Welcome to the Nannen Physical Therapy Athlete of the Week Club Dylan Swanson, Austyn Flesner and Emilee Thayer-Mencke.
Let’s get right into it.
Dylan Swanson, Blair baseball: The senior Doane University recruit was vital to the Bears’ state tournament qualification, striking out 10 batters across six innings during the district semifinals against Bennington. He notched an RBI, too, getting his team to the finals. Special recognition goes to golfer Bode Soukup for his 79-stroke round, girls soccer standout Valeria Hernandez for one more goal and Swanson’s teammate, Tanner Jacobson, who pitched the Bears to one more win in the district finals.
Kaden Foust, Arlington track and field: The senior set a new school record last Monday to win the Nebraska Capitol Conference’s long jump. He soared 22 feet, 1 inch, breaking TJ Kloster’s 1997 mark of 21-11.75. The Eagle won the conference 400-meter dash, too, before three more gold medals during the AHS home meet a few days later. Special shoutout to Austyn Flesner and Trent Koger for their track and field efforts, too, as well as to baseball senior Blaine Vogt, who led his team in batting average and hits this spring.
Emilee Thayer-Mencke, Fort Calhoun track and field: The Pioneer broke out with a big jump Thursday in Arlington. She won the AHS Invite’s high jump by clearing the bar set at 5 feet, 2 inches. Special mention to the second-place teammate she topped in the event, Bria Bench, NCC track champ Preston Johnson and baseball senior Declyn Otte, who closed out his spring season with a strong pitching performance.
Thanks for reading.
As a forewarning, if I can hammer out the scheduling, we’ll get two Athlete of the Week video interviews this week. This past week’s fell through, but I’ll do my best to track down that athlete yet.
