THUNDERSTORM THROWS A DAMPER ON RANGE CONTEST

Rain, rain, go away became the unofficial theme for the 2007 Area 4 Range Judging Contest in Greeley County on September 18th. A brief, heavy thunderstorm in the Spalding area soaked the 331 competitors at the the contest, dropping about a half inch of rain in just 15 minutes. The contest was resumed two hour later when new score cards had been copied to replace those destroyed by the wet weather. Students and professionals from 11 area schools took part in the event, which was sponsored by the Lower Loup Natural Resources District, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Central IV Extension Service.

In the Senior Division, open to 11th and 12th graders, Aaron Gallegos of Ord took first place with a score of 478 points. Jeremy Wetovick of Fullerton was second, Tanner Dunbar of Sargent was third and Sloan McIntosh of Sargent was fourth.

In the Senior team competition, the Ord team of Gallegos, Aaron Kokes, Bailey McKay, and Sam Krikac finished first. The Sargent team of Dunbar, McIntosh, Spencer Sinner, and Luke Tobias was third. Fullerton’s Wetovick, Dillon Murray, Matt Voichahoske, and Skyler Herman were third and fourth place went to the Ord team of Jamie Hornickel, Amanda Duvall, Caleb Schauer, and Trisha Dahlke.

In the Junior Division, open to 9th and 10th graders, Wheeler Central swept the top two places led by first place winner Raymond Bernt with a score of 467 and Katie Thunker second with a 439. Loren Volf of Ord was third and Ashley Dugan of Greeley-Wolbach was fourth.

First place in the junior team competition went to the Wheeler Central team of Bernt, Thunker, Trevor Kahl, and Jamie Havel. Second place went to the Ord team of Thomas Sheppard, Debra Wray, Kris Hornickel and Elizabeth Vavra. Another Ord team finished third, Volf, Christie Schauer, Lindsey Vancura, and Sarah Hruza while the Wheeler Central team of Joni Qualm, Sydney Gehl, Hilary Kasperbauer, and Danielle Nichols was fourth.

FFA advisors competed in the professional division with Sargent’s Mike Kozeal taking first with a score of 477. Kevin Wetovick of Cedar Rapids was second, and Dave Ference of Ord and Kelly Guggenmos of Wheeler Central tied for third.

This page last modified on 9/28/07.