Sports

Jordan Yessak, the son of Jason and Anita Yessak, of Vinton is among the qualifiers for the State Track Meet which begins Thursday.  Jordan qualified for the Class 1A 3200 run as a member of the Dunkerton track team; his father is the Activities Director as well as varsity girls basketball and assistant varsity baseball coach for that district; Jordan open-enrolls there.

Along with the old-time traditions like pep rallies, the Vinton-Shellsburg track teams are celebrating their state qualification with a new tradition that began in the past year: A gathering at Ehlinger's Express.  The boys met there last night, where Mel Davis, manager (and Vikette track mom) welcomed the team. After a complimentary meal, the boys received a carnation and painted some of the windows.

This spring I had the privilege of coaching the Vinton-Shellsburg 7th grade girl’s track team. The girls did a fantastic job and were a great group to be around. They worked hard at practice and tried their best during meets. The combination of working hard and trying their best, as well as a lot of natural talent led to this team having a wonderful season.

The Vinton Community Swimming Pool will officially open to the public for the season on Saturday, May 23rd. Some modifications have been made to next week’s hours since school will still be in session.   Saturday, May 23 – Regular Hours Sunday, May 24 – Regular Hours Monday, May 25 – Regular Hours (Memorial Day) Tuesday, May 26 – 6-7 AM Lap Swim;  4–8 PM General Swim Wednesday, May 27 - 6-7 AM Lap Swim;  2–8 PM General Swim Regular hours will follow   Regular hours are: General Swim - 1-5 PM, 7-8 PM All days Family Swim - 6-7 PM All days Lap Swim – Monday – Saturday    Noon – 1 PM, 5-6 PM Morning Lap Swim – Tuesdays & Thursdays   6-7 AM No lap swim on Sundays   Also, just a reminder that the opportunity to save a little cash by snatching up discounted family or single swim passes is almost over.

The IMCA Hawkeye Dirt Tour opens for the fourth time in five years at Benton County Speedway, when the green flag flies on Tuesday, May 19.  Traveling IMCA Xtreme Motorsports Modifieds race for $1,000 to win and a minimum of $150 to start. If not already qualified, the winner will be added to the 2015 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot.

The Vikings played Friday at Pin Oak Links in Manchester at sectionals trying to advance to district play for the second consecutive year.  The Vikings placed third shooting 316 and will advance to districts on Wednesday at the Amana Colonies Golf Course. Daniel Janssen led the way shooting 76 and placing fifth as an individual.  Tyler Stueck, Austin Bohnsack and Brandan Geiger all came in at 80 for the Vikings.

Lauren Tandy led the V-S girls golf team, finishing third in the 18-hole South Tama Invitational. The Vikettes finished in third in team scoring. Coach's report: May 16, 2015 So. Tama Invititational Tama-Toledo Country Club, par 70 Overcast and warm; mid 60s   Team Results: Newton                       372 Nevada                        381 V-S                              390 Benton                                    403 Grinnell                       431 So.

Michael Neal has decided to continue his wrestling career at the University of Dubuque, where he will study criminal justice. Neal, the son of Todd and Gena Neal, earned 5th in the 2015 State meet.  His parents joined coach James Locke in a signing event on Thursday.  Neal said he chose Dubuque because of its strong criminal justice program, as well as for how much he felt at home with his future teammates.

Dawne Schminke accomplished a goal she set four seasons ago: Earn a spot in the State Track meet each year. The Vinton-Shellsburg senior earned a spot in the 2015 meet in the 100M dash.  Dawne was one of many VS Vikettes who qualified for State during Thursday's rainy, cold and windy meet in Marion.  VS Vikettes heading to State Track:  Lily Horst- 3000m 4x200 Relay Payton Leonard- 400m  Bristi Gerber- 800 Sprint Med Relay Amanda Dedrick- Discus Dawne Schminke- 100 Possible at-large qualifiers: 4x100, 1500, 4x800, 4x400 In boys events, the Vikings 4 x 200 team (Joel Barnes, Nick Hyland, Jodran Womochil and Tyler Bartz) finished with the third-fastest qualifying time in Class 3A.

The Vikings went to play in Marion at the Gardner Golf Course Monday for the WaMac Super Meet.  The conditions were very tough throughout the meet with gusty winds, wet playing conditions, and on the chilly side as well.  The Vikings battled and really stayed focused as they finished in second place.  It was a total team effort as they were tied with Williamsburg and Mount Vernon all carding 325 with the top 4 scores.