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Waukon’s boys track and field squad got 2005 off to a good start last Tuesday, March 15 at the Iowa State University Indoor meet in Ames. No team scores were kept.

“This is a good meet to start the season off,” said head coach Joe O’Neill. “Iowa State has a terrific track and the competition is as good as you’ll see until Drake or state. Every event is very competitive.”

Waukon Senior High’s Vannessa Herman was part of the final boys state basketball tournament at Veterans Memorial Auditorium this past week. Herman, a senior and daughter of Pam and Brent Herman of Waukon, was a member of the 2005 Iowa All-State cheerleading squad.

Herman is Waukon’s first all-state cheerleader. She earned the title after auditioning last October. Over 200 athletes competed for a spot on the team with 40 making the final cut. Cheerleaders were judged on their motions, jumps, dance ability, and gymnastics skills.

The Waukon Park & Rec Department will host a youth soccer program for children in grades first through sixth during the spring of 2005.

The program will run similarly to the fall flag football program. Games will be played on Saturday mornings. First and second graders will play in a division with third and fourth graders and fifth and sixth graders also combining for competition.

Coaches and sponsors are also needed. Sponsorship is $25 per team.

After two rounds of action, Ryan Hogan of Waukon has emerged as the early leader in The Standard’s annual NCAA Final Four competition. Hogan as amassed 51 points so far.

Kevin Hoisington, Mike Conway, Jane Butler, Susan Frick, and Bruce Kubitz are all knotted in the second position with 48 points each.

Six more contestants have posted 47 points while another five are tied with 46. The field stays tight after that with 13 participants adding 45 points after two rounds of tournament action.

Top contestants after two rounds are as follows:

Applications are being accepted for the 2005 Bulldog Basketball Camp at Drake University. Tom Davis and his staff and players will conduct three camps. Day Camp will be held June 13-16 and is open to boys entering grades K-8 in the fall of 2005. The Individual Camp will be held June 19-22 and is open to boys entering grades 5-12 in the fall. Day Camp will also be held June 27-30 with a morning and afternoon session. For more information, call (515)271-3894 or visit www.drakehoops.com.

COMMERCIAL LEAGUE

Week ending March 15

W L

Sweeney Real Estate 34 14

Farmers & Merchants 301/2 171/2

Monroe Auctions 30 18

Regan’s Auto Glass 251/2 221/2

Fish Trucking 191/2 281/2

Waukon Power Sports 19 29

Quillin’s Food Ranch 18 30

Carquest Auto Parts 151/2 321/2

HTS: Quillin’s Food Ranch 3065

HIS: Bob Snitker 636

HTG: Regan’s Auto Glass 1053

HIG: Jesse Peterson 258

The Upper Iowa University basketball camps have a long tradition of providing outstanding basketball instruction. The Recreation Center and Dorman Gymnasium give UIU ample space to provide instructional opportunities and individual attention.

UIU’s camp goals have always been to provide campers with the knowledge to become better basketball players and the social atmosphere to create new friendships. UIU coaches invite you to take a look at other camps, but think you will find that the best quality, individual attention and affordability will be right here.

The Allamakee County Sportsman Club will be hosting the annual Smelt Fry-Fish Fry Friday, March 25. Serving starts at 5 p.m.

The following day, Saturday, March 26, the club will host their Big Rack Contest. This is an opportunity for area hunters to get an official score on their deer antlers. Doors open at 6 p.m. Official scorers will be on hand for Pope and Young, Boone and Crocket, American Big Game and Fish Records. Admission for adults includes one rack to be scored. Additional racks can be scored for an additional fee. Free chili will be served.

There was a considerable amount of interest last month as to whether a particular resident of Punxsutawney, Pa., would see his shadow as he emerged from his residence. His verdict would forecast how much longer we would be enduring the grips of winter weather. (Phil, of course, is a groundhog, Marmota monax - the digger marmot - if you want to get scientific about it, or woodchuck, or whistle pig.)

Edward “Jim” Opfer, 90, of Waukon, died Saturday, March 19, 2005, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 23 at 11 a.m. at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon, with Pastor Amy Perkins officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.