Sports
Young Vikings, Vikettes begin season on high school diamonds
The Vinton-Shellsburg baseball and softball teams began action last week with a roster heavy on youngsters.
The Vikings, who gave coach Jim Struve his 500th career victory last season, have just three seniors, Logan Davis, Griffin Williams and Luke Moen, on the roster; along with one junior, catcher Aaron Henderson; and four sophomores. Sellers gets first career win on emotional night at Independence Motor Speedway
Emotions were strong Saturday night at Independence Motor Speedway as those in attendance honored the memory of IMCA Northern SportMod driver Brandon Smith. A weekly competitor in Independence throughout his career, Smith died in an accident in his garage over the weekend.
Outside front row starter Lucas Lundry took the lead at the on-set of the 15-lap SportMod feature.
Red Cedar Shooters set new milestones at State Meet
Every year, the Vinton-Shellsburg high school trap shooting team, the Red Cedar Shooters, ends its season with some new successes at the State meet.
The successes continued on Friday at the event in Cedar Falls.
The local team finished in 7th Place overall out of 315 squads; the local team has now placed in the Top 10 in the State for the 4th year in a row, against more competitors this year than ever before. Vikettes end golf season with 8th place finish at Regionals
The VS Vikette golfers ended their season with the Regional Tournament in Waverly on May 27. The team saw much improvement during the season.
Coach's summary:
Regional Tournament
Waverly Golf Course par 70
May 27, 2014
Weather conditions: warm, partly sunny
Team Results (top 2 advance to State)
CR Xavier 332
Charles City 348
Waverly-Shell Rock 354
Benton Com.
VS soccer team honors seniors, youth teams
During the the VS-West Delaware half-time on Friday, May 23rd, the VSHS soccer team recognized some of the girls and coaches involved in the youth soccer program in Vinton.
The program, which utilizes trained volunteer coaches, is essential for developing future players for the high school program.
Vinton youth players belong to AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) and practice in Vinton and play games on Saturdays during the spring and fall. Hole-in-one: Melanie Blais scores her first ace at Vinton Country Club
Melanie Blais was golfing with friends Kelly Henkle and Tammy Fett Tuesday afternoon when her golfing buddies witnessed Melanie's first Hole-in-One.
The achievement took place on Hole 3.
"It was a shock," says Melanie, who said she has never really even come close to a hole-in-one before. She finished the round with a 43, and lots of congratulations from friends, family and fellow golf enthusiasts. Local Special Olympians earn 25 medals at Iowa games
The Vinton-Shellsburg United Special Olympics members did well at the State Olympics last weekend in Ames. The local athletes came home with nine Gold, eight Silver and eight Bronze medals, along with two more fourth-place and two more fifth-place honors.
Below is the list of medalists:
Justin Shaw- Pentathlon Track & Field Day for Shellsburg students
The Shellsburg Elementary Track & Field Day took place Friday morning at the Karr Athletic Complex.
PE Teacher Megan Albertson thanked the "parent volunteers, staff, secretaries, bus drivers, administrators, and especially the eager-to-learn students."
Events helped teach a variety of participation and even spectating and included: 1. Vikettes win two in a row, again; end regular soccer season at 9-6
The Vinton-Shellsburg High School girls soccer team improved its record to 9-6 with a big win over Monticello in the two last game of the season on Friday and Saturday
Playing on their home field, the Vikettes defeated Monticello, 7-1 on Friday. Then on Saturday, they traveled to Manchester, where they defeated West Delaware, 4-3.
The Vikettes face the tough challenge of playing Union in their first game of the post-season. State Track: Sagan 5th in 800M, Viking 4 X 400 team takes 6th
Senior Nolan Sagan led the VS boys this weekend, earning one fifth place medal for the Vikings and earning a share of a 6th place medal.
On Saturday, Sagan finished in 5th place in the 800M event, with a time of 1:57.18.
Later that day, the Vinton-Shellsburg boys 4 X 400M relay team (Chase Overton, Tyler Bartz, Ben Hyland and Nolan Sagan) finished in 6th place with a time of 3:27.