Sports

The Vinton-Shellburg Vikings play the third Top 10 team of the season tonight when they travel to Independence to play the 4-0 and 7th-ranked Mustangs. The 2-2 Vikings have already played highly-ranked West Delaware and South Tama.  School officials offer the following directions to the game: -Go to the new Independence High School (Best Route- HWY 150 to HWY 20 west to  exit 252)  - Upon entering parking lot to the new High School, heads towards the north end of the parking lot.

A Trip to the Dominican Republic was an eye opener for Andrea Wagoner a senior at Geneseo High School.  She is the granddaughter of Gerald and Margie Selken of Keystone IA and the daughter of Cindy (Selken) & Tom Wagner of Colona IL. Andrea had an opportunity to represent the United States in the Dominican Republic at the International Softball Tournament.

The Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School and High School cross country teams hosted their annual home meet on Tuesday at Rodgers Park, where both the boys and girls varsity teams each finished in first place.  Sisters Lily and Grace Horst led the Vikettes, as Lily came in 2nd and Grace, 3rd. Vikettes too six of the top 10 spots. In the boys varsity race, Vikings took six of the top 12 honors.

The racing season in Vinton wrapped up on Sunday with the annual tribute to veterans.  Approximately 20 former soldiers and sailors saluted the flag during the National Anthem, then paraded around the track in military trucks, as spectators waved and applauded.  When the racing began, drivers were doing their best to earn enough points to win, or at least advance in the standings.

The Union Knights headed to South Tama Friday night in a key 2A district 6 matchup.   Jerry Lowe had two touchdowns in the first quarter and Union's offense could not get rolling as the first half ended 13-0.   The Knights had a big drive in the third quarter that stalled on the one yard line on a failed QB sneak.    Lowe made his final score of the game on a 44 yard run to finish out the scoring in the third period.

The Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings have played two of their first four games in a cold, driving rain that continued throughout the evening.  They have already also played two of the top-ranked teams in the state. West Delaware was ranked 2nd in Class 3A coming into Friday's game. The Hawks took a 15-0 halftime lead, then scored quickly two times in the third quarter, taking advantage of the wind and strong defense to keep the ball on the Viking side throughout.

Below is the coach's summary of the Union Knights' victory over Roland-Story last Friday: Opponent: Roland Story  Score: Union 41 Roland Story 21  Union Overall Record: (1-2) Union District Record: 2A D6, (1-0) Next Opponent: Union @ South Tama, 7:30 PLAYERS OF THE GAME:  Tackle: Jace Glenn Block: Michael Ahrendsen  Special Forces: Daycen Douglass, Dylan Stech  TEAMme: Sam Johnson, Adrian Hernandez  Scout Team: Clayton Thiele  Key Point(s) of the Game from Coach Hadachek: “Number one, we were able to establish the line of scrimmage with our offensive line which opened holes for the run game.

Vinton Parks and Recreation is excited to offer the following new addition to our Adult Sports Programming.  ADULT CO-ED 5 V 5 SOCCER  WHO:  5 v 5 Co-Ed teams (Rosters are a max of 10 players) WHEN:  SUNDAY NIGHT – Games are @ 6:00 & 6:45 (Games will consist of 4 – 8 Minute Quarters) WHERE:  Karr Athletic Complex (New Football Field) COST:  $60 per team DEADLINE TO REGISTER: Monday, September 28th CAPTAIN’S MEETING: Thursday, October 1st @ Vinton Recreation Center 7:30pm **Play will tentatively begin the week of October 4 ***If you have questions or want to play but can't get a team we will be happy to pair you with some fellow "Free Agents".

Last week's V-S district opener at Charles City was dominated by both the Viking and Comet defenses.  The Vikings only managed 140 yards of total offense, but the Viking defense recovered two fumbles and intercepted two passes while holding the Cadets to 248 yards of offense. The last fumble recovery came late in the game, after the Vikings' lone score, a run by Nick Hyland from inside the Cadet 1.

Sisters Lily (3rd place) and Grace Horst (7th place) led the V-S girls cross country team to a 1st-place finish in the Grinnell Invitational on Tuesday evening. Bristi Gerber also finished 10th for the Vikettes, who came in 20 points ahead of second-place Pella.  In the varsity boys event, Cole Tharp (11th) and Jonah Blix (12th) led the Vikings to a second-place finish in a meet won by Grinnell.