Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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Wayne State College included almost 1,200 students on the dean's list for exemplary academic achievement during the spring 2026 semester. Students listed on the dean's list are full-time undergraduate students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale for the semester. An asterisk denotes a 4.0 GPA for the term. Local students named to the dean's list include Aislynn Kester*, Faith King*, and Keaton Thiele, Clearwater; Sharon Bartak* Aubrey Parker*, Alec Schindler, Danielle Schrunk*, and Barrett Stearns, Ewing;...
The Valentine Badgers took control early, Friday, in a home contest against Summerland, downing the visitors 73-37 in a non-conference game that ended regular season play. The Badgers drew first blood, reaching 48 points by the midway mark and didn't slow down until the fourth quarter. The Bobcats struggled offensively, scoring half a dozen points in the first quarter and hitting 15 by the half. Summerland shot 17% from three-point range, connecting on two of 12 attempt. The Bobcats hit 44%...
Wayne State College included 1,300 students on the dean's list for exemplary academic achievement during the Fall 2025 semester. Students listed on the dean's list are full-time undergraduate students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale for the semester. An asterisk denotes a 4.0 GPA for the term. Area students receiving academic recognition include Faith King * and Keaton Thiele * of Clearwater; Sharon Bartak *, Aubrey Parker *, Alec Schindler, Danielle...
Summerland Public School recently announced students who qualified for the principal's honor list and honor roll. Students named to the principal's list include Clair Krysl, Ryan Rifer, Ethan Kester, Bennet Flenniken, Shaylie Kester, Jenna Funk, Caydence Schumacher, Emma King, Shane Kindred, Karley Dawkins, Jose Montano Diaz, Abryelle Kester, Jacob Pierzina, Flabio Arias Ramierez, Magdalena Lux, Maverick Bradley, Cassie Livingston, Breckyn Bergman, Sierra Thomson, Kaylee Thiele, Hudson Gray, Dam...
Doubles come naturally to Ryan Rifer, even his initials repeat. The Summerland senior made the symmetry official Dec. 30 at the Summerland Holiday Tournament, pouring in 36 points while hauling down 14 rebounds to set a school record in the single-game scoring category and tying the rebound record, a performance that doubled up the stat sheet and rewrote the program’s history in a single night. The multi-sport standout said he knew he was closing in on the scoring mark after a “hot first half,...
It took a bonus round for the Bobcats to keep the holiday tournament hardware at home. During four quarters of back-and-forth action, Summerland found itself knotted with Wakefield at 58 at the end of regulation, and relied on tough defense in the overtime period to earn a 71-66 win. Senior Ryan Rifer set two school records in the contest after finishing with a double-double. He ended with 36 points and 14 rebounds. Rifer hit six of 10 three-point shots, connected on two of three free throws and...
As we look forward to a new year, we reflect on the stories that defined our region in 2025. Articles in this list - and the rankings - are based on page views from summerlandadvocate.com. 1. Hometown Hero: Summerland freshman uses SkillsUSA training to save infant's life As an eighth-grade student, Taelyn Nilson learned CPR and won a state title in Job Skills Demonstration at the Nebraska SkillsUSA Middle School Conference. In December 2024, Nilson used those skills to save the life of an... Full story
Eleven Bobcats contributed points in Monday's 66-49 victory over Ainsworth in the first round of the Summerland Holiday Tournament. Ryan Rifer scored 18 points and pulled down seven rebounds to set the pace for the home team. Coach Brett Kaczor may have wondered how his team would respond after finding the game knotted at a dozen at the end of the first quarter. But Kaczor's crew came out shooting, taking control by halftime after adding 20 points. Tough Bobcat defense in the third quarter...
The 2025-2026 Bobcat winter sports season will begin play next week, with basketball scrimmages planned for Monday at home. Tipoff for girls will begin at 6, with boys to follow at 7:30 p.m. On Thursday, the girls and boys wrestling teams will travel to Wisner-Pilger for a triangular. Girls and boys basketball teams will begin regular season play, Dec. 4, at Neligh-Oakdale....
The Summerland football team finished its 2025 campaign with a 6-3 record, finishing second in the D1-4 district. Coach Tom Thramer called the season a success. "Especially after taking an ugly loss early to a very good Crofton team," he said. "The kids could have folded, but it showed how strong their character is to finish the season, from that point, at 5-2. The Bobcats will transition to the 11-man league next season. "I'm excited for the new challenges that await us next fall," the coach said. Final player statistics have been updated....
The Wausa/Osmond Vikings looked like a team protecting their homeland, pillaging any plays that threatened their kingdom. They knocked off Summerland, 36-6, in a game played on Wausa's field. Wausa/Osmond scored late in the first quarter to give the hosts an 8-0 lead. By halftime, they increased the spread to 22-0, keeping the Bobcat offense flatlined. The Vikings added another end zone visit and PAT in the third quarter. By now, W/O's defense held Summerland to 88 yards of total offense....
The Bobcats advance to 6-2 on the season, following Thursday's 24-6 win against Elkhorn Valley in a game played at Summerland. Cash Kester put the Bobcats on the board first after he connected with Beau Aahlers for six. Aiden McAllister nailed the PAT, giving the Bobcats a 7-0 lead with 5:18 remaining in the first quarter. After a three and out by EV, the Bobcats fumble a punt return, giving the Falcons favorable field position. Eventually, Jarrett Werner took the ball in for a touchdown,...
