The championship featured competitors from across Nebraska in one of the shotgun sports disciplines. Sporting clays is designed to simulate a variety of hunting situations, with clay targets launched at different angles, speeds and distances. Unlike traditional trap or skeet, no two target presentations are exactly alike, requiring competitors to adapt to each station.

While opportunities to practice and compete in sporting clays are limited for youth athletes west of Lincoln, members of the Sutton S-41 Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) team found opportunities to practice throughout the summer.

The state championship included a 200-target sporting clays main event, a 100-target super sporting event, a 50-target FITASC (un-mounted gun) competition, a 50-target 5-stand event and several sub-gauge competitions.

Gavin Vander Ley earned four podium finishes in D Class. He placed third in the main event with a score of 157 out of 200, third in the super sporting event with 88 out of 100, first in FITASC with 43 out of 50 and second in 5-stand with 40 out of 50.

Grethe Andersen won the D Class super sporting event with a score of 91 out of 100.

Leif Andersen competed in AA Class and earned four podium finishes. He placed third in the main event with 176 out of 200, first in the super sporting event with 95 out of 100, second in FITASC with 45 out of 50 and third in 5-stand with 42 out of 50.

Competition continued on Sunday, Aug. 2, at Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, where the Wyatt Gildersleeve Memorial Trapshoot was held.

The 100-target competition consisted of 50 singles targets from the 16-yard line and 50 handicap targets. Sutton S-41 athlete Cord Pope won the D Class championship after breaking 47 of 50 singles targets and 46 of 50 handicap targets from the 24-yard line for a combined score of 93, earning the D Class champion belt buckle.

The Sutton S-41 team will return to competition this weekend at the Zone 5 Skeet Championship, scheduled for Aug. 7 through 9 at Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island.

Those interested in learning more about the Scholastic Clay Target Program or joining the Sutton S-41 team may contact coach Josh Andersen at ja8041@yahoo.com.

Three days later, the small-town squad was celebrating a state championship after defeating some of Nebraska’s top travel baseball programs and leaving more than a few opponents asking the same question: “Where is Saronville?” The weekend didn’t start the way the Shiners had hoped. They lost their first game 8-5 but quickly bounced back with a 10-4 win in their second game to earn a spot in the tournament’s top championship bracket.

From there, they kept winning. The Shiners defeated the Bellevue Bruins 7-1, followed by a commanding 22-4 victory over Nebraska Prime Blue.

Their next game against the Elkhorn Turtles turned into a pitchers’ duel, with neither team scoring until late in the game. Beckett Heitmann scored the game’s first run, giving the Shiners the momentum they needed to earn another victory. Kaige Jones pitched most of the game before Cam Heitmann came in to close it out.

That win sent the Shiners to the championship game, where they faced Gretna Thunder Black, the same team that had beaten them earlier in the tournament.

Gretna scored first, but the Shiners answered in the fourth inning and never looked back. Hayden Schlichtman blasted a grand slam home run, the defense settled in and Jedt Livgren pitched the entire game to help secure the championship.

The final play was one the team won’t soon forget. Kaige Jones made a play at third base before Brooks Ebert completed the game-ending double play at home, touching off the celebration.

The championship wasn’t the result of one player. Big contributions came from across the roster.

Jaden Beam, Conner Aspegren, Schlichtman and Bentley Farmer came up with key defensive plays in the outfield. Grady Arp held down first base, while Kaige Jones, Cam Heitmann, Jedt Livgren, Gage Tuma and Beckett Heitmann anchored the infield. Behind the plate, Brooks Ebert caught two straight games Sunday in the summer heat on turf fields.

The team is coached by Alex Jones, Jeremy Heitmann, Corey Heitmann and Corey Ebert.

The coaches were quick to credit everyone who helped make the season possible, including the parents who supported the team every step of the way.

Shay Jones reiterated that point when she shared, “We couldn’t have made this work without the players, the coaches, the Aspegrens and Eberts for hosting practices in their shops, and the families for making a dream turn into a reality,” the team shared after the championship. “Without them, we are nothing.”

For a program built to give kids from Nebraska’s small towns a chance to play together, winning a state championship was a dream realized.

And now, a few more people across Nebraska know exactly where Saronville is.

South Central trimmed Sutton’s 5-0 lead to 5-3 in the bottom half of the sixth inning with three runs, but that is all the closer the Post 256 Juniors could get, as Sutton’s Post 61 Juniors rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh inning to secure the 8-3 win and improved to 20-8-1, while South Central’s season came to a close, finishing the season with an 11-12 record.

Remington Behmerwohld gained four of Sutton’s 10 hits in the game, while all four of his singles drive in one run.

Creighton Jones was 2-3 at the plate with a run driven in, while Kellen Ebert drove in a run, while going 2-4 at the plate with a pair of singles.

Adding to the mix were Aidan Banta and Michael Lockhart, as they were both 1-3 in the win.

South Central pounded out eight hits in the game, led by Wyatt Livgren with a trio of singles in three trips to the plate. Brockett Reed was 2-4 and drove in a pair of runs, while Camden Wehrman, Alex Watts, and Wyatt Hemberger all had one single in the game.

Camden Temme earned the win on the mound for Sutton. In six and two-thirds innings of work, Temme walked three, struck out six, and allowed the three South Central runs on seven hits.

