Thursday, December 15, 2016 ...thegrundyregister.com/sites/default/files/19 GR Dec 15.pdf · Grundy...
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Grundy Register Thursday, December 15, 2016 19 www.thegrundyregister.com SPORTS By JAKE RYDER The Grundy Register ACKLEY – Caleb Meinders asks himself, “What if…?” from time to time. But he’s not asking the same question his coaches, family and friends have asked him since he was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis last fall. The condition, where a confused immune system sees his liver as a foreign entity and attacks the body organ as if it were a foreign bacte- ria or virus, carries potentially-fatal consequences. “Everyone says, ‘What if this happens?’, ‘What if that happens,’” Meinders said. “Well, what if noth- ing happens?” That’s the question that motivat- ed Meinders in his junior season on the wrestling mats for AGWSR, where he was a 7th-place finisher in the 220-pound weight class at last February’s state tournament and eventually brought him back to the gridiron as a senior for AGWSR’s first season of 8-player football. Doctors had previously cleared him to participate in wrestling, but not for full contact in football, which was seen as too much of a collision sport for Meinders’ con- dition. All things considered, Meinders’ success on the mats was impressive in its own right, but Meinders was ready to earn back his spot on the football field. Relegated to point-after-touch- down kicking duties for the home opener against Colo-Nesco in Week 1, Meinders connected on three of his six PATs in AGWSR’s 55-28 victory. But after the win, Meinders sent a text to his mother. “I said, ‘Sign me up, get me a doctor’s appointment, because I’m going to get cleared to play this season,’” Meinders said. “I wanted to be with this team and felt like I could do more than just kick field goals.” With the help of the hard work that he had put in the weight room nearly year-round at AGWSR, his doctor deemed him healthy enough to return to the football team. James Koop, entering his first year as AGWSR football coach as the Cougars prepared for their first season of 8-player football, still had his reservations. After conversations with Caleb and his parents, Koop agreed to let Meinders play defensive end. “It’s hard,” Koop said. “He’s a phenomenal student, a phenomenal leader, he’s going to do great things with his life. … You don’t want the worst-case scenario to happen.” What Koop couldn’t argue was that Meinders had already achieved success on the line as a third-team offensive lineman in his sophomore season, though Koop noted it did Determined Meinders making most of senior year take some time for Meinders to get comfortable with being on the line of scrimmage again. “For the first four games he was back, he was helping the team just by being on the field, but there was some hesitancy there,” Koop said. “But in the last four games and our playoff game, he was tearing things up like you expected him to before all of this.” By the end of the season, Meinders had collected team-highs with six quarterback sacks and nine solo tackles for loss and was fourth on the team with 53.5 total tack- les. He was named second-team all- state for the 8-player class by the Iowa Newspaper Association after the Cougars’ 7-3 season. “I think he was disappoint- ed with only being second team,” Koop said. “I told him, ‘We didn’t think you were going to do more than be a kicker, and look what you’ve accomplished.’ Maybe he’s deserving of first team if he’s healthy all season, but you deal with life based on the cards you’ve been dealt and he never got down about that. It was always about helping the team and being an exceptional leader.” Now, Meinders is back on the mat and feeling as comfortable in the circle as he was pre-diagnosis. “You get a little more comfort- able as time goes on,” Meinders said. “You start to play the sport and realize that I’m good, I’m not going to get hurt, nobody’s going to hit me there because I’m pretty defen- sive as it is.” That defensive style has been the biggest change AGWSR wrestling coach Chad Gerbracht has seen in Meinders’ approach. “When he was a freshman and sophomore, he was gasoline on a fire,” Gerbracht said. “He’d jump right in there and do some crazy stuff. Last year, we talked about changing his offense and style of wrestling and he became more defensive.” The changes have worked. Ger- bracht acknowledged that Meinders’ junior campaign was his best yet, and Meinders is stronger than ever, determined to make the senior year even more special. Gerbracht knows he still has to make sure Meinders is prepared. “Last year was one of those years where every time he’d hit the mat and I heard an, ‘ugh,’ I’d sprint over and ask if he’s OK,” Ger- bracht said. “Even before the start of the year, I said, ‘You’ve got a plan set up in case something does happen? Because you’ve got to be prepared.’” By JAKE RYDER Mid-America Publishing DIKE – Moving from Iowa to Texas is a life-changing event. But for Sydney Petersen, her commitment to the Univer- sity of