COLUMN: Sports year 2018 was deserving of awards

     Since we don’t do year-end reviews in our newspaper anymore, last year I started a new concept of plugging some of the ending year’s highlights into this column space, so the calendars don’t change without at least some recognition.

     In last year’s column, I gave (made-up) “awards” for various things as a way of highlighting the accomplishments of the year. As 2018 was another great year of Monticello Panther sports success in a variety of sports and a variety of ways, I thought I’d do that again.

     It’s only the second year of this, so it’s too early to call it a tradition, but we’ll see how it goes.

     So here we go with the best of Monticello sports – and assorted others ­– from 2018:

     Most Dominant Stretch: The Panther girls basketball team went on a 28-0 run, going from a 25-23 deficit to a 51-25 lead, in the regional final, on their way to earning a trip to the state tournament. That the run happened against a previously-unbeaten team, Osage, made it that much more remarkable. At State, the Panthers won a quarterfinal game over Clear Lake before falling in the semifinals to Sioux Center. It was Monticello’s fifth State trip in the past 12 years.

     Best Milestones: Chase Luensman achieved his 100^th career wrestling victory. And two Monticello girls basketball players reached the career 1,000-point mark: Taylor McDonald and Lauren Ries.

     Standing Tall Award: Monticello set a team wrestling record by having three Panthers reach the state tournament podium in the same year. Chase Luensman and Kain Luensman both were fourth at State; Lake Stahlberg was eighth.

     Nationally-known Award: MHS graduate Matt Manternach, now an Iowa Hawkeye, qualified for the NCAA Division I Track and Field Nationals in the 800-meter run. Also, the MHS dance team placed in two events at its national meet.

     Look Who’s Back Award: Monticello girls golf reached State for the second time in four years. The state tournament also marked four straight trips for Lauren Ries, who was 15^th this past season.

     Bring it Home Award: Monticello’s 4x800-meter relay team of Taylor McDonald, Gabrielle Steiner, Jordyn Patterson and Paige Holub won a state title.

     Twice is Nice Award: Panther baseball repeated as River Valley Conference, North Division champion, with a late-season sweep of Cascade playing a key role for the second straight year.

     Distance Award: MHS graduate Jerry Frawley, running a 26.2-mile race for the first time, won the Omaha Marathon. Anthony Kinley, also an MHS alum, overcame cold and rain to complete the prestigious Boston Marathon.

     Special at State Award: The Jones County Special Olympics team reached the State Softball Tournament, and won its division.

     Worth the Wait Award: For the third straight year, Monticello won the Cowbell Trophy with a last-minute comeback win over Anamosa. This one took a little longer, partly because there were 98 points scored in the Panthers’ 50-48 win, and mostly because there was a three-hour lightning delay during the game.

     Double-deuce Award: Monticello kept its state cross country qualifying streak alive, making its 22^nd straight appearance in Fort Dodge. The Panthers finished sixth.

     Maquoketa Valley Highlight Award: The Wildcat boys cross country team qualified for State for the first time since 1995, and placed seventh out of 15 teams.

     Midland Highlight Award: Depending on your perspective, it could have been a co-district football championship and 9-2 record, Trent Rickels qualifying for state cross country, or the Midland girls’ 4x400 relay reaching the finals.