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Elmwood-Murdock Annual Athletic Banquet
The Annual Athletic Banquet was held Friday, April 24, 2009. It was an utterly amazing and incredible ceremony! Just the first impression of walking in the gym with all the tables lined up and decked out set the stage for at out of this world evening!
TEAMWORK-Team work is what they were all about. They didn't do it for individual glory. They did it because they love one another.~Vince Lombardi
PERSISTENCE-The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.~Vince Lombardi
HOPE-“Expect that what is desired will happen.”
DETERMINATION-The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.
ABILITY-It is a fine thing to have ability, but the ability to discover ability in others is the true test
GLORY-The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That's real glory. That's the essence of it
SUCCESS-Success demands singleness of purpose.
REACH-“To be a winner, all you need to give is all you have.”
CONFIDENCE-“Faith in God and trust in His gifts lead to a fearless spirit.”
FOCUS-“Concentrating on the moment allows the mind to find a path to success.”
These are but some of the guidelines the Elmwood-Murdock coaches and athletes live by! The program was designed by Ross Mumford and the video was created by Dani Tays with the help of Noah and Sophie.
The evening began with an introduction by Mr. Novak who then invited guests to receive their meal. The menu was prepared by the elementary SOS (support our students) group. It included: grilled pork loin or chicken breast, potatoes, vegetables, rolls, desserts, and drink.
When the group finished their dinner, the ceremony began. One coach after another introduced astounding results of individual and team efforts. Each coach thanked the community patrons, grandparents, parents, family, friends, and the students for all the victory Elmwood-Murdock received this year as a reward of the countless hours and hard work given by all. I was so impressed about how recognition was not just given to the athlete, but to those involved in the athlete's life as well. It was VERY evident that the Elmwood-Murdock community is FULL of support and that the support plays a vital role in the success of our students not only athletically, but also academically and morally. Principal Tim Allemang was appreciated for his dedication and leadership of the Elmwood-Murdock Booster Club. The students were recognized for their dedication and teamwork which makes the community so proud. Coaches and staff were thanked for their time, patience, guidance, and leadership they continuously offer to the students. Mr. Hill received a standing ovation for his ten year commitment he gave to the girls' volleyball program. Parents were honored for the love, support and encouragement they provide and everyone was appreciated for their continued support of the E-M Booster Club.
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING AWARDS
Coach Schmale spoke of the strength and conditioning done by the athletes. Coach said, “Many of our athletes are involved in an off-season and in-season strength program. Our program testing includes 3 running events measuring speed, agility, and endurance and 3 weight lifting events which include the Bench Press, Power Clean, and Leg Squat. Body weight is also factored in during the competition. We recognize and award the top performances in each class in grades 9-12. Each winner will receive a Power Performance Team T-Shirt and the winner of each class will also receive a framed certificate.”
Here are the results of the Elmwood-Murdock Power Performance Team for fall 2008:
9 th Grade Winners
1 st -Alan Barnes (6.73)
2 nd -Caleb Timm (6.32)
3 rd -Jacob Tiedeman (6.24)
10 th Grade Winners
1 st -Zach Zobel (7.86)
2 nd -Sam Burtch (7.58)
3 rd -Matt Rorie (6.63)
11 th Grade Winners
1 st -Lance Steffen (8.11)
2 nd -Nathan Hohman (7.91)
3 rd -Thad Bornemeier (7.61)
12 th Grade Winners
1 st -Austin Barnes (8.81)
2 nd -Jon Luetchens (8.67)
3 rd -Nick Beebee (7.84)
Spring 2009:
9 th Grade Winners
3 rd - Dillon Timm (6.84)
2 nd - Jacob Tiedeman (7.16)
1 st - Alan Barnes (7.66)
10 th Grade Winners
3 rd - Tyler Fleischman (7.06)
2 nd - Zach Zobel (7.85)
1 st - Sam Burtch (8.22)
11 th Grade Winners
3 rd - Nathan Hohman (7.82)
2 nd - Lance Steffen (7.89)
1 st –Thad Bornemeier (8.22)
12 th Grade Winners
1 st - Austin Barnes (8.60) *6 th All-Time on Top Ten Power
Performance Chart
Pictured: The Overall Winner for ALL-CLASSES receives a framed certificate and a TROPHY that will remain in the School's Trophy Case.
