Athletic Banquet Report
April 27, 2007
The Annual Athletic Banquet was held Friday, April 27, 2007. I had never attended the event in previous years and was utterly AMAZED at the incredible ceremony! Just the first impression of walking in the gym with all the tables lined up and decked out with great inspirational phrases and decorations set the stage for at out of this world evening!
TEAMWORK-"A great player can win a game, a team can win every game."
PERSISTENCE-"The race goes not always to the swift, but to those who keep running."
HOPE-"Expect that what is desired will happen."
DETERMINATION-"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender."
OPPORTUNITY-"Victory happens when a thousand hours of training meet one moment of opportunity."
CHOICE-"Life is not about winning & losing… but choosing to do what is right."
DIRECTION-"Some dream of success… others rush toward it."
REACH-"To be a winner, all you need to give is all you have."
CONFIDENCE-"Faith in God and trust in His gifts lead to a fearless spirit."
FOCUS-"Concentrating on the moment allows the mind to find a path to success."
These are but some of the guidelines the Elmwood-Murdock coaches and athletes live by! “LEARN from yesterday, LIVE for today, DREAM for tomorrow” was the statement printed on the front cover of the Athletic Banquet Program that was created by Cari Laughlin
The evening began with an introduction by Mr. Novak who then invited guests to receive their meal. The menu was prepared by the elementary SOS (support our students) group. It included: grilled pork loin or chicken breast with creamy mushroom sauce, potatoes, vegetables, rolls, desserts, and drink.
When the group finished their dinner, the ceremony began. One coach after another introduced astounding results of individual and team efforts. Each coach thanked the community patrons, grandparents, parents, family, friends, and the students for all the victory Elmwood-Murdock received this year as a reward of the countless hours and hard work given by all. I was so impressed about how recognition was not just given to the athlete, but to those involved in the athlete’s life as well. It was VERY evident that the Elmwood-Murdock community is FULL of support and that the support plays a vital role in the success of our students not only athletically, but also academically and morally. Principal Tim Allemang was appreciated for his dedication and leadership of the Elmwood-Murdock Booster Club. The students were recognized for their dedication and teamwork which makes the community so proud. Coaches and staff were thanked for their time, patience, guidance, and leadership they continuously offer to the students. Parents were honored for the love, support and encouragement they provide and everyone was appreciated for their continued support of the E-M Booster Club.
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING AWARDS
Coach Schmale spoke of the strength and conditioning done by the athletes. Coach said, “Many of our athletes are involved in an off-season and in-season strength program. Our program testing includes 3 running events measuring speed, agility, and endurance and 3 weight lifting events which include the Bench Press, Power Clean, and Leg Squat. Body weight is also factored in during the competition. 34 athletes tested out this spring. We recognize and award the top performances in each class in grades 9-12. Each winner will receive a Power Performance Team T-Shirt and the winner of each class will also receive a framed certificate.”
Here are the results of the Elmwood-Murdock Power Performance Team:
9th Grade Winners
2nd- Thad Bornemeier (7.06)
1st- Nathan Hohman (7.24)
10th Grade Winners
3rd- Austin Barnes (7.87)
2nd- Jon Luetchens (7.95)
1st- Nick Beebee (8.04)
11th Grade Winners
3rd- Clay Carlton (8.06)
2nd- Alex Ulmer (8.17)
1st – David Davis (8.38)
12th Grade Winners
1st- Alric Mason (7.90)
The Overall Winner for ALL-CLASSES receives a framed certificate and a TROPHY that will remain in the School’s Trophy Case.
The Overall Champion for 2006-07 is DAVID DAVIS. Congratulations!
Pictured left to right-David Davis, Alex Ulmer, Clay Carlton, Nick Beebee, Alric Mason, Jon Luetchens, Nathan Hohman, Thad Bornemeier, and Austin Barnes.
