NFV bowlers come up short at SQ meet 

By Zakary Kriener

      The TigerHawk bowlers were in Camanche last week as the NFV girls’ and boys’ teams competed on Monday and Tuesday (Feb. 12 and 13), respectively.

TigerHawks advance with win over Waukon

By Zakary Kriener

     The TigerHawk boys’ basketball team improved its postseason record to 2-0 on Thursday night with a hard-fought win over Waukon.

     “The last two games we have played against Waukon had gone into overtime, so we knew this would be a competitive game,” said coach Matt Krambeer after the 59-48 win. “I thought we came out a bit tight in this game as Waukon was able to get some easier transition baskets and take a 10-point lead midway through the second quarter. We finally settled in on both ends of the court and ended the quarter on a 12-0 run to grab the lead at the half.”

During prerace preparations, 17-year-old Max Jones gets some advice from veteran stock car driver, Dan, who also happens to be his dad. Max made his first year behind the wheel a a good one as he was the 2023 USRA Hobby Stock Rookie of the Year award. (photo by Jessie Jones/JJ Photoz)

Jones’ debut season concludes with Rookie of the Year honor

By Zakary Kriener

      Year one behind the wheel of a race car is in the books for Max Jones of Waterville, and his trophy case already has a few trophies in it after a season that far exceeded his expectations. In a summer that included his first feature win, Jones also captured the United States Racing Association’s Rookie of the Year trophy in the Hobby Stock class.

      “I had no plans of even being in contention to win Rookie of the Year,” laughed Jones, a junior at Waukon High School and the son of veteran Stock Car driver Dan Jones. “Toward the end of the season, I texted my mom and showed her a screenshot of the standings when I was second or third. Over the last few weeks of the season, I made it a goal to get to the top!”

      While Max is no stranger to the world of racing, having grown up helping his dad at the track and in the garage, it was very much a learning process to get in the driver’s seat for the first time last spring.

Five SW wrestlers close out season at State

By Zakary Kriener

     The Warrior wrestling team wrapped up its 2023-2024 season last week in Des Moines with five South Winn wrestlers competing.

     “I am proud of all five of the guys for how they battled this week,” said coach Jacob Elsbernd. “Wins aren’t handed out and these guys competed really well.”

SW girls meet their match against A-P

By Zakary Kriener

     The South Winn girls’ basketball team had its run come to an end on Tuesday night, Feb. 13, as the Warriors traveled to Aplington-Parkersburg.

     The Falcons showed their strength early on, leading 18-1 after the first quarter and 43-2 at halftime. In the second half, the Warriors were able to get some offensive flow going, outscoring A-P 20-18 over the final two quarters.

Warrior boys win in double OT thriller

By Zakary Kriener

     Playoff basketball often brings out the best in a team. On Thursday night in Calmar, that was certainly the case for both the Warriors boys’ basketball team and their opponent, Edgewood-Colesburg.

     “This was one of the crazier games I have ever been a part of,” said coach Derek Taylor after the contest. “Both teams played hard, fortunately for us, we were avle to make a couple of big plays and come out on top in the end.”

Upper Iowa Conference’s future taking shape

By Zakary Kriener

      The Upper Iowa Conference will have a different look beginning next school year with more possible changes on the horizon.

      Last week, superintendents from each of the schools that are currently in the UIC met for a meeting with discussion and action being taken on the Howard-Winneshiek school district (Crestwood) submitting a request to join the conference.

      “I don’t feel like this is going to change a whole lot for us, as we already have Crestwood on our schedule in pretty much every sport,” said Justin Heins, athletic director at North Fayette Valley. “The biggest change for us will be adding them into our conference tournaments for sports like wrestling and track.

Five TigerHawks punch tickets to State

By Zakary Kriener

     The TigerHawk wrestling team will send the most wrestlers to State that it ever has this week as five members of the NFV team advanced five individuals at Saturday’s District Tournament in Osage.

     “All of our guys wrestled hard and left it all on the mat,” said coach Chris Moss after the tournament. “We as coaches are proud of everyone’s efforts not just on Saturday, but the entire season.”

TigerHawks triumph over WC to clinch second

By Zakary Kriener

     In the regular season finale for the North Fayette Valley boys’ basketball team on Tuesday night (Feb. 6), things were clicking early and often for the TigerHawks as the rolled to their seventh straight win by defeating West Central, 75-15.

     The win also clinched a runner-up finish in a highly competitive Upper Iowa Conference by finishing with a mark of 13-3.

TigerHawk boys double up Clayton Ridge 

By Zakary Kriener

     The TigerHawk boys’ basketball team opened up its final week of regular season action on Monday night, Feb. 5, in Guttenberg as they faced UIC foe Clayton Ridge.

     An 18-point opening quarter set the tone for the night for NFV as it outscored the Eagles in all four quarters enroute to a 64-30 win.