The Overall Champion for 2006-07 is Austin Barnes (8.60) . Congratulations!
Boys Track Team
Coach Schmale also introduced the Boys Track Team and provided these stats: *(32 athletes out for boys track this year)
BOYS TRACK
FRESHMEN
• Alan Barnes (Shot Put / Discus)
• Justin Baumeister (Shot Put / Discus)
• Clint Bornemeier (Hurdles / Distance)
• Cody Brown (Middle Distance)
• Jake Ita (Shot Put / Discus)
• Tanner Justesen (Distance / Relays)
• Nick Koehler (Shot Put / Discus)
• Jacob Tiedeman (Shot Put / Discus)
• Caleb Timm (Jumps / Sprints)
• Dillon Timm (Sprints)
• Derick Vogt (Sprints)
• Austin Zimmerman (Shot Put / Discus)
SOPHOMORES
• Branden Ahlers (Jumps)
• Sam Burtch (Middle Distance / Relays)
• Tyler Drueke (Distance)
• Taylor Fleischman (Sprints)
• Tyler Fleischman (Shot Put)
• Austin Kuenning (Sprints / Relays)
• Adam Neels (HJ / Distance)
• Jesse Osmaon (Shot Put / Discus)
• Matt Rorie (Jumps / Hurdles)
• Ben Spracklin (HJ / Sprints)
• Zach Zobel (Distance / Relays)
JUNIORS
• Thad Bornemeier (Shot Put / Discus)
• Nathan Hohman (Jumps / Hurdles / Relays)
• Lance Steffen (HJ / Middle Distance / Relays)
SENIORS
• Austin Barnes (Shot Put / Discus)
• Jon Luetchens (Sprints / Relays)
• David Neels (Distance / Relays)
• Tyler Schmale (Shot Put / Discus / Distance / Relays)
• Derek Stubbendeck (Shot Put / Discus)
• Jordan Vogt (Sprints / Relays)
2008 TEAM AWARD WINNERS
• Rookie of the Year: Lance Steffen
• Will To Win Award: Jon Luetchens / Adam Zobel
• Track Athlete of the Year: Trent Shrader
2008 BOYS TRACK TEAM HIGHLIGHT : Freeman Invitational Track Runner-Up (Doane College)
Letter winners are determined at the end of the season.
We are a little more than halfway through the season with
4 meets to go.
To letter an athlete must score in a major meet or improve
their times / distances / marks 4 times throughout the
course of the season. The last requirement is that the
athlete must complete the season.
• Currently 14 / 32 athletes have lettered.
2008 TEAM AWARDS : TBA at the conclusion of the season.
• Track Athlete of the Year
(A team leader whose outstanding performance
consistently raises the standard of excellence)
• Rookie of the Year
(An athlete with tremendous potential to be a team
leader and performer – a future track athlete of the
year)
• Will To Win Athlete
(This person is not necessarily the best athlete on the
team – but the one who gives it their all through
leadership and desire)
The highlight of the season to this point has been Top 5 Team Finishes at the Yutan and FCSH Invitationals and the establishment of two new school record set in the 400 Meter Dash and the 800 meter run by Sam Burtch. Sam set a new 400 meter record with a time of 51.3 and an 800 meter record with a time of 2:02.6 The previous records were set by Trevor Maack in 1993.
We have 4 meets left before the State Meet May 22 & 23.
1. Conestoga Inv. Next Tues.
2.Conference Meet @ Tec. next Sat.
3.Freeman Inv. @ Doane College
• Tecumseh Inv.
• District Meet @ Malcolm 5/14/09.
