Sports

(Photo courtesy Shiloh Schultz)

(Photo courtesy Shiloh Schultz)

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Gothenburg Junior Melons Fight Till Final Breath

Ethan Olsen
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
The Melons, after a massive win against Valparaiso on July 13, were set for a fierce rematch with rivals Holdrege in the B-6 Area Tournament last week. This time, the rematch would be win twice or go home for the Melons, where Holdrege had room to lose one game.
Members of the 2026 Gothenburg swim team are, front row, from left: Maeli Blecha, Haven Wolf, Paetyn Meyer, Boden Wolf, Braylen Jorgenson, Ella Madsen, Brecklynn Brown, Adalynn Jorgenson, and Harper Bogus; middle row: Adelyn Meyer, Sophie Madsen, Emersyn Meyer, Layla Hagin, and Charli Blecha; back row: Brant Miller (assistant coach), Tyler Hetz, Logan Feather (assistant coach), and Lisa Jorgenson (head coach). Not pictured: Austin Madsen and Blake McNulty. (Leader photo by Ellen Mortensen)

Members of the 2026 Gothenburg swim team are, front row, from left: Maeli Blecha, Haven Wolf, Paetyn Meyer, Boden Wolf, Braylen Jorgenson, Ella Madsen, Brecklynn Brown, Adalynn Jorgenson, and Harper Bogus; middle row: Adelyn Meyer, Sophie Madsen, Emersyn Meyer, Layla Hagin, and Charli Blecha; back row: Brant Miller (assistant coach), Tyler Hetz, Logan Feather (assistant coach), and Lisa Jorgenson (head coach). Not pictured: Austin Madsen and Blake McNulty. (Leader photo by Ellen Mortensen)

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Team GO Wraps Up Season at League Championships

Ellen Mortensen
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
The Gothenburg swim team concluded their short and very successful season on Saturday, July 11, as they competed in the Plains tSunami League Championship Meet at the Lexington Family Aquatic Center.Along with teams from across Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas were also represented.
Members of the 2026 Gothenburg Junior Melons baseball team are, front row, from left: Gared Sabin, Drake Swan, and Brigham Ricley; Row two: Cameron Holt, Callen Johnson, Kale Dea, William McVay, Jaxon Earll, Evan Geiser, Blake Brown, Cannon Holthaus, and Hayden Pesek; Back row: Coach Luke Dea, Gunnar Thompson, Andrew Salomon, and Coach Ethan Olsen. (Photos by Shiloh Schultz)

Members of the 2026 Gothenburg Junior Melons baseball team are, front row, from left: Gared Sabin, Drake Swan, and Brigham Ricley; Row two: Cameron Holt, Callen Johnson, Kale Dea, William McVay, Jaxon Earll, Evan Geiser, Blake Brown, Cannon Holthaus, and Hayden Pesek; Back row: Coach Luke Dea, Gunnar Thompson, Andrew Salomon, and Coach Ethan Olsen. (Photos by Shiloh Schultz)

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Melons Advance to B-6 Area Tournament Championship

Ethan Olsen
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
The Gothenburg Junior Melons took the field for the area tournament this past weekend in Minden, where they faced Broken Bow, Minden, and Holdrege.
Wendelin Wins Rodeo Raffle

Wendelin Wins Rodeo Raffle

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Wendelin Wins Rodeo Raffle

News Staff
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Lawrence Wendelin was the lucky winner of the 50/50 raffle at the Pony Express Rodeo in Gothenburg on July 4. Pictured with Wendelin are, from left, Owen Fairley, Mollie Spradlin and Dallee Barnes with the Antelope Livestock 4H group. (Photo courtesy Malloree Barnes)
Gunnar Thompson gave the ball a ride, as he jumped on the perfect pitch for a 3-run home run against Lexington on July 1, to help secure the win for the Melons and a spot in the League Championship.

Gunnar Thompson gave the ball a ride, as he jumped on the perfect pitch for a 3-run home run against Lexington on July 1, to help secure the win for the Melons and a spot in the League Championship.

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Melons Fall Just Short in League Championship

Ethan Olsen
Thursday, July 9, 2026
The Gothenburg Junior Melons played three games during this last week, including a double-header vs McCook and a rematch with cross-county rivals Lexington. The Melons needed to win all three games to qualify for the League Championship for the first time since 2002.
Third baseman William McVay and pitcher Evan Geiser (who tagged the runner) caught an Alma player in a pickle in last Friday’s game at Alma. (Photo courtesy Kim Johnson)

Third baseman William McVay and pitcher Evan Geiser (who tagged the runner) caught an Alma player in a pickle in last Friday’s game at Alma. (Photo courtesy Kim Johnson)

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Big Bats, Good Pitching, Victorious Weekend For Junior Melons

Ethan Olsen
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
The Gothenburg Junior Melons played three games this past weekend, including a game against Alma and a doubleheader in Kimball. Against Alma on Friday, June 26, the Melons won 9-1 as they hung 8 runs in the top of the 7th to run away with the win.
(Photo courtesy Western Nebraska APA Pool League)

(Photo courtesy Western Nebraska APA Pool League)

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Local Pool Team Qualifies for Vegas Championship

Press Release
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
“211 Shooters” out of Bar W in Gothenburg will advance to the American Poolplayers Association (APA) 8-Ball World Pool Championship in Las Vegas after winning one of three Vegas spots available at the Western Nebraska APA 8-Ball World Qualifier held at Eagles Club in North Platte.
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