Page 5 AHS 1991 Spring Summer

1991 page 5 AHS spring-summer Newsletter volume 2 issue 2

Page 5 Volume 2, Issue 2, Spring - Summer 1991 AHS Alumni Association Newsletter

Another Banner Year For AHS Athletics Activities

When Marjorie Price Baker '24 helped coin the motto, "Ames Hi, Aims High", she may have had in mind a year like the one AHS is experiencing. In the past eight months, Ames students and teachers have etched their names and the name of the school on district, state and national awards.

In the athletic arena, the name of Fred Hoiberg jumps out. The 6' 4" senior, who combines intellect with outstanding athletic ability and humility was named Gatorade Player of the Year in Iowa in both football and basketball, a feat no other Iowan has accomplished. The year started with Hoiberg naming Iowa State University the winner in the recruiting war for his basketball talents. The Cyclones won by edging national power Arizona and Stanford. His announcement came after he established new single season and career football AHS records in passing yards and total offense, despite a 4-5 finish.

He then led the Little Cyclone basketball team to its sixth State Championship, averaging over 29 ppg and nearly 10 rebounds. Ames finished 21-3, with the losses by close margins in Metro Conference play. But late in the season, the team was invincible, winning the last 11 games en route to AHS's first state title since 1976. Hoiberg graduates holding the school scoring records for a game (51), a season (725) and a career (1,760) along with a host of other records.

Ames won its six toumament games by a 3A record margin of 27.7 ppg, and at the State ousted Davenport West, 86-60, and Des Moines North (the Metro champions), 94-58, before beating defending champion Waterloo East, 79-63 in the championship game. Hoiberg and junior Seth Anderson were named all-tournement and Hoiberg was eventually named Iowa's “Mr. Basketball".

Coach Wayne Clinton got his 100th career victory earlier in the season and joins Ray Donels (1936), O.E. Tiller (1945), and Ron Norman (1955), as the only AHS coaches to win the pournament the firstyear they had a team qualify or it.

At the 1991 basketball banquet, the 1936 State Champions, AHS’s first, were honored and remembered. Bill Bliss '36 and Babe Ryan '36 from that team werepresent with their wives, along with Anna Mae Allan, the wife of the late Wendell Allen '36 and Evelyn Donels, wife of the late Ray Donels, coach.

In other athletic action, cross country was again strong for both the boys and girls with each winning conference and district titles and finishing among the top eight teams in the State Meet. Boys and girls swimming, boys’ golf (now contested in the fall), wrestling and girls‘ basketball continued to show improvement with times and perfonnances. Ames was represented in the state boys‘ and girls’ swimming meets, and the golf and wrestling toumaments. Little Cyclone Coach John Slctten once again had some of the state's best perfomrances in boys’ track, where they won an unprecedented sixth straight state title the weekend of May 31 and June 1. This year the team was led by one of the Iowa’s most versatile performers, John Bamett The girls’ track team was again strong and balanced and is headed for another regular season at being undefeated with a strong finish in the State Meet, where they have been a top five finisher each of the past six years, including titles in 1987 and 1988 and second in 1989. Both Hack teams have repeated as Metro Conference champions.

Boys and girls tennis programs are again strong and both squads are favored for conference titles and high finishes at the state meets. The girls golf team is rebuilding after four consecutive conference titles and strong finishes in the state meet. The young team is led by one of the state's top prep golfers, Janea Carter, a varsity perfonner on the previous three AHS teams.

As summer approaches soccer, baseball and softball teams pose a bright picture. The soccer squad will be aiming at the Metro title, which eluded them a year ago by one game. The baseball team will be coached by Bret Posegate, an AHS alum '85, and if they cart replace some key personnel, AHS could be a conference con- tender. The softball team will be youthful, but experienced and will be shooting for a first division Metro finish.

