Charger Night Lights

Shopko Foundation Donates $500 to Night Visions Campaign

The Chariton High School Baseball Program recently received a $500 grant from the Shopko Foundation to go towards its Night Visions Campaign.  Lighting Milledge Field, home of the Chargers, is the focus of the Night Visions Campaign.

Out of 368 high schools in the state of Iowa, Milledge Field is one of only eight known not to have field lights.

Lighting Milledge Field is vital to the Charger baseball program and will allow for many benefits including hosting postseason playoff games.

Donor levels are available and a donor board will recognize those who contributed to the Night Visions Campaign when the project is completed.

Individuals, organizations or businesses interested in contributing to the Night Visions Campaign can contact Athletic Director Tim Milledge or Coach Jake Schroeder at the high school or by calling the school office at 774-5066.

---------------------------------------------------------------+

Charger Night lights 5K Run/Walk being held Saturday, April 12

By Bill Howes

Associate Editor

If you like running or walking to help a good cause, then the Charger Night Lights 5K Run/Walk is right up your alley.  The Charger Night Lights 5K Run/Walk is being held Saturday, April 12, at 9 a.m. and all the proceeds from it are going to provide funding for baseball field lights at Milledge Field.  The race will be held whether rain or shine.

The race will begin and end at Milledge Field at 1300 N. 16th Street in Chariton.  It's located just up the street south of Chariton Middle School.

Heather Swarthout is facilitating the race.  The entry fee for the 5K Run/Walk is  $20 for adults and $10 for people 18 and under.  A T-shirt is free with registration.  Participants should register by March 31st to guarantee a  T-shirt on race day.  If people register after March 31st their T-shirt will be ordered and they will be notified to pick it up at a later date.

Entry forms can be picked up at the Chariton High School office.  T-shirt sizes are on the entry forms.  Participants may register at Chariton high school or mail or drop off their entry form and payment payable to:  Attn.  Heather Swarthout, Chariton High School, 501 N. Grand, Chariton IA  50049.

Race numbers and T-shirts will be given out on race day.  There will be no age groups for the Run/Walk.  The top three overall finishers for the race will receive gift cards from the Fifth Mile in Chariton.

KIIC Radio will be playing music and broadcasting live at the event.  Breakfast burritos will be on sale before, during and after the race for $3 each.  Water will be provided for race participants. 

Hy-Vee is donating the water for the race.  Johnson Machine Works is providing race numbers and pins.  Lucas County Health Center is donation volunteers.  LCHC also gave a check for $500 to help with event expenses.  Pilot Rock Signs donated the flyers and banners for the race.  They're also printing the T-shirts at cost.  CHS Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members are helping organize the event and will be volunteering on the day of the race.

2013-2014 CHS Cheerleader's Banquet

Chow' Boys Gymnastics Teams

The Chow's Boys Gymnastics Teams competed in the Iowa Boys State Meet on March 22nd in Iowa City.  Individual All-Around Awards for Level 4 included:  Age 6 - Bryce Mullins 1st (Chariton) abd Tginas Eude 6th (Des Moines).  Age 9-10 - Noah Madison 1st (West Des Moines) and Josh hixson 2nd (Norwalk).  The Level 4 team placed 1st in team competition.

Daric Laing Named to INA All-State BB Team

Daric Laing, a 6'1" sophomore guard, was named to the Iowa Newspaper Association's All-State Boys Basketball Team.  Laing was named to the Class 3A Third Team.

Laing led the Chargers in scoring at 21.6 points per game.  He also finished second on the team with five rebounds per game.  Laing was second on the team in assists with 98.  He was first in steals with 63 and third in blocks with 17.

Laing is the son of David and Cindy Laing of Chariton.

Sailor Anderson has Memorable Performance at The Alamo Classic

Sailor Elaine Anderson of Chariton brought home a lot of medals to help her remember "The Alamo Classic," a prestigious gymnastic meet in San Antonio, Texas.

Competing in Level 7 (Jr. B.), the fifth grader earned three medals-fifth place for Floor Exercises; fourth place for Uneven Bars; and sixth place for Balance Beam.  Anderson also collected a trophy for fifth All Around in her division with a powerful score of 37.500 out of 40 possible points.

