Good morning! I'm Eric Cassmann!
And I'm John Kohlhaas! Welcome once again to the "Bear Facts", KLGA's weekly news round-up from Bishop Garrigan High School.
The BGHS cross-country team is off to a great start. The varsity boys pulled off their first team victory of the year by placing first in the meet at Mason City Newman last Tuesday. Brandon Rowley finished second overall, with John Kohlhaas third and Matt Courtney sixth. Jacob Hellman ran a strong race, coming in eighth, and Seth Rogers finished in twenty-fifth place. Garrigan's varsity girls came in fifth as a team and were able to break two class records. Rose Mayer crossed the finish line in sixteenth place, Maria Kohlhaas followed at twenty-second, Alison Brandenburg and Allison Even finished thirty-second and thirty-third, and Nettie McGuire was thirty-ninth.
Garrigan's JV runners also had a great day. For the JV girls, Tami Lalier brought home a medal when she came in fifth overall. Chris Scobba led the pack for the JV boys race, finishing first with a time of 19:05. Fellow freshman Chris Cassmann was close behind, coming in seventh. Congratulations to these runners, and to everyone on the Golden Bear cross-country team!
The volleyball team is also of to a good start. There are some big changes in the rules for volleyball this year. With rally scoring, either team can score a point at any time, but it also takes more points to win. The Bears got more than enough points in their first match of the season, when they hosted Estherville last Tuesday. Garrigan dominated Estherville, winning in three straight games. Jenna Kollasch led the team with 11 kills, 8 digs, and 3 aces.
Other top players in the season opener were Nicole Reding with 17 digs and 28 assists; Miranda Boekelman with 12 kills and 3 aces; Lindsay Becker with 8 kills, 8 digs, and 3 aces; and Maria Erpelding with 6 digs, 5 aces, and 4 kills. Today the volleyball team is playing in the Algona Classic-with the varsity at Algona High, the JV at Garrigan, and the freshmen at the YMCA. Good luck today and all season long to the volleyball team.
The Golden Bear football team started their season last weekend playing up two classes as they faced Class 3-A Dallas Center Grimes. While no one is exactly happy with the 19 - 14 loss, the game gave the team valuable experience that should help them when they face teams their own size during the season. Derek Tindall and Scott Stence each had touchdowns in the game, and Brian Marso also carried for significant yardage.
Other Bears who should be playing tough this season are experienced seniors like Adam Arndorfer, Miles Berte, Kris Suter, Mason Elbert, David Rasmussen, Nick Golwitzer, Colby Reding, Mat Kirsch, Andrew Thilges, Jason Lallier, and Ben Kramer. The Bears have this weekend off. Then next Friday they on another 3-A school, as they host Algona High. Class 1-A district play begins September 19, when the Bears welcome Manson Northwest Webster for Homecoming. Good luck throughout the season to the football team!
Every season parents and other relatives of the Golden Bears buy buttons and plaques to show their support for their favorite athletes. For the past few years Greg Ahlers has produced the buttons, with the profits going to the science department. Mr. Ahlers would like parents to know that they can pick up their buttons and plaques next week.
Our Senior Spotlight this week shines on Mason Elbert and Kris Sutter. Mason Elbert comes to Garrigan from the Whittemore area. Football is without question Mason's favorite sport, but he also enjoys track and intramural basketball. Last summer he and his friends were the area paintball champs. Mason plans to go to college next year, and we wish him all the best.
Kris Sutter is best known as the starting quarterback for the Bishop Garrigan Golden Bears. Over the years his other activities have included track, golf, choir, and quiz bowl. Kris will also be off to college next year. Good luck to both Kris and Mason.
On our Golden Bear calendar this week there's the Algona Classic volleyball tournament today. The varsity is playing at Algona High, the JV here at Garrigan, and the freshmen are at the "Y". Then Monday marks the birthday of Bishop Phillip Garrigan, the first bishop of the Sioux City Diocese and the man our school was named after.
Also on Monday the advanced biology classes will be gone on a field trip. Then Tuesday the cross-country team runs at Estherville and the freshman and sophomore football team hosts North Kossuth.
Next Thursday the volleyball Bears travel to Hampton. Friday the cheerleaders will sponsor a cheer clinic for the Seton girls. That night Garrigan hosts the big crosstown football game with the 1-A Bears taking on Class 3-A Algona High.
At the Garrigan-Algona football game the junior class will be holding its annual tailgate fundraiser. They'll be barbecuing by the gym lobby on Meister Drive. Then next Saturday the volleyball team travels to Emmetsburg and the cross-country team runs in the CYO meet at Holstein.
That's the "Bear Facts" for this week. Thanks to Allison Even, who helped out with writing this week's show. And thanks for joining us. Be sure to tune in next week, when we'll be telling you all about Homecoming here at Bishop Garrigan High School.
