The Superior Express -

The Superior High School Athletic Department hosted the annual awards banquet Friday, April 28, in the elementary school gymnasium.

Paul Heusinkvelt, the outgoing athletic director, presented the welcome remarks.

Mike Sander, pastor of the Superior Church of Christ, offered up the invocation.

A pot luck dinner prepared by parents and coaches was served.

BJ Gardner spoke to the assembled guests on behalf of the Superior Red Caps, the athletic boosters organization. Melissa Barry serves as the treasurer. Gardner noted the group was seeking individuals to serve as president and vice-president. The Red Caps have been staunch supporters of Wildcat athletics. They have donated scoreboards and a team bus. They provide funds for meals for road games. They are currently looking for individuals to run the Stateline Shootout, a youth basketball tournament, which serves as a main fundraiser for the group.

The Hustle Awards, two scholarships presented by Brodstone Healthcare, were awarded to a male and female athlete who exhibited determination, hustle, character and hard work.The male award was presented to Aaron Allgood. Sadie Rempel, the female winner, was not present as she was competing at a rodeo.

Academic all state awards, given to those maintaining a grade average of 93 percent and above, were presented to Colten Butler, Tanner Theis, Parker Littrell, Lenden Worm, Noah Butler, Ashely Ashleigh Primus, Laci Kirchhoff, Aaron Allgood, Jacob Meyer, Neah McMeen, Ella Gardner, Haley Blackstone and Madison Heusinkvelt

The coaches of the fall, winter and spring teams offered a season review of their particular sport or sports.

Ron Hershberger, the retiring cross country coach, thanked the two female and two male runners who competed. Nelsen Petersen will pick up the mantle for the upcoming season.

Stephanie Corman, drill team coach, reviewed the season culminating with a second place finish in the high kick at the state tournament. The senior members of the team, Laci Kirchhoff, Haley Blackstone, Brooklyn Grabast and Neah McMeen were part of teams which scored a medal at state over their four-year tenure on the team.

Jess Diehl, volleyball coach, thanked her players and assistant coach, Chrissy Ehlers, for their hard work and dedication to the team.

Kirk Utecht, girls golf team coach, pointed out that Haley Blackstone will play collegiate golf at North Dakota State University. He thanked the team for their dedication to practice, the key element of their success. The team has qualified for the state championship the past two years since it was formed. He thanked Ron Thayer, the assistant coach for his hard work.

Seth Going, wrestling coach, thanked his seniors, Hayden Neeman, Henry Griljava and Aaron Allgood, for their leadership and hard work. Neeman qualified for the state tournament the past three years. He singled out Cheyenne Stacey for recognition as the first female Superior wrestler. She qualified for the state tournament this season. Going thanked his assistant coaches, Derek Hiatt and Dave Rughe.

Trent Siebecker reviewed the boys basketball season. He thanked his asaistant coach, Ryan Renz as well as his players for their leadership and never quitting athletics.

Jake Nannen congratulated the girls basketball team for their outstanding 20-5 season record. The team defeated Hastings St. Cecilia for the first time in 20 years. He thanked his assistant coach, Kirk Utecht, for his assistance and dedication. The team recorded a 12 game win streak over the course of the season. The team missed qualifying for the state tournament with a two-point loss to Sutton in the district final.

Nelsen Petersen provided a recap of the bowling team season. He noted that both the girls and boys teams had at least five members each. He expressed confidence in the upcoming season as the team had no graduating seniors while the underclassmen gained competition experience.

Ryan Renz, head track coach, noted the season is ongoing with district and state meets still ahead. He thanked his assistant coaches, Paul Heusinkvelt, Ron Hershberger, Andrew Miller, Andrew Diehl, Andy Meyer, Luke Meyer and Brent Rempel. He noted several team members had set personal best marks. He expects to have several qualifiers for the state meet at Omaha.

Kirk Utecht noted the season was still ongoing for the boys golf team. He thanked Ron Thayer, the assistant coach for his hard work. The team still has the district match where Utecht is hopeful team members will play their way into the state match.