In relief, Lockhart walked one, struck out one, and allowed one hit.

Wehrman took the loss for South Central. In five innings of work, he allowed six runs on seven hits, walking four and striking out three.

Wyatt Livgren and Justin Sharp closed out the game on the mound. They combined to allow two runs on two hits, with Livgren walking two Sutton hitters.

Sutton 8, South Central 3 Sutton...................0 5 0 0 0 0 3 -8 South Central.........0 0 0 0 0 3 0 -3 Sutton AB R H RBI Remington Behmerwohld...... 5 2 4 1 Creighton Jones....................... 3 1 2 1 Kellen Ebert............................. 4 2 2 1 Aidan Banta............................. 3 2 1 0 Michael Lockhart..................... 3 0 1 1 Kayden Bolejack...................... 1 1 0 0 Cale Nuss................................. 1 0 0 0 Camden Temme...................... 2 0 0 2 Everett Yost............................. 3 0 0 0 Kaige Jones.............................. 4 0 0 1 Sutton Totals-.................. 29 8 10 7 Extra Base Hits: None. South Central AB R H RBI Wyatt Livgren.......................... 4 1 3 1 Brockett Reed.......................... 4 0 2 2 Camden Wehrman.................. 3 1 1 0 Alex Watts............................... 4 1 1 0 Wyatt Hemberger................... 4 0 1 0 Joel Hoelting........................... 2 0 0 0 Mason Johanson...................... 2 0 0 0 Owen Spray............................. 2 0 0 0 Jedt Livgren............................. 3 0 0 0 So. Central Totals-............ 28 3 8 3 Extra Base Hits: None.

In the opener, River Glinsmann threw a 78 pitch, one two hit gem during his five and a third innings of work. He walked just three and struck out four to gain the win.

In relief, Camden Temme walked one and struck out two in an inning and twothirds, while allowing just one hit.

Sutton struck first in the battle, outscoring BDS 3-1 in the first inning. Sutton added one more run in the second inning, as the two teams were held scoreless in the final four innings of the game.

Remington Behmerwohld was a perfect 3-3 at the plate with three singles, while driving in one run.

Cale Nuss delivered a pair of singles. Michael Lockhart delivered a three-run home run in the first inning, while Kayden Bolejack gained a double, and Kellen Ebert, a single, as Sutton outhit BDS 8-3 in the game.

Sutton 4, BDS 1 BDS.............................1 0 0 0 0 0 -1 Sutton........................3 1 0 0 0 0 -4 AB R H RBI

Remington Behmerwohld...... 3 1 3 1 Cale Nuss................................. 3 1 2 0 Kayden Bolejack...................... 2 0 1 0 Michael Lockhart..................... 3 1 1 3 Kellen Ebert............................. 3 0 1 0 Creighton Jones....................... 0 1 0 0 Kaige Jones.............................. 2 0 0 0 River Glinsmann...................... 2 0 0 0 Everett Yost............................. 3 0 0 0 Camden Temme...................... 3 0 0 0 Sutton Totals-.................. 24 4 8 4 BDS Totals-....................... 24 1 3 1 Extra Base Hits: Sutton: Lockhart: 1- Home Run; Bolejack: 1-Double. BDS: None.

The three-run win over BDS for the Mustangs paired Sutton up with Tri County-Meridian in the second round winners bracket in Hebron.

Tri County-Meridian jumped out of the gate, scoring five runs in the bottom of the second inning to put Sutton in a tough place, but one run in the third and four more in the fifth inning tied the game at five before Tri County-Meridian claimed the win with one run in the sixth frame to send Sutton into the losers bracket of the tournament where they were to face South Central this past Monday night at 5:30 p.m. in Hebron.

Tri County-Meridian held a 7-6 hitting edge in the game, with Temme delivering a pair of singles. Kaige Jones was 1-3 with a double, while driving in two runs, while Everett Yost drove in a pair of runs with a single. Nuss drove in one run on a single, while Behmerwohld added a single in the game.

Nuss opened the game’s first inning and a third on the mound. Tri County- Meridian gained five hits and scored five runs off of Nuss, as he walked four and struck out one.

In relief, Brooks Ebert walked just one and struck out five, while Behmerwohld walked one, struck out one and allowed one run on one hit.

Sutton 5, Tri-County/Meridian 6 Sutton........................0 0 1 0 4 0 -5 T-C/Meridian............... 0 5 0 0 0 1 -6 AB R H RBI

Camden Temme...................... 3 1 2 0 Cale Nuss................................. 3 1 1 1 Kaige Jones.............................. 3 0 1 2 Everett Yost............................. 4 1 1 2 Remington Behmerwohld...... 4 0 1 0 Michael Lockhart..................... 2 1 0 0 Kellen Ebert............................. 3 1 0 0 Aidan Banta............................. 1 0 0 0 River Glinsmann...................... 3 0 0 0 Kayden Bolejack...................... 3 0 0 0 Camden Temme...................... 3 0 0 0 Sutton Totals-.................. 29 5 6 5 T-C/Meridian Totals-......... 27 6 7 5 Extra Base Hits: Sutton: Lockhart: Jones: 1-Double. T-C/Meridian: None.