Texas volleyball program last Wednesday was made in part because she felt the Austin campus maintained a Midwestern feel. “It’s obviously a great, big school,” Petersen said, “but not as big as I thought which made me think, wow, I could see myself here.” The 5-foot-3 Dike-New Hart- ford junior libero, named to the elite all-state team last month after help- ing lead the Wolverines to the Class 3A championship, was also con- sidering Iowa State and Northern Iowa, the latter of which is helmed by Sydney’s mother, Bobbi. There was no doubt that Bobbi Petersen, head volleyball coach, wanted to recruit Sydney to join the Panthers. But Sydney said that when talking about making her col- lege decision, being a coach and being a mother were separate ave- nues for Bobbi. “She put all those coach - ing things aside … when she was talking to me as my mother,” Syd- ney said. Sydney also reached out to her all-state twin sister Baylee for advice in making the final decision. She’s still undecided on what she wants to study when she’s at Texas, but Sydney said that from a volleyball standpoint, the Long- horns’ championship pedigree speaks for itself. Texas has won three national championships – the most recent in 2012 – and has made 12 Final Fours and 27 NCAA tournament appear- ances out of the 30 tournaments that have been held in the sport’s NCAA-sanctioned history. “Obviously, they’re way good,” Sydney said. There is also the appeal of get- ting world-class instruction not just from Texas head coach Jerritt Elliott but also from assistant coach Erik Sullivan, who is in charge of help- ing the team’s defensive specialists. Sullivan was Team USA’s libe- ro for the men’s indoor volleyball team at the 2004 Summer Olympics and was named team leader of the bronze-medal-winning 2016 men’s indoor Olympics team. “It got me very excited that he’d be working with the DSes,” Sydney said. “I’m pumped to have him teach me.” Petersen plays club volleyball for the Club of Iowa team based out of Waterloo/Cedar Falls. She says she’s ready now to get back to focusing on finishing out her high school days in Dike. “It’s like taking something off my shoulders,” Sydney said. “Now I can focus on high school, keeping my grades up, playing volleyball and getting better.” Dike-New Hartford’s Petersen chooses Texas volleyball Sydney Petersen While Meinders is prepared for the worst, it’s the furthest thing from his mind once he’s across from his opponent on the mat. “It’s just getting back there and telling yourself you can do this,” Meinders said. “My goal is to be a state champ this year. I’ve got tough competition, but it’s wrestling. … If you go out there and win the match- es you’re supposed to, things might end up going to your benefit. You just have to wrestle your match and do your job.” AGWSR’s Caleb Meinders wraps his arm around the head of Dike-New Hartford’s Ethan Huntington during a wrestling match at AGWSR High School last Thursday. Meinders has started his senior season 8-1 on the mat after earning second-team all-state honors in football during the fall. (Jake Ryder/The Grundy Register photo) NEW 2016 Jeep Cherokee Limited & Trail Hawk 20% OFF MSRP NEW 2017 Jeep Cherokee Limited & Trail Hawk 15% OFF MSRP NEW 2016 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 20% OFF MSRP LAST CALL FOR 20% OFF MSRP ! 320 G AVENUE • GRUNDY CENTER, IA • 319.824.6004 • www.rousemotor.com We know your family’s health is priceless. But we also know you’re looking for value when it comes to your health care. That’s why two trusted names in health care decided to work together to create Wellmark Value Health Plan. It’s health coverage from Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Mercy Health Network with access to patient-focused quality care from Mercy Health Network and other affiliated providers. It’s where compassion meets value. And you meet peace of mind. LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP TODAY AT WELLMARK.COM/VALUE COMPASSION AND VALUE MEET IN ONE HEALTH PLAN. In collaboration with Wellmark Value Health Plan is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. 98.9 FM Parkersburg 104.9 FM Hampton Radio On The Go. com Enjoy Christmas Concerts Concerts also available on podcasts at radioonthego.com with KLMJ & KQCR Aplington Parkersburg – KLMJ 4 p.m. – KQCR 12/23 2 p.m. (Sponsored by Shirley Pebbles CPA) Greene Cantata – KLMJ 12/22 6 p.m.– KQCR 12/24 8 p.m. (Sponsored by Retz Funeral Home) North Butler – KLMJ 12/23 6 p.m. – KQCR 12/24 4 p.m. (Sponsored by Greene Insurance Services) Clarksville – KLMJ 12/25 2:15 p.m. – KQCR 12/23 6 p.m. (Sponsored by Insurance Headquarters) Grundy Center – KLMJ 12/23 3 p.m. – KQCR 12/19 6 p.m. (Sponsored by The Mill) Dike New Hartford – KLMJ 12/24 8 p.m. – KQCR 12/23 3 p.m. (Sponsored by Konken Electric) AGWSR – KLMJ 12/22 7 p.m. – KQCR 12/25 11 a.m. (Sponsored by Ackley Medical Center) South Hardin – KLMJ 12/24 7 p.m. – KQCR 12/18 5 p.m. (Sponsored by Mike Atkinson Farm Bureau)
Transcript of Thursday, December 15, 2016 ...thegrundyregister.com/sites/default/files/19 GR Dec 15.pdf · Grundy...
