Sports

After dropping their first two contests of the season, the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings basketball team has its fifth straight game. The Vikings built an early lead at Independence on Friday. They outscored the Mustangs, 16-7, in the first period. In the second, they scored 22 more while holding Independence to 12. A three-pointer by Tyler Rippel and a layup by Cole Smith ended the first-half scoring with the Vikings ahead 38-19.

Four area student-athletes are finishing their final high school year and making plans to compete in their favorite sports on the college level.  The four have signed letters of intent with colleges include: Lauren Tandy Lauren, the daughter of Scott and Melissa Tandy of Vinton, will play golf at Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids. She joined Vinton-Shellsburg girls golf coach Janet Woodhouse and Mt.

When the Cedar Rapids Rampage soccer team hosts the St. Louis Ambush this Saturday, Dec. 19, a group of Shellsburg Elementary 5th graders will sing the National Anthem. Shellsburg Principal Ryan Davis said a dozen fifth graders will sing 'The Star-Spangled Banner" before the 7:05 game at the U.S. Cellular Center as part of Vinton-Shellsburg night.

The Vinton-Shellsburg bowlers hosted Independence on Friday at Berry's Lanes, where both varsity teams and both JV teams earned victories. Cole Garwood, the state's 5th-ranked bowler, continues to lead the Vikings. He rolled a two-game total of 469. Taylor Berry led the girls with a 349. Scores: Varsity Boys Tyler Rasmussen 1

Friday was our second meet of the season for varsity and JV boys and girls. We competed against Denver high school. Each team performed very well and we had some nice games. All four of the teams beat Denver. The varsity girls where led by Alyssa Bunge with a series of 395 and game of 213. Varsity boys were led by Cole Garwood with a 451 series.

A high school state cross country qualifier and a 49-year-old veterinarian were the top winners of the 11th Annual Tour de Lites on Sunday. Jordan Yessak of Vinton, a member of the Dunkerton State cross country team, was the top male finisher. Alice Timmermans was the first female to cross the finish line in the annual event.  More than 115 runners participated in the race, which is the main fund-raiser for the Vinton-Shellsburg track and cross country teams.

Click to view Week 7

We had our first bowling meet for the season in Charles City tonight.  I am happy to say that all teams bowled very well.  The results are below. Varsity Boys team.  For our first meet we shot 200 pins above last years average which shows the dedication of these bowlers.  Unfortunately we lost to Charles City but these kids fought until the end.

We had a total of 66 bowlers in 3 different divisions with some really great scores.   10yr old and under 1st Place - Parker Arnold 2nd Place - Zach Staab 3rd Place - Tori Elwick Best Effort - Zoey Bresson   11-17yr old 1st Place - Jordan Schoettmer 2nd Place - Ethan Dedrick 3rd Place - Nick Stein Best Effort - Jordan Pattee   18yr old + 1st Place - Brian Clemens 2nd Place - Cole Garwood 3rd Place - Kip Schoettmer Best Effort - Eric Upmeyer   We raised a total of $1752 between the baked sale, bowling and individual donations.

Led by 6th place senior Lily Horst and her 12 place, ninth-grade sister Grace, the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikettes placed 9th in the State Cross Country Meet on Saturday. The boys also placed ninth; both teams competed in the Class 3A field of 15. Jonah Blix and Cole Tharp led the Vikings, with the senior Blix finishing 34th and the sophomore Tharp a second behind in 35th place.