The 2017-18 Glenwood Sports calendar sports season has officially wrapped up. As always I would like to take the time to highlight my top three sports moments from the 2017-18 calendar sports season. As always it can be very difficult to pick out my top three and I’m sure I am probably missing something.
Enjoy!
#1 Glenwood Boys Basketball Winning Class 3A State Basketball Tournament
For the first time in Glenwood’s history the boys basketball team won the state title! This was Glenwood’s third time making it to the state tournament. Prior to their state title Glenwood had only won one game at the state tournament (1952). Rewind back to November of 2017, Glenwood was the heavy favorite to not only win the Hawkeye Ten but to also make a possible run in the tournament. The athletes and coaches had a lot of pressure before Glenwood even played their first game. Glenwood played well throughout the season and only had two losses at the end of the regular season. The Rams walked through the district defeating ADM 92-36 and Atlantic 70-49. Glenwood and Harlan would play in the sub-state final for the right to earn a state tournament spot. Glenwood had four players score in double figures to beat the Cyclones 82-69.
Norwalk was Glenwood’s first opponent at the state tournament. A classic four vs. five seed matchup. Glenwood went into the locker room down 40-22. The second half Glenwood played lights out behind Nate Mohr and Freshman Ryan Blum as the Rams pulled off an historic comeback to defeat Norwalk 67-58.
Cedar Rapids Xavier was Glenwood’s second opponent. Xavier was the heavy favorite heading into the game with Matthew Mims (South Dakota State Commit) leading the charge. Glenwood’s defense showed up and held of the state’s best players to 4-20 shooting. Glenwood won 69-63 behind a twenty-eight point fourth quarter. Seniors Nate Mohr and Andrew Blum earned the players of the game. Both players ended the game with 21 points and three steals a piece.
Glenwood and Oskaloosa would play for the state title on March 9th. Oskaloosa had a tall roster. A roster that started 6’11” Xavier Foster (ranked 26th best recruit in the nation for 2020), 6’9” Cole Henry (Offers from Air Force, North Dakota, Furman and interest from Wisconsin), and 6’5” Jarad Kruse (All Tournament Team). The Rams showed they had more heart and played one of their best games of the season when it mattered to defeat Oskaloosa 66-62. Andrew Blum lead the Rams with twenty points while Junior Christian Stanislav finished second in scoring with fourteen. The Rams shot 40% for the game and out rebounded the taller Oskaloosa squad 36 to 25.
The week at the Wells Fargo Arena will be one many Ram Fans will never forget! Thanks for the memories boys.
P.S. look out for the Rams this season. They bring back a lot of talent and will now have the confidence that they can compete with any 3A school in the state.
#2 Nate Kennedy’s Year of State Championships
Senior Nate Kennedy had a great senior campaign. The senior was a starter on the first ever Glenwood Basketball State Championship Team and a couple months later the young man added a couple more. Kennedy would win the Class 3A 400m run with a time of 48.28 seconds. Nate also grabbed a state championship in the Class 3A Sprint Medley Relay with Joey Saddler, Jon Lee and Kohen Watson. On June 9th, Nate announced he will continue his track career at Iowa State University. Nate finished his high school career with two state titles in the 400m, one in the sprint medley and one state basketball title. Nate also is leaving Glenwood with NINE school records and is tied with the most state titles. Great career Nate, best of luck at Iowa State.
#3 Glenwood Girls Tennis Highest Finish in School’s History
Glenwood girls tennis finished fourth place in the state this season. Their fourth place finish was the highest finish for a Glenwood girls tennis team in the school’s history. Anytime a sport finishes the highest in school history it should be a big deal. The girls finished 14-2 on the season with their only losses coming at the final four of the state tournament. Glenwood won 106 matches and only lost 19 in their dominating season. The girls defeated Atlantic 5-0, St. Albert 5-0, Denison 5-0 and Spirit Lake 5-1 to advance to the final four in Waterloo. The Rams were defeating by Waterloo Columbus Catholic 0-5 and Cedar Rapids Xavier 4-5 at the final four. Glenwood lost three seniors from this team (Ellie Osterloh #1, Ruby Crow #4, and Sierra Stouder #6) but the Rams will return their #2 Brooklyn Taylor, #3 Erin Stanley, #5 Brielle Smith and #7 Cameron Rounds from this historic season. Way to go girls and all the coaches!
Glenwoodsports Year Awards
Team of the Year: Glenwood Boys Basketball
Coach of the Year: Coach Curt Schulte
Athlete of the Year: Nate Kennedy
Team W/L Records for 2017-18 Sports Seasons *via Hawkeyeten.org
Glenwood Football 8-2
Glenwood Volleyball 17-15
Girls Cross Country: H-10 Champions
Boys Cross Country: H-10 Champions
Glenwood Boys Basketball 25-2
Glenwood Girls Basketball 8-15
Glenwood Wrestling 17-4
Glenwood Girls Track: H-10 Champions
Glenwood Boys Track: 8th in State
Glenwood Girls Tennis 14-2
Glenwood Boys Tennis 10-0
Glenwood Boys Golf 8-0
Glenwood Girls Golf 5-2
Glenwood Boys Soccer 7-7
Glenwood Girls Soccer 11-5
Glenwood Baseball 11-20
Glenwood Softball 19-12
*Track and Cross Country don’t have official records for their sports seasons
Congrats to all sports in the Glenwood Community School District! It was a fun year, can’t wait to see what the 2018-19 sports season!