The following is another "Have Fun or Get Out of the Way" column by Don Leighton and Mike Granlund and their alter egos, Lance Boyle and Billy Pirkola, which runs occasionally in The Superior Telegram.
Maybe the most versatile hockey player in the country is Superior High School's Aleeah Baker. A defenseman, she played goalie for most of the first half of the season, stopping more than 60 shots in some of the games. When coach Scott VanDamme inserted her into the lineup as a winger, she responded with two goals and led the Spartans to their first win, 4-2 over Menomonie. She also came up with two assists in a 7-6 overtime loss to the Webster-Siren Blizzard on Tuesday. Oh, she plays softball, too. Look for her to pitch and also play two or three other positions as well.
- Northwestern has three girls playing hockey this year for the Ashland High School team. Jacey Tuura, Jesse Konkler and Madeline Spangenberg all make the trip to play for the 19-and-under team that plays a high school schedule during the regular season. They will host the Superior Spartans at the Bay Area Civic Center rink on Feb. 10, and the game will be broadcast on WNXR radio (107.3 FM).
- If you haven't been to a University of Wisconsin-Superior women's hockey game, get going. They feature two All-American goalies in Rikki Nespor and Melissa Kunzelman and a team that made it to the NCAA Division III Frozen Four last year. Junior Jodi Holland is the leading goal scorer with 12 in the first 17 games. Superiorites Ashlee Olson and Ashley Martin are freshmen on the squad. They host Lake Forest at 7 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Saturday.
- The Spartan basketball team is finally adjusting to playing without star guard Brittnee Blake. Normally a defensive threat, Taylor Kosey scored more than 20 points in two consecutive games. Bettye Jo Nelson is one of the area's outstanding sophomore players.
- Northwood's win over Clayton last week in double overtime was Clayton's first loss in the Lakeland Central Conference in more five years (Jan. 8, 2004). Northwood (9-2) has been steadily building a solid program under coach Jason Schultz. The team is fairly young, with Janie Murray and Ashlee Blegen being the only seniors. Look out for the Evergreens for quite a few years to come. You've been warned.
- Solon Springs junior Rachel Hanley continues to impress with an average of about 20 points per game. In the South Shore game on Monday, she finished 10-of-12 from the field, including 3-of-4 behind the 3-point arc. Along with starters Salann Gilbert, Alex Sickler, Chanda Deming, and Lorin Larson, Al Visger's Eagles look to make some noise in the playoffs.
- If you are looking for something a little different to do, the UWS women's basketball team is hosting a magic show at Thorp Langley Auditorium on Feb. 5. World renowned magician Garry Carlson and his crew will entertain beginning at 7 p.m. Carlson worked the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for 212 years. Call coach Mulhern at 395-4672 for tickets. Incidentally, we see Mulhern's 'Jackets as much improved this year. Maybe the record doesn't indicate it, but they are building for the future at the Mertz Mortorelli Gym. Former Tiger Amanda Rounsville is the team's only senior.
- Although these columnists don't know Cathy Rigby from Eleanor Rigby, the Spartan girls gymnastics team is in the midst of its season, and the dance teams also are approaching competition. Superior and Northwestern dance teams both go to Eau Claire Saturday for regional finals. The state competition is Feb. 14 in Green Bay.
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Lance and Billy's weight loss program news: Lance and Billy visited the YMCA Thursday morning for their official eight-day weigh-in. We will be weighing on a weekly basis on the same day. It is important to take body measurements. Exercise will increase muscle, and since a pound of muscle occupies half the space as a pound of fat, the scale may show you have reached a plateau, but you may still be progressing. Never get discouraged.
Remember, watching your calorie and carbohydrate intake is vital, but exercise is just as important. Stay active, eat less. Give Cathi a call at the YMCA at 392-5611. She can set you up on a program. Lance lost 10 pounds and Billy lost 12 pounds in the first eight days. This weekend, we will be e-mailing all those readers who want to lose weight with us. It's never too late to join the Lance and Billy Weight Loss Program.
Opinions and/or story ideas can be e-mailed to dleigh1273@aol.com or wgranlund@centurytel.net