Anderson is the daughter of Tom and Jodi Lyn Anderson, and sister to Will, Haddon Rose and Lucas.  She is in Ms. Holbrook's class at Van Allen Elementary School.  Anderson has been involved in this sport for more than nine years, training at Triad Gymnastics in Ankeny.  The Triad Gymnastics Level 7 team is currently ranked 73rd nationally.
----------------------------------------------------

Anderson places second all around at Optional State Gymnastics Championships in Cedar Rapids

Sailor Elaine Anderson, 11 years old, of Chariton, competed in the 2014 Optional State Gymnastics Championship at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Cedar Rapids.  The 5th grader had an outstanding competition, gathering five medals in the Level 7 (Jr. B) division.  She won fourth place in the Vault and Floor Exercises, second in Uneven Bars and the Balance Beam.  With a remarkable score of 37.725 (out of a possible 40.0).  Anderson captured second place All-Around.

Five Chargers Named to All-SCC Team

Chariton Leader March 18, 2014
Bill Howes Associate Editor

After an outstanding season on the court, the Chariton Varsity Boys' basketball team is reaping the accolades off of it.  Chariton had five players selected to the 2013-14 All SCC boys basketball team including two first team unanimous all-conference selections.
Chariton 6'2" sophomore guard Daric Laing and 6'6" sophomore center T.J. Hockenson were both unanimous first team All-SCC selections.  Chariton 6'5" senior forward Willie Felderman and 6'1" senior guard Christian Bengtson were both named to the All-SCC second team.  Chariotn 5'9" senior guard Ben Morrett was named to All-SCC Honorable Mention.
The Chargers were the outright SCC champions this season.  They won the conference with a 9-1 record.  It was their first outright conference title since 1999.  Chariton also qualified for the State Tournament for the first time since 1972.

Jake Chapman Competed in two National Tournaments

Storybook Season Comes to an End for Chargers

Chariton Herald-Patriot, March 13, 2014

Bill Howes, Associate Editor

Charger Season Ends with loss to Wahlert at State Tournament

It was a close game, 81-59, but Dubuque Wahlert pulled down the win, in the 3A state quarterfinals at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines March 11th.  The game was tight in the first half and early in the third quarter before the Golden Eagles started to pull away.  Chariotn battled till the end and made their fans very proud, watching them play in their first state tournament game in 42 years.

With the loss Chariton ended the season with a record of 21-4.  With the win Dubuque Wahlert (21-4) advanced to play in the 3A state semifinal against #1 seed Harlan on March 13th at Wells Farge Arena.  Harlan beat Humboldt, 64-44, in their first round game.

Hockenson went 9-10 from the line and finished with a team high 23 points and 17 rebounds.  He also had two assists and one block.  Felderman had 12 points, one rebound and four blocks.  Bengtson had 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and one steal.  Laing had eight points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals.  Cain had three points.  Storm had two points.  Brett Braida had one point.  Bradley Krutsinger had one rebound and one assist.  Alec Reynolds had one rebound.

Charger Send Off

Girls All-Conference Awards

Chargers Move On To State

Chariton Herald-Patriot, March 6, 2014
Bill Howes, Associate Editor

Win Over Bondurant-Farrar Gives Chargers First State Appearnce Since 1972

What an unbelievable game.

The "never say die" attitude of the Chariton Chargers came through loud and clear with a thrilling, edge of your seat drama-filled win over Bondurant-Farrar, 63-61, in the Class 3A Sub-State 7 final at Ankeny Centennial High School on March 3rd.  Both teams came back from large deficits to take the lead several times and displayed the heart of a champion throughout the game.  However, in the end Chariton was victorious and punched their ticket to the state tournament.

It will be Chariton's first state tournament appearance since 1972.  The Chargers (21-3) will open up play against Dubuque Wahlert (20-4) at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.  Dubuque Wahlert won the Class 3A Sub-State 4 final against Cedar Rapids Xavier, 70-62, March 3rd.

In 1972, then Chariton Head Coach Bob Cain guided CHS to the state tournament.  Eventual state champion Cedar Rapids Kennedy beat them in the first round, 77-63.  There were only two classes back then and Chariton was in the big class, which was 2A.

