Sports

Braxtin Fowler (left) and Cade Kunkel were joined by Twin River coach Kalin Koch at the 2026 AAU Scholastic Duals in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Photo provided

Braxtin Fowler (left) and Cade Kunkel were joined by Twin River coach Kalin Koch at the 2026 AAU Scholastic Duals in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Photo provided

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Titan duo earn medals at AAU Duals

Ncj Staff Report
Saturday, June 27, 2026
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A pair of Twin River wrestlers are coming home with some hardware.Cade Kunkel and Braxtin Fowler joined the Nebraska Lakers to go 8-3 overall and take second place in the silver division, finishing 10th overall out of 35 teams in the developmental division.
Kiptyn Hamik, Zach Held, Kane Wetovick and Tate Wood join Colsten Rodriguez to make up the NCJ All-Area First Team. NCJ file photos

Kiptyn Hamik, Zach Held, Kane Wetovick and Tate Wood join Colsten Rodriguez to make up the NCJ All-Area First Team. NCJ file photos

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NCJ announces boys 2025-2026 All-Area teams

Rick Holtz
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
There are a lot of talented athletes in Nance County.Each week throughout the school year we chose two athletes (and sometimes more) and recognized them for their achievements that previous week. Sometimes the choices were obvious — breaking a school record or winning a state title.
Adalyn Bishop, Tricia Kunkee, Maya Ramaekers and JLee Van Driel join Georgia Bridger to make up the NCJ All-Area First Team. NCJ file photos

Adalyn Bishop, Tricia Kunkee, Maya Ramaekers and JLee Van Driel join Georgia Bridger to make up the NCJ All-Area First Team. NCJ file photos

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DOMINANT PERFORMERS

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
There are a lot of talented athletes in Nance County.Each week throughout the school year we chose two athletes (and sometimes more) and recognized them for their achievements that previous week. Sometimes the choices were obvious — breaking a school record or winning a state title.
Fullerton’s Georgia Bridger and Twin River’s Colsten Rodriguez led by example on the field and court this year and have been named the NCJ Athletes of the Year. NCJ file photos

Fullerton’s Georgia Bridger and Twin River’s Colsten Rodriguez led by example on the field and court this year and have been named the NCJ Athletes of the Year. NCJ file photos

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TOP OF THEIR GAMES

Rick Holtz
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
It’s not always the athlete who puts up the most impressive stat line who makes the biggest impact on a team.Sometimes the impact an athlete makes does not show up in the box score.
Each week during the school year, the Nance County Journal will select a male and female Athlete of the Week. The sports season has come to a close and we selected one final honoree.

Each week during the school year, the Nance County Journal will select a male and female Athlete of the Week. The sports season has come to a close and we selected one final honoree.

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NCJ Athletes of the Week for June 3, 2026

News Staff
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Each week during the school year, the Nance County Journal will select a male and female Athlete of the Week. The sports season has come to a close and we selected one final honoree. Athletes of the Week are brought to you by this fine sponsor.
Fullerton freshman Kiptyn Hamik finished 10th overall at State. NCJ photos by Melissa Aaberg

Fullerton freshman Kiptyn Hamik finished 10th overall at State. NCJ photos by Melissa Aaberg

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Hamik finishes 10th at Class D State

Ken Kush
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
COLUMBUS — Fullerton freshman Kiptyn Hamik left his mark on the school record books this season.Last week at the Class D State Golf Tournament at Quail Run Golf Course in Columbus, he set a new standard.
Terrick Gonsior, Colsten Rodriguez and Corbin Rodriguez all played in the Crossroads Conference vs. Goldenrod Conference basketball all-star game on Sunday. Georgia Bridger played in the volleyball all-star game on Saturday in Grand Island and then finished up with the girls basketball all-star game on Sunday in Osceola. NCJ photos by Ken Kush

Terrick Gonsior, Colsten Rodriguez and Corbin Rodriguez all played in the Crossroads Conference vs. Goldenrod Conference basketball all-star game on Sunday. Georgia Bridger played in the volleyball all-star game on Saturday in Grand Island and then finished up with the girls basketball all-star game on Sunday in Osceola. NCJ photos by Ken Kush

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Wearing the school colors one final time

Ken Kush
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
GRAND ISLAND — This past weekend saw the Goldenrod Conference and the Crossroads Conference hook up for their annual head-to-head battles on the volleyball court and the hardwood.
This week's athletes of the week set personal best times at State.

This week's athletes of the week set personal best times at State.

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NCJ Athletes of the Week for May 27, 2026

News Staff
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Each week during the school year, the Nance County Journal will select a male and female Athlete of the Week. The female sports are finished for the year, so we selected two deserving males Athletes of the Week are brought to you by this fine sponsor.
Kane Wetovick took home a 3rd place medal in the 800-meter run. The Fullerton junior had a busy couple of days in Omaha, running in the 400-meter dash and was a member of the 4x400-meter and 4x800-meter relay teams. NCJ photo by Kirk Sparrow

Kane Wetovick took home a 3rd place medal in the 800-meter run. The Fullerton junior had a busy couple of days in Omaha, running in the 400-meter dash and was a member of the 4x400-meter and 4x800-meter relay teams. NCJ photo by Kirk Sparrow

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Warriors, Titans finish season at State

Rick Holtz
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
OMAHA — What a way to finish the season.Fullerton and Twin River finished the track season over the weekend at Class C and D State at Burke Stadium in Omaha. Two athletes put in their best result of the season, with one athlete standing tall on the podium.