In co-curricular activities, Ames continues to be at the top of the pack in instrumental and vocal music. The marching band once again is recognized as one of the few premier groups of its kind in Iowa. Instrumentalists continued to excel with seven being named to All-State, and winning over 15 I's in contests, which are still taking place at this Writing. Vocal music is strong once again with Ames singers winning numerous I’s in contests, and with five making All-State.

One singer, Margaret Lloyd, a senior, has won All-American honors. The annual Madrigal Dirmer was again a big favorite in the com- munity with both nights being sold out. the event features the vocal music department and members of the orchestra and band.

The Academic Decathlon team claimed the District championship in mid-February, won their second State title in late February and in mid-March fmished 10th (out of 45 schools) in the national competition in Los Angeles. Rob Hentzel, a senior, paced the team with an llth place finish the individual competition, after setting a state record earlier.

The mock trial team, a new competition, tied for first in the State competition, only to lose a tie-breaker and thus narrowly missing a chance to qualify for the nationals.

Speech and debate competitions continue to be strong with AHS students continuing to participate and excel in increasing numbers. Ames notched eight I’s in state speech contests with two students earning super all-state honors. The debaters continue to perfonn well in competitions and AHS continues to host one 0 the largest debate toumaments in Iowa each January.

Ames student achieved excellence in journalistic endeavors with the Web Spirit and Scratch Pad, each being recognized for excellence in state and national competitions. Ames also had two students - Heather Schafroth and Connie Hsu - win National Council of English Teachers awards in writing.

The school had 13 National Merit Scholarship Semifnalists; with l2making fmalists standing, and staying in the hunt for scholarships which will be announced in late May. Two of those finalists, were involved in the Presidential Scholars competition with Heather Schafroth and SumitBasu being named fmalists — two of 500 students nationally. Basu, in mid-May, was named as one 14-4 students nationally to be a Presidential Scholar.

During the AHS Awards Convocation, nearly 200 students received recognition for scholarship and service to AHS with nearly $225,000 in scholarships, grants and awards being presented. But, that is only the tip of the iceberg. AHS students again conducted a successful Welfare Week, generating $3,000 for local charities and organizations, as well as contributing food to the Story County Food Shelf and blood to the Mary Greeley Blood Bank. An active human relations committee in the school, successfully addressed issues to make the school enviromnent a more friendly place.

A required assembly featuring Maki Mandella was well received by the studentbody, as was a voluntary assembly conducted by the local chapter of SADD.

And when students weren't being honored, members of the staff were collecting awards. Floyd Sturtevant and Ken Hartman earned recognition in science; Betty Furr in German; and Barb Peterson in Spanish.

The heritage of achievement and excellence in and out of the classroom, which has long been synonymous with AHS continues to thrive in 13th decade. It is this type of self-fulfilling prophecy that makes Ames and Ames High unique.

Bud Legg, AHS Staff

New AHS Pep Council

Remember years ago when AHS had a pep club and the enthusiasm the club created? It looks like that may happen again.

Diane Wilson, the cheersquad coach, has been selected to be the director of the newly formed pep council and Suzy Shierholz, next year's Booster Club president, will assist. This cotmcil will include a pep club and several other organizations. This will be more than just cheering at athletic events. The council hopes to involve many groups to accomplish many objectives. The objectives include:

1. To promote and foster interest in and good will toward activities and athletic events.

2. To recognize student activity achievement.

3. To promote student morale, school spirit and general welfare of the student body.

The membership of the council will include representatives from: Student Council, Cheerleaders, Letter Winners Club, Pep Club, Coaches, Booster Club, Pep Band, Fine Arts, Alumni Association, Administration, and Students-At- Large.

The first meeting for the new council was April 29, 1991. Terry Adams '55 is the alumni representative.

Dave Posegate '59
AHS Athletic Director

P.S. We had a great 30 year reunion. Everyone looked the same.

1991 Page 5 volume 2, issue 2, spring - summer AHS Alumni Association Newsletter