The highly intense and action packed sport of bull riding took center stage Wednesday, July 8 during the opening day of the 2026 Clay County Fair in Clay Center. Above, one of the riders in the extreme bull riding event jumps out of the gate on top of a bull and prepares for a tough ride during the competition. At the left, another rider steadies himself on top of a bull during the competition in the fairgrounds arena. Below shows a crowd ready for some action.

South Central’s 11-7 victory over Sutton erased a loss to the Mustangs back on May 27, when Sutton recorded a 9-1 win in Sutton.

Thursday night’s win for South Central was spurred by two big innings, as the guys in blue scored five runs in the second and fifth innings and added one more run in the sixth to secure the four-run victory.

Sutton led early 3-0 before South Central’s five run second frame. Sutton then bounced back to grab a 6-5 lead after the top half of the fifth inning, before South Central posted their five runs in the bottom half of the fifth.

South Central outhit Sutton 10-8 in the battle. South Central was led by Alex Watts and Camden Wehrman. Watts went 2-3 at the plate and drove in one run. Wehrman also drove in one while going 2-4 at the plate with a double and a single.

Adding to South Central’s hitting was a double by Joel Hoelting, and singles from Wyatt Hemberger, Mason Johanson, Jedt Livgren, Jaxen Vaughn, and Brockett Reed.

Cale Nuss and Kylar Ely led Sutton’s hit parade with two singles each, as Nuss drove in two runs in the loss.

Conner Aspegren, Remington Behmerwohld, Everett Yost, and Kayden Bolejack had one single each.

On the pitchers mound, Wehrman earned the win for South Central. In three innings of work, Wehrman walked four, struck out four, and gave up four runs on six hits.

In relief, Wyatt Livgren and Justin Sharp both pitched for two innings.

Livgren allowed just one run on one hit and he walked one and struck out one.

Sharp walked one and allowed two runs on just one hit.

For Sutton, River Glinsmann took the loss, giving up 10 runs on nine hits, while walking four and striking out three.

In relief, Behmerwohld walked two, struckout one and gave up one hit and one run.

With the win, South Central improved to 9-7, while the loss dropped Sutton to 17-6, with the 2026 Area-4 District tournament set to start in Hebron this coming Friday, July 10.

Sutton 7, South Central 11 Sutton........................1 2 0 1 2 0 -7 South Central.............. 0 5 0 0 5 1 -11 South Central AB R H RBI Alex Watts............................... 3 2 2 1 Camden Wehrman.................. 4 1 2 1 Joel Hoelting........................... 2 0 1 3 Wyatt Hemberger................... 2 3 1 0 Mason Johanson...................... 2 1 1 0 Brockett Reed.......................... 5 1 1 1 Jaxen Vaughn.......................... 1 1 1 0 Owen Spray............................. 1 0 0 0 Justin Sharp............................. 2 0 0 0 Wyatt Livgren.......................... 4 0 0 0 Jedt Livgren............................. 5 2 1 0 So. Central Totals-............ 31 11 10 6 Extra Base Hits: Wehrman: 1-Double; Hoelting: 1-Double.

Sutton AB R H RBI Cale Nuss................................. 4 0 2 2 Kylar Ely................................... 4 0 2 0 Conner Aspegren..................... 2 0 1 0 Kayden Bolejack...................... 3 2 1 0 Remington Behmerwohld...... 3 3 1 2 Everett Yost............................. 4 0 1 1 Jesse Mohnike......................... 1 1 0 0 Kaige Jones.............................. 1 1 0 0 River Glinsmann...................... 3 0 0 0 Kellen Ebert............................. 4 0 0 0 Sutton Totals-.................. 29 7 8 5 Extra Base Hits: None.

During Tuesday’s win, pitcher Everett Yost tossed a four-hit gem, without allowing a run, while walking four and striking out six.

Cale Nuss drove in three runs with a pair of singles in the win, while Michael Lockhart drove in two runs with a double in the game.

Rounding out the hitting attack were Remington Behmerwohld, Camden Temme, River Glinsmann and Yost, as all four gained a single, as Sutton held a 7-4 hitting advantage in the win.

Sutton 10, BDS 0 Sutton.............................. 2 3 0 3 2 -10 BDS...................................0 0 0 0 0 -0 AB R H RBI

Cale Nuss................................. 3 2 2 3 Remington Behmerwohld...... 1 4 1 1 Camden Temme...................... 3 2 1 0 Michael Lockhart..................... 3 0 1 2 River Glinsmann...................... 3 0 1 0 Everett Yost............................. 4 0 1 2 Kaige Jones.............................. 1 0 0 0 Conner Aspegren..................... 2 1 0 0 Brooks Ebert............................ 2 1 0 0 Sutton Totals-.................. 22 10 7 8 BDS Totals-....................... 17 0 4 0 Extra Base Hits: Sutton: Lockhart: 1-Double, Glinsmann: 1-Double. BDS: 1-Double.

Brooks Ebert handled the pitching duties against Wilber, without giving up a walk, he struck out two, while allowing four Wilber runs on six hits.

Lockhart led the offense in the game with three singles during his three trips to the plate. Lockhart drove in a team-high four runs.

Yost was 2-3 at the plate with a pair of singles, while Temme was 2-4 with a double and a single.

