With the fall sports coming to a halt in the last couple of weeks, the coaches, athletes, and families gathered on December 15th, to celebrate achievements earned during this past season. Starting off with volleyball, Coach Jenna Maiers awarded some players with varsity letters, Allison Spieker, Jozie Lett, Lexie Ehrman, Taylor Bower, Zoey Baylor, Mallarie Peach, Ella Gundy, Marissa Spieker, Mady McKee, Maddie Holtz, Mallory Behnken, Helen Riker, Karys Hunt, and Naomi Grubbs. Other awards were given out, Jozie Lett received the 2nd Team All-Conference, Mallarie Peach got Honorable Mention All-Conference, and Allison Spieker was part of the KMAland Senior Volleyball All-Star Game.

Next down the line was cheerleading with Coach Ellie Stirek handing out multiple awards. Varsity letter winners were Haley Luke, Sammi Jahde, Kaylee Hardin, Lexie Ehrman, Jade Jackson, Natalie Blaine, Kylie Alff, Emily Plagman, Zoey Baylor, Taylor Bower, Abby Follmann and Elly Peters. The cheerleaders also received a State Cheerleader Award for cheering during the playoffs. Coach Stirek shares, “We are one team, we are dedicated we are respectful, we are encouraging, we are positive, we are accountable, we are CAM Cheer. This is what I want them to strive to be.”

Next, was Coach Todd Russell, and he spoke about his boy’s and girl’s cross country teams. Coach Russell talked a lot on how anyone can be whatever they want to be, and how today is different from yesterday and tomorrow, and to do your best in the present. His speech seemed to click with everyone who was in attendance since his message reached well beyond just who was sitting there. Coach Russell talked about how at the last meet of the season, seven kids had their best time, four had their 2nd best time, and one got her 4th best time, while injured.

Moving onto football, Head Coach Joe Wollum spoke about the amazing accomplishments the team had during this season. Captains for the 2019-20 season were Nathan Hensley, Cade Ticknor, Jacob Holste and Ben Tibken, Team MVP went to Ethan Steffensen, Joe Geren Offensive MVP – Lane Spieker, OL MVP –Ben Tibken, Defensive MVP – Jacob Holste, DL MVP – Ethan Fast, Special Teams MVP –Nate Hensley, Mr. Hustle – Jaxson Bell, Most Improved – Reese Oglesbee, Coaches Award - Mason Chester, JV MVP – Karter Hilpipre, Outstanding Freshman – Gabe Rouse, Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year – Nate Hensley, Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year – Ty Eblen, Academic All District – Ethan Arp, Ethan Fast, Nathan Hensley, Jacob Holste, Joe Kauffman, Lane Spieker, Ben Tibken and Cade Ticknor, All District, District 8 Special Teams Player of the Year – Lane Spieker, District 8 Lineman of the Year - Ethan Steffensen, 1st Team – Ethan Steffensen, Lane Spieker, Jacob Holste and Colby Rich, 2nd Team – Joe Kauffman and Ethan Fast, Honorable Mention – Cade Ticknor, Ben Tibken and Ethan Arp. Great job to all who participated in fall sports!!

The five winter sports were brought together by a banquet held Thursday, March 14th. As the winter season closes, teams look back on their accomplishments as they celebrated with food and fellowship. The dance team, cheerleaders, wrestlers, and boys/girls basketball, were all recognized of their seasons and awards they have earned. The student-athletes and parents ate and fellowshipped before the awards started to roll in. The order of events were dance, team, cheerleaders, wrestlers, boys basketball, and girls basketball. The dance team gave out various awards along with varsity letters. They talked about their year and how they wish to make it to state performing more than one routine. The cheerleading portion was filled with multiple awards for each student along with varsity letters as well. The cheerleaders also received medals for their hard work during the girl’s state basketball games. Wrestling consisted of six boys, Mitchell Williamson, Sam Martin, Noah Ryker, Jaxson Bell, Ethan Follmann and Nolan Hensley. Three of those receiving varsity letters; Mitchell Williamson, Sam Martin, and Jaxson Bell. McKenna Stuhr was also recognized for her efforts as a manager. The boys' basketball team was given their varsity letters along with the following awards;

Team awards:

MVP- Jacob Holste

D-up award- Lane Spieker

Most Improved award- Nate Hensley

Mr. Hustle award- Joe Kauffman

Windex award- Isaac Bower

Conference awards:

2nd team- Jacob Holste

Honorable mention- Nate Hensley, Ben Tibken

After the boys, the girls came on stage to receive numerous awards along with varsity letters and recognition of their state tournament appearance. The following awards were presented:

Team awards:

MVP- Madison Gettler

Defensive POY- Paige McAfee

Miss Hustle award- Zoey Baylor

Coaches award- Macy Ticknor

Most Improved award- Sammi Jahde

Chairman of the Boards- Molly Venteicher

JV MVP- Maddie Holtz

Outstanding Freshman- Marissa Spieker

Team First award- Shelby Stephenson

Conference awards:

1st team- Madison Gettler, Paige McAfee

2nd team- Sammi Jahde

Honorable mention- Macy Ticknor, Shelby Stephenson

All Region team- Madison Gettler

All District team- Madison Gettler

All State team- Madison Gettler- 1st team IGCA, 2nd team IPSWA

With the state wrestling tournament wrapped up and state basketball right around the corner, it's time for spring sports to start. As golfers and soccer players are waiting for the snow to melt, the tracksters have begun their journey to the blue oval on Monday, February 11th. These official practices held for non-winter sports athletes means that the season is fast approaching. Golf and soccer are set to begin official practices on Monday, March 11th. When asked about the upcoming season, girls head track coach Luke Symonds said, “I am excited to begin the season, and am looking forward to watching the girls improve throughout the next three months.”

As volleyball and football have wrapped up their season this week and cross country had their district meet last week, the athletes at CAM High School are directing their attention to their respective winter sports. There are a couple more weeks of preparation before the Cougar athletes start their practices. The girls basketball team is set to begin practice on Monday, November 5th, and the boys basketball team begins their practice on Monday, November 12th. The wrestlers will also start going to Atlantic to start their season on November 12th. When asked about the season, Coach Symonds (assistant boys basketball coach) stated, “We are looking forward to the season and seeing who will step up to fill the holes left after last year. Everyone is excited to see what this season will bring!”

On Sunday, September 23, the CAM Student Council put on their first Powderpuff event. At 5pm, the freshmen and sophomore girls marched onto the field with hopes that they’ll walk off and be able to play in the championship game. The game went into double overtime, until the sophomore girls came out on top, eliminating the freshman from the bracket. Next up, we had the juniors and seniors face off in an exciting matchup. Going into this game, the juniors didn’t have too high of expectations but they all surprised themselves when they went into overtime, with the score of 14-14. The seniors ran their final play, getting them a leading score of 20-14, allowing them to advance to the next round. Finally, the seniors met the sophomores on the field to see who would come out as champions. The game was going a steady 0-0 until sophomore, Zoey Baylor, made the first touchdown and the game kept getting more exciting from there. The anticipation was high and the crowd was great as the sophomore girls celebrated.