Pictured The AWESOME FOURSOME-left to right-Nathan Hohman, David Davis, Alric Mason, and Nick Beebee
Boys Track Team
Coach Schmale also introduced the Boys Track Team and provided these stats:
BOYS TRACK (2007) *(25 athletes out for boys track this year)
FRESHMEN
1. Thad Bornemeier (Shot Put / Discus)
2. Art Burtch (HJ / Hurdles)
3. Nathan Hohman (Jumps / Sprints)
4. Patrick Johnson (Distance)
5. Noah Philson (Jumps)
SOPHOMORES
1. Austin Barnes (Shot Put / Discus)
2. Jon Luetchens (Jumps / Sprints / Relays)
3. David Neels (Distance / Relays)
4. Tyler Schmale (Discus / Distance / Relays)
5. Derek Stubbendeck (Shot / Discus)
6. Jordan Vogt (Sprints / Relays)
JUNIORS
1. Ken Bouzek (Shot Put / Discus)
2. Travis Brewer (Distance / Relays / Hurdles)
3. Clay Carlton (Sprints / Relays)
4. David Davis (HJ / Sprints)
5. Matt Novak (LJ / Distance / Relays)
6. Trent Shrader (Jumps / Hurdles / Relays)
7. Aaron Stewart (Sprints)
8. Alex Ulmer (Shot Put / Discus)
9. Adam Zobel (Distance / Relays)
SENIORS
1. Matt Fritz (Shot Put / Discus)
2. Alric Mason (Hurdles)
3. Cody Price (Sprints)
4. Tyler Rosenow (Sprints / Relays)
5. Chad Taylor (Sprints / Relays)
Schmale said, “Letterwinners are determined at the end of the season. We are a little more than halfway through the season with four meets to go. To letter an athlete must score in a major meet or improve their times / distances / marks four times throughout the course of the season. The last requirement is that the athlete completes the season. Currently 20 / 25 athletes have lettered.”
2007 TEAM AWARDS: TBA at the conclusion of the season.
Track Athlete of the Year (A team leader whose outstanding performance consistently raises the standard of excellence)
Rookie of the Year (An athlete with tremendous potential to be a team leader and performer – a future track athlete of the year)
Will To Win Athlete (This person is not necessarily the best athlete on the team – but the one who gives it their all through leadership and desire)
Pictured - The highlight of the season to this point has been a new school record set in the 3200 Meter Run by Adam Zobel with a time of 11:02.6. The previous record was set by Rob Josoff in 1989 with a time of 11:18. Adam took 15 seconds off his record time in less than a 24 hr. period competing in the Plattsmouth Invite last Monday and shattering his old record at the FCSH Invite last Tuesday.
The Boys Track Team has finish 4th three times and 5th twice so far this season. Most meets we go to have 12-13 teams competing.
Our athletes continue to improve with each meet. The team has four meets left before the State Meet May 18 & 19.
Top point leaders after 5 meets.
a. Jon Luetchens (103.5 pts.)
b. Trent Shrader (102 pts.)
c. Chad Taylor (71 pts.)
d. Jordan Vogt (61 pts.)
e. Adam Zobel (48 pts.)
Coach Schmale thanked Coach Frerichs, Coach Seelhoff, & Coach Kuxhausen at the high school level and Coach Barnes and Coach Moline for the outstanding work they do with the Junior High program.
Girls Track Team
Coaches include: Monte Frerichs; JoDee Seelhoff; Leigh Schmale; Jan Kuxhausen: Justin Barnes; Justin Moline; and T.J. Olson
The coaches had an amazing number of 34 girls come out for the track team! Coach said, “Sometimes it was a challenge to get them all into an event, but we did our best and they all met the challenge of doing their best!”
FRESHMEN
1. Amanda Brewer
2. Alyssa Dipaolo
3. Shayna Dwyer
4. Rachel Fortney
5. Alli Kuhlman
6. Staci Ronhovde
7. Victoria Rosenboom
8. Tori Sillman
9. Brooke Spiering
10. Molly Zimmerman
SOPHMORES
1. Erin Andersen
2. Amy Archer
3. Sunshine Bacus
4. Ashley Beyer
5. Alli Bloch
6. Teresa Fritz
7. Lyndsey Hrabik
8. Angelica Washington
JUNIORS
1. Megan Bober
2. Mallory Buck
3. Kylie Drqake
4. Hannah Fischer
5. Taylor Moreau
6. Sierra Ronhovde
7. Tamara Rorie
SENIORS
1. JayCee Drake
2. Ashley Fleischman
3. Stephanie Fries
4. Alysia Harvey
5. Brittney Hrabik
6. Kelsey Kuenning
7. Kelsey Pratt
8. Bailey Smith
9. Madi Stephen
Girls Golf Team
2006-2007 was the first school year Elmwood-Murdock had a girl’s golf team. Jerry Wendelin coached the girls with the assistance of Curt Backemeyer.
Coach Backemeyer said, “We had 5 girls from Elmwood-Murdock out this past fall and two from Ashland-Greenwood with a variety of experience. The girls did show improvement throughout the year and we were able to finish 6th in our Class B-1 district. They were also able to play on some really nice courses which was a treat.”