Also adding to the hitting mix were Kellen Ebert, Creighton Jones and Cale Nuss who all singled once in the win.

Sutton 13, Wilber 4 Wilber..............................2 1 1 0 0 -4 Sutton.............................. 1 0 10 2 x -13 AB R H RBI

Michael Lockhart..................... 3 1 3 4 Everett Yost............................. 3 1 2 0 Camden Temme...................... 4 3 2 1 Kellen Ebert............................. 2 1 1 1 Creighton Jones....................... 3 2 1 1 Cale Nuss................................. 4 1 1 1 River Glinsmann...................... 1 2 0 1 Remington Behmerwohld...... 1 1 0 2 Kaige Jones.............................. 0 1 0 1 Sutton Totals-.................. 21 13 10 12 Wilber Totals-.................. 22 4 6 3 Extra Base Hits: Sutton: Temme: 1-Double. Wilber: 1-Triple.

The change to orders will:

• Move the start of the spring archery season from March 25 to the Saturday closest to April 8.

• Move the start of the spring youth shotgun season from the Saturday closest to April 8 to the Saturday closest to April 15.

• Move the start of the spring regular shotgun season from the Saturday closest to April 15 to the Saturday closest to April 22.

Delaying harvest at the start of the spring turkey season will reduce the likelihood of harvest negatively affecting reproductive success. The later start will better align the seasons with the timing of turkey dispersal from their winter flocks and breeding and nesting activities.

Commissioners amended the recommendation to reduce the nonresident spring season personal permit limit to one. It remains at two.

In other business, commissioners indefinitely tabled the recommendation to change the personal deer permit limit regarding antlered deer.

In addition, commissioners also tabled recommendations for mountain lion regulation changes for the 2027 season until the August meeting so that landowner permit regulation recommendations could be included.

Commissioners approved wildlife orders that moved the close of squirrel season from Jan. 31 to the last day of February to align it with other seasons.

In addition, the commissioners approved:

• changing the agency responsible for boundaries of State Game Refuges from the Department of Natural Resources to Game and Parks.

• an interlocal agreement between Game and Parks and the Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council to continue to purchase Zoom software.

• a permanent 10-foot-wide utility easement to Mountain Tower and Land, LLC, on the property of Game and Parks’ northeast district office in Norfolk, to allow for the installation of 1,300 linear feet of conduit, ground vaults and fiber.

The commissioners also recognized all the Game and Parks staff who responded to the spring wildfires in western Nebraska.

To view the proposed regulations and orders, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search “Regulations.”

ORLANDO, FL. — South Central Volleyball Club’s 18 Black team capped a historic club career by earning a third-place finish in the 18 Club Division, AAU’s highest level of competition, at the AAU Girls National Volleyball Championships.

Competing against many of the nation’s top club programs, South Central’s only losses during the tournament came to eventual national champion Alabama Performance. The teams first met during pool play before meeting again in the semifinals. South Central was the only team in the tournament whose only defeats were to the national champions.

Alabama Performance’s roster featured an impressive collection of NCAA Division I commits, including future players at Michigan State, Syracuse, Ohio State, Mississippi State, Bucknell, and Virginia Tech, underscoring the level of competition South Central faced on its path to the national semifinals.

After advancing out of pool play, South Central opened Gold Bracket play with a victory over Sanford Sports of South Dakota before defeating Southwest Minnesota in the quarterfinals. Southwest Minnesota had previously handed eventual national runner-up River City its only pool play loss. The quarterfinal victory secured the team’s third national podium finish in the past four seasons as South Central finished the tournament with a remarkable 10-2 record.

The accomplishment marks the culmination of years of success for a core group of seniors who helped establish South Central Volleyball Club as one of Nebraska’s premier club volleyball programs.

Over the past four seasons, these athletes consistently proved themselves among the nation’s best, finishing third at USAV Nationals as 15s, third as 16s, fifth as 17s, and third at AAU Nationals as 18s. Their sustained excellence over four seasons is an achievement few club teams can match.

The team was led by head coach Jill Bauer, a former Kansas State University Wildcat and current assistant coach at Deshler High School, and assistant coach Michelle Sjuts, a former Nebraska Cornhusker standout and assistant coach at Lincoln Lutheran. Together, they guided a roster built on selflessness, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to one another.

Two players, Kyla Griess of Sutton and Myla Emery of Minden, were named AAU All-Americans following the tournament. Both will continue their volleyball careers this fall at Concordia University, where they will be joined by Jamie Vavra of Ord.

Payton Bauer of Deshler and Jalyn Branson of Shelton will continue their careers at the College of Saint Mary. Bella Sjuts of Lincoln Lutheran and Payton Sullivan of Hastings St. Cecilia will play at Wayne State College. Sydney Hengelfelt of Cross County will attend Chadron State College through the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP), pursuing an academic path.

The team competed without Taytum Perdew of Nebraska Christian, who was unable to attend the tournament as she prepared to begin her collegiate career at Midland University. Filling her role was Cayle Grossart, an incoming senior from Central Valley High School and standout member of South Central’s 17 Black team. Grossart stepped seamlessly into the lineup and made significant contributions throughout the tournament against elite national competition.