Grundy Register Thursday, December 15, 2016 19www.thegrundyregister.com SPORTS
By JAKE RYDERThe Grundy Register
ACKLEY – Caleb Meinders asks himself, “What if…?” from time to time.
But he’s not asking the samequestion his coaches, family and friends have asked him since he was diagnosed with autoimmunehepatitis last fall.
The condition, where a confused immune system sees his liver as a foreign entity and attacks the bodyorganas if itwere a foreignbacte-ria or virus, carries potentially-fatal consequences.
“Everyone says, ‘What if thishappens?’,‘Whatifthathappens,’”Meinders said. “Well, what if noth-inghappens?”
That’sthequestionthatmotivat-ed Meinders in his junior season on thewrestlingmats forAGWSR,where he was a 7th-place finisher in the 220-poundweight class atlastFebruary’sstatetournamentandeventuallybroughthimback to thegridiron as a senior forAGWSR’sfirst season of 8-player football.
Doctors had previously cleared him to participate in wrestling,but not for full contact in football, which was seen as too much of a collision sport forMeinders’ con-dition.
Allthingsconsidered,Meinders’success on the mats was impressive in its own right, butMeinderswasready to earn back his spot on the football field.
Relegated to point-after-touch-down kicking duties for the homeopeneragainstColo-NescoinWeek1, Meinders connected on three of his six PATs inAGWSR’s 55-28victory.
But after the win, Meinders sent a text to his mother.
“I said, ‘Signme up, getme adoctor’s appointment, because I’mgoing to get cleared to play thisseason,’”Meinders said. “Iwantedto be with this team and felt like I could do more than just kick field goals.”
With the help of the hard work thathehadput in theweight roomnearly year-round atAGWSR, hisdoctordeemedhimhealthyenoughto return to the football team.
JamesKoop, entering his firstyear asAGWSR football coach astheCougars prepared for their firstseason of 8-player football, still had his reservations.
After conversations with Caleb andhisparents,Koopagreed to letMeinders play defensive end.
“It’s hard,”Koop said. “He’s aphenomenal student, a phenomenal leader,he’sgoingtodogreatthingswithhislife.…Youdon’twanttheworst-case scenario to happen.”
WhatKoop couldn’t arguewasthat Meinders had already achieved success on the line as a third-team offensive lineman in his sophomore season, thoughKoop noted it did
Determined Meinders making most of senior year
takesome timeforMeinders togetcomfortablewith being on the lineofscrimmageagain.
“Forthefirstfourgameshewasback, hewas helping the team justbybeingonthefield,buttherewassome hesitancy there,” Koop said. “Butinthelastfourgamesandourplayoffgame,hewastearingthingsup like you expected him to before all of this.”
By the end of the season, Meinders had collected team-highswith six quarterback sacks and nine solo tackles for loss and was fourth on the teamwith 53.5 total tack-les.Hewasnamedsecond-teamall-state for the 8-player class by the IowaNewspaperAssociation aftertheCougars’7-3season.
“I think he was disappoint-edwith only being second team,”Koop said. “I told him, ‘Wedidn’tthink youwere going to domorethan be a kicker, and look what you’ve accomplished.’ Maybehe’s deserving of first team if he’shealthy all season, but you deal with lifebasedonthecardsyou’vebeendealt andhe never got down aboutthat. It was always about helpingthe team and being an exceptionalleader.”
Now,Meinders is back on themat and feeling as comfortable inthecircleashewaspre-diagnosis.
“You get a littlemore comfort-able as time goes on,”Meinderssaid. “You start to play the sport and realizethatI’mgood,I’mnotgoingto get hurt, nobody’s going to hitme there because I’mpretty defen-sive as it is.”
That defensive style has been the biggest changeAGWSRwrestlingcoachChadGerbracht has seen inMeinders’approach.
“When he was a freshman and sophomore, hewas gasoline on afire,”Gerbracht said. “He’d jumpright in there and do some crazystuff. Last year, we talked about changing his offense and style ofwrestling and he became more
defensive.”The changes haveworked.Ger-
brachtacknowledgedthatMeinders’junior campaignwas his best yet,andMeinders is stronger thanever,determined to make the senior year even more special.
Gerbracht knows he still has tomake sure Meinders is prepared.
“Last year was one of those years where every time he’d hit thematand I heard an, ‘ugh,’ I’d sprintover and ask if he’s OK,” Ger-bracht said. “Even before the start of the year, I said, ‘You’ve got aplan set up in case somethingdoeshappen?Because you’ve got to beprepared.’”