The starters for the 1972 team were 6'7" All-State center, Jim Greeley, who was also first team all-conference.  The two guards were Bob Foote and Scott Curtis, who both made first team all-conference.  The two forwards were Dennis Boyd and Jay Hammin and both made second team all-conference.  This information about the 1972 state team was compiled from an article done about Cain's career in the January 24, 2012 Chariton Leader.

The Charger crowd was outstanding in cheering their team on to victory.  Both the adult and student sections were jam packed in a sea of red and were overjoyed when their team came out victorious in the end.  Fans stormed the court to congratulate the team and coaches on their victory and their state tournament berth.

The game was tight early on and Bondurant's quick driving guard, Tyvin Riley, big man Sam Duffy and sharpshooter Drake Fuller were effective against Chariton's defense early on.  Fuller drained a three from the corner to give Bondurant a 7-4 lead.  With Bondurant leading 9-6, Ben Morrett, who hit a big clutch shot and free throw late, scored to make the game, 9-8.

A two-point basket and a three by Fuller put the Blue Jays up, 14-8.  A Duffy basket put the Blue Jays up 16-9 but Laing answered with a three to cut the lead to 16-12 with 3:12 left in the first period.  Riley hit a shot from the top of the key to put Bondurant up 20-12.  A three by Grant Peterson made the score 23-14.  Felderman drove in for a basket to cut the lead to seven.  Fuller was fouled and hit one foul shot to make the score 24-16 after one period.

A three pointer by Riley gave the Blue Jays a 29-18 lead with 6:36 left in the first half.  After this basket, Chariton went on an 11-2 run to cut the lead to two.  Laing hit a two and back-to-back baskets by Hockenson cut the lead to 29-26.  Duffy hit a basket to push the lead to five but Morrett hit a three at the top of the key to cut the lead to 31-29 with one minute left in the half.  Fuller hit a two to push the lead back to four, 33-29, which was the score at halftime.

The Chargers switched to a zone defense, which bothered the Blue Jays some.  Trailing 37-33, Christian Bengtson drilled a three-pointer to cut the lead to 37-36.  A basket by Felderman gave the Chargers a 38-37 lead with 4:38 left in the third period.  Hockenson hit a basket that caused the Charger crowd to erupt and put the Chargers up by three.

Shortly after the timeout, Fuller hit a three to tie the game at 40 apiece.  After a Duffy basket to give the Blue Jays a two-point lead, the Chargers went on a 10-0 run.  Hockenson hit back-to-back baskets and Bengtson drained a three, which made the crowd erupt and give the Chargers a 47-42 lead after three periods.

Shortly into the fourth, Laing hit a three to put the Chargers up 50-42.  However after this the Blue Jays went on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to one, 50-49, on a layup by Riley with 6:06 left in the game.  Following a Charger timeout, Laing was fouled and made both free throws to put the Chargers up 52-49.  He hit a basket to put them up by five.  Felderman was fouled with 4:54 left and made both foul shots to give Chariton a 56-49 lead.

Bengtson made both free throws after being fouled with 4:16 left to give the Chargers a 58-50 lead.  However the Blue Jays wouldn't quit and went on a 9-0 run to take a 59-58 lead with about two and a half minutes left.

With Chariton still trailing by one, Laing was fouled with 1:35 left.  He made both free throws to give the Chargers a 60-59 lead.  Morrett hit a huge basket to put Chariton up 62-59 with just over a minute left.  Duffy hit a basket off a feed from Riley to cut the lead to one with 43 second left.

Morrett was fouled with 22 seconds left and Chariton leading by one.  He missed the first foul shot but made the second to give Chariton a 63-61 lead.  Following a Bondurant timeout with 17 seconds left, the Blue Jays drove the ball down the court and got four shots off underneath the basket to try to tie it.  However none of them went in and the clock stuck zero, giving Chariton the win.

Hockenson had 19 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.  Laing had 14 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals.  Morrett had 10 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal.

Bengtson had 10 points, two rebounds, four assists and one steal.  Felderman had eight points, seven rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal.

Chariton shot 15-28, 54 percent, from inside the arc and 5-12, 42 percent from three-point range.  They shot 16-19, 84 percent, from the line.  The Chargers pulled down 28 rebounds including 10 offensive boards.