Boys Golf Team
Coach Backemeyer was also head coach for the boy’s golf team with the assistance of Jim Stephen.
Coach commented, “We have been able to steadily improve throughout the season. Team highlights included a 2nd place finish at the Milford Invite, 4th place at the Syracuse Invite, along with the ECNC championship.
Individual Awards included: Kevin Zoz-1st Syracuse Invite; 1st Milford Invite, 1st ECNC. And Quentin Drake received 4th at the Milford Invite & 4th at ECNC.
Pictured -members of boy golf team left to right-Kevin Zoz, Josh Vice, Quentin Drake, Griffin Hovorka, Nick Beebee, Marcus Winter. Not pictured: Matt Bloch, Sam Stephen, Miles Wagoner
Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
Volleyball
Cheerleaders
Pictured left to right-Lyndsey Hrabik, Ashley Beyer, Alli Bloch, Kylie Drake, Stephanie Fries, and JayCee Drake
This was the first year the cheerleaders were school sponsored. They were coached under the direction of April Bacon and Jenny Meyer. Coaches made comments throughout the evening of the great support the cheerleaders gave as they rooted on the Knights teams during competition. They cheerleaders were also appreciated for their efforts in decorating lockers, organizing pep rallies, and displaying school spirit & enthusiasm.
2007-2008 team includes: Kylie Drake, Alli Bloch, Teresa Fritz, Lyndsey Hrabik, Nicki Classen, and Brooke Spiering
Football
Coach Schmale began by thanking the host of people that make the Elmwood-Murdock Football Team a success that allows them to grab hold of the victory: The Voice of “Fighting Knight Football” – (Kenny Kunz), The Chain Gang – (Arlo Fleischman, Clayton Miller, Tom Peterson, & Lee Towle), Score and Timekeeper – (Merle Backemeyer), Statisticians – (Hank Vice, Rod Ulmer), Office Personnel – (Tycha Stander, Roxanne Kastens, & Anita Zierott), Run off programs / organize parent’s night / help out with the operation of the overall program. Video Technician – (Don Zoz) – Does a quality job. This allows us to review previous games, plan for upcoming opponents, make highlight tapes, and send tapes to colleges that may help some of our players get scholarships. Cheerleaders: (Decorate lockers, organize pep rallies, display school spirit & enthusiasm). Band – (Thanks for playing @ pep rallies and games.) Pre-Game Meals – (Organized by wife Julie & the Football Parents. We appreciate their help very much). Fundraising this past winter went very well. (Concessions & Ticket-Taking). We had another successful Fish Fry last March. I want to thank the parents and players for all their help in making these activities run smoothly. SPECIAL THANKS (HANK VICE) who donated all the food and supplies. – Last Fall brought fruit and sports drink for the players during 2-a day practices. Thanks Hank! Jr. High Coaches & Scouts – (Justin Moline & Justin Barnes)
Coach moved onto introducing the team; student managers-Alan Barnes, Jake Kuhlman, and Derick Vogt; and assistant coaches-Dave Novak, Mark Stoley, Monte Frerichs, and Joe Vice.
Packets were handed out to team members that included a Season Scrapbook, Team / Individual Goals for the 2006 season, letter & participant certificates, awards, and medals. The E-M Booster Club and Mr. Allemang were thanked for the Medals they provided recognizing the players for being District Champions & State Playoff Qualifiers.
Statistics:
Record: 8 Wins- 2 Losses
ECNC Conference: 5-0
C-2 District5: 4-0
Regular Season: 7-1
Final Season: 8-2
Team Accomplishments:
C-2 District 5 Champions (*7th Straight District Championship)
11th State Playoff Appearance
8 Straight Playoff Appearances (1999-2006)
C-2 State Ranking: 8th
Individual School Records:
Tyler Rosenow: Tied school record for touch downs scored in one game=5, tied school record for touchdowns scored on one season=23, career touchdowns=55, tied school record for points scored in one game=30, tied school record for points scored in one season=138, career points scored=334
Kevin Zoz: tied school record for touchdown passes in one game=3
Trent Shrader: receiving yards in one game=158, touchdown receptions in one game=3
Individual Awards:
Nick Brewer-All-Conference/All-District/All-State
Jon Ervin- All-Conference/All-District/Honorable Mention All-State
Matt Fritz- All-Conference/All-District/ Honorable Mention All-State
Tyler Rosenow- All-Conference/All-District/ Honorable Mention All-State
Trent Shrader- All-Conference/All-District/All-State
Josh Vice- All-District/ Honorable Mention All-State/Honorable Mention All-Conference
Kevin Zoz- All-District/ Honorable Mention All-State/Honorable Mention All-Conference
Extra Curricular Scholar Students
Thirty-six students were honored for their academic excellence by qualifying for the ‘Gold’ award while competing athletically.
