THE BEAR FACTS

March 5, 2022

Good morning! I’m Ava Eisenbarth!

I’m Eva Snyder!

And I’m Marguerite Fakler! You’re listening to the “Bear Facts”, where we’ve had a busy, but fun week here at Bishop Garrigan High School.

The Golden Bear girls basketball team played their opening game at state Wednesday evening. They faced Burlington Notre Dame, a team that was undefeated before the state tournament. The Bears took care of business, though. It’s not often the continuous clock comes into play at state, but by the end of the game the Bears were up by a 35-point margin. They ended up beating Notre Dame 77 – 42.

Audi Crooks made 83% of her shots from the floor, and she racked up 36 total points in Wednesday’s game. Molly Joyce had 25 points, and Abbie Capesius was also in double digits with 12. Meredith Tigges had 8 rebounds in the game, Zoe Montag drained a three, and Emma Grandgenett and Ashlyn Hovey both had steals.

The win advanced the Bears to the state semifinals, where they faced North Linn High School. That game was yesterday afternoon. We had to record this week’s show before the game, but we’re confident the Bears played with their usual skill and teamwork. The state championship is tonight at 7pm at Wells—Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

There will be an official welcome back ceremony for the girls basketball team tomorrow at noon in the new gym at Garrigan. We’re proud of how the Bears have done all season, and we encourage everyone to join us in celebrating their success. We’ll honor the girls at noon tomorrow in the new gym.

Last weekend the Golden Bear speech team competed at the Iowa High School Speech Association district individual contest in Newell. It was a great day for Bishop Garrigan, with the Bears earning 14 division one or “excellent” ratings and just two division two ratings. All the students who earned ones now advance to the state contest next weekend at Woodbury Central in Moville.

Ava Eisenbarth earned I’s in literary program and poetry, Marguerite Fakler received I’s in musical theatre and prose, Riley Rosenmeyer got top marks in prose and reviewing, and Brooke Ludwig received I’s in improvisation and spontaneous speaking. Meredith Tigges and Isabella Waechter both earned ones in poetry, Eva Snyder got a one in literary program, Molly Peterson received an excellent rating in reviewing, Savannah Waechter got a one in acting, and Benjy Trainer earned a one in improvisation. Congratulations, speech!

We mentioned on last week’s show that Garrigan students had been successful at state DECA, but there was more good news than what we already said. Riley Rosenmeyer finished second overall at state; Mya Kemna, Molly Peerson, and Brooke Ludwig took home fifth place awards; and Ben Greteman and Sam Plathe were sixth. Riley, Mya, and Molly will now be attending the national DECA conference, which will be held April 9 – 12 in Baltimore. Congratulations!

Two Garrigan students have qualified for the state swim meet, which is being held this weekend. Seventh-grader Matt Besch is swimming today at state, and freshman Brooke Ludwig will be swimming tomorrow. Congratulations to these swimmers on advancing to state!

Right after the welcome back for the girls basketball team tomorrow, twelve Garrigan seniors will be leaving to head down south. They’re going to Morton and Okolona, Mississippi, where they’ll be serving meals and helping with other mission projects to assist poor people in those communities.

Students headed to Mississippi are Maryanne Capesius, Mya Kemna, Ava Eisenarth, Collin Casey, Ella Muller and Katelyn Cink; as well as Meredith Tigges, Xander Darling, Veronica Capesius, Hollis Bode, Marguerite Fakler, and Meredith Illg. Deacon Dave Penton Christy Peterson, Erin Miller, and Beany Bode will be accompanying the group on the mission trip.

Our Senior Spotlight this week shines on Lillee Deike. Here to tell you about her is Xander Darling.

Lillee Deike was down at state basketball performing with the Golden Bear danz squad and the All-Iowa dance team. Lillee has been a top-ten solo dancer all four of her years in high school. She’s also a cheerleader, she’s in cross-country and track, and she’s active in group speech and DECA. Lillee plans to go to Iowa State next year, and we wish her all the best.

Thanks, Xander. On our Golden Bear calendar, the state girls basketball championship is tonight at 7pm. Then tomorrow at noon we’ll have the welcome back ceremony for the Golden Bear girls.

Students leave for the Mississippi mission trip tomorrow afternoon. They’ll be down South all through the week. Also on Sunday Brooke Ludwig will be swimming at state.

There’s no school at Garrigan and Seton Monday and Tuesday, as our spring break. There’s two quiet days after that, and then next Saturday the speech team will be leaving early to head over to Woodbury Central for state contest.

That’s the “Bear Facts” for this week. Thanks for joining us, and be sure to tune in again next week for more news from Bishop Garrigan High School.