Sophomore offensive lineman Austin Fox and the UW-River Falls football team picked up a crucial 17-14 victory over UW-Osh- kosh. A 2022 Prescott alumnus, Fox and the Falcons are 2-0 in conference play and 4-1 overall. The Falcons entered the weekend as the #17 ranked team in Division III.

The Prescott Cardinal volleyball team re ceived the #8 seed with host #9 Northwest- ern on Oct. 18. Conference co-leader Bald win-Woodville grabbed the #1 seed and will host the winner of the game between Prescott and Northwestern. In the most recent Wis- consin Volleyball Coaches Association state rankings, Baldwin-Woodville is listed as Honorable Mention and Bloomer, another team listed as Honorable Mention received the #2 seed.

Speaking of volleyball, there are 65 Wisconsin high schools that have WIAA sanctioned boys volleyball teams. Not one boys team is within 250 miles of Prescott. There are six schools in the Middle Bor- der Conference with soccer teams. Prescott and Ellsworth are the two schools that do not sponsor a WIAA sanctioned soccer team. There are over 300 high schools in the state with soccer teams.

The Osceola and Amery girls cross country teams are ranked #7 and #8 respectively in the most recent Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association State Poll. The Osceola boys team also cracks the top ten list at #10.

Isabella Lenz and the Michigan Tech Hus- kies ovcially begin practice on Saturday, Oct. 15. Coming ou an 18-11 season a year ago, the Huskies are expected to finish in the upper half of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Lenz, the all-time lead – ing scorer in Prescott Cardinal basketball history, played in all 29 games for Michigan Tech last season and was named the Conference Freshman of the Year. After an exhibition game in early November against UW-Green Bay, the Huskies will open the 2022-23 season against William Jewell Col lege in Liberty, Mo.

Congratulations to Head Coach Rob Heller and the Ellsworth Panthers on winning their third consecutive Middle Border Conference Championship. Friday’s victory over Prescott was the 19th consecutive conference victory and gave the Panthers a two-game lead in the standings with one game remaining. Also on Friday night fans might have been thinking they were looking at a basketball score. They were not. The Amery Warriors scored 28 fourth quarter points and came from behind to defeat Somerset by a score of 62-58.

Hats ou to 1994 Prescott High School alumnus Matt Monteith for volunteering his time and equipment to improve the outfield edge of the infield at Firehall Field. Monte – ith and several other members of the CAB Company removed “the lip” that was caus –

ing significant drainage problems on the in –

field. Speaking of the CAB Company, the or ganization is in search of someone who will mow the outfield at Firehall Field during the spring and summer of 2023.

Once again Hall of Fame Committee Chairperson Tanya Sponholz reminds every – one that nominations for 2023 Prescott Hall of Fame Induction are being accepted. Those interested in nominating someone for Hall of Fame consideration can at this address: https://www.prescott.k12.wi.us/community/ hall-of-fame.cfm From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: The DNR will host the fourth of several educational hunting webinars on Oct. 19 for anyone new to hunting or looking to learn more about hunting. The webinar series is in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever and Becoming an Outdoorswoman. The series is designed for those interested in hunting, fish ing and trapping. Each episode will feature guest speakers sharing their experiences getting started with hunting and include discussions addressing common challenges faced by those new to hunting, fishing or trapping. October’s webinar is titled – Wanna Go Hunting: Where Can We Practice Shooting? – and will share information about finding firearm and archery shooting ranges, target practice opportunities, range etiquette and safety rules.

Much to the amazement of the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association and its mem – bers, the WIAA Board of Control approved a four-day state tournament beginning next spring. Bravo to WIAA Executive Board Member Mel Dow who pushed forward the WBCA’s plan for an expanded tournament. The WBCA has felt for years that cramming the state tournament into three days made for a poor experience for the participants and their fans, with games starting at 8 a.m. and sometimes not concluding until after midnight. The tournament will begin on a Monday with the four Division I quarterfinal games. Tuesday will feature two Division I semifinals along with Division II semifi nals. Wednesday will have the two Division IV semi-finals along with the two Division III semi-finals. Finally, Thursday will feature the four state championship games, beginning at 10 a.m.

“Hats ou to Mr. Dow and the WIAA for endorsing the long sought-after change,” WBCA President John Hamilton, who spear – headed the new plan along with other WBCA Executive Board members said. “It is going to make the state tournament an even better experience for everyone involved.”

In other baseball news, rumor has it the WIAA is considering adding a fifth division for the tournament series. At the present time there is little, if any support from Wiscon- sin Baseball Coaches on adding a fifth class during the WIAA tournament.

Headshaker of the week. When it comes to high school sports, Wisconsin Coaches Associations play a pivotal role in extracurricular activities. These organizations are responsible for a myriad of events connected to their respective sports. They host coaching clinics for professional development, present both athletic and academic All District and All State awards to deserving athletes, organize Hall of Fame banquets, and provide im- portant sport specific feedback to the WIAA Executive Board. These associations play a vital role in the realm of high school athletics. In order for these associations to issue hundreds of certificates, host yearly coaching clinics featuring some of the best coaches in the United States, and organize All Star competitions, each association charges a nominal membership fee for coaches wanting to join the association. In order for a player to be el- igible to enjoy the benefits of these organi zations, the head coach must belong to their said coaches’ association. Over the years some fans, parents, and even some coaches have complained about having to pay a membership fee in order to enjoy the benefits provided by the organization. You have got to be kidding me. Grumbling about paying a membership fee to a coaches association? It’s a headshaker.