Good morning! I'm Matt Courtney!
And I'm Nicole Reding! You're listening to the "Bear Facts". We're pleased to welcome you back as we begin our thirteenth season on KLGA, bringing you the news from Bishop Garrigan High School.
A lot has happened since last we signed off for the summer last May. Probably the biggest news probably came in early June when the Golden Bear girls golf team won the state championship. Even though not a single golfer made the top eight statewide, the Bears were consistent enough to have the best overall team score. Taking home the hardware were Sara Kunkel, Amanda Elbert, Ashley Berte, Michaela Mescher, Lindsay Schiltz, and April Wolf. Dean Capesius is the girls golf coach at Garrigan.
At about the same time the BGHS quiz bowl team was competing in the 2004 National Academic Championships. This year Garrigan President Gene Meister and his wife Mary Ann traveled out to Washington, D.C., to see the quiz bowl team play. Coach David Burrow was pleased they were able to see a win, as the Bears defeated Bellaire High School from Houston, Texas. The Bears also had some narrow losses at nationals, but they had a successful tournament and a good time overall.
The third big success over the summer was the baseball team. After a rocky start, the Bears had another outstanding season. The team finished the summer with a record of 28 wins, 6 losses, and 1 tie. More important, they won their seventh North Central Conference championship. Garrigan has been part of the conference for just eleven years, so they've won 63% of the possible league championships. Congratulations to coaches Gene and Rob Meister and the softball team!
School started this past Wednesday, and one of the biggest things we noticed when we came back was the renovation project in the science area. Greg Ahlers oversaw the construction, which brought new equipment and furnishings to both the biology and physical science labs. The science area is now air conditioned, too, which made it quite a bit more pleasant on the hot first days of school.
Yesterday we started the annual calendar drive at Garrigan. This is one of the largest fundraisers at the school each year, and the profits go to transportation. Because of the calendar drive, we've been able to buy a new bus and update the school suburbans that take students to different activities. The calendars list all the events at both Garrigan and Seton and have interesting pictures of students. What's more, every calendar gives you 365 chances to win cash prizes. The calendars sell for $25 each, but you can win up to $500 in prizes. Be sure to see your favorite Golden Bear to pick up your Garrigan calendar.
Fall sports are here. The Golden Bear football team opens their season next Friday as they renew their old rivalry with Ft. Dodge St. Edmond. Among the top returning players are running backs Derek Tindall and Sean Kohlhaas; linebacker Brian Marso, offensive linemen Jim Garman, Mitch Buscher, Chris Reinhart, Kyle Frideres, Andrew Berte; quarterback Matt Vitzthum; and wide receivers Sam Dittrich and Cole Vautier. According to Derek Tindall, the Bears should have another excellent season. Good luck to all the players and to coach Marty Wadle.
The BGHS cross-country team begins their season next Tuesday at Mason City Newman. The boys team includes state meet veterans Matt Courtney, Brandon Rowley, Jacob Hellmann, Chris Scobba, Chris Cassmann, Seth Rogers, Don Monson, and Scott Kollasch. On the girls' side, the team returns Bridget Doughan, Alison Brandenburg, Kelly Schmidt, Kelly Black, Maria Kohlhaas, Marissa Spain, and Tami Lallier. Brandon Rowley expects the whole team to have a good year in cross-country, and we wish good luck to Coach Daryl Kohlhaas and all the runners.
The volleyball team also starts their season Tuesday, as the Bears take at Estherville. Returning seniors include Holly Lancaster, Lindsay Schiltz, Miranda Boekelman, and Nicole Reding. Juniors include Ashley Waller, Amanda Shaw, Tara Trenary, and Laura Kellner. The varsity squad also includes sophomores Brittany Pfeffer and Hillary McGuire. The girls say they are looking forward to an interesting season. Good luck to Coach Dave Schnurr and the volleyball team!
Each year we start off our Senior Spotlights by saluting our student council presidents. This week we're saluting co-president Matt Courtney. Here to tell you about him is Holly Lancaster.
Matthew Thomas Courtney is an Algona native who is active in lots of different activities. He was the team MVP when quiz bowl competed at nationals last summer. He's one of the top runners on the cross-country and track teams, he's won honors in math team, he enjoys playing the drums in band, and he's a four-year member of the student council. After high school he plans to attend college, possibly to study pharmacy. We wish Matt Courtney all the best in the future.
Thanks, Holly. On our Golden Bear calendar this week there's a North Central Conference volleyball scrimmage this morning at Clarion. Tomorrow the cheerleaders are sponsoring a waffle breakfast from 8:00 - 12:30 at the Rochleau Center.
Tuesday the volleyball team plays at Estherville and the cross-country team runs in the Newman Invitational at the Mason City hospital. Then on Wednesday the freshmen will elect their class presidents.
There's a meeting for confirmation candidates and their parents Wednesday night. Thursday we'll have freshman representative elections. Then Friday we get out early for the Labor Day holiday.
There's a cheer clinic Friday afternoon, followed by the junior class tailgate party. That night the Golden Bear football team opens their season as the Bears face Ft. Dodge St. Edmond. It will be Senior Night, with the players and their parents being honored.
That's our first "Bear Facts" for the new school year. Thanks for joining us, and be sure to tune in again each Saturday as we keep bringing you the news from Bishop Garrigan High School.
