PETERSON — Sioux Central took two out of three in their weekday games. The girls defeated South Central Calhoun on Friday after defeating Pocahontas on Thursday and losing to Southeast Valley on Thursday. Sioux Central lit up the scoreboard against the Titans, winning 10-0 in five innings.

NEWELL — The Sioux Central girls softball team had an exciting weekend at the Newell-Fonda tournament. The Rebels would dominate the day, defeating the unbeaten Mustangs 7-2 before giving the North Union Warriors their second loss of the season.

The girls jumped on the Mustangs early, scoring two quick runs in the first inning. The team would add two more in the fourth and three more in the sixth inning to down the Mustangs by five.

PETERSON — Sioux Central picked up two conference wins to end their week. The team defeated Southeast Valley 6-2 on Wednesday before run-ruling South Central Calhoun 12-2 on Friday in five innings.

AMES — Spencer special education teacher Molly VanderLinden has gone above and beyond for the special education program. VanderLinden was recognized for her efforts with Special Olympics athletes, as she was named 2023 Special Olympics Iowa Coach of the Year at the Summer Games in Ames at the end of last month.

DES MOINES — Spencer girls soccer head coach John Hansel was selected as the recipient of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union's Soccer Golden Plaque of Distinction Award. The accolade was presented to Hansel prior to the Class 2A State Championship match on Saturday.

The Iowa State Park Passport is back in 2023 and better than ever. From June 1 to Oct. 31, Iowa State Park Passport holders can earn points by checking into more than 60 state parks and forests using the online app. Each park has a different point value (either 100, 200 or 300 points), with “hidden gems” earning higher points. Redeem points for various prizes.

Eight area seniors have each been awarded a $1,000 Jim McDonnell Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship opportunity is for students who are seeking a career in either a conservation or wildlife field, or a teaching field.

Listed below are the eight 2023 recipients, along with the high school they attended and their college of choice and their major:

People go fishing for different reasons. Some want to be outside, others want to spend time with family or friends. Anyone who goes fishing wants to catch a few, and some want to catch a really big fish. Some of those goals are easily accomplished, some are more difficult.

It’s pretty easy to spend time outdoors when you’re fishing. Fishing is done outdoors. If your interest is spending time with family or friends, you just have to invite them to join you. Another easy task.

I can’t believe how much I love this time of year, but then I guess I say that about every time of year in the Iowa Great Lakes. What I like about right now is the great fishing that is occurring. You name it; the fish are biting!

It’s truly amazing to see people give so much for others, but it can be hard to see sometimes in this day and age. Teachers, mentors and coaches have constantly provided guidance to people to help them succeed in whatever it might be. Think about how many coaches you might have encountered who didn’t look like they cared or invested in their athletes.

SPENCER — The Spencer softball team started their week a little later than usual on Wednesday, hosting Storm Lake. The game would head to extra innings, with the Tornadoes coming out on top 7-5.

DES MOINES — Spencer traveled to Des Moines on Wednesday to compete in the 2A State Quarterfinal in girls soccer. The team came in as the sixth seed, facing the third seed in North Scott. Spencer had some chances but just couldn’t get them past the Lancers goalkeeper, and the girls would drop the contest 3-0.

IOWA CITY — The Spencer boys tennis team had another magical run into the state quarterfinals this season. They finished the year on Wednesday in Iowa City at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreational Complex. Spencer would match up with Wahlert-Dubuque, and after being down 4-2 heading into doubles, Spencer was going to have to sweep the matches to win the meet. They would win two but not all three, losing the match to the Golden Eagles 5-4.

SPENCER — It can always be a challenge to play against teams in your own conference, because of the familiarity between the two teams. Spencer and Storm Lake have squared off plenty of times on the baseball diamond, and Wednesday was another chapter in the history of the matchup. Spencer scored six runs in the first two innings to take a 6-3 lead over the Tornadoes. They would hang on, despite a Storm Lake rally in the seventh inning, to win the game 7-6.

PETERSON — Sioux Central hosted Manson Northwest-Webster in girls softball on Tuesday at Brooke Memorial Field. The team remained undefeated, defeating Manson Northwest Webster 8-6 to improve to 3-0 so far this season. The Rebels were led by Bradi Krager and Berkley Johannsen, who both drove in two runs in the win.