Washington County’s high school sports season is hitting its stride.
Things are good right now with plenty to write and talk about from standout performances to massive wins against the second-ranked football team in Class B.
Big time, right?
That’s what our latest Nannen Physical Therapy Athletes of the Week — Hailey O’Daniel, Cooper Sorensen and Tacey Belina — are. Big time.
Hailey O’Daniel, Arlington: This Arlington High School runner is a weekly candidate. If she posts a 5-kilometer time during any given week, she’s most-likely going to be in the discussion within my mind. This past Thursday, O’Daniel earned Athlete of the Week honors with her second-straight dominant race win. At the Washington County Fairgrounds, O’Daniel clocked in at 20:46.86, besting her second-place teammate — Corinne May — by more than a minute. Special mention goes to May, second-place Kolby Tighe and softball player Britt Nielsen, who homered and will remember this past week for more than just that. Check out the Eagles softball story this Tuesday for the details. Coach Janelle Lorsch said she’s never seen what happened happen before.
Cooper Sorensen, Blair football: Who would you give Athlete of the Week honors after a 33-point victory against the second-ranked team in Class B if the obvious choice, Brock Templar, just earned such honors a few weeks back? The quarterback, of course. Sorensen didn’t score six touchdowns against Gretna like his star running back, but the QB’s leadership efforts were shouted out unprompted by coach Bryan Soukup after the game. He was, unofficially, 9-for-13 passing with 178 yards. Two touchdowns were the direct result of his handiwork with the ball, too. Oh, yeah, and he did it all while toughing his way through a sore shoulder he picked up early on during the game. Those are Athlete of the Week quality details, no? Special mention goes to the Bears’ offensive and defensive lines as well as softball pitcher Brooke Janning, who shined again this week during her Senior Night game as well as the Eastern Midlands Conference Tournament.
Tacey Belina, Fort Calhoun softball: The sophomore played well during the Pioneers’ 3-0 week, which included a win against Class C No. 6 Douglas County West. She had five hits — including a double, a triple and a three-run homer — and eight RBIs to go with two pitching victories. Altogether this season, the FCHS standout is hitting .562 with four homers and 18 RBIs. She seems pretty good, huh? Special mention goes to Belina’s teammates, Addie Benoit and Izzy Greenough, who also had major contributions during the Pioneers’ homecoming week games. Greenough, notably, had a walk-off hit Saturday against David City Aquinas.
As always, thanks for reading. Make sure you congratulate any of the kids mentioned today for another great week contributing to a great Washington County sports scene that I and you get to enjoy.