While the medals and accolades speak for themselves, the legacy of this team extends far beyond tournament finishes. Five years ago, South Central Volleyball Club, based in Aurora, qualified just one team for the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships. This season, the club sent seven teams to compete on the national stage, a testament to the remarkable growth of the club and the foundation this senior class helped build.

For these senior athletes, Orlando marked the final chapter of their club volleyball careers before beginning the next stage of their athletic and academic journeys. Their success helped transform South Central Volleyball Club into one of Nebraska’s premier volleyball programs and paved the way for future generations of athletes. They leave South Central not only as national medalists, but as the class that redefined what was possible for a small-town Nebraska club program.

South Central 18 Black

• Kyla Griess (Sutton) – Concordia University – AAU All-American;

• Myla Emery (Minden) – Concordia University – AAU All-American;

• Jamie Vavra (Ord) – Concordia University;

• Payton Bauer (Deshler) – College of Saint Mary;

• Jalyn Branson (Shelton) – College of Saint Mary;

• Bella Sjuts (Lincoln Lutheran) – Wayne State College;

• Payton Sullivan (Hastings St. Cecilia) – Wayne State College;

• Sydney Hengelfelt (Cross County) – Chadron State College (RHOP)

• Taytum Perdew (Nebraska Christian) – Midland University; and

• Cayle Grossart (Central Valley) – South Central 17 Black guest player.

Against Millard, Sutton and the Reds were tied 3-3 going into the fourth inning when the Mustangs posted three runs to secure the onerun win.

Camden Temme, Remington Behmerwohld and Cale Nuss were all 2-4 at the plate with a pair of singles each, while Cale Nuss and Everett Yost hammered one double each, while Kaige Jones and Michael Lockhart both had singles, as Sutton outhit Millard 9-7 in the game.

River Glinsmann and Brooks Ebert shared in the pitching duties, allowing Millard’s five runs on seven total hits.

Ebert struck out eight and walked just two, while Glinsmann walked five and struck out six.

Sutton 6, Millard Reds 5 Millard Reds............... 1 0 1 1 0 0 -5 Sutton........................1 0 1 1 3 x -6 AB R H RBI

Camden Temme...................... 4 2 2 0 Remington Behmerwohld...... 4 1 2 0 Cale Nuss................................. 4 0 2 3 Everett Yost............................. 2 1 1 1 Kaige Jones.............................. 3 0 1 1 Michael Lockhart..................... 4 0 1 1 Creighton Jones....................... 2 0 0 0 River Glinsmann...................... 2 0 0 0 Brooks Ebert............................ 3 0 0 0 Sutton Totals-.................. 28 6 9 6 Millard Reds.................... 28 5 7 4 Extra Base Hits: Sutton: Yost: 1-Double; K. Jones: 1-Double. Millard: None.

Prior to Mother Nature ending the weekend tournament, Sutton squeezed in one more game on the Hebron diamond, blasting the Lincoln Stratojets 11-1.

Sutton held a narrow 1-0 lead after two innings of play and then exploded for 10 runs in the final three innings, scoring four in the third, one in the fourth and five more in the fifth frame.

Kaige Jones led the hitting attack with two hits during his three trips to the plate, while Yost and Jesse Mohnike both had one hit in the win.

Kellen Ebert led the pitching staff in the win, allowing one hit, while striking out four and walking one.

Temme gave up one run, while striking out two and walking one.

Sutton 11, Lincoln Stratojets 1 Sutton.............................. 1 0 4 1 5 -11 Lincoln.............................0 0 0 0 1 -1 AB R H RBI

Kaige Jones.............................. 3 1 2 1 Everett Yost............................. 2 1 1 2 Jesse Mohnike......................... 1 0 1 2 Camden Temme...................... 2 1 0 1 Kylar Ely................................... 0 1 0 0 Creighton Jones....................... 1 1 0 0 Cale Nuss................................. 3 1 0 0 River Glinsmann...................... 1 0 0 1 Micheal Lockhart..................... 2 2 0 2 Remington Behmerwold......... 2 0 0 0 Kellen Ebert............................. 4 0 0 0 Sutton Totals-.................. 21 11 4 9 Lincoln............................ 15 1 1 1 Extra Base Hits: Sutton: None. Lincoln: None.

In the opener, the games lone run came in the third inning when Wehrman scored the lone run.

Wehrman, Joel Hoelting and Jaxen Vaughn had one single each in the game, while Brockett Reed earned the win on the pitchers mound. In five innings of work, Reed allowed just two hits and struck out eight without giving up a walk.

South Central 1, Utica-Beaver Crossing 0 UBC..................................0 0 0 0 0 -0 South Central................... 0 0 1 0 x -1 Game 1- AB R H RBI Joel Hoelting........................... 1 0 1 0 Jaxen Vaughn.......................... 2 0 1 0 Camden Wehrman.................. 2 1 1 0 Mason Johanson...................... 2 0 0 0 Wyatt Hemberger................... 2 0 0 0 Wyatt Livgren.......................... 2 0 0 0 Brockett Reed.......................... 2 0 0 0 Alex Watts............................... 2 0 0 0 Jedt Livgren............................. 3 0 0 0 So. Central Totals-............ 18 1 3 0 UBC Totals-....................... 17 0 2 0 Extra Base Hits: South Central: None. UBC: None.

