OSMOND — Opening competition for the Osmond winter sports teams will begin this week, with girls’basketball and wrestling both in competition on Saturday.
Basketball Starts Saturday The first regular season game will be in Atkinson as the Lady Tigers will face the West Holt Huskies on Saturday, Dec.7. They will then travel to Creighton on Monday, Dec. 9.
The girls’ basketball team had 10 girls report to practice the first day.
Returning letter winners are Keli Aschoff, Sophia Gansebom and Erin Wagner, and junior Kaleigh Miller.
Others on the team are juniors Piper Hoffman and Carriana Kumm, sophomores CharleyAschoff, Deanna Kumm and Addison Miller, and freshman Korrine Moes.
Coach Bradley Wright said, “After being in a co-op with Randolph the last two years, we’re back on our own as the Osmond Tigers. With only 10 student athletes out this year we will need to get in shape fast and develop individually quickly to compete this season.
“We have a great group of girls returning with four girls having starter experience and everyone else returning already having experience within our program besides the only freshman, Korrine Moes.
“We are already battling previous injuries so it will be key for us to stay injury free and healthy all season. In a unique situation where we put together a girls only schedule this year, we will see some teams that we haven’t in the past and some new teams all together throughout the season.
“We have some big names on our schedule right away starting with West Holt, and including teams like Wynot, St. Mary’s, Guardian Angels Central Catholic, among other always challenging teams in our area throughout the season. Since we didn’t get into a holiday tournament this year, we have Sandhills/Thedford scheduled during the holiday tournament time in a neutral site game in Burwell. We will make two trips into South Dakota this year and play Irene-Wakonda for a regular season game and another game featured in the inaugural Midwest Miracles Classic in Viborg-Hurley. This schedule should prepare us for conference and sub-district play.
“Our goal this year is to build upon and strengthen our bond throughout the season and challenge each other every day in practice so we can compete in every game this season. Even with fewer numbers out this year we expect to be improved upon from last year’s team.”
The Hawks are coached by Wright and Kennedy Moes.
Wrestlers Open Saturday
The first wrestling meet of the season for the Tigers is also on Saturday, Dec. 7. The team will travel to Creighton for its annual invitational meet which begins at 9:30 a.m.
The wrestling letter winners returning for action this year are seniors Jaxon Vinson and Carson Bolz, and sophomores Kaleb Gardner, Mason True and Caleb Vinson. Others wrestling this year are junior Tate Stolpe and freshmen Aiden Stech and Blake Hernandez. Their coach is Nathan Vinson, with Patrick Vinson the assistant coach.
“We look for the wrestlers to continue to improve and have individual success,” said Coach Vinson.
Sports Preview Included
Check out the Northeast Nebraska News Sports Preview in this week’s Republican for more information on Osmond teams.
