THE BEAR FACTS
September 5, 2020

 Good morning! I’m Ava Eisenberth!

 I’m Riley Rosenmeyer!

 And I’m Veronica Capesius! Thanks for joining us for the “Bear Facts”, the weekly radio show from Bishop Garrigan High School.

 Fall sports are underway. The Golden Bear volleyball team started off the year by winning their first game over Belmond—Klemme and racking up two more wins over Pocahontas and Southeast Valley in a tournament last Saturday. The volleyball team returns a lot of experience—including senios Baley Meister, Tara Kron, Reese Rosenmeyer, Gracie Elsbecker, Anna Berke, and Kaylyn Meyers.

 Juniors Ella Muller, Emma Grandgenett, Ava Eisenbarth, and Meredith Tigges are also at the core of the volleyball team, as are sophomores Audi Crooks and Molly Joyce. Coach Dave Schnurr is expecting big things from the girls this fall. Good luck, volleyball!

 While the football team played up a class and lost the first week, they’re hoping to get things back on track as they go through the season. There’s a big group of returning seniors—including linemen Joe Merron, Sean Davis, Kale Kramer, and Mitch Buscherfeld; wide receiver Joey Trainer; and running backs Derrick Kirsch and Kellen Murphy. The seniors also include Austin Von Bank, Noah Bronk, Isaiah Plathe, and Angelo Winkel.

 There’s only three juniors out for football this year: Jacob Leerar, Collin Casey, and Grant Haugland. The sophomores include starting quarterback Garrett Heying; plus Cal Birkey, Drew Casey, Aidan Hovey, Caleb Bormann, Connor Davis, Jack Grandgenett, Matt Kollasch, and Nate Bronk. Nine freshmen also suit varsity for Coach Marty Wadle’s Golden Bear team.

 Cross-country started off their season last Tuesday at Mason City, and coaches Brandon and Cassie Rowley are looking forward to a great year. On the boys side Quinn and Gavin Swift have already brought home medals, and we’re expecting Joe Meis to join them soon. Other boys in cross-country are Joseph Bonstetter, Hollis Bode, Xander Darling, Saben Meraz, Ethan Kuper, and C.J. Weydert. Freshman Lauren Swift medalled this week for the girls. Her teammates are Abbie Capesius, Kelly Baade, Ava Bartolo, and Amanda Thilges. Go, cross-country!

 The Golden Bear spirit squad has already been busy cheering at games, and they’ll take part in competition later this fall. This year’s football cheerleaders are Abbi Heying, Grace DeLange, Katelyn Cink, Ella Nelson, Lillee Deike, and Ava Kemna; plus Emma Bacha, Zoey Von Bank, Marguerite Fakler, Cora Ricke, Halle Menke, and Kiana Book. Rounding out the squad are Meredith Illg, Ellie Rosenmeyer, Savannah Warchter, Riley Rosenmeyer, Avery Berte, and Talia Book. Thanks to Coach Erin Miller and the cheerleaders!

 Because of the COVID-19 shutdown, we couldn’t hold student council elections last spring. So we held those elections right after the start of school this fall. When the votes were counted, we elected Kellen Murphy and Isaiah Plathe as this year’s student body co-presidents.

 We also elected presidents for the four high school classes. Kelly Baade and Tara Kron are the senior class co-presidents. Riley Rosenmeyer and Lillee Deike will lead the juniors. Grace Winkelman and Eva Snyder are the sophomore co-presidents, and Sam Plathe and Ben Greteman are heading up the freshman class.

 The annual Garrigan calendar drive began yesterday. Again this year you students in middle school and high school are selling activity calendars with color pictures and all the school activities for the year. Each calendar costs just $30, and they offer you 365 chances to win cash prizes. The prizes range from $35 to $500. Be sure to see your favorite Golden Bear and get your calendar today.

 Our Senior Spotlight this week shines on one of our student body presidents. Here’s Marguerite Fakler to tell you about Isaish Plathe.
 

 Isaiah Plathe has roots in Kossuth County, but he actually came to Garrigan from Ankeny. Today he lives in the Lone Rock area. Oz is a year-round athlete. He’s plays point guard in basketball, he’s a baseball catcher, he’s a wide receiver in football, and he also runs track. Isaiah is a multi-year student council member, he helps maintain the student website, and he’s also announced here on the “Bear Facts”. Isaiah plans a career in science, and we wish him all the best in the future. Good luck, Oz!

 Thanks, Marguerite! On our Golden Bear calendar this week, we’ve got a long weekend coming up because of Labor Day. There’s no school Monday at Garrigan, but we’ll be starting things up again next Tuesday.

 We’ll have the first turn-in day for the calendar drive on Tuesday, and Tuesday is also Picture Day at Garrigan and Seton. That night the volleyball team hosts Eagle Grove and there’s also cross-country at Estherville.

 The JV football team hosts Estherville Lincoln Central Tuesday night. We’ll have a school mass Wednesday morning, which most of us will watch on a livestream from our classrooms.

 Friday we’ll have our second calendar turn-in day. That night the football team plays West Hancock at Britt. Finally next Saturday there’s CYO cross-country in Holstein.

 That’s the “Bear Facts” for this week. Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to catch the show again next week for more news from Bishop Garrigan High School.