Sports

The Niobrara National Scenic River (NSR) is happy to announce additional programs for the summer! The Niobrara National Scenic River will be hosting Junior Ranger programs on Sunday mornings (excluding special event days) at Smith Falls State Park from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. On days with special events or adverse weather, the Junior Ranger program will be offered at the Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Center located in Valentine, NE.

Brown County Hospital held its 19th Annual Fundraising Golf Tournament on Friday June 17th. Twenty-four teams participated in the tournament with the Homestead Bank team taking top honors.

Erin Painter placed fourth and earned All-American status at the 2022 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in Gulf Shores, AL on May 25th–27th when she threw the discus 145’7”. Painter is a 2020 graduate of Ainsworth High School and a sophomore at Concordia University. She is double-majoring in Geography and World Intercultural Studies and double-minoring in Spanish and Environmental Studies. Painter also qualified for Nationals as a freshman last year, when she placed 23rd. Painter was seeded 11th going into the NAIA National Championship Women’s Discus Throw and placed fourth with 145’7’’. Madison Stutton of Benedictine College, Atchinson, KS took first place in the women’s discus with a 158’4” throw. “Being a student-athlete at Concordia is the best part of my college journey so far. Track has provided me with so many opportunities to learn and grow,” Painter said.

Bulldog alum and UNK junior Ben Arens is an All-American in the steeplechase after running a 8:52.43 at the 2022 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships in Allendale, MI on Thursday, May 26th. Ben Arens, a 2019 AHS graduate, is a pre-med biology major with a health sciences emphasis at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Area Middle School athletes competed in the 2022 Nebraska Middle School Track and Field Championship Meet on May 14th in Gothenburg. Gracyn Painter and Addah Booth from Ainsworth Middle School participated in the meet.

The AHS Boys Golf team traveled to Wausa for the NSAA District D3 competition at Rolling Hills Country Club. Cash Reynolds scored 92 on 18 holes, placing 16th.

The final night of the Spring Trap League was held on Wednesday, May 18th at The Sandhills Rod & Gun Club east of Ainsworth. Final scores: Mob County - 799, 1st Class Auto - 789, Ainsworth Golf - 777, Ripley Chevy - 776, Berry Creek - 772, Doug’s Mobil - 754, Weed Wackers - 743, Weed Eaters - 727 and Home Town Lumber - 720.

During a cool and windy opening night, Thursday, May 19th for Men’s League Golf at the Ainsworth Municipal Golf Course, just three golfers managed to keep their scores in the 30s. Doug Weiss led the field on opening night with a 1-over par round of 37.

Nick Martin carded a 10-under par round of 62 on Sunday, May 22nd to win the championship flight of the One-Person Scramble at the Ainsworth Municipal Golf Course. Martin finished two shots ahead of three players.

Valentine had six girls in seven events along with two boys in two events to the 2022 Class C NSAA State Track Meet in Omaha. Tacey From took the 8th place medal in the 400 Meter Dash in a time of 1:02.01 and placed 15th in the 200 Meter Dash Prelims.