Chariton committed 17 turnovers and 11 fouls.  The Chargers had 14 assists, six steals and five blocks.

Girls Basketball Banquet

Herald-Patriot, March 6, 2014
Photos by Veronica Fuhs

Knights of Columbus Free Throw Regional Winner

Chargers One Game From State Tourney

Chariton Leader, March 4, 2014

Dave Paxton, Publisher

Chargers One Game From State Tourney

Clutch Free Throws Topple Knoxville Boys

By half-time, with a 29-25 score and several lead changes, it didn't look like a 19-3 conference championship team against a 5-17 bottom of the rung team.  Knoxville entered the district championship game with just five wins, but those wins included victories over Albia (Class 2A state tournament qualifier), Centerville and Pella Christian.

A freshman guard, Trent Davis, put the Panthers on his back late in the game with 23 points.  Senior center Chase Higginbottom hit a shot with 1:45 left that tied the game 61-61.

In the end, however, it was the play of sophomore center TJ Hockenson who hit five free throws, senior Ben Morrett, who hit two and sophomore Daric Laing, who hit two that forged a 70-63 victory and placed the Chargers within one game of the state tournament.

Hockenson picked up his fourth foul with 2:04 left, but the 6'6' sophomore played aggressive defense down the stretch, with a couple of blocked shots and three huge rebounds.

The Chargers got their usual production from Hockenson (21 points), Laing (16) and Willie Felderman (15) but got a huge lift from senior Brett Braida who appeared for the first time in the third quarter and wound up with nine points, letting the Chargers take a 52-38 lead with a few seconds gone in the fourth quarter.

Hockenson, Morrett and Laing were perfect from the free throw line and helped move Chariton (20-3) to the sub-state final to be played March 3rd against Bondurant-Farrar (18-5) at Ankeny Centennial High School.  Ninth ranked Bondurant-Farrar beat sixth-ranked Dallas Center-Grimes 63-59 in their district championship game.

Hockenson led the team with 21 points and 14 rebounds.  Laing had 16 points, five rebounds, two steals and two assists.  Felderman added 15 points, six rebounds, three blocked shots, two steals and three assists.  Braida scored 12 points and had two steals.  Morrett added four points and two assists and Bengtson had two points, six assists and four steals.

Paul Revere Masonic Lodge Offers Scholarship

Paul Revere Masonic Lodge at Lucas is offering a $500 scholarship open to any student pursuing continuing education at any accredited college or technical school.  Applications are available at Chariton, Wayne and Mormon Trail High Schools, or call 641-203-5296.  Applications must be received by April 15 to be considered.

Scholarships offered via Chamber/Main Street

Applications are available for five college scholarship programs offered through Chariton Area Chamber/Main Street and two others.

These scholarships have been established in honor of local residents.  Scholarships provide from $500 to $3,000 to pay expenses for Lucas County students continuing their education at accredited universities, colleges and community colleges.  The scholarships and their application deadlines are as follows:

The Ken and Atha Crist/Rotary Memorial Community Service Scholarship.  At lease one scholarship will be offered in an amount up to $1,000 to graduating seniors of Chariton High School who have been active in their community.  Application deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2014.

The Mary Sandy Scholarship.  At least one $1,000 scholarship will be offered to graduating seniors of Chariton High School who plan on pursuing a degree in education.  Application deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2014.

The Glen Mitchel Scholarship.  At least one $1,000 scholarship will be offered to graduates of Chariton High School who plan on pursuing a degree in agriculture or an agriculture related field.  Applications will be accepted from graduating seniors as well as students who have already completed some college.  Previous recipients may also re-apply, although preference will be given to first time applicants.  Application deadline is 5 p.m. on April 25, 2014.

The Lyle and Donna Nickleson Fine Arts Scholarship.  At least one $500 scholarship will be offered to graduating seniors of Chariotn High School who participate in the fine arts program during their high school years.  The recipient may pursue any course of study in any accredited college or university.  Application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, April 25, 2014

The Dorothy Disney Miller Scholarship.  At least one $3,000 scholarship, renewable up to four years, will be offered to graduates of Chariton High School ranking in the top one-half of the graduating class, but may be overlooked for other scholarship awards.  Applicant may be graduating seniors or past graduate currently enrolled full time in college.  Application deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2014.