It was a tale of two halves for the Summerland football team when they hosted Plainview on Sept. 26. Plainview struck first, when Gage Walton ran around the right side of the Bobcat line to put the Pirates up 7-0. Cash Kester responded for Summerland in the second quarter as the Bobcat quarterback sneaked in from the one-yard line. After a success kick, the game was knotted at seven apiece. Plainview scored with a couple minutes left in the half to take a 14-7 lead. Then, the Bobcats couldn't ge...
The Bobcats scored first in Friday's home match-up against Stanton, setting the tone for the contest which resulted in a 27-12 victory. Stanton kicked off and the Bobcats began a methodical 65-yard drive resulting in an Austin Mendoza touchdown. The PAT failed. The Mustangs replied with a quick score down the field and missed the pat. With :58 left in the quarter, the teams were knotted at six6. As second-quarter action began, Cash Kester located Mason Schwager on fourth down for a touchdown....
Cash Kester passed for 175 yards and ran for 124 in Friday's 55-0 victory over Madison. The Dragons did not have an answer for the Bobcats as they tallied 496 all-purpose yards. Coach Tom Thramer said his squad was able to get the pass game going, an aspect of the game they've been focusing on. "I thought that we started a little sluggish and we had a lot of missed assignments early. In the second half, we came out a little more inspired and were able to put the game away," Thramer said....
Crofton lit up the scoreboard Friday night, overpowering Summerland, 68-15, in Crofton. The Warriors jumped out to an 18-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, adding 20 more before halftime. Summerland broke through in the second quarter with a touchdown run by Cash Kester. Beau Ahlers powered in the two-point conversion, giving the Bobcats their first points. After the break, Ethan Kester found the end zone, capped by an extra point from Aiden McAllister, but Crofton's offense kept...
Summerland-area 4-H members participated in the Antelope County Fair, July 24 - Aug. 3, in Neligh. Here are their results: ABRYELLE KESTER Horticulture, red potatoes, purple; Horticulture, salad tomatoes, blue AISLYNN KESTER Horticulture, sliciing cucumbers, purple ALEC KESTER Beef - showmanship, senior beef showmanship - age 14-18, purple; Beef - Market, market steers, purple; Beef - Stocker Feeder, stocker feeder steers - born Jan-May current year, purple ALVIE BEARINGER Preservation -...
The 2025 National SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta is in the record books. The Summerland TeamWorks crew began competition Tuesday, June 24, in Atlanta and, when the final whistle blew Thursday, at 4 p.m., Willis Mast, Alec Schindler, Bennet Flenniken and Ashton Cleveland felt positive about their project. Flenniken said the competition was challenging, and noted the team had fun. "We all learned a lot through trial and error, and I think we should be proud of what we...
Blueprints don't always come with studs, bricks and beams. Sometimes they click together, one LEGO at a time. That was the challenge facing the Summerland SkillsUSA TeamWorks crew: take a photograph and build a miniature version, using plastic bricks instead of plywood and nails. On Sunday, the crew showcased their finished model during an open house celebrating their next big build: a trip to Nationals in Atlanta. Organized by SAM publishers Scott and LuAnn Schindler, the combination pep...
Summerland coaches and athletes played a part in Saturday's Sertoma All-Star 8-Man Football Game in Hastings. The West Squad included Coach Tom Thramer, Alec Schindler, Keaton Thiele, and Assistant Coach Brett Kaczor. The East Squad pulled off a 14-8 victory....
Three Bobcat seniors played in the 12th annual Northeast Nebraska All-Star Football Classic, June 13, at Memorial Field in Norfolk. Sam Cheatum, Alec Schindler and Keaton Thiele suited on the the White Team, which secured a 42-22 decision....
Four Summerland students who will compete in National SkillsUSA competition in June will be honored during a June 22 celebration. The open house - pep rally combination, will be held on the Advocate-Messenger office's "back lot," 522 Main Street, in Clearwater, at 4 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Bennet Flenniken, Ashton Cleveland, Willis Mast and Alec Schindler comprise the TeamWorks group that will compete in the National SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference, June 23 - 27, in...
The May 24 Summerland Booster Club Golf Tournament at Summerland Golf Club drew 33 teams vying for bragging rights. Chamionship flight winners were Michael Koenig, Alec Schindler, Kellan Mlnarik and Gibson Roberts. They finished with 27. Second place, with 28, was the Blake Cunningham team. Rita Anson and team ended third, with 29. In the first flight, the top three teams all finished with 34. Ending in first was the Tyler Regan team. Mike Tagel and company placed second, while Kevin Koenig and...
Ryan Rifer will make his second appearance in the 2025 NSAA Track and Field Championships this weekend. Rifer took first place in the Class C4 district high jump, held May 15, at Battle Creek. The Bobcats finished seventh in the boys division, scoring 26 points. West Holt claimed the team title, tallying 142 points. Rifer's teammate, Ruger Switzer, ended fourth in high jump after he cleared 5' 11 inches. Alec Schindler received the fourth-place medal in the 300m hurdles. He finished in 43.91. Pa...
