ADM (Adel) on Thursday, Aug. 25 in their 2022 season opener.

The red-and-black dropped their opener to the host school ADM by the score of 21-10 and 21-17. Lillian Etherington went nine of 11 behind the service line and Paige Schmitt had seven set assists.

Ryan Haynes came up with seven digs for the Bulldogs with Najolie Price registering two solo blocks at the net and A’Lailah Perry had six kills.

FORT DODGE—The Bishop Garrigan Golden Bears volleyball squad went 2-3 on Saturday, Aug. 27 in a very balanced St. Edmond tournament. The black-and-gold opened the day with a 21-17 and 21-11 win over Webster City.

Molly Joyce led the way with a 13 of 16 serving performance with four aces, had seven kills and seven digs as Maggie Vaske added 11 set assists. Avery Lichter also came up with seven digs and Audi Crooks had one solo block and one block assist at the net.

WEST BEND—West Bend-Mallard gave third-ranked Newell-Fonda a good battle in a 28-14 loss on Friday, Aug. 26 but five turnovers were too much to overcome as the purple-and-gold dropped their season opener.

The Wolverines lost three fumbles and threw a pair of interceptions as the Mustangs took advantage of the turnovers for two short fields for 14 easy points in the win.

ARMSTRONG—North Union head coach Matt Ernster turned 38 on Friday, Aug. 26 and his players made sure it was a happy birthday as they blanked the Okoboji Pioneers 39-0 in the season opener.

All-state running back Bryer Prochniak rushed for 175 yards and scored four touchdowns and quarterback Carter Morphew contributed 110 yards rushing and threw for another score in the win.

SIOUX RAPIDS—West Bend-Mallard dropped the first two sets but roared back winning the final three games to take their Twin Lakes Conference and season opening victory over Sioux Central in thrilling sets on Thursday, Aug. 25.

The Rebels started fast by taking the first set 26-24 and 25-19 before the purple-and-gold back to take the third game 25-10. The Wolverines forced the fifth set by winning the fourth game 25-22 and cruised to a 15-4 victory to win the match.

ALGONA—Bishop Garrigan opened the season and Top of Iowa Conference play on Thursday, Aug. 25 with a hard-fought victory over Belmond-Klemme in four sets.

The black-and-gold took the opening game by the score of 25-22 and won the second by the tally of 25-15. The visitors won the third set 18-25 before the Golden Bears ended the match with a 25-10 win in the fourth game.

ESTHERVILLE—The Algona swim team opened the 2022 season on Tuesday, Aug. 23 at the Estherville Wellness Center and fell to the Spencer Tigers by the score of 134.5 to 39.5.

The bright spot for the red-and-squad was the diving event as the team picked up their only win. Freshman Reese Taylor compiled a winning score of 170.65 points to break the school record as the old record was set in 2012 by Shelby Brindley with a score of 138.95.

PERRY—Brooke Ludwig won the 200-yard freestyle event in 2:21.46 to highlight the performances of the Algona swim team in a meet held at Perry on Thursday, Aug. 25.

The Bluejays defeated the red-and-black by the score of 88-55. Algona was the runner-up in four individual races and three relays on Thursday.

GOWRIE—Freshman Tyra Schupbach finished in fifth place overall to highlight the performances of the West Bend-Mallard Wolverine boys’ and girls’ cross-country squads at the Southeast Valley Invitational on Thursday, Aug. 25.

By CHUCK FRIEND

Freelance contributing writer

MASON CITY – It is no secret that Mason City native Mark Holt is a fan of racing. And that love has developed into what is now known as the Nostalgia Dirt Series.

By Greg Grabianowski

Sports Editor

LIVERMORE—Former Twin River Valley graduate Dallas Clark will be enshrined into the University of Iowa Athletics Department Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 2 at the Hawkeyes’ season opener against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.

By Greg Grabianowski

Sports Editor

DYERSVILLE—An area man is playing a big role in the new expansions that are taking place at the Field of Dreams site in Dyersville, Iowa.

Jason Blome is a 2001 graduate of North Kossuth and 2008 graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in landscape architecture. His wife Amber is also from the area as she is from Algona.