5. State Meet @ Omaha Burke 5/22-23
Top point leaders after 4 meets.
a. Sam Burtch
b. Lance Steffen
c. Jon Luetchens
d. Nathan Hohman
Coach Schmale thanked Coach Frerichs and Coach Cover at the high school level, and Coach Barnes and Coach Moline for the outstanding work they do with the Junior High program.
Girls Track Team
Coaches include: Monte Frerichs; Leigh Schmale; & Charlie Cover
The coaches had 26 girls come out for the track team!
FRESHMEN
- Alyssa Brown
- Sidney Brummer
- Erin Dwyer
- Heather Lancaster
- Shannon Melo
- Shannon Ronhovde
- Megan Schmale
SOPHMORES
- Cherisa Behrends
- Kalee Brewer
- Rebecca Fortney
- A.J. Ita
- Christy Laughlin
- Emily Meyer
- Nikki Novak
- Erika Stubbendeck
JUNIORS
- Amanda Brewer
- Shayna Dwyer
- Rachel Fortney
- Staci Ronhovde
- Victoria Rosenboom
- Brooke Spiering
- Molly Zimmerman
SENIORS
- Erin Anderson
- Sunshine Bacus
- Ashley Beyer
- Lyndsey Hrabik
Girls Golf Team
2006-2007 was the first school year Elmwood-Murdock had a girl's golf team so it is still a new sport for Elmwood-Murdock. Jerry Wendelin coached the girls with the assistance of Curt Backemeyer. This year three girls went out for golf: Millie Anderson, Ashli Brown, and Sam Olson.
Coach Backemeyer said, “We had three girls from Elmwood-Murdock out this past fall that teamed up with Ashland-Greenwood with a variety of experience. The girls did show improvement throughout the year and we were able to finish 3rd in our Class B-1 district. They also were a State Qualifier. They were able to play on some really nice courses which was a treat.”
Boys Golf Team
Coach Backemeyer was also head coach for the boy's golf team with the assistance of Jim Stephen. Coach commented, “We have been able to steadily improve throughout the season. Team highlights included a for 2008-ECNC Conference Champions, E-M Invitational-2 nd Place, Palmyra Invitational-2 nd Place; for 2009-Syracuse Invitational-3 rd Place, Lewiston Invitational-4 th Place, and Milford Invitational-4 th Place Individual Awards included: Kevin Zoz-1 st Syracuse Invite; 1 st Milford Invite, 1 st ECNC. And Quentin Drake received 4 th at the Milford Invite & 4 th at ECNC. 2009 Individual Awards-Nick Beebee-Syracuse Invite 2 nd and 5 th at the Lewiston Invite. Jake Kuhlman Placed 9 th at the Syracuse Invite.
Boys Basketball
Head Coach: Terry Warner Assistant Coaches: Dave Novak; Brad Zierott; Brandon Ulmer Student Managers: Owen Kunz, Mitchell Rust & Zach Rust, Tyler Oehlerking, and Alex Callaway
Freshmen
• Tanner Justesen
• Jake Kuhlman
• Cameron Sims
• Caleb Timm
• Derick Vogt
Sophomores
• Branden Ahlers
• Sam Burtch
• Tyler Drueke
• Jake Fischer
• Austin Kuenning
• Taylor Lehr
• Adam Neels
• Matt Rorie
• Zach Zobel
Juniors
• Garyn Folden
• Nathan Hohman
• Lance Steffen
Seniors
• Nick Beebee
• Tyler Brothers
• Jon Luetchens
• Tyler Schmale
• Justin Waites
Record : 19 Wins - 4 Losses
Team Accomplishments : 2009 Class C-2 State Tournament Qualifier Fort Calhoun Holiday Tournament Champions ECNC Regular Season and Tournament Champions (3-Peat) Lincoln Journal Star Rating 5th Omaha World Herald Rating 4th
Individual Awards : Tyler Brother-2 nd Team All Conference, 2 nd Team All State Jon Luetchens-2 nd Team All Conference, All State Honorable Mention Tyler Schmale-3 rd Team All Conference Lance Steffen-All Conference Honorable Mention