Twenty-five students received the ‘Silver’ award.
It is a huge challenge to keep grades up while also making it to all the sports practices, games, and extra curricular activities. The majority of the Elmwood-Murdock students are able to compete without making sacrifices in their grade point average. This is an amazing accomplishment!
Lyle Buell Award
The Lyle Buell Award was presented by Coach Justin Moline to senior Kelsie Scholting.
Phyllis Buell gave me a little bit of background on the award. She explained: “Lyle Buell graduated in 1951. He attended Weslyn College. Then married his highschool sweatheart, Sue Colbert, from Murdock. He coached at Udica and then went into the service. He also coached at Humboldt, Ashland, and then Millard. He coached in all four of the classes. He won the state championship tournament with the Millard team. As his career went along he was promoted to Athletic director. The football stadium at Millard was named in his honor and is still called ‘The Lyle Buell Stadium’ today. He, his wife, and two of their best friends were going to a basketball game after having a meal together. As Lyle Sue were traveling to the UNL basketball game in Lincoln, a drunk driver hit them head on killing all of them. Merle’s sister, Wanda Ross (Stubbendick), donated the first trophy, and when that was filled they thought they might quit awarding it, but Mr. Novak said, “absolutely not” so the award is still given to the chosen student to this day.” On this particular trophy, it starts out with 2000-2001, Steve Ronhovde; 2001-2002, Brian Piitz; 2002-2003, Tiffany Novak; 2003-2004, Andrew McLaughlin; 2004-2005, Jason Zoz; 2005-2006, Luke Luetchens; 2006-2007, Kelsie Scholting.
Kim Scholting, mother of the award winner Kelsie Scholting, shared what she knew about the award also: “They (Lyle and Sue) were avid sports fans. They were hit by a drunk driver. It's (The Lyle Buell Award) like Elmwood-Murdock’s own particular form of the Heisman trophy. Something else that is fairly neat is that there aren't a tremendous amount of girls always chosen. I think Kelsie is the first in like 9-10 years. What can I say, what a great way to end a high school career. When I was running around to the endless camps, and select sports teams; I thought I was going to go stark raving mad. You know you have the ups and downs and you wonder, is it worth it???? Looking at this trophy, I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
Mrs. Scholting also commented, “I would like to say that Kelsie has told me how proud she is to have her name on this trophy and to receive this award. Her sports career and high school career at Elmwood-Murdock is all that she had hoped it would be. The support from the fans has been outstanding, and she has been proud to wear the black, silver and white; and to represent this school and community. The engraving on the plaque actually says: Lyle Buell memorial trophy, Elmwood-Murdock Outstanding Senior Sportsman.”
Wall of Excellence
Coach Leigh Schmale inducted Nick Brewer to the ‘Wall of Excellence’ for 2007.
Nick Brewer participated in football at Elmwood-Murdock High School from 2003-2006. Nick was selected to the Class C-2 All-State Football Team by the OMAHA WORLD-HERALD and LINCOLN JOURNAL-STAR as a punter for the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Brewer became only the 3rd player in school history to be selected All-State two consecutive years. Nick was selected to the All-State Team by the HUSKERLAND PREP REPORT PUBLICATION following the 2005 season. Brewer was the starting punter for the Knights for two seasons. Nick led all high school punters and set a new school record with a 43.6 yard punting average his senior year. Nick also started at tight end and outside linebacker for the Knights. Brewer was named ECNC 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-District in football for the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
Nick’s mother, Bonnie Brewer, said, “Nick attended a punting camp at the University of Wisconsin this past summer and placed 5th nationally with an average of 43.71 yards. This gives perspective to his average distance.”
After a short break, the grand finale of the evening was a video clip, put together by Bob Vogt, of all the sports events for the 2006-2007 school year! I’m sure lots of memories flooded the minds of each in attendance as blirps of pictures appeared of the screen.
THANKS ELMWOOD-MURDOCK FOR ALL THE GREAT MEMORIES!
Teri Bowman
Editor@murdocknebraska.com
