Janessa Zweibahmer watches her jump shot go in during last week’s game against Clayton Ridge. Zweibahmer had eight points, 11 rebounds, and four steals in the game. Earlier in the week, the Warrior senior had a triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 steals in a win over North Butler. (Zakary Kriener photo)

SW girls win season opener, fall to Clayton Ridge

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The Warrior girls got their season underway last week, winning it’s season opener over North Butler before falling to Clayton Ridge the following night.

Blue Devil GBB falls to Kee in game No. 1

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

West Central got its season underway Tuesday night, Nov. 23, at Kee as the Blue Devils fell, 39-32.

The Devils trailed by just three points (23-20) at the half and were able to tie it up after three quarters (30-30) before being outscored 9-2 in the final quarter.

The North Fayette Valley student section was loud and proud Tuesday night (Nov.23) as the TigerHawk girls’ basketball team opened it’s season against MFL/MarMac. (Zakary Kriener photo)

NFV girls fall to Bulldogs in season opener

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The North Fayette Valley girls got their 2021-2022 basketball season underway last week as the MFL/MarMac Bulldogs came to town Tuesday night (Nov. 23). The TigerHawks started out hot, leading 18-14 after a quarter, but ultimately fell by a score of 58-42.

The 2021 TigerHawk football team stepped up to the plate and produced one of the best records in school history. North Fayette Valley ended it’s season in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A playoffs with a 9-2 record and both losses coming to last year’s State champion team, Waukon. (Zakary Kriener photo)

NFV comes up short against returning champ Waukon

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Friday night featured a clash of Class 2A titans as the hometown TigerHawks traveled to Waukon to take on the reigning State champion Indians in the Quarterfinal round of the playoffs.

With both teams putting it all on the line, the TigerHawks ultimately came up short (28-14) to Waukon after a hard fought battle between the two northeast Iowa teams.

The South Winneshiek girls’ cross country team won the 2021 State championship on Saturday in Fort Dodge. Runners (l-r) Eryn Sabelka, Billie Wagner, Josie Tieskoetter, Karissa Wenthold, Ella Willey, Anna Dietzenbach, and Megan Hageman (coaches Scott Conway and Kevin Kearney) finished with 104 points to capture the first ever State title for the Warrior girls’ program. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Cross Country State Champions!

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Their ticket has been redeemed! The South Winneshiek girls’ cross country team cashed in on Saturday at the State Meet in Fort Dodge to claim the school’s first-ever State title.

“Our girls’ team was not going to be denied this year,” said a proud co-coach Kevin Kearney after the big day. “They were as determined as any group we have ever coached. We were not at 100 percent in terms of health, and it just never occurred to them that it was going to impact their goals.”

Turkey Valley senior Jalyssa Blazek posted one of the most impressive times in Class 1A girls’ State cross country history on Saturday as she finished in 18:36.25. The time broke the previous record, but she finished second behind Calamus-Wheatland’s Noelle Steines who set the new Class 1A record with a blazing time of 18:20.91. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Blazek posts second-fastest time ever at State XC

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Turkey Valley senior runner Jalyssa Blazek had a historic day at Saturday’s State Cross Country Meet in Fort Dodge. Blazek finished second in Class 1A, making it four career top-six finishes at the State Meet. Her runner-up finish was also the second-fastest time ever recorded at the State Meet in Class 1A.

It takes all 11! NFV fullback Blake Reichter carries the ball as several of his teammates engage their blocks and make room. On the night, the TigerHawks rushed for 332 yards total with Reichter leading the way with 129 yards and a pair of touchdowns. (Zakary Kriener photo)

NFV overcomes fast Monticello start to win, 27-14

By Zakary Kriener

It wasn’t the way anyone wanted to start, but it was definitely the finish everyone in TigerHawk black and blue was looking for.

“I think it was partly the kids getting used to the speed of their offense,” said coach Justin Heins in reference to NFV getting behind by two touchdowns early in Friday night’s round two playoff win over Monticello. “We switched from running more zone defense to more of a man-to-man defense.”

Eryn Sabelka, the lone senior member of the No. 2-ranked Warrior girls’ cross country team, returned to the course last week as she placed 12th and helped South Winn capture the District title with 47 points. Sabelka crossed the finish line at 21:49.3. (Zakary Kriener photo)

SW girls take District title, Kruckman also on to State

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

On Thursday afternoon at Guttenberg Golf Course, the South Winneshiek girls’ and boys’ cross country teams both put forth gutsy performances that resulted in the No. 2-ranked Warrior girls and No. 13-ranked individual Isaiah Kruckman both qualifying for State!

South Winn senior Ruthie Frana makes the dig as fellow senior Eryn Luzum watches closely during a recent Warrior volleyball match. Last week, the SW girls picked up a postseason win over West Fork before falling to No. 9-ranked Osage in the Region 6 quarterfinals. (Zakary Kriener photo - file)

SW netters fall to #9 Green Devils in quarterfinals

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

South Winn’s volleyball season came to an end Wednesday night, Oct. 20, on the road at No. 9-ranked Osage.

“The Green Devil offense came out strong and put a lot of pressure on us,” said coach Alex Smith. “Osage is ranked (No. 9) and is last year’s State championship team.”

West Central outside hitter Aaliyah Gordon goes for the dig during recent volleyball action. Last week, Gordon and the Blue Devils fell to Tripoli in the first round of the Class 1A Region 5 tournament. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Blue Devils fall to Tripoli in postseason

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The Blue Devil volleyball team had its 2021 season come to an end Monday night, Oct. 18, as Tripoli got the 3-0 victory in the first round of the Class 1A Region 5 bracket.