Sports

Joel Klammer led the field Thursday, June 23rd during Men’s League Golf at the Ainsworth Golf Course with a 2-under par round of 34. Klammer finished a shot ahead of Doug Weiss and Kevin Martin, who both carded 1-under par rounds of 35.

Low scores for the Ainsworth Ladies League golf for June 15th were: 40 - Jen Martin; 41 - Brenda Konkoleski; 48 - Ashley Martin and Darlene Ehlers; and 49 - Rhonda Theis. Low net scores were: 30 - Brenda Konkoleski; 31 – Brenda Davis; and 32 – Rhonda Theis and Tamara Hancock.

Users of the Main Ramp Area at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area should be aware of repairs there June 22-24 that will result in temporary closures. Water draining from the pullthrough near the ramp area has caused erosion undermining the sidewalk attached to the boat ramp, and immediate repairs are needed.

Applications for paddlefish snagging permits will be accepted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission July 1-14. Applications begin at 1:00 p.m.

The Kansas Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association has announced the track and field coach of the year recipients. Burlington’s Shane Clapper is amoung those who have been honored as coaches of the year.

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.