Pitching stole the show during game two for South Central, as Wehrman tossed a one-run no-hit gem in five innings of work. Wehrman walked just three and recorded nine strikeouts for South Central.

UBC took an early 1-0 lead, but one run in each of the second and fourth innings and two more in the third secured the victory for South Central.

Alex Watts was a perfect 2-2 in the win at the plate, while Wyatt Livgren, Mason Johanson, Reed and Wehrman had a single each in the win.

South Central 4, Utica-Beaver Crossing 1 UBC..................................1 0 0 0 0 -1 South Central................... 0 1 2 1 x -4 Game 2- AB R H RBI Alex Watts............................... 2 1 2 1 Wyatt Livgren.......................... 2 1 1 0 Mason Johnanson................... 2 0 1 0 Brockett Reed.......................... 3 0 1 1 Camden Wehrman.................. 3 0 1 0 Wyatt Hemberger................... 1 1 0 0 Jedt Livgren............................. 2 1 0 0 Joel Hoelting........................... 2 0 0 0 Carter Kluver........................... 2 0 0 0 So. Central Totals-............ 19 4 6 2 UBC Totals-....................... 14 1 0 0 Extra Base Hits: South Central: None. UBC: None.

Sutton’s road trip against SOS only put the Mustangs at the plate nine times before storms rolled in to cancel the rest of the game.

Cash Parrish had a two run double in the win, while Weston Ohrt, Aidan Banta, D.J. Hajny and Cale Nuss all had singles in the win.

Jones gained the win on the hill for the Mustangs, throwing for just two-thirds of an inning. He walked one and struckout one.

Sutton 7, SOS 0 Sutton................................................... 7 -7 SOS........................................................ 0 -0 AB R H RBI

Weston Ohrt............................ 1 1 1 1 Aidan Banta............................. 1 1 1 1 DJ Hajny................................... 1 1 1 1 Cale Nuss................................. 1 1 1 0 Micheal Lockhart..................... 1 0 1 1 Camden Temme...................... 1 1 0 0 Payton Reed............................ 1 1 0 0 Cash Parrish............................. 2 1 1 2 Sutton Totals-................... 9 7 6 6 SOS................................... 2 0 0 0 Extra Base Hits: Sutton: Parrish: 1-Double. SOS: None.

Returning to the home confines of Mike Thompson Memorial Field at DLD Park, Reed and Jones combined for the no hit effort, with Reed gaining the win. He held Wood River scoreless and hitless while striking out seven and walking one. In relief, Jones walked two and struckout one to finish the game.

Sutton scored once in the first inning, added three runs in the second and blasted Wood River with nine runs in the third, before sealing the 14-0 win with one run in the fourth.

Ohrt drove in one run while hitting a double and a single, while Micheal Lockhart Reed, Parrish and Cale Nuss all had singles in the win.

Sutton 14, Wood River 0 Wood River....................... 0 0 0 0 0 -0

Sutton.............................. 1 3 9 1 x -14 AB R H RBI Weston Ohrt............................ 2 4 2 1 Michael Lockhart..................... 1 0 1 0 Payton Reed............................ 2 0 1 1 Cash Parrish............................. 3 1 1 1 Cale Nuss................................. 4 1 1 0 Creighton Jones....................... 1 2 0 0 DJ Hajny................................... 1 1 0 0 Aidan Banta............................. 1 1 0 1 Camden Temme...................... 3 0 0 1 Sutton Totals-.................. 18 14 6 5 Wood River...................... 14 0 0 0 Extra Base Hits: Sutton: Ohrt: 1-Double. WR: None.

How does a village of fewer than 50 people end up with one of the area’s fastest- growing travel baseball organizations?

That’s a question the families behind the Saronville Shiners hear quite often.

Over the past three years, what began as a single team has grown into a four-team organization bringing together players from communities across south central Nebraska. Today, the Shiners field teams at the 9U, 11U, 13U and 14U levels, drawing athletes from Sutton, Sandy Creek, BDS, Deshler, EMF, Thayer Central, Harvard, Hastings, Hebron, Friend, Geneva and other area communities.

But while the organization has found success on the baseball diamond, those involved say the real story is about much more than baseball.

The Shiners were not created during a single meeting or inspired by one defining moment.

Instead, the organization grew gradually from conversations among parents who wanted more baseball opportunities for their children. Many local athletes loved town ball and wanted to continue playing, but they were also looking for additional games, competition and development opportunities.

Over time, those conversations evolved into a plan. Families from several communities came together, a roster was assembled and a new travel baseball organization took shape.

What began as a single team quickly gained momentum. As word spread, more players and families became interested, and the organization continued to grow.

The growth has been fueled by a simple mission.

The Saronville Shiners describe themselves as a baseball organization focused on development, passion for the game and helping young athletes grow both on and off the field. While tournament success is certainly celebrated, coaches say the emphasis has always been on teaching lessons that extend beyond baseball.

Their philosophy is reflected in a favorite quote from baseball legend Yogi Berra: “Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical.”

The goal is not simply to develop better players, but to help young people build confidence, teamwork, sportsmanship and lifelong friendships.

The program was also designed to strengthen local baseball rather than compete with it.