Chariton Valley Player Performing Arts Scholarship.  One $1,000 scholarship will be offered to graduating seniors of Chariton High School who participate in a music, theater or dance program during their high school years.  Application deadline is Thursday, May 1, 2014.

The Donner Scholarship.  One $500 scholarship.  Applicants must be a high school graduate residing in Lucas County who is accepted by an accredited Art career school.  Application deadline is Friday, April 18, 2014.  Applications are available in the guidance department at Chariton High School and the Chariton Area Chamber/Main Street office.  For more information call the Chamber;Main Street office at 641-774-4059

Stephen McCurdy Signs Letter of Intent

Chariton Leader, March 4, 2014

Bill Howes, Associate Editor

Chariton High School CHS senior Stephen McCurdy signed a letter of intent to play football at William Penn University in Oskaloosa.  He is the son of Mike and Terri McCurdy.

Both of McCurdy's parents were present for the letter signing along with his grandparents, Bob and Sharon McCurdy.  Bob played football for William Penn and graduated there in 1957.

McCurdy was a running back for the Chargers this past season.  William Penn Offensive Coordinator Chris Stutzriem was present and told why they decided to recruit McCudry.  "He's an awesome young man.  He's also got power and great speed and it's always good to get another local kid," Stutziem said.

William Penn's Head Coach is Todd Hafner and their record was 6-5 last season.  They are an NAIA school and a member of the Mid-States Conference.

McCurdy said he will major in Criminal Justice at William Penn.

Showers, Fuhs, Grismore Named to All-Conference Team

Chariton Leader, March 4, 2014
Bill Howes, Associate Editor

The all-conference selections for South Central Conference girls basketball have been announced.  Chariton had one girl selected to First Team All-Conference in senior forward Allyson Showers.  In 21 games this season, Showers averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game.  She led the team in rebounds with 211 and had 20 assists, 62 steals and 29 blocks.  She scored 316 points.

The Lady Chargers also had two girls named to Honorable Mention All-Conference in senior forward Emma Fuhs and senior guard Emily Grismore.  In 21 games Fuhs average 4.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.  She finished second on the team in rebounds with 129 and first in blocks with 30.  Grismore was second on the team in scoring averaging seven points per game and second on the team with 154 points.  She average 3.5 rebounds per game.  She also had 37 assists, 38 steals and five blocks.

Eddyville-Blackesburg-Fremont won the 2013-14 SCC girls standing with a 9-1 record and they finished 17-6 overall.  Albia finished second at 7-3 and 15-8 overall.  Davis County was third at 6-4 in the conference and 14-8 overall.  Clarke was fourth at 5-5 and  7-15 overall.  Chariton finished fifth at 3-7 and 6-16 overall.  Centerville finished sixth at 0-10 and 0-20 overall

Chariton 8th Grade GIrls team wins Colfax-Mingo and Centerville Tournaments

Chariton Leader, March 11, 2014

The 8th grade girl's basketball team recently wrapped up their tourney season with a championship at the Colfax-Mingo junior high tournament on March 1st.  En route to their first place finish, the girls picked up wins over the Playmakers of Pella (38-19), Roland-Story (29-6), and host team Colfax-Mingo (33-24).

They clinched the championship with a hard fought 33-21 win over the Purple Storm of Indianola.

The Colfax tournament marked their second consecutive tourney title,.

Two weeks ago the team went 3-0 to capture the Centerville tournament, collecting victories over Albia (37-11), Green City, Missouri (28-8), and Schyler County, Missouri (40-28).

In their first tournament of the season, the girls had a tougher go of it and finished with a 1-2 record in the Creston tournament.  That week-end, the team suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss to Nodaway Valley before losing to the Millard South Patriots from Omaha, Neb., in pool play.

The girls battled the powerhouse Omaha team to a 4 point game at the end of the 3rd quarter, but ended up losing by a 12-point margin.  The team finished the tournament with a 15-point victory over Osceola to take fifth place.

The 8th grade team finished the tournament season with a 8-2 record and had an overall season record of 19-3.