Paul Heusinkvelt, the head football coach, reviewed the season. He commented on the low numbers and injuries which affected the team. He thanked his assistant coaches Seth Going, Ryan Renz, Derek Clark, Treg Vyzourek and Andrew Diehl. He complimented his players on their hard work and dedication in the face of adversity. He noted the uncertainty regarding the program for the upcoming season.

Stephanie Corman was introduced as the new athletic director. She is looking forward to working with the different coaches and their programs. She urged the student athletes to enjoy themselves. Corman thanked Paul Heusinkvelt for his assistance during the transition. Heusinkvelt will remain as the football coach as well as running the strength and conditioning program. This is in addition to his teaching duties.

Varsity letter awards were presented to the following athletes:

Senior class members: Aaron Allgood football, 10,11,12, track, 9, golf 10, 11, wrestling 10,11,12. Cristian Avalos football and track 11, 12, Roscoe Baumbach, football 12, basketball 9,11,12, Haley Blackstone, drill team, 9,10,11,12, golf 10,11,12, Hailey Blecha, track, 10,11,12, Noah Butler, bowling, 11,12, Ella Gardner, volleyball, 10,11,12, basketball, 10,11,12, track 9,10,11,12, Brooklyn Grabast, volleyball, 10,11,12, basketball, 9, drill team, 9,10,11,12, track 9,10,11,12. Ashton Grassman, football, 10,11, basketball, 10,11,12, golf, 11,12, Henry Griljava, football, 10,11,12, track 10,11,12, wrestling 12, Aiden Hunphries, football, 9,10,11,12, track, 9,10,11,12, bowling 10, Luke Jameson, football, 9,10,11,12, basketball, 11,12, track 9,10,11,12, Dereck Kirchhoff, track 10,11,12, Laci Kirchhoff, volleyball 10, cross country, 11,12, basketball, 9,10,11,12, drill team, 10,11,12, Atlee Kobza, volleyball, 10,11,12, basketball 9,10, track 9,10,11,12, bowling, 11, James Love, football, 9, 10, 12, track 9,10, 12, bowling, 11, Neah McMeen, volleyball 10, basketball, 9,10,11, drill team, 9,10,11,12, golf, 11,12, Jacob Meyer, football, 9 10, 11 12, Hayden Neeman, wrestling, 9,10, 11,12, football, 11, Owen Perrie, football, 10,11,12, basketball 12, track 11, Sadie Rempel, volleyball, 10, 11, 12, track, 9,10,11,12, bowling 11, Tate Streit, football, 10,11,12, basketball, 12, golf, 11, Tanner Theis, basketball, 10,11,12, track, 9,10,11,12, Riedar Vier, football, 12 track 12.

Junior class letter winners were Cayce Barry, volleyball and track, Teegan Duncan, volleyball, Lilly Edwards, volleyball, basketball, drill team, Tyler Everhart, football, Seth Griljava, football, Madison Heusinkvelt, volleyball, basketball, track, Carsyn Koening, basketball, golf, Theo Mathis, basketball, Nadia McMeen, drill team, Rebecca Tadeo, cross country, Lauren Tietjen, track, Neah Wilhelms, drill team.

Neah McMeen and Haley Blackstone recount the highlights of their state tournament qualifying girls golf team at last Friday's Superior High School Athletic Banquet held in the elementary school

Sophomore class letter winners were Halle Bargen, volleyball, basketball, track, drill team, Rayne Biltoft, golf, basketball, Faith Butler, volleyball, basketball, track, drill team, Sadie Cornell, volleyball, basketball, track, Mia Gardner, volleyball, track, Jada Hemion, bowling, Parker Littrell, bowling, Thomas Mathis, football, Colton McCutcheon, bowling, Christian Osweiller, football, Cheyenne Stacey, wrestling, Lenden Worm, bowling. Freshman class letter winners were Kyler Boyles, football and wrestling, Colten Butler, cross country, basketball, track, Dayne Clark, football, basketball, track, Teagan Cool, bowling, Jordan Duncan, track, Ayron Grassman, golf, Ariana Heusinkvelt, volleyball, basketball, track, Ava Kirchhoff, basketball, track, Khloe Mundorf, track, Kaitlyn Nielsen, drill team, Lincoln Sander, track, Cora Schnakenberg, track, drill team, Kash Wenske, cross country, Brayden Wulf, manager.