Coach Corey Ebert said many talented young players were leaving area communities to play for travel programs in larger towns and cities. The Shiners offered a way for players to enjoy both travel baseball and their local Little Six League teams.

“We were losing some of the more baseball- focused kids to Hastings, Grand Island, York and other communities,” Ebert said. “We knew that to save our league, or improve it, we needed to keep those kids involved in town ball.”

The result has been a model that allows players to gain additional experience while maintaining ties to their hometown programs and communities.

The organization’s name has become one of its most recognizable features.

Because the original roster included players from multiple communities, organizers wanted a neutral name rather than identifying with any one town. Since many of the early discussions took place near Saronville, the village’s name seemed like a natural fit.

The nickname “Shiners” came from conversations about fishing with shiner minnows at Glen Elder Reservoir. The first logo concept even featured a small fish.

The name regularly catches opponents off guard.

“We get it all the time,” said Shay Jones. “How do you guys have a team with a population of 47?”

Sutton golf standout Myles Smith, a freshman at Sutton High School capped his first year of competitive high school golf for the Mustangs by claiming the Class C state runner-up spot during the 2026 Class C State Championship tournament, held at the Indianhead Golf Course in Grand Island May 27-28.

For his efforts this season and the strong finish in the state championship tournament, Smith has added a big honor to his credit, as the Nebraska Coaches Association, selectedhim as one of 16 “Super State” picks by the NCA last week.

Joining Smith on the high honors list is: Jack Alberts of Grand Island Central Catholic; Braeden Dyer and Brenson Underwood of Adams Central; Nash Malone of Kearney Catholic; Lukas Armstrong of Red Cloud; Boston Bojanski of Bergan Catholic; Kreyton Eikmeier of Elkhorn South; Zack Erstad and Carter Honnens of Lincoln East; Austin Jochum of Bennington; Harper Kalin and Thomas Kelley of Creighton Prep; Benjamin Mooss of Lincoln Christian; Brooke Theile of Bishop Neumann; and Tye Treadwell of Omaha Westside.

Ross is the son of Sonja and Lance Ross of Murray, and his grandparents are Chris and Teresa Meyer of Edgar.

The event brought together family, friends, and community members in support of Tate and his family. Funds were raised through the tournament, special events, silent auction items, and donations to assist with Ross’s future treatment, which the family hopes may begin in 2028.

Research is currently underway at a laboratory in Massachusetts, where they are in the early stages of animal studies, dosing mice with the potential gene therapy that Tate will receive.

Hadley Schoneberg (Tate’s cousin) and Kamerin Sealey helped arrange and coordinate a team of Sandy Creek golfers for the tournament. Although Hadley and Cam were unable to attend due to prior commitments, they helped secure Evan Swartzendruber, Bo Petr, Gavin Fisher, and Keaton Corman to represent Sandy Creek at the event.

The young golfers were excellent representatives of themselves, their families, Sandy Creek, and their communities.

As the youngest golfers participating in the tournament, they received compliments on both their golfing ability and their sportsmanship throughout the day.

Special thanks go to their coaches for allowing them to miss weights and football practice, as well as to their parents for their encouragement, support, and financial assistance that made participation possible.

The Sandy Creek golfers represented their school and hometown with pride while supporting Tate and his family.

Banta drove in five runs with a pair of singles during his three at bats to drive the Sutton offense.

Sutton scored six runs in the first, two in the second, three more in the third, and sealed the win with six runs in the fourth and final inning of the game.

Weston Ohrt, River Glinsmann, Cale Nuss, Brody Borgmann, and DJ Hajny all recorded one single in the win.

Ohrt earned the win on the mound for Sutton, striking out nine, walking five, while allowing two runs on just four hits.

Sutton 10, SOS 1 SOS........................................0 1 1 0 -2 Sutton................................... 6 2 3 6 -17 AB R H RBI

Aidan Banta............................. 3 2 2 5 Weston Ohrt............................ 1 4 1 0 River Glinsmann...................... 3 0 1 2 Cale Nuss................................. 1 0 1 1 Brody Borgmann..................... 2 1 1 1 DJ Hajny................................... 3 1 1 1 Camden Temme...................... 1 2 0 0 Payton Reed............................ 3 2 0 2 Cash Parrish............................. 1 0 0 0 Creighton Jones....................... 2 0 0 0 Sutton Totals-.................. 20 17 7 12 SOS.................................. 17 2 4 2 Extra Base Hits: Sutton: None. SOS: 1-Double.

Sutton freshman Myles Smith, in the eyes of his coach Randy Ahrens, who has been around high school boys golf for the better part of four decades, is a laser focused, well-prepared player.

Smith, Sutton’s lone state golf qualifier, made a name for himself during the 2026 Class C state golf championships at the Indianhead Golf Course, shooting a two-day, three-under par 141 to claim the Class C state runner-up title Thursday, May 28.

Ahrens said of Smith, “Myles is perhaps one of the most well-prepared kids I’ve ever coached in this sport. His demeanor, and focus have made Myles such a force to deal with on the golf course.”

Ahrens adds, “he puts so much time and effort into his game, his energy, to me, he never waivers, even when he finds himself in a tough position to hit from, Myles just processes what he’s thinking and gets after it.”

