COLUMN: Year-end sports stories: 16 for '16

     Things can be tweaked, right?

     We are still tweaking our year-end review, the annual feature highlighting the Express stories of the year, both in news and sports.

     For many years, we simply listed everything we could think of, a month-by-month summary that generally used up about three newspaper pages. While it was complete, and useful years later in looking up particular stories, it was probably tedious for our readers to plow through.

     Two years ago we came up with the idea of a vote. We would list what we thought were the biggest stories, and encourage readers to rank them through their votes.

     We tried a couple different methods for this, and discovered that each plan had more flaws than merits. So we have scrapped that idea, at least for now.

     Which means we are on to Plan C. This time, we are simply going to list our 16 for ’16, what we consider the top 16 news stories and top 16 sports stories for the year 2016. We won’t rank them, but will list them in chronological order.

     However, we would still like our readers to be involved.

     So, below are what I came up with as the top 16 Monticello sports stories for the year.

     Your job, if you feel so inclined, is to comment on any of those that were special to you for one reason or another. You could ask yourself these questions:

     1. What do you remember about it?

     2. What made it a big story in your eyes?

     3. Why was it important to Monticello?

     Such comments can be written down and brought into our office (just write “Year-end Sports Comments” on an envelope and put it in there), mail it to Pete Temple, c/o Monticello Express, P.O. Box 191, Monticello, IA 52310 or email them to me at ptemple@monticelloexpress.com.

     You have the option of having your name included with the comments, or to comment anonymously; just indicate which. We reserve the right to edit the comments, or to exclude any we might find inappropriate.

     Also, if there are any sports stories you believe should have been included that are not on this list, feel free to submit those as well. The list below is not set in stone.

     We would need your comments by noon Wednesday, Dec. 28 (please make note of the time).

     The final list, and your comments, will be published in the Jan. 4, 2017 Express.

     (Note that stories about Midland and Maquoketa Valley are excluded, but space will be devoted to those schools – in particular Midland’s trip to the UNI-Dome in football – in the Jan. 4 issue as well.)

     Here is the current list of the top 16 Monticello sports stories, and when they appeared in the Express.

     Have fun!

     “Girls basketball team wins River Valley Conference, North Division championship” (Feb. 10)

     “Freshman wrestler Chase Luensman qualifies for State” (Feb. 17)

     “Boys track coach Greg Williams is finalist for National Track Coach of the Year” (March 16)

     “Jones County Special Olympics wins two gold medals at the State Special Olympics Winter Tournament.” (March 23)

     “Matt Manternach wins four gold medals in state boys track” (May 25)

     “Girls track 4x800 relay wins state title in state meet record time” (May 25)

     “Girls track team finishes third at State” (May 25)

     “Boys track team finishes second at State” (May 25)

     “Boys golf team reaches state meet, first time since 1980” (May 25)

     “Lauren Ries qualifies for State in girls golf” (May 25)

     “Baseball team takes trip to St. Louis’ Busch Stadium, doesn’t get to play” (July 13)

     “Senior baseball pitcher Mason Newhard throws perfect game” (July 13)

     “Max Keleher rushes for 403 yards, sets school records in football win” (Oct. 12)

     “Boys cross country team makes 20^th consecutive trip to State” (Oct. 26)

     “Girls cross country team wins state championship” (Nov. 2)

     “Dance team wins sportsmanship trophy, takes second, third at State” (Dec. 7)