RUNZA SENIORS BATTLE GI HOME FEDERAL AT MEMORIAL FIELD:
After a strong weekend in Omaha, the Runza Seniors return to Memorial Field tonight to battle GI Home Federal in a rematch from the opening game of the season for Runza.
The game also coincides with Hero Appreciation Night, where Kearney Baseball will honor all veterans, active duty military personnel, firefighters, and law enforcement. Free admission as well as free popcorn and drink is approved for all veterans and active duty military and spouses, firefighters, and law enforcement.
Pregame coverage on KGFW begins at 7:20 PM with Austin Jacobsen on the call. First pitch is set for 7:30 PM.
MALCOLM SELECTED AS MIAA MALE STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR:
More Loper awards roll in from the past athletic season, as the MIAA announced its 2021-22 Ken. B Jones winners at the Association’s 2022 Award Celebration. The male winner was Matt Malcom (wrestling) of UNK.
Earlier in the evening, UNK took home the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Cup.
During this past year, Malcolm was a “COVID-senior” wrestling student-athlete from Glenwood, Ia. Beginning his career at the University of Iowa in 2016-17, he helped lead the Lopers to the 2022 National Title with a program-record 127.0 points. Malcom was crowned the individual National Champion at 165 pounds.
Malcom finished the winter with an overall record of 30-2, including a flawless 24-0 record against Division II opponents, out-scoring them by a 40-2 margin at the NCAA Championships.
Malcom will be working at Bellevue East High School this coming fall, serving as head wrestling coach and Physical Education teacher.
HUSKERS NAB SCOTTSBLUFF NATIVE:
Nebraska landed its first commitment directly from a big June official visit weekend as Scottsbluff offensive lineman Brock Knutson is staying home. The lineman announced his commitment on Twitter Monday Morning.
Knutson picked up a Nebraska offer in April as the Huskers joined the fray of Midwest programs intrigued by the 6-foot-7, 270-pound offensive lineman. A handful of Power Five programs, including Arizona State, Kansas State and Iowa State, all offered.
The big lineman has made several visits to Lincoln prior to the official, but this became Nebraska’s chance to formalize its pitch and attempt to shut down the recruitment and the Huskers proved successful in doing so.
Knutson is commitment No. 7 for the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 2023 class and the third in-state offensive lineman as he joins Gunnar Gottula and Sam Sledge.
SOLICH ON 2023 CFB HALL OF FAME BALLOT::
Frank Solich, Nebraska’s head football coach from 1998 to 2003, is one of nine FBS coaches to earn a spot on the 2023 ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame released Monday.
For the first time in at least 20 years, no former Husker made the ballot as a player. Former Nebraska offensive lineman Zach Wiegert, however, will be enshrined later this year as part of the 2022 class.
Solich retired as head coach at Ohio last summer at age 76. During his 22 seasons as a head coach, he compiled a record of 173-101, including 58-19 in his six seasons at Nebraska.
Solich arrived in Lincoln from Cleveland in 1962, coach Bob Devaney’s first season at Nebraska. Solich earned the nickname “Fearless Frankie” as an undersized fullback and became the first Husker to rush for 200 yards in a game.
HUSKER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ADDS NEW ASSISTANT COACH:
The Nebraska women’s basketball program has added a talented and experienced assistant coach with the hiring of Jessica Keller, Husker Head Coach Amy Williams announced on Monday
Keller comes to Nebraska after spending five seasons as an assistant at Illinois State, including two seasons as the associate head coach. In her final season with the Redbirds, Keller helped lead Illinois State to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title and a bid to the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
Before serving five seasons as an assistant at ISU, Keller spent three successful seasons as the head coach at Columbia College in Missouri.
Keller compiled a 75-24 overall record in three seasons at the NAIA level, including a 55-17 mark in the American Midwest Conference.
NEBRASKA SOFTBALL PICKS UP WATT AS VOLUNTEER COACH:
Nebraska softball Head Coach Rhonda Revelle announced the addition of Mark Watt on Monday as the volunteer coach for the Huskers.
Watt joins the Huskers after spending the last 20 years at Lincoln Southwest as the head coach of the varsity softball team. He helped the Silver Hawks to four state titles (2008, 2009, 2018 and 2021). Watt also led the Silver Hawks to nine Heartland Athletic Conference Tournament titles, eight regular-season conference titles and 13 district championships.
Watt finished his career as the all-time winningest softball coach in state history with 579 victories.
KEARNEY HIGH BASEBALL PLAYERS RECEIVE ALL-STATE RECOGNITION:
Several Bearcats earned All-State recognition over the weekend for their work for the Kearney High Baseball team.
Korben Rich was named first-team all Super-State by the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star. Receiving honorable mentions included Brayden Anderson and Reese Bober.
Grand Island’s Tyler Fay was also listed as second team all Super-State.
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
MONDAY:
- NHL WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: Game 4 @ Edmonton
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- COLORADO AVALANCHE 6 – 5 Edmonton Oilers (COL 4-0)
TUESDAY:
- Runza Senior Legion Baseball v. GI Home Federal @ Memorial Field – 7:30 PM
- Pregame on KGFW at 7:20 PM
- POST 52 Juniors @ Columbus – 5 PM
- NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: Game 4 @ Tampa Bay – 7 PM
- New York Rangers @ Tampa Bay Lightning (NYR 2-1)
WEDNESDAY:
- Runza Senior Legion Baseball v. Columbus Cornerstone @ Memorial Field – 7:30 PM
- Pregame on KGFW at 7:20 PM
- POST 52 Juniors v. Hastings @ Memorial Field – 5 PM
- NBA FINALS: Golden State Warriors @ Boston Celtics – 8 PM (Tied 1-1)
THURSDAY:
- NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: Game 5 @ New York – 7 PM
FRIDAY:
- Runza Seniors – @ Pete/Coach K Lincoln Tournament
- @ Modern Real Estate Post 8 – 3 PM
- POST 52 – Kearney/GI/Hastings Tournament
- NBA FINALS: Golden State Warriors @ Boston Celtics – 8 PM
SATURDAY:
- Runza Seniors – @ Pete/Coach K Lincoln Tournament
- @ Lincoln East Carpet Land Seniors – 10 AM
- v. Peitzmeier Demolition Seniors – 12:30 PM (@ Lincoln)
- POST 52 – Kearney/GI/Hastings Tournament
- NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: Game 6 @ Tampa Bay – 7 PM (TBA)
SUNDAY:
- Runza Seniors – @ Pete/Coach K Lincoln Tournament
- POST 52 – Kearney/GI/Hastings Tournament
