CHEROKEE — The Sioux Central Rebels softball team kicked off its season with a game at Cherokee on Tuesday. They didn’t waste any time attacking on offense, torching the Braves for nine runs in the top of the first inning. Sioux Central would defeat Cherokee 13-0 in three innings, since it is required to call the contest if the lead is 12 or more after the third inning.

CHEROKEE — After finishing up the track season, Sioux Central was officially ready to begin its 2023 summer baseball season. The team started its season with a game at Cherokee-Washington to face the 0-3 Braves. Cherokee would get the better of Sioux Central thanks to the fourth inning, winning 5-3.

SPENCER — Fresh off winning the 100-meter hurdles state championship in 3A last weekend, Spencer’s Jerra Merchant decided where she wanted to continue running track. Merchant made the decision official on Tuesday to be a Panther for the University of Northern Iowa.

The GTRA Bulls Eyes Trap Team spent most of February and March practicing indoors with the DryFire Simulator at the Ruthven American Legion. Experienced athletes worked on refining their skills, new athletes learned about stance, gun mount, hold points, lead time and follow-through along with safety procedures to follow on the range. The athletes were finally able to get outside in April and put those skills to the test with live ammunition.

DES MOINES — Jerra Merchant has had her eye on the prize of becoming the top hurdler in 3A all season. She didn’t waste the opportunity to compete at the state track meet in Des Moines, winning the 100-meter hurdle final with a state record time of 14.39.

DES MOINES — It all came down to the blue oval for the final meet of the 2023 Iowa high school track season. The Spencer boys team got the chance to compete in multiple events.

The group of Miles Robbins, Jack Berends, Campbell Wessels and Keaton Stanzel competed in the 4x100-meter relay for the Tigers. The group put together its best performance in the event, clocking a 42.91 for a fourth place finish. That time was the school record for Spencer in the event.

LAKE PARK — The Spencer baseball team wrapped up its first week of the season with two games. The team split the contests, winning one and losing one to improve to 2-1 on the season.

DES MOINES — The Sioux Central girls shuttle hurdle relay team has been progressing through the season as one of the top teams in Iowa. Saturday, they made their case, winning the event for the state title.

The group of Ryleigh Waldstein, Berkley Johannsen, Brynn Webber and Preslie Peterson took the top spot in the event with a time of 1:04.67, setting the 2A state record with a time of 1:04.67.

ORANGE CITY — Kendra Casey has been a staple for the Sioux Central Rebels girls golf team all season long. She got the chance to advance to state as an individual at Landsmeer Golf Club in Orange City. Casey would be successful in her effort, carding a 93 and ending up in fourth place. The round punched her ticket to the American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown on May 25-26.

DES MOINES — The Sioux Central boys track team competed at their state competition in Des Moines over the weekend. The meet was highlighted by a sixth place finish for the 4x400-meter relay team of Carter Boettcher, Ethan Mills, Greg Peterson and Max Adams. The group finished with a time of 3:27.13.

Illinois volunteers and staff of Mothers Against Drunk Driving are teaming up with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to promote safe boating and ATV seasons and to educate about the dangers of operating a boat, watercraft and all-terrain vehicles while impaired by alcohol or other drugs.

Chronic wasting disease was confirmed in 96 deer that were tested during the 2022 monitoring season, including deer from three new counties — Jasper, Grundy and Lucas. With the addition of Jasper County, chronic wasting disease has again come into central Iowa.

It’s a new fishing season for many of us. We’re excited to get back on the water, and we’re also excited to try new equipment and techniques in our attempts to catch a few or a lot of fish. But before we hit the water, it’s a good idea to get some thoughts together regarding those attempts to catch a few or a lot of fish. Following are some of those thoughts.

The third annual Bass Federation’s Student Angler Federation Iowa State Championship held on Saturday for the first time ever on the Okoboji chain of lakes turned out to be quite a shoot-out in the High School Division (grades 9-12). High skies, sunshine and a light variable wind welcomed the contestants as they left the Emerson Bay Boat Ramp area at 7 a.m.

DES MOINES — All the work put in this season by athletes has come down to state track this weekend. By the end of Saturday, Iowa will crown its 2023 high school track champions to end the season. For watching purposes, if you can’t make the trip tune into www.ihssn.com as they will be broadcasting for free.

GIRLS