Smith opened his first-ever run at a high school state championship tournament on Wednesday, May 27, during the first round of play in Grand Island. He held down second place after the first day, trailing only Nash Malone of Kearney Catholic.

impressive six birdie holes, and just three bogey holes to end day one at three-under par. Malone led after day one at four-under par.

Day two for the Sutton freshman produced five birdies and five bogeys to shoot even par, but no birdie hole during Thursday’s 18-hole round was bigger than the final hole, number 18.

Smith began the final hole of the tournament tied at two-under par with three other players, Brenson Underwood and Braeden Dyer of Adams Central, along with Jack Alberts of Grand Island Central Catholic.

After Smith’s birdie on the 18th hole, he stood alone as the runner-up medalist with his two-day 141.

Smith was one of only seven freshmen in the field of 125 golfers in the Class C tournament field.

Malone, who also birdied the 18th hole, finished as the champion with a five-under par 139.

Smith finished day one with at three-under par 69, then came in at even par on day two, finishing with a 72.

Smith’s two day run in Grand Island, according to Ahrens, was “just impressive.” “Myles just has an aura about him, that I don’t need to talk him up. He has his plan, he knows his game very well. He’s just an impressive kid with a golf skill set like very few kids I’ve coached, in my career. He maintains his focus, whether or not he made a rough shot, or an impressive shot. He’s just channeled in and doesn’t get himself into many tough situations,” shared Ahrens.

Six of the top 10 medalists in the Class C state tournament came out of the same district tournament that Smith played in, the C-4 District tournament, including Malone, who finished ninth overall in district play, but came up big to win the state championship.

Others finishing in the top 10 with Smith from the C-4 District included Underwood and Dyer of Adams Central, Alberts of GICC, Casen Kavan of St. Paul, and Colten Butler of Superior.

In the final team standings, Bergan Catholic of Fremont and Adams Central both finished with two-day scores of 591, with Bergan Catholic gaining the top spot, and the Patriots, second.

Kearney Catholic ended play with a 600 to finish third in the team race.

Led by a strong outing in the Class C 3200-meter run, the Sandy Creek girls track and field season came to a close this past weekend at Burke Stadium in Omaha, during the state track and field championships, Friday, May 22, and Saturday, May 23.

The Cougars 3200-meter relay team, made up of Emma Fisher, Brielle Lipovsky, Paige Stengel, and Anna Paus, ran to an eighth-place time of 10 minutes, 4.8 seconds to score one team point for the program.

West Holt High School of Atkinson edged out second- place Chase County High School of Imperial for the event title, with West Holt finishing with a time of 9:49.49, while Chase County followed with a time of 9:50.27.

Paus went on to compete in two additional individual events for the Cougars, finishing just short of medal contention in the 800-meter run, claiming 10th place in the field of 24 runners with her time of 2:21.81. West Holt’s Pavan Larson won the event with a time of 2:18.74.

In the 1600-meter run, Paus finished 12th overall with a time of 5:37.55. Crofton’s Avery Arens claimed gold with a winning time of 5:13.92.

Sophomore Carrigan Rempe took to the Burke track in the two hurdle events, finishing short of qualifying for the finals in the 100-meter hurdles with her prelimi nary time of 16.88 seconds to finished 21st during Friday’s preliminary run.

In the 300-meter hurdle event, held Saturday afternoon, Rempe finished 13th overall with a time of 47.31 seconds. Winning the event was Shaydyn Rasby of Ogallala with a time of 42.83 seconds.

Sophomore Caitlyn Biltoft finished the Class C high jump in 18th place overall, clearing the bar at 4’ 11” in the event. The gold medalist in Class C proved to be Ord’s Trinity Chatfield with a 5’ 3” leap.

The Sutton four came up just short of medal contention in this highly contested race, loaded with highly talented teams, as Sutton finished 10th with their time of four minutes, 6.01 seconds.

The old record of 4:07.22 was set back in 2010 at the state meet, where the Fillies of 2010 placed second.

Despite falling two places short of medal contention, Sutton set a new school record in the event. West Holt High School of Atkinson claimed the gold medal over Bishop Neumann of Wahoo, as the Huskies finished with a winning time of 3:55.68, while the Cavaliers finished with a time of 3:57.2.

Kinney began the competition for Sutton in Omaha by taking on the field of 24 runners in the 400-meter dash, Friday, May 22.

Kinney, who was a district champion in the race, placed 16th overall in Omaha with her time of 60.42 seconds.

Claiming gold in the race was Anisten Wortmann of Hartington Cedar Catholic with her time of 56.34 seconds.

LILY GRIESS | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Huxoll, who qualified for both the triple jump and long jump, opened his state meet action Friday, May 22, competing in the triple jump, where the sophomore finished with a 17th-place best jump of 40’ 6.75.” Event winner, Atreyu May of Kearney Catholic, claimed gold with a 46’ 1.5” leap.

Huxoll rebounded nicely during the long jump competition Saturday, May 23, finishing with a sixth-place medal, after hitting the 21’ 2.75” mark, falling a quarter of an inch out of fifth place, as Yutan’s Ryan Maguire hit the 21’ 3” mark for fifth.

Winning the event was Alma’s Zavier Mitchell with a 22’ 10.5” jump.