The first round has started, and here is what went down (This entry will update after each match):

112 - John Diekel was taken down in the first period by Tom Page of Eden, but scored two back points near the end of the second period to tie the score at 2-2. Diekel tried to fend off an escape by Page in the third, but got called for neck scissors, a one-point penalty. The match ended at 3-2.

John will now face Cory Necketopoulos, who was beaten by Noah Valastro in the opening round.

125 - In a very exciting match, Curt Thompson took a 2-0 lead after the first period thanks to a takedown. Vinnie Napierski got two reversal points for a 2-2 match heading into the final period, and quickly got two more on back points to take a 4-2 lead. It appeared that Thompson was going to get the whistle for stalemates at the wrong time for the rest of the, but with about 15 seconds left, Thompson hit on a reversal and got two back points as time expired for the 6-4 win.

Curt will next face top-seed Quinton Murphy of Holley in the quarterfinals.

160 - Travis Beayon started his state tourney the way he finished so many matches this season, with a pin.

Travis got two quick points for a takedown, and then waited out Brian Dillman until he got the fall at 1:58.

Travis will face Zach Zupan in the quarterfinals.

171 - Everyone here from Whitehall almost went into a state of shock for a moment, but in the end, all is right in the world.

Zach Diekel was cruising over the first James Hasson, leading 5-0 and almost having a fall. Then, he lost his balance for a moment, and Hasson almost pulled the early upset of the tournament and got five quick points as Zach did everything and then some not to fall.

After the first period, it was all Diekel, outscoring the opponent 10-5 (and giving Hasson all five of his points).

Zach will face Austin Hayes in the quarterfinals.

215 - In an upset, Jon Casper pulled out a 5-2 win against Grant Gebo, taking a 2-0 lead into the second period and a 3-0 lead into the third. Grant got an escape early in the third, but was unable to get a takedown while Casper scored another takedown and gave up an escape to finish the scoring.

Grant will take on Jake Edington to start wrestlebacks.

That's it for the first round, be back in a little while for the quarterfinal matches of Curt Thompson, Travis Beayon and Zach Diekel.

Posted by Keith Lobdell at 04:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The game between the Whitehall and Sharon Springs varsity boys basketball teams set for tonight has been postponed and will now be played on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. at Sharon Springs.

Posted by Keith Lobdell at 08:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Three-for-five went the Railroaders in the finals, with three earning state bids while two will wait to see if the computers crunch the numbers in their favor for an at-large birth:

112 - John Diekel wrestled hard but was out-quicked by Noah Valastro, 6-1. Diekel finishes the season at this point with a record of 43-6, and is thought to be "on the bubble" for an at-large bid to states.

125 - Match of the night once again, as Curt Thompson defeated Evan Borst by a score of 3-1, again in overtime. Plenty of rolling around in the final minute of this match, as Thompson earned the automatic bid to states, while Borst will undoubtedly join him as an at-large. Curt will go to states with a record of 45-3.

160 - Travis Beayon came out on fire and made quick work of Dave Kohls, pinning him at the 3:28 mark. Beayon earns a bid to Albany in his final season. Travis will go to Albany with a record of 47-3.

171 - Three time - three time - three time defending champion (now) Zach Diekel pinned Dustin Hallock at 2:59 in the match to earn his third straight trip to Albany, where he looks to improve on his fourth place finish of one year ago. Zach heads to states with a record of 45-4.

215 - The rematch was not as close here, as Nick G. pinned Grant Gebo at 3:34 of the match. Grant will also be waiting for the computer to crunch the number, finishing the season so far at 32-5.

Also, congratulations to the Section II Division II champion at 140, Karl Palmer of Granville.

Posted by Keith Lobdell at 02:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's been a long day, so I'm late writing on my blog, but there are a couple things from the weekend that I wanted to mention.

Hooray to the girls basketball team for hosting the Play Hard for Haiti night where they were able to raise $600 for the relief efforts, half coming from the teams two coaches, Clint Currier and John St. Clair. Props also to Sherri Wescott, who helped man the donation box while taking tickets and trying to watch Nea play lock-down defense.

If you want to give to the relief effort, you can also go to Aubuchon and drop off relief items. There will be more details in this weeks Whitehall Times.

Now, on to Sunday. When I was a missionary, My last five months were spent in El Dorado Hills, Calif. My Ward Mission Leader played receiver for the BYU football team in the early 80's and had a good career in the CFL. His name was Scott Collie. Needless to say, it has been a very cool experience watching his son, who was 8 at the time I was out there, compete and make a huge catch for the Colts and now go to the Super Bowl. By some off-chance he or his family reads this - good luck, Austin, in the Super Bowl and it has been a joy to watch you play. I am happy for their entire family and every time I watch him play, it reminds me of the great two years I spent in California.

So, with all apologies to the Giants, Go Colts.

Posted by Keith Lobdell at 11:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Don't forget, tomorrow night is the first performance of The Music Man by the Whitehall Drama Club. The performance begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are available for $8 each. I will be at the friday night performance, and there will be two more onm Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

to all involved, good work by you to get to this point and "break a leg."

Posted by Keith Lobdell at 07:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey, it's the 100th entry to the Lobster Tank - break out the sounders!!!

With that taken care of, I went to a very good Pops Concert last night at the high school. The students did a great job performing and it was a great night of entertainment. I had my son with me and he enjoyed all of the music, especially the junior chorus and The Lion King.

My favorite performance of the night was the Jazz Band;s last song - somehting Train. I can't remember the name, but i do remember pleying it myself on the bass trombone in Westport's jazz band. I love the tune and the hook - bop. bop. blaaaauuu.

Quick aside, the alma mater has a chance to put both the boys and girls teams into the final four this weekend, so good luck, Eagles.

Posted by Keith Lobdell at 07:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Whitehall Times will again be joining with the high school journalism class to bring you From the Railroader Staff, a bi-weekly look at what the school writers are talking about and a chance to give everyone a different voice other than my own.

There are a number of students who will be taking part in this, and I thank them all in advance for what they will have in the paper.

Posted by Keith Lobdell at 05:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sorry about the time away from my blog - there were reports that it was down and some other things, but I am back and just in time for the sports seasons to begin and the first day of school.

For the most part, things went pretty smoothly as kids got their schedules and made it to their classrooms on the first day of school in the elementary and high schools. Everyone seems excited for the new year to start.

If anyone knows of anything that is going on in the classroom that is newsworthy, drop me a line and we'll try to get it in the paper.

 

Posted by Keith Lobdell at 05:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sorry, had some issues last week getting my stuff where it needed to go. I’ll try to summarize plus add some new thoughts.

Congratulations to the graduates! It was a very good ceremony and it was good to see these students take the next step. I felt it was a good group of kids and they were very nice when I talked to them in the school or on the athletic fields.

Also, a thank you to the three graduates who helped with the Whitehall Times school page this year: Kayla Millett, Alyssa Locke and Zackery Plude. They all did a great job and wrote some great stories, from stuff happening in the school and about the students to a bunch of different topics, from sports to technology to book reviews. It was nice.

Well, as some of you know, it was a pretty hectic end of last week. Had my oldest daughter fall off the swing set, requiring surgery and three pins just above the left elbow. That was a fun Saturday at the Hospital.

Here comes the Fourth! It looks like good weather, too, so fire up the BBQ and enjoy. If you have any good pictures from your celebration, send them to me at the e-mail address above and I’ll put them in.

Posted by Keith Lobdell at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)