By JAKE RYDERMid-America Publishing
DIKE–Moving from Iowa toTexasisalife-changingevent.
But for Sydney Petersen,her commitment to the Univer-sity of Texas volleyball programlast Wednesday was made in part because she felt the Austin campus maintained a Midwestern feel.
“It’s obviously a great, bigschool,” Petersen said, “but not as big as I thought whichmademethink, wow, I could see myself here.”
The 5-foot-3Dike-NewHart-ford junior libero, named to the elite all-state team last month after help-ingleadtheWolverinestotheClass3A championship, was also con-sidering Iowa State andNorthernIowa, the latter of which is helmed bySydney’smother,Bobbi.
There was no doubt that Bobbi Petersen, head volleyball coach, wanted to recruit Sydney to jointhePanthers.But Sydney said thatwhentalkingaboutmakinghercol-lege decision, being a coach andbeing amotherwere separate ave-nues for Bobbi.
“She put all those coach-ing things aside…when shewastalking tome asmymother,”Syd-ney said.
Sydney also reached out toher all-state twin sister Baylee for adviceinmakingthefinaldecision.
She’s still undecided onwhatshewants to studywhen she’s atTexas, but Sydney said that froma volleyball standpoint, the Long-horns’ championship pedigreespeaks for itself.
Texas has won three national championships – the most recent in 2012 – and has made 12 Final Fours and 27NCAA tournament appear-
ances out of the 30 tournamentsthat have been held in the sport’sNCAA-sanctionedhistory.
“Obviously,they’rewaygood,”Sydneysaid.
Thereisalsotheappealofget-tingworld-class instructionnot justfrom Texas head coach Jerritt Elliott but also from assistant coach Erik Sullivan,who is in chargeof help-ingtheteam’sdefensivespecialists.
SullivanwasTeamUSA’slibe-ro for themen’s indoor volleyballteamatthe2004SummerOlympicsand was named team leader of the bronze-medal-winning 2016men’sindoorOlympicsteam.
“It got me very excited thathe’d beworkingwith theDSes,”Sydney said. “I’mpumped to havehim teach me.”
Petersen plays club volleyball for the Club of Iowa team based out ofWaterloo/Cedar Falls. Shesaysshe’sreadynowtogetbacktofocusing on finishing out her highschool days in Dike.
“It’s like taking something offmy shoulders,”Sydney said. “NowIcanfocusonhighschool,keepingmy grades up, playing volleyballandgettingbetter.”
Dike-New Hartford’s Petersen chooses Texas volleyball
Sydney Petersen
While Meinders is prepared for the worst, it’s the furthest thingfrom his mind once he’s acrossfrom his opponent on the mat.
“It’s just getting back there andtelling yourself you can do this,”Meinders said. “Mygoal is tobe astatechampthisyear.I’vegottoughcompetition,butit’swrestling.…Ifyougooutthereandwinthematch-esyou’resupposedto,thingsmightend up going to your benefit.Youjust have to wrestle your match and do your job.”
AGWSR’s Caleb Meinders wraps his arm around the head of Dike-New Hartford’s Ethan Huntington during a wrestling match at AGWSR High School last Thursday. Meinders has started his senior season 8-1 on the mat after earning second-team all-state honors in football during the fall. (Jake Ryder/The Grundy Register photo)
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Wellmark Value Health Plan is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
98.9FMParkersburg
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Radio On The Go. com
Enjoy Christmas Concerts
Concerts also available on podcasts at radioonthego.com
with KLMJ & KQCR
Aplington Parkersburg – KLMJ 4 p.m. – KQCR 12/23 2 p.m. (Sponsored by Shirley Pebbles CPA)
Greene Cantata – KLMJ 12/22 6 p.m.– KQCR 12/24 8 p.m. (Sponsored by Retz Funeral Home)
North Butler – KLMJ 12/23 6 p.m.– KQCR 12/24 4 p.m. (Sponsored by Greene Insurance Services)
Clarksville – KLMJ 12/25 2:15 p.m. – KQCR 12/23 6 p.m. (Sponsored by Insurance Headquarters)
Grundy Center – KLMJ 12/23 3 p.m. – KQCR 12/19 6 p.m. (Sponsored by The Mill)
Dike New Hartford – KLMJ 12/24 8 p.m. – KQCR 12/23 3 p.m. (Sponsored by Konken Electric)
AGWSR – KLMJ 12/22 7 p.m. –KQCR 12/25 11 a.m. (Sponsored by Ackley Medical Center)
South Hardin – KLMJ 12/24 7 p.m. – KQCR 12/18 5 p.m. (Sponsored by Mike Atkinson Farm Bureau)
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