Girls Basketball
Head Coach : Justin Moline
Assistant Coach : Don Brothers, Jennifer
Student Managers : Emma Leone, Kirstin Calloway, Carlie Kuhlman, Kolbi Furgerson
Freshmen • Jordan Bowman • Alyssa Brown • Erin Dwyer • Shannon Ronhovde • Megan Schmale
Sophomores • Cherisa Behrends • A.J. Ita • Christy Laughlin • Emily Meyer • Nikki Novak • Erika Stubbendeck
Juniors • Amanda Brewer • Shayna Dwyer • Ashley Kitrell • Allison Kuhlman • Staci Ronhovde • Megan Scholting • Molly Zimmerman
Record : 9 Wins – 12 Losses
Individual Awards : Alli Kuhlman: ECNC All-Conference 2nd Team; Omaha World Herald Honorable Mention Megan Scholting: ECNC All-Conference 3rd Team; Lincoln Journal Star Honorable Mention, Omaha World Herald Honorable Mention
Volleyball
Head Coach : John Hill
Assistant Coaches : Jennifer Justus; Heather Bornemeier
Sudent Managers/Statistics : Cheyenne Smith & Andrea Kitrell
Freshmen
- Jordan Bowman
- Alyssa Brown
- Erin Dwyer
- Heather Lancaster
- Shannon Ronhovde
- Megan Schmale
- Sophie Tays
Sophomores
• Cherisa Behrends • Rebecca Fortney • Christy Laughlin • Nikki Novak • Erika Stubbendeck
Juniors
- Amanda Brewer
- Shayna Dwyer
- Alli Kuhlman
- Ashley Kitrell
- Staci Ronhovde
- Victoria Rosenboom
- Megan Scholting
- Molly Zimmerman
Seniors
- Erin Andersen
- Lyndsey Hrabik
Record : 11 Wins – 17 Losses
Cheerleaders
The girls were coached under the direction of April Bacon and Shelly Novak. Coaches made comments throughout the evening of the great support the cheerleaders gave as they rooted on the Knights teams during competition. They cheerleaders were also appreciated for their efforts in decorating lockers, organizing pep rallies, and displaying school spirit & enthusiasm.
2008-2009 team includes: Ashli Beyer, Alli Bloch, Lyndsey Hrabik, Tori Sillman, Brooke Spiering, Rebecca Fortney
Football
Coach Schmale began by thanking the host of people that make the Elmwood-Murdock Football Team a success that allows them to grab hold of the victory: The Voice of “Fighting Knight Football” – (Kenny Kunz), The Chain Gang , Score and Timekeeper , Statisticians , Office Personnel – (Tycha Stander, Roxanne Kastens, & Anita Zierott), Run off programs / organize parent's night / help out with the operation of the overall program. Video Technician – (Robin Kuhlman) – Does a quality job. This allows us to review previous games, plan for upcoming opponents, make highlight tapes, and send tapes to colleges that may help some of our players get scholarships. Cheerleaders: (Decorate lockers, organize pep rallies, display school spirit & enthusiasm). Band – (Thanks for playing at pep rallies and games.) Pre-Game Meals – (Organized by wife Julie & the Football Parents. We appreciate their help very much). Fundraising this past winter went very well. (Concessions & Ticket-Taking). We had another successful Fish Fry last March. I want to thank the parents and players for all their help in making these activities run smoothly. Jr. High Coaches & Scouts – (Justin Moline & Justin Barnes)
Packets were handed out to team members that included a Season Scrapbook, Team / Individual Goals for the 2008 season, letter & participant certificates, awards, and medals. The E-M Booster Club and Mr. Allemang were thanked for the Medals they provided recognizing the players for their accomplishments .
Statistics: Record: 11 Wins-the most wins in school history ECNC Conference: 4-0 C-2 District 1: 4-0 Regular Season: 8-0 Final Season: 11-1
Team Accomplishments: Class C-2 Cass County Champs (9 th Consecutive Year) C-2 District 1 Champions (9th Straight District Championship) Class C-2 State Playoffs (10 th Consecutive Year) 13th State Playoff Appearance 5 th Undefeated Regular Season Most Wins in School History-11 C-2 State Ranking: 4th
Extra Curricular Scholar Students Twenty-five students were honored for their academic excellence by qualifying for the ‘Gold' award while competing athletically. Forty-five students received the ‘Silver' award. It is a huge challenge to keep grades up while also making it to all the sports practices, games, and extra curricular activities. The majority of the Elmwood-Murdock students are able to compete without making sacrifices in their grade point average. This is an amazing accomplishment!
Lyle Buell Award
The Lyle Buell Award was presented by Coach Terry Warner to senior Jon Luetchens.
Phyllis Buell gave me a little bit of background on the award. She explained: “Lyle Buell graduated in 1951. He attended Weslyn College. Then married his high school sweetheart, Sue Colbert, from Murdock. He coached at Udica and then went into the service. He also coached at Humboldt, Ashland, and then Millard. He coached in all four of the classes. He won the state championship tournament with the Millard team. As his career went along he was promoted to Athletic director. The football stadium at Millard was named in his honor and is still called ‘The Lyle Buell Stadium' today. He, his wife, and two of their best friends were going to a basketball game after having a meal together. As Lyle Sue were traveling to the UNL basketball game in Lincoln, a drunk driver hit them head on killing all of them. Merle's sister, Wanda Ross (Stubbendeck), donated the first trophy, and when that was filled they thought they might quit awarding it, but Mr. Novak said, “absolutely not” so the award is still given to the chosen student to this day.” On this particular trophy, it starts out with 2000-2001, Steve Ronhovde; 2001-2002, Brian Piitz; 2002-2003, Tiffany Novak; 2003-2004, Andrew McLaughlin; 2004-2005, Jason Zoz; 2005-2006, Luke Luetchens; 2006-2007, Kelsie Scholting 2007-2008, Jon Luetchens 2008-2009.
“ They (Lyle and Sue) were avid sports fans. They were hit by a drunk driver. It's (The Lyle Buell Award) like Elmwood-Murdock's own particular form of the Heisman trophy.
Wall of Excellence
Coach Leigh Schmale inducted Jon Luetchens to the ‘Wall of Excellence' for 2009.
Nick Brewer participated in football at Elmwood-Murdock High School from 2003-2006. Nick was selected to the Class C-2 All-State Football Team by the OMAHA WORLD-HERALD and LINCOLN JOURNAL-STAR as a punter for the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Brewer became only the 3 rd player in school history to be selected All-State two consecutive years. Nick was selected to the All-State Team by the HUSKERLAND PREP REPORT PUBLICATION following the 2005 season. Brewer was the starting punter for the Knights for two seasons. Nick led all high school punters and set a new school record with a 43.6 yard punting average his senior year. Nick also started at tight end and outside linebacker for the Knights. Brewer was named ECNC 1 st Team All-Conference and 1 st Team All-District in football for the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
Nick's mother, Bonnie Brewer, said, “Nick attended a punting camp at the University of Wisconsin this past summer and placed 5th nationally with an average of 43.71 yards. This gives perspective to his average distance.”
After a short break, the grand finale of the evening was a video clip, put together by Dani Tays, Sophie, & Noah, of all the sports events for the 2008-2009 school year! I'm sure lots of memories flooded the minds of each in attendance as blirps of pictures appeared of the screen. THANKS ELMWOOD-MURDOCK FOR ALL THE GREAT MEMORIES!
News to the Editor
- Please send all your Murdock area news to me. Birthdays, anniversaries, announcements, events or news are welcome and will be added to the upcoming newsletter. Thanks in advance for all your help!
Teri Bowman
Editor@murdocknebraska.com
