Sports

Zach Boisen pitched five scoreless innings and hit a three-run homer to lead the Vinton-Shellsburg baseball team to its first victory of the season Wednesday evening at East Marshall in LeGrand. Boisen only needed to pitch five as the Vikes won, 10-0 by the 10-run rule which shortened the game. The Vikes won the second game of the varsity double-header, 4-2.

Vinton-Shellsburg golfer Lauren Tandy finished in third place (tied for second with an 18-hole 89) at the Regional Golf Meet in Waverly on Tuesday. That qualifies her for the individual State Tournament in Marshalltown next Monday and Tuesday. The Vikettes finished in fourth in team scoring.  Coach's report: May 26, 2015 Regional Golf Waverly Golf Course, par 70 Weather conditions:  Rain all day Team Standings:  (2 advance to State) DubuqueWahlert                 371 Western Dubuque                 377 Decorah                                   382 Vinton-Shellsburg                   395 Waverly                                   401 Benton Community                434 Charles City                            438 Independence                         448 W.

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"What a great year," says V-S girls track coach Heather Kalous, summarizing the team's season as well as their performance at last week's State Track Meet. The Vikings and Vikettes both did very well at state; many set personal bests while earning team points and medals. "They did exactly what they needed to do," says Coach Kalous.

The era of soccer on "the hill" is over.  The Vinton-Shellsburg girls team played the last home game on the field just east of the high school parking lot, where the teams have played since soccer came to VSHS. The girls defeated Monticello, 8-0. The boys played their last home game on that field on Monday.  Next season, both teams will compete on the field turf, sharing it with the football team.

The 8th grade girls track team ended their season with their home meet on May 12, finishing second in the team scoring.  For the season they brought home 4 team championships, including the WaMaC championship, and two second place finishes with one meet being cancelled.  The meets consisted of 8 teams competing in 4 field events, 3 hurdle events, 6 relays and 5 individual running events.

The Vinton-Shellsburg boys and girls track teams are sending more athletes to the State Track Meet than at any time in recent school history. The boys left after the pep assembly; the girls attended a reception in their honor at Ehlinger's Express, where they painted windows and enjoyed hot chocolate before leaving for Des Moines. See more photos HERE.

Jordan Yessak, the son of Jason and Anita Yessak, of Vinton is among the qualifiers for the State Track Meet which begins Thursday.  Jordan qualified for the Class 1A 3200 run as a member of the Dunkerton track team; his father is the Activities Director as well as varsity girls basketball and assistant varsity baseball coach for that district; Jordan open-enrolls there.

Along with the old-time traditions like pep rallies, the Vinton-Shellsburg track teams are celebrating their state qualification with a new tradition that began in the past year: A gathering at Ehlinger's Express.  The boys met there last night, where Mel Davis, manager (and Vikette track mom) welcomed the team. After a complimentary meal, the boys received a carnation and painted some of the windows.

This spring I had the privilege of coaching the Vinton-Shellsburg 7th grade girl’s track team. The girls did a fantastic job and were a great group to be around. They worked hard at practice and tried their best during meets. The combination of working hard and trying their best, as well as a lot of natural talent